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Meet the Talents Behind the LEGO DC Super-Villains Video Game at SDCC 2018

Here’s another great reason to attend the San Diego Comic Con this year. According to the event’s official programming schedule, TT Games, the game developer behind the anticipated LEGO DC Super-Villains video game, will be hosting a meet-the-talent panel where TT Games main man (aka Head of Design) Arthur Parsons will be on the spotlight to share to comic-con attendees an inside look on how the game was developed. Since its grand debut during last month’s E3 where we get to see a glimpse of its live gameplay at that time, the upcoming LEGO DC Super-Villains: Meet the Talent Behind the Video Game panel will focus on LEGO’s first “villain-centric” video game adventure.

Arthur Parsons will be joined by fan-favorite Batman voice actor, Kevin Conroy. SDCC is a bit tight-lipped on the rest of game’s voice cast especially the one who will give life to the Joker once the game is made available on October 16. So we’ll just have to wait what surprises LEGO and TT Games have in store by then. Other than the Joker, SDCC is a great venue for other game character reveals, such as their approach in promoting the LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2 last year.

Though there was no mention of any LEGO freebies for attendees of the panel, it is very likely that LEGO has a surprise gift or prize tucked somewhere. The LEGO DC Super-Villains video game is now available for pre-order, with its Deluxe Edition featuring an exclusive Lex Luthor minifigure. Here’s a complete description of what to expect from the SDCC 2018 panel, followed by a video gameplay footage from Brandon Jones during last June’s E3.

The team behind the LEGO DC Super-Villains videogame, including Arthur Parsons (head of design, TT Games) and fan-favorite Batman voice actor Kevin Conroy, give an inside look at the first LEGO game to put players at the center of a villain-centric adventure packed with favorite locations and characters from across the DC Universe. This celebration of villainy will provide fans with exciting character reveals and details about the story. Players have the ability to create and play as a super-villain throughout LEGO DC Super-Villains, unleashing mischievous antics and wreaking havoc in an action-packed, hilarious story written in collaboration with DC Comics. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and The LEGO Group will release the game on October 16.

LEGO Ninjago Panel to be Featured Once More at SDCC 2018: No Mention of Any New Season for the TV Show

LEGO Ninjago has always made its presence known at San Diego Comic Cons and this year is no less different. Almost like an annual tradition, the LEGO Ninjago panel is expected to be a part of SDCC 2018’s programming in which LEGO fans can likewise enjoy.

Slated on the last day of the comic book convention on July 22, the LEGO Ninjago panel will include the show’s co-creator and veteran producer Tommy Andreasen, LEGO Senior Design Manager Michael Svane Knap, Lead Writer Bragi Schut, and voice talents Brent Miller (the person behind the Zane’s voice), Kelly Metzger (voice of Nya), and Vincent Tong (voice of Kai). The panel will be moderated/hosted by Brian Bowler from the LEGO Group.

Traditionally, the LEGO Ninjago panel shares and discuss the details of where the franchise is heading for the following year. However, the panel’s official description is not really clear about this, and instead states that they will “talk about their favorite memories and other reflections on creating LEGO’s longest running and most successful show.” Is this a sign of things to come? Are we about to see the end of yet another LEGO TV show? Though these are just speculations, it is kind of hard not to consider this possibility since there has been no indication or rumor of any future LEGO Ninjago sets except for an anonymous source that claims across some LEGO fan forums that LEGO is planning to have a re-release of some sort of its previous LEGO Ninjago sets.

If I will correlate that with what we can expect from LEGO Ninjago panel in this year’s SDCC, could it really be possible that in keeping up with their “favorite memories” of the long-standing TV show, they will also make mention of the LEGO Ninjago sets that are most memorable to them and hence, an announcement of a “re-release” of these sets? Is not really far-fetched if you consider the circumstances. But bear in mind that these are just speculations, and whatever is the case we just have to wait until July 22 to see what LEGO has in store. The San Diego Comic Con 2018 will be from July 19 to 22 and is attended by thousands of pop culture fans, and home for exclusive merchandise such as LEGO sets and minifigures that you can never find anywhere else.

LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman: Rage of Atlantis to Screen for SDCC 2018 Attendees Before Home Video Release

LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman: Rage of Atlantis is the latest installment of the LEGO-WB Animation collaboration 3D animated film series. Unlike its cinematic counterpart, The LEGO Batman Movie, where LEGO partners with Warner Animation Group (WAG) instead, these LEGO DC superhero adventures are home-video or digital only.

But if you’re a LEGO/DC fan wondering what it must feel like to watch LEGO Aquaman with a theater crowd, you might be in luck if you’re planning to attend the 2018 San Diego Comic Con. That’s because there’s a panel for the movie and it’s going to be shown.

After LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes – Aquaman: Rage of Atlantis is screened in advance at the SDCC, there will be a post-showing panel with some of the film’s voice talent and the production heads to answer fan questions about the movie. The major cool factor for those con attendees who make the screening is that they’re also giving away the exclusive LEGO DCSH minifigure of the Jessica Cruz Green Lantern, the same one that’s included in the DVD/Blu-Ray boxes for LEGO Aquaman: Rage of Atlantis.

The film finds LEGO Aquaman facing a crisis of confidence in his rule as King of Atlantis following attacks by the Red Lanterns led by Atrocitus. But with the perspective gained by a journey he makes away from home, and the help of his friends in the Justice League, Aquaman may yet prove himself as King of the Seven Seas.

The SDCC Rage of Atlantis Screening and Post-Showing Panel will be on Sunday July 22, 2018 1:45-3:30pm in Room 6BCF. Amazon is currently offering this home video for pre-order so you may want to check this out as well.

In LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman – Rage of Atlantis, the King of Atlantis must make some difficult decisions to ensure the future of his ocean realm. Under attack from Atrocitus and the Red Lanterns, Aquaman realizes he must relinquish his sovereignty and go on a journey to regain his confidence before returning to his rightful throne. Along the way, Aquaman reunites with the Justice League – including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and newest member Jessica Cruz/Green Lantern – to conquer Atlantis’ latest enemy and reemerge as the ruler of the Seven Seas.

Thanks to The Brick Fan for the heads up.

Target Hosting LEGO Harry Potter Event with Fun Giveaways and a Brick-Built Prize

Where LEGO is concerned, the Wizarding World is back in the spotlight now, months before the cinematic premiere of the latest movie in the franchise, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Said film already has a number of LEGO sets coming, alongside with other LEGO Harry Potter sets.

In fact, LEGO’s got one nifty promotional event to coincide with the introduction of their latest LEGO Harry Potter stuff (from BrickHeadz to a cool CMF line) , and they’re doing it with retail partner Target. News of this event was picked up and shared on social media by LEGO Harry Potter fans HaileyBricks and Brickanic, and it’s happening two Saturdays from now.

This event appears to commemorate (two months in advance) the 20^th Anniversary of the September 1998 US book release of the first Harry Potter book by J.K. Rowling (which Scholastic re-subtitled as The Sorcerer’s Stone). It’s due to happen at the end of next week on July 21 at 11AM-2PM.

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Found this on the target website this morning. #lego #afol #legoharrypotter

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Merchandise being given away at participating Target stores includes a LEGO Harry Potter tote bag with the Hogwarts school emblem, and a Golden Trio poster with LEGO minifigures of Harry, Ron and Hermione in action. Those who enter the contest for Target’s Free 20^th Anniversary Potter event might get a chance to win a special statue of Harry’s owl Hedwig, built entirely of LEGO bricks.

These giveaways are good to go at Target on July 21 while supplies last. Speaking of the date, you’ll realize it’s also the start of San Diego Comic Con. Decisions, decisions. It’s up to you.

Rumor: Reissues of First Two Set Seasons of LEGO Ninjago Coming

LEGO Ninjago is gearing up to have the ninth season of its animated series start airing this year (the earliest known premiere date being June 30 on Australian TV). It’s therefore surprising when rumors started popping up about the next upcoming Ninjago sets: there’s nothing “new”, they will be rereleases.

This loud speculation sprang out from a post on the discussion forums of Eurobricks just this Wednesday, July 4. The poster, Eurobricks Vassal Bentonton, noted that an anonymous LEGO dealer told him that the company was planning a reissue of all LEGO Ninjago sets included in seasons 1 and 2.

Specific details provided by this unnamed source have some of the sets and minifigures alleged to be coming back: early Ninjago baddies the Serpentine, the Ninjago dragons and Fire Temple. All this information is nebulous at best, though Bentonton says his LEGO dealer informant has actually ordered said sets already.

With regards to what might change from the original LEGO Ninjago S1-2 set releases to these rumored reissues, the likely path will be that there are going to be cosmetic changes to the brick structure, akin perhaps to the alteration of the exclusive Billund Airport set from original to rerelease.

And what will happen to the Ninjago animated series? There’s also been talk that season 9 could be the conclusion to the whole story. The possibly modernized reissues could either signify that the show’s good to go on for longer, or a last hurrah for a big finale. We really don’t know at the moment.

LEGO Creator Expert Aston Martin DB5 (10262) Available for VIP Purchase on July 18

The promotional drive being done by LEGO, Aston Martin and the James Bond film franchise to hype up the upcoming LEGO Creator Expert Aston Martin DB5 (10262), has been carried out over the past several days with an amazing precision like an SIS/MI6 operation; and they’ve taken the next step. We already know that there’s going to be a major event to reveal the LEGO Creator Expert Aston Martin DB5 (10262) set at London’s Leicester Square LEGO Store on July 18. There’s a theory going around that it won’t only be an unveiling but an actual product launch. This theory’s right.

LEGO VIP members can rejoice at their advance opportunity to get their License to Build ahead of the rest because the Creator Aston Martin (10262) is cleared for purchase by them starting July 18, as confirmed by a flyer screenshot courtesy of news source Promobricks.

True, the exclusivity of 10262 to VIP members is only two weeks long before the set becomes generally available. Still, LEGO’s very encouraging with their customers to sign up to be VIPs, as written in the flyer. It’s free after all. Furthermore, they stand a chance to have their sets autographed.

As the flyer also states, the Leicester Square LEGO Event for the Aston Martin DB5 (10262) will be attended by the design teams from both LEGO and the actual Aston Martin automakers, who will be happy to sign sets for the VIP advance buyers. There’s also talk of a special guest for the occasion.

The most ideal bet for that special guest spot is a Bond actor, probably one who did use the DB5. Guesses range from original driver Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan and latest Bond Daniel Craig. We guess the attendees at the Leicester Square debut of 10262 will find out soon enough.

LEGO Friends Pet Go-Kart Racers (5005238) Polybag Spotted in Hungary

LEGO Friends has recently included a new line of sets that saw the girls from Heartlake City take on the sport of go-kart racing. These new sets had the line’s cast of characters take up go-karting, with appropriate minidolls and set designs. As it turns out, the go-karting craze for LEGO Friends isn’t quite over with these five sets just yet. One new product has been spotted that hasn’t been trumpeted over the major LEGO sites yet. It’s a polybag that works on a silly yet fun concept: the LEGO Friends Pet Go-Kart Racers (5005238).

First spotted on the LEGO Certified Store in Hungary by German LEGO news source Zusammengebaut, the LEGO Friends Pet Go-Kart Racers (5005238) polybag means exactly what it says. It contains two go-karts, two pets (a rabbit and hamster), a fold-up cardboard ramp and a sticker sheet for general use (not decals).

This sort of polybag design usually means that the LEGO Friends Pet Go-Kart Racers (5005238) is only available in LEGO Stores and not on retail outlets. Of course, we still don’t know when this will arrive on LEGO markets outside Hungary, though the likelihood’s good.

It should make for a great supplementary material if you happen to have the other big LEGO Friends go-kart sets, like the for other LEGO sets in general.

UK’s LEGO Masters Airing Soon In Germany and Australia

LEGO builders in the UK have had the pleasure of having a LEGO-themed reality TV show in the comfort of their homes. Entitled as LEGO Masters, the show is produced by Tuesday’s Child and airing on Channel 4 since its 2017 launch. It’s proven popular enough that two overseas versions are now on their way.

You know a reality TV show is going to be big internationally when its distribution rights are picked up by the Netherlands-based Endemol Shine Group. That major production company is now developing LEGO Masters shows for two countries in two regions: Australia in the Asia-Pacific and Germany in continental Europe.

First announced to go international back in April, the competition-based reality TV show will soon be having local versions airing on both Australia’s major Nine Network and RTL Television in Germany. Just like with the original UK show, the localized LEGO Masters will have contestants building their best LEGO MOCs in a weekly elimination contest format.

Endemol Shine CEO Lisa Perrin is confident in her group deciding to launch the LEGO-themed show internationally with localized versions. “LEGO is a globally renowned and much-loved phenomenon that appeals to people of all ages and LEGO Masters most definitely has the same pull,” she said.

In addition, Perrin believes the family-friendly format of the TV contest will catch the attention of German and Australian viewers like it did with British audiences, and more markets could follow with their own versions. The original LEGO Masters show will air a second season on Channel 4 later this year.

LEGOLAND Billund Reclaims the Title for the Tallest LEGO Tower Built

Last week, LEGOLAND Billund and the rest of the community joined hands (and bricks) in attempting to dethrone Tel Aviv, Israel from the title of having the tallest LEGO tower ever built. As part of the theme park’s 50^th anniversary celebration from June 26 to 30, park visitors and LEGO’s top notch Master Builders embarked on an attempt to win back their title which they once held in 2003.

Park visitors and guests had the opportunity on working on the various sections of the tower, giving them a truly memorable hands-on experience of participating in this world-record breaking event. The tower was even designed to feature the pretty cool details like the name of the park and the Danish flag.

Though the Guinness World Records still has to certify this feat, the structure’s final measure consisting of more than a half million bricks, stood proud at 36.26 meters beating Tel Aviv’s record by less than a meter. Once certified, LEGOLAND Billund will once more reclaim the title of having the world’s tallest tower ever built using LEGO bricks. Watch this video clip from first ever LEGOLAND theme park that shows some of the highlights of this mammoth endeavor.

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How long will this recognition rest with LEGOLAND Billund? We shall see in the years to come. Congratulations and happy 50^th anniversary to LEGOLAND Billund!

LEGO Introduces First Plants from Plants Set (40320) Made of Sustainable Materials

Do you still remember back in March, when LEGO announced its plan to commence transitioning the materials used in their products to more sustainable sources? They had quite the sense of appropriateness with having the first LEGO building elements made of plant-based plastics to be… the plant props and set accessories. While the earlier announced LEGO xtra accessory polybags might possibly have some sustainable materials in them, particularly with Food (40309) and Botanical (40310), the company actually has a special box set coming that really sells their green-based building elements campaign. Next month they’re introducing the LEGO Plants from Plants set (40320).

The first images of this set was glimpsed on the August 2018 LEGO Store Calendar. As its box images show, it’s nothing but LEGO trees, grass, shrubbery and other green elements, all made out of plant-based plastics. This is something of a glimpse towards what LEGO plans for the future.

For those interested in making their LEGO building or outdoor layouts and vignettes livelier with vegetation, they can avail of the promotional Plants from Plants (40320) set at both LEGO Stores and shop.LEGO.com from August 1 to 14. Stateside, they only need a minimum $35 LEGO purchase to get 40320 free.

LEGO’s sources for plant-based plastics are from sugarcane, and are more sustainable than the artificial sources of conventional plastic. The LEGO Group’s Vice President for Environmental Responsibility Tim Brooks promises that once the use of sustainable materials for these special sets take off, eventually all future LEGO bricks will be using plant-based plastics. We’re looking forward to that directive fulfilled.