LEGO MOCs Archives | The Brick Show

LEGO Ideas Tales of the Space Age (21340) is a Retro Sci-Fi Masterpiece

After almost six months of waiting, the latest LEGO Ideas set is finally here! The LEGO Ideas Tales of the Space Age (21340), is officially revealed, and it’s a true masterpiece. With 688 pieces, this set features four vivid vignettes that capture the essence of classic sci-fi in a retro style.

The LEGO Ideas Tales of the Space Age Tells a Story

Each of the four post-card-like vignettes included in the LEGO Ideas Tales of the Space Age tells a different story, all inspired by the 80s stories of space exploration, myth, and posters. Each vignette display piece is full of character and tells its own unique story, making this set a true work of art.

Customizable Display Options

One of the most impressive aspects of the LEGO Ideas Tales of the Space Age is its versatility. The four scenes can be displayed separately or connected together to create a cohesive display. Additionally, each scene can be displayed standing up or hanging on a wall, making it easy to find the perfect spot to showcase this stunning set.

Availability and Release Date

LEGO VIP members will have exclusive access to the LEGO Ideas Tales of the Space Age starting on May 5, 2023. The set will be available for general release on May 8, 2023, and will retail for $49.99

A LEGO Ideas Success Story

Based on an original LEGO fan submission of Jan Woznica (aka JohnCarter over at LEGO Ideas), the LEGO Ideas Tales of the Space Age was chosen in the First LEGO Ideas 2022 Review Stage, and it’s easy to see why. Jan’s submission perfectly captures the nostalgia and excitement of classic sci-fi, while incorporating LEGO’s signature design elements. I’m personally glad and excited to see this set come to life in such a spectacular way.

Check out the set’s official product images and descriptions. You may add this latest LEGO Ideas set to your wishlist by clicking on the affiliate link below.

LEGO Ideas Tales of the Space Age (21340)

688 pieces | $49.99 | Coming Soon on May 8, 2023

Turn off your thrusters and let your mind drift into space with this LEGO® Ideas Tales of the Space Age (21340) building set. It features 4 connectible brick-built 3D postcards, each depicting scenes inspired by 1980s sci-fi myths, movies, books and posters. Create cool minimalist LEGO brick representations of an observatory for viewing comets and shooting stars, a moon base and lunar eclipse, a shuttle blasting through space, and a black hole.

Build together, display together
A stellar gift idea for space, astronomy and art lovers, the buildable postcards look great freestanding on a table or shelf or hung on the wall. The models are also easy to connect for displaying together. The set comes with separate building instructions for each postcard, making it an ideal group activity to enjoy with family or friends.

Welcome to your zone
Explore LEGO Sets for Adults, a carefully curated collection of exciting models. Whatever your passion, there is a building project waiting for you.

4 connectible, space-themed 3D postcards (21340) – Tell Tales of the Space Age in LEGO® style with these buildable postcard models, inspired by 1980s sci-fi myths, movies, books and posters
Original designs – Build colorful images of an observatory for viewing comets and shooting stars, a moon base and lunar eclipse, a space shuttle and a black hole
Recreate different constellations – The pink/purple postcard features star elements that can be arranged to mirror the Ursa Major, Cepheus, Ursa Minor or Cassiopeia constellations
Display together or individually – The postcards can be connected in any order. Display them on a flat surface or mount them on the wall using the hangers on the back of each one
Gift idea for adults – Treat yourself or give this 688-piece LEGO® Ideas build-and-display model as a birthday, holiday or surprise gift for lovers of space, astronomy and art
Home decor – Each buildable postcard measures over 5.5 in. (14 cm) high, 3.5 in. (9 cm) wide and 1 in. (3 cm) deep and can be displayed freestanding or hung on the wall

Is This Custom LEGO Mechatrobot the Future of Transportation?

Billed as the “world’s smallest Mechatrobot for children”, the Mechatro WeGo is Japan’s take on the future of children’s school commute. Playfully conceived by Sentinel Co. Ltd. as the ‘ideal’ mode of transportation in extremely mountainous areas and a new way of engaging in various recreational purposes, all of these may sound pretty cool more so if they can be actually real. We don’t know much about this mechanical wonder – where it came from, or what is its ultimate purpose. But one thing is for sure: it caught the attention of our mecha-genius LEGO designer Moko. We featured his transforming LEGO brick a couple of days ago, and now another robotic creation sprung into life from his workshop – the aptly named custom LEGO Mechatrobot.

Moko’s custom LEGO Mechatrobot is a brick rendition of the fictional Mechatro WeGo. The build seems to be unassuming at first, but not until you start peeling away the layers of this build will you see the depth of Moko’s inventiveness.

Like his transforming LEGO brick, Moko’s custom LEGO Mechatrobot is similarly articulated, and capable of various poses and gestures.

You may follow Moko through his blog and same as before, it will be very, very helpful to hit Translate in Google Chrome’s address bar. In case you are still a bit confused about this wonderful piece of Japanese pop culture, RocketPunchArmy has a pretty neat product review on the actual Mechatro WeGo toy. Check this video.

LEGO Storage and Organization – Some Tips and Photos to Inspire You

Let’s face it: perhaps the most daunting task of being a LEGO fan is when it all comes down to that point where you’re simply lost on how to give order among that chaos of bricks and pieces. There is nothing more troublesome than a disorganized collection that can easily dampen your motivation in pushing through with your next big MOC. So how do we go around in this business of LEGO storage and organization, and making sense of this sea of bricks?

Reality check: the internet is riddled with much good-intentioned advice on how to organize your rainbow-colored abyss of plastic bricks. But truth be told, there is no single, most effective way of LEGO storage and organization. The possibilities are endless and when you think you struck gold in discovering what works for you, humbly bear in mind that it may not be the best for that next-door neighbor who is now pulling his hair for stepping into that 2×4 brick for the nth time.

However, not having a gold standard for putting things in order doesn’t mean that we don’t have to start somewhere. Jennifer at TheBrothersBrick understands this very well. She gives five practical tips that will make life easier for you and for those around you who share the house with a LEGO fanatic. Check out these useful tips. Some of these may also feature affiliate links, so clicking and making a purchase through these links can help us a lot.

Tip #1: Use containers.

Using containers is one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep your LEGO bricks organized. You can use transparent bins or drawers to easily see and access your bricks. Dividing your bricks into different containers based on their size, color, or type can help you quickly find what you need. For instance, you could use one bin for flat bricks, another for slopes, and a third for minifigures. These storage cabinets from Akro-Mils may just be the storage solution that you need.

Tip #2: Label these containers.

Labeling your containers will make it easier to identify what’s inside each one. You can use labels or stickers to indicate the contents of each bin or drawer. Labeling your containers will save you time when you need to find a specific brick, and it will also help you keep your collection organized over the long term. If you need an ideal labeling solution to go with your LEGO bins, then you may want to take a look at Avery’s removable labels.

Tip #3: Don’t procrastinate.

Procrastination is the enemy of organization. When you’re finished building, make sure to put your bricks away in their designated containers right away. Don’t let them pile up on your work surface or in a corner of the room. By taking care of your bricks immediately, you’ll prevent clutter from accumulating and make it easier to find what you need the next time you want to build.

Tip #4: Create some ‘white noise’ while sorting.

Sorting your LEGO bricks can be a tedious task, but it doesn’t have to be boring. You can make the process more enjoyable by listening to music or a podcast while you work. By creating some background noise, you’ll stay focused on the task at hand and make the time fly by.

Tip #5: Fine-tune your LEGO storage and organization system.

Your LEGO storage and organization system should be customized to meet your unique needs. If you find that one system isn’t working for you, don’t be afraid to switch things up. Experiment with different containers, labels, and sorting methods until you find a system that works well for you. You may also find Tom Alphin’s comprehensive LEGO Storage Guide very helpful at this point.

Inspiration to Get You Started

If these tips are not enough to roll up your sleeves and start that brick-picking work, sometimes the best way to push yourself is to be inspired by those who made it. Take a look at these 7 glorious examples of LEGO workspaces that will hopefully challenge you to do the same, without turning green out of envy. And if you like what you see here, please do our brick heroes a favor by following their Flickr page as well.

Now, if I can just find the vacuum cleaner…

Jeff VW (LEGO Panorama)

Gary McIntire (My Workbench)

Joel Finch (The Wall)

Mark Kelso (Storage and Sorting)

Chris Maddison (Sorted!)

Fred Beck (LEGO Room Build)

Matt De Lanoy (LEGO Room 2015)

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared last March 14, 2016, and has since then, been updated. Banner image courtesy of Chris Giddens.

LEGO LOTR MOC Gallery: Get Inspired With These 15 Amazing Brick-Built Vignettes

Since the launching of the LEGO Lord of the Rings: Rivendell set, many LEGO fans have taken to the internet to share their love for this once prolific LEGO theme, especially over at Flickr. So in honor of LEGO’s Lord of the Rings theme’s 10th-year anniversary, and the book’s almost 70 years in publication, I’ve put together a gallery of 15 amazing brick-built LEGO LOTR MOC vignettes that deserves a second look.

This collection features some of the best LEGO LOTR fan builders out there and highlights their collective work in giving key moments of the LOTR trilogy a unique LEGO twist. LEGO fan builders Thorsten Bonsch, Jonas Kramm, Marcel V., Forlorn Empire, and Grant Davis came up with a brilliant idea to recreate the highlights of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy through a series of brick-built vignettes that underscores each MOC (my own creation) builder’s unique techniques.

As of to date, Grant Davis is the last builder tasked to cap off and render the final scenes of The Return of the King, and I have to say that his building techniques are pretty awesome. Here are the rest of the finished creations by these talented builders. I hope they inspire you to create your very own LEGO LOTR MOC as well.

There are so many impressive building techniques that were highlighted in these creations that it’s quite difficult to decide which is my favorite. That brick-built Loudwater River vignette by Thorsten Bonsch is as impressive as the theatrical scene itself, using clear transparent bricks to recreate the magical currents conjured by Arwen.

The Mighty Balrog never fails to amaze me, especially when Jonas Kramm managed to capture its overwhelming presence in his version of the Bridge of Khazad-dum. Building this is quite a feat in itself, considering the challenge of building a towering figure in such a small space.

You can also feel the terror on Sam and Frodo’s faces in this Osgiliath-Nazgul scene recreated by Marcel V. You can also imagine the fear and uncertainty in the hearts of our heroic Hobbits throughout their seemingly impossible climb at the treacherous steps of Cirith Ungol, as envisioned by LEGO LOTR MOC builder ForlornEmpire.

But perhaps Grant Davis’ recreations truly won my heart, especially with his cleverly genius use of LEGO parts. That scene where Sam went face-to-face against Shelob was a testament to Grant’s outstanding creativity. His clever use of rubber wheel pieces gave this unsightly arachnid an almost realistic LEGO rendition. That entrance into Shelob’s lair is also noteworthy, with Grant’s painstaking re-creation of an entangled web. And finally, that Siege of Gondor vignette simply defies gravity as the impact of the boulder sends the tower’s debris all around. It’s as if Flash entered this scene and everything is frozen in time.

If you like these outstanding MOCs, please do these uber-talented builders a favor and follow their Flickr pages where they feature the rest of their creations. Which of these LEGO LOTR MOCs blows you away? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO Ideas Exploring the World of Middle Earth Building Challenge Now Up

The LEGO Ideas website has just announced the LEGO Ideas Exploring the World of Middle Earth building challenge. This new contest lets you render the world of Middle Earth brick by brick as you creatively imagine it. Starting today until April 11, 2023, you can recreate your favorite Tolkien LOTR location or scene and have a chance to win a LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell along the way.

Unlike other building challenges that limit you to a certain number of pieces or build dimensions, the LEGO Ideas Explore the World of Middle Earth Challenge doesn’t seem to have any of these restrictions. Furthermore, you are not just limited to the TLOR films themselves, but you can also draw inspiration from the books of the great J.R.R. Tolkien himself. You also have the leeway to use a digital model or one that is made of physical LEGO bricks.

There will be one (1) Grand Prize winner and one (1) Runner-Up winner for each category (Location and Scene). Prizes at stake for this building challenge are a LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell (10316) set (valued at $500) signed by LEGO Designers Chris Perron and Wes Talbott, and a mystery prize package of TLOR goodies.

For more information about the nitty-gritty details of this building contest, be sure to review the LEGO Ideas building rules for this particular challenge. Just be sure to register and have your original LEGO LOTR creation ready on or before the deadline on April 11, 2023 at 6PM EST. Winners for the LEGO Ideas Exploring the World of Middle Earth building contest will be announced on the platform on May 2, 2023.

Happy building everyone!

This Custom LEGO Star Wars Mos Eisley Spaceport Diorama is the Perfect Place for a Traveling Mandalorian

We’re just counting the hours away before Season 3 of the Mandalorian streams at Disney+. And though we’re not sure if Pedro Pascual’s Din Djarin will visit this legendary location once again just like he did in the 5th episode of Season 1 (“The Gunslinger”), it’s good to know that fellow LEGO Star Wars fan Joshua Morris made an accurate custom LEGO Star Wars Mos Eisley Spaceport diorama for a Mandalorian to rest his head.

This massive Star Wars diorama from Joshua Morris (aka I Scream Clone over at Flickr) will definitely stick in our heads. Working in collaboration with two more members from SydLUG or the Sydney LEGO Users Group in Australia, namely Matthew Lawrence (shnake1973) and legolocodavid, this diorama is an impeccably detailed version of the Mos Eisley Spaceport using 24 base plates. It is one playful rendition of the most dangerous place in the Star Wars galaxy. As Morris says, “You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious.” I sincerely doubt if I will skirt around this one.

Though LEGO managed to pull out an impressive, large-scale official LEGO Star Wars Master Builder Series Mos Eisley Cantina 75290 back in 2020, this brick rendition is the closest thing that you can get to the desert environment of the planet Tattooine. This custom LEGO Star Wars Mos Eisley Spaceport is jam-packed with all the details that show the wonderfully chaotic world of the meanest scums, villains, and bounty hunters across the galaxy. The buildings and structures are all spot-on, as it perfectly captures the architecture unique to the desert planet. Furthermore, Boba Fett couldn’t be happier with the free parking space. What is mind-blowing is the fact that this 6 X 4 ft. diorama is just a third of the entire project that Morris and the rest of his SydLUG partners are working on. Here’s a closer look at some of the diorama’s sections, including the details inside the Cantina. A round of applause for the Cantina Band minifigs.

We hope to see Morris and the team from SydLUG complete this ambitious project. You may drop him a note through his Flickr account if you wish to inspire him further.

Get Ready to Hit the Waves With Our Latest Custom LEGO Surfboards!

The Brick Show Shop has added new custom LEGO parts that you may want to take a look at. If you’re looking forward to level-up your LEGO Creator Beach Camper Van (31138) or Surfer Beach House (31118), then these latest custom LEGO surfboards from Build Better Bricks, and custom printed in our store, are just what you need before your minifigures hit the waves.

This latest addition to our custom LEGO parts collection comes in three variants, all of which are printed using our very own high-quality, precision printers. I am personally amazed at the accuracy and smooth printing on these custom LEGO surfboards. And if in case you’re working on a beachside LEGO MOC, then having these custom LEGO pieces is certainly worth your time.

You may want to be quick though because our stock inventory is almost out. If you’re interested, check out the following images below and do visit our TBS Shop to learn more about these awesome pieces.

B3 Customs® Printed Ying Tang / Checkerboard Surfboard made from LEGO® bricks

B3 Customs® Printed Hibiscus Surfboard made from LEGO® bricks

B3 Customs® Printed Sunset Wave Surfboard made from LEGO® bricks

Additional 17 LEGO Product Ideas Enters the First LEGO Ideas 2023 Review Stage

Here’s another LEGO Ideas update. Following the initial 13 LEGO product ideas that managed to qualify for the First LEGO Ideas 2023 Review Stage, we now have 17 more that LEGO fans have supported. As of this posting, there are now a total of 30 LEGO Ideas hopefuls that will fall under the scrutiny of the LEGO Ideas Review Team once the next review stage commences.

Ranging from everyday items to massive and imposing bipeds, this range of LEGO product ideas has something to offer to every ardent LEGO fan. From the get-go, I have to say that I am a fan of mammoth ultra-build mechs, and the custom LEGO Godzilla from MattE720 quickly caught my attention.

The River Side Lodge is also a winner for me, with its clever use of gray pieces to recreate that mountain-side feel and nature that serenely surrounds the Lodge itself. It also offers a lot of potential for customizations if you wish to do your own personal interior decorating. I can already see the many design opportunities especially if you’re looking forward to using one of our custom-printed kitchen flooring available at our official storefront at The Brick Show Shop. You may also throw in several custom 2×2 bingo cards to keep your minifigure vacationers busy as well.

Here’s a quick rundown of the next batch of LEGO product ideas that made it to the First LEGO Ideas 2023 Review Stage. Take a look and let me know in the comments below which of these you supported.

SHREK’S SWAMP by danielbradleyy

MONSTERS INC: THE DOOR TO MONSTROPOLIS by HollyOnFilm

CATAN – THE GAME by XCLD

HOLLOW KNIGHT: FORGOTTEN CROSSROAD by Ben Osborne

LEGO GODZILLA by MattE720

DAFT PUNK – THE ROBOTS by eliot.obrien

V.&T.R.R. #12, GENOA by SgJess

BROOKLYN NINE-NINE: 99TH PRECINCT by BenFankhauser

CLAUS TOYS by Bricky_Brick

OGEL CREEK SAW MILL by Krackenator4

BRICKS COFFEE by UTAMARU_BRICK8

LED LAMP by Castor-Troy

WHERE’S WALLY/WALDO? by Iyan Ha

HUMPBACK WHALE by Les Briques de Loïc

TWILIGHT: CULLEN HOUSE by LobsterThermidor

RIVER SIDE LODGE by trauma

ILJINAI FAMILY HOUSE by Rock the Brick

Can You Guess This Cool, Custom LEGO Transformers?

We’re a few months away before Transformers: Rise of the Beasts hit theaters. And just in case you had a sudden longing to see your iconic G1 characters as custom LEGO Transformers builds, then you may want to see what this MOC has to offer

Those who grew up with trading cards and collecting posters from the 80s knew very well this unassuming transforming mech. If you said ‘Soundwave’, then your knowledge of G1 Transformers is impeccable. This very excellent rendition from master mech builder Joe Perez (aka MortalSwordsman) gives Megatron’s right-hand man a custom LEGO Transformers build worthy of this iconic Decepticon.

This is what Soundwave looks like in his classic 80s Transformers look. The mech at the right is Autobot Blaster – a boombox-changing cassette deck similar to Soundwave. As the Decepticon’s Communications Officer, Soundwave is capable of detecting and jamming radio transmissions which makes him very useful for Decepticon leader Megatron.

Since Moko’s transforming LEGO brick, this is perhaps the most excellent, and realistic classic custom LEGO Transformer that I have ever seen.

Joe even went as far as building three of Soundwave’s most favored minions: Laserbeak, Ravage, and Frenzy.

These micro fighters can also easily transform to their cassette tape versions as seen in the classic Transformers TV series. They are usually used for intelligence gathering and reconnaissance missions and are very good at it. Fully transformable without the need to remove any pieces, Laserbeak, Ravage, and Frenzy all fit nicely into Soundwave’s chest and are ready to spring into action at the behest of their master.

With such abilities and firepower at his disposal, no wonder Megatron gives much premium to his trusted Communications Officer. Be sure to check the rest of Joe Perez’s rendition of Soundwave over at his Flickr address. Can you think of any other great custom LEGO Transformers that you want us to feature? Share them in the comment section below.

LEGO Ideas Second 2022 Review Results Pays Tribute to Jack Skellington

In case you missed it, the LEGO Ideas Second 2022 Review Results were finally revealed last week, with the announcement of another Disney title getting the LEGO treatment.

With a total of 51 submissions, it was another herculean task for the LEGO Ideas design team to select who would make it the cut to become an official LEGO Ideas set. And after several months, the team finally gave their verdict. LEGO Ideas Engagement Manager Hasan Jensen and LEGO Model Designer Ollie Gregory made the announcement. You can watch their video via the link above.

First, we have the iconic Red London Telephone Box by LEGO fan designer John Cramp (aka B ricked1980).

John, a native of Great Britain, profoundly appreciates the iconic Red London Telephone Box that has become a symbol of British culture and design. Paying close attention to every little detail in his design, John beautifully replicates this original telephone box in LEGO form. From the ornate crown decorations to the phone books tucked away inside, his design pays tribute to all the features that have made the Red London Telephone Box so famous.

Another upcoming LEGO Ideas set is a re-creation from the brilliant mind of Simon Scott (aka Tvrulesmylife). This Tim Burton-inspired set highlights the home of Jack Skellington in his titular role in The Nightmare Before Christmas.

It’s not the first time Simon has impressed the LEGO Ideas fan community with his amazing representation of the beloved stop-motion animated musical. His latest creation has again reached 10,000 supporters, and it’s easy to see why. The LEGO Ideas review team was amazed by the level of detail that Simon put into this scene, which is instantly recognizable to fans of the movie. Jack Skellington and Sally, the main characters, are beautifully depicted, capturing the essence of their personalities and relationship.

There’s no word yet on when these sets will be finally available to the market, but given the myriad of approved LEGO Ideas projects set still in development, we’ll most likely see them in 2024.

We’ll also keep our radars open for the results of the Third 2022 LEGO Ideas Review Stage with its 35 product ideas that gathered support between September 2022 and early January 2023. So be sure to stay tuned.