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Had things been different today, December 15, then this day would have marked the beginning of the now cancelled promotional period for the LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader Metalized Pod (5005376) supposedly as a free gift with purchase of any LEGO Star Wars item worth $60 and above. We reported last week that the whole thing is off, owing to quality control issues with the Darth Vader pods that The LEGO Group did not elaborate on.
Perhaps that’s why shop.LEGO.com opted to roll out special VIP point offers instead, and they’re different depending on which side of the Atlantic it is. For US and Canada, shop.LEGO.com is giving each VIP member 100 extra points whenever they buy a LEGO Star Wars set. Accessories like keychains and non-set items like LEGO books are not included here. This promo lasts from the 15th to Christmas Eve, December 24.
In Europe, including the UK, France and Germany, it’s a little bit simpler. Their VIP points earned when buying LEGO products are doubled. The only con is that it lasts only from December 15 to 17, on Sunday.
These are not the sought-after Darth Vader Pod (5005375), but it’s still something.
We’ve run through our schedule of major superhero movies for 2017 – notably the ones from the two publishing pillars and their film studio partners/parent companies. Still, that doesn’t mean there’s no more super-heroic fun to be had. There’s plenty of merchandising goodies coming out for them next year to watch out for, and LEGO (naturally) is at the forefront of that wave.
And of course, we here at The Brick Show have helped cover what’s in store for 2018 in the superhero lineup. If the Mighty Microsvehicle-minifigure sets aren’t quite enough to scratch that super-collecting itch, then how about going for something bigger, and with more than two minifigs?
With respect to Marvel, this time it’ll be DC’s turn on the spotlight. Three LEGO DC Super Heroes sets for 2018, first shown back in July’s San Diego Comic Con, are now making appearances at some Toys ‘R’ Us stores before the year even ends. Sounds like what happened with the LEGO Star Wars Sand-speeder (75204) set too.
Here’s a refresher on the three LEGO DC sets in question:
Superman & Krypto Team-Up (76096) – with Superman, Lobo and Krypto minifigures; includes Lobo’s space-hog and kryptonite containment cell
Lex Luthor Mech Takedown (76097) – with Batman, Wonder Woman, Firestorm, Lex Luthor and Cheetah minifigures; includes Luthor power armor and Bat-Glider
Speed Force Freeze Pursuit (76098) – with Flash, Cyborg, Killer Frost and Reverse Flash minifigures; includes CyborgCopter and Killer Frost’s Ice Car
Last week, we caught a glimpse of this year’s LEGO Employee Gift which is exclusively given to all LEGO Brand Store employees at this time of the year. This year, LEGO opted for a more holiday vibe with its complementary set, LEGO Store Employee Gift Nutcracker (4002017). I also remember saying in that post that this particular holiday gift set is probably the least attractive of all the employee gifts that LEGO has released thus far. However, after seeing several unboxing images from AFOL Bartlett via Chinese internet media giant, Sohu.com, I felt that corrections are in order. I am glad that I was wrong with my initial impression since I never had the chance to see the actual set built nor tried out – I just based my comments on its rather unsightly box art.
Thanks to these images shared by Bartlett, we now have a better appreciation of this latest LEGO Store Employee Gift. If you wish to see a full account of how the set is build – from it’s unboxing to the set’s play features – just head over to Bartlett’s post over at Sohu. Just don’t forget to use Google Translate to have a better idea on the finer details of this Nutcracker set. Credit goes to Bartlett for sharing these images, and to Ms. Norma Fernandes for sharing the clip below via Instagram.
The 2017 LEGO Employee Gift Nutcracker (4002017) box as compared to other sets.
An inside look at the box’s contents and building instructions.
The Nutcracker (40002017) set completely built, including an exclusive 2×4 printed tile.
Earlier this month, the LEGO Store January 2018 Calendar revealed a promotional, commemorative set that celebrates the 60th patent anniversary of the 2×4 LEGO brick. The 60 Years of the LEGO Brick (40290) is the next gift-with-purchase set expected to be popular among faithful LEGO set collectors. Coming in at 421 pieces, this free promotional set is expected to be available in the US from January 28 until February 14, 2018, for a minimum single-receipt purchase of LEGO products worth $125 and above. I think it should be noted that there is a typo error in this portion of the calendar since it mentions that this promotional item will be available starting January 28, 2017, so I hope LEGO will clear this one up.
The 60 Years of the LEGO Brick (40290) set highlights four mini versions of some of the most iconic LEGO sets, such as Airport Shuttle (6399), Castle (375), Black Seas Barracuda (6285), and Space Cruiser and Moonbase (928). To cap it off, LEGO is also throwing in the highly collectible, commemorative 60th Anniversary Tile, a white 2×4 tile printed with the 60th-anniversary logo. Check out these official images which LEGO has recently uploaded to its servers. This set is expected to be very popular among AFOLs, so be sure to take advantage of this promotional set once it goes live in the US on January 28, 2018.
60 Years of the LEGO Brick (40290)
Celebrate 6 decades of building fun with 4 micro versions of the most iconic LEGO® builds of the past 60 years, comprising the awesome Airport Shuttle, famous Yellow Castle, Black Seas Barracuda, and the Galaxy Explorer, plus a printed commemoratory tile.
Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi is almost in full swing across all US theatres today, and interest in the latest LEGO Star Wars sets is now on a whole new level. After seeing the film this Wednesday when it premiered in the Philippines, I couldn’t help but think how cool these LEGO The Last Jedi sets are, and how they re-enact some of the most, edge-of-your-seat moments in the film. Needless to say, The Last Jedi is the most awesome Star Wars movies to date, and LEGO has done an excellent job in immortalizing some its key moments in brick form.
So if you’re off to the cinemas to see TLJ, or if you have seen it already, better get these LEGO sets on hand and relive the excitement of watching The Last Jedi. Most of these sets are already available so if you don’t have them yet in your roster of LEGO Star Wars sets, now is the best time to have them.
Join Master Luke as he trains Rey at his mountainside dwelling. This LEGO Star Wars toy features a hut with detailed interior, removable roof section for easy play, small bonfire build and rotating training function with an opening boulder with knockaway feature. With 2 minifigures and a Porg figure, this LEGO brick version of Luke’s dwelling from Star Wars: The Last Jedi will immerse any Star Wars fan in a galaxy of Jedi adventures.
This exciting Defense of Crait LEGO Star Wars toy has everything a Resistance warrior needs to play out the epic final battle from Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The set features a highly detailed Resistance Ski Speeder with spring-loaded shooters, removable engine section, minifigure cockpit and a lowering stabilizer. There’s also a command tower with stud shooter on top and assorted weapons and tool elements, as well as a foldout trench section with rotating laser cannon and spring-loaded shooter, plus a gun emplacement with a stud shooter. Includes 5 minifigures.
Make a quick escape with Finn and Rose in the Resistance Transport Pod. This detailed LEGO Star Wars version of the craft from Star Wars: Episode VIII features a 2-minifigure cockpit with removable canopy and detachable panels that reveal a rear storage compartment with space for the included BB-8 figure and a weapon store. There’s also a stud shooter at the side, aimed by turning the rear engine, plus dual spring-loaded shooters underneath. Includes 2 minifigures and a BB-8 figure.
Send General Hux and his crew into battle in the armored First Order Heavy Scout Walker. This impressive LEGO Star Wars version of the walker inspired by the blockbuster Star Wars Episode VIII movie features a 2-minifigure cockpit with opening top hatch, elevating spring-loaded shooters at both sides, elevating guns at the front, missile storage clips and hidden wheels that turn to make the legs ‘crawl’. This set also includes 4 minifigures.
Create your own LEGO Star Wars: Episode VIII battle adventures with Kylo Ren’s TIE Fighter. This model features large wings, red exhaust detailing, an opening minifigure cockpit and trigger-activated spring-loaded shooters. The set also includes 3 minifigures and a BB-9E figure.
This faithfully reproduced LEGO Star Wars incarnation of the diminutive BB-8 droid from the new Star Wars movie trilogy makes the perfect gift for any Star Wars or LEGO fan. Turn one wheel at the side to rotate the detailed head, and another to open the access hatch and extend the ‘welding torch’. This faithfully reproduced model also comes with a display stand, decorative fact plaque and small BB-8 figure, making it a great display piece for any bedroom or office.
Play out action-packed LEGO Star Wars: Episode VIII missions with the Resistance Bomber. This feature-packed model includes a button-activated bomb release function, spring-loaded shooters, 2 opening rear gun turrets with space for a minifigure, elevating rear guns, a 2-minifigure front cockpit with detachable canopy and a removable top section for easy access. It can also stand on any even surface when not in use. This set includes 5 minifigures.
Add a fearsome walker to your LEGO Star Wars First Order army with the Heavy Assault Walker. This awesome model, based on the walker from the blockbuster Star Wars: Episode VIII movie, features tough armor-plate detailing, posable legs, posable head with opening minifigure cockpit and spring-loaded shooters, an aimable rapid-fire stud shooter on top, and detachable canisters that can be released from the rear of the walker. There’s also a storage compartment at the side with extra stud ammo and an opening hold to the rear with space for a minifigure and extra missile ammo. This amazing set also includes 5 minifigures.
Embark on galactic Star Wars: Episode VIII adventures with the First Order Star Destroyer. This huge model features armor-like panels on the outside, transparent-element engine detailing at the back and 8 side-facing stud shooters. Open out the top panels to reveal the detailed interior, featuring a working elevator leading to Snoke’s command center with a seat and mini hologram figure, bridge with seating for the crew, conference area with buildable medical droid and BB-9E droid, and a passageway leading to a detailed control room. There’s even a carry handle to take the play action into hyperspeed! This stellar set includes 5 minifigures and 2 droids.
Last month we have a small bit of news regarding the latest sets coming out for LEGO’s automobile-themed Speed Champions line, which were set to come out next year. The information we got was merely that there will be six new Speed Champions sets, along with their product number and the brand of the car.
At last we have some further clarification on the new additions to LEGO Speed Champions. Listed now are the updated names with the model of each car set to be released in 2018. There have been hints that these six sets are only the first wave for the following year, so LEGO gearheads should watch out for more Speed Champions on the way.
It’s only been two days since the last update on this, but news is news; and this time, we have lots of pictures to share too. Yes, it’s about the new version of the Mos Eisley Cantina play set in the LEGO Star Wars line (#75205), reimagining the original set 4501 from 2003.
Our last update on this gave us an estimate on the retail price of set 75205 ($39.99). It also showed nice shots of the four accompanying minifigures (Han, Greedo, Sand Stormtrooper and new minifig Wuher). Box art was also featured. But now, we get to see the minifigures and location sets assembled.
The very first thing you’d notice from the box design is the action depicted in the right side. There it is: the scene that cemented Harrison Ford’s Han Solo as a total bad-ass, when he made “crispa” Greedo during their encounter from the first Star Wars film. Whether you want the original “Han shot first” version or the later “Greedo missed, I didn’t” edit by George Lucas himself, re-enacting this signature pose in the Cantina dining table all over again is going to be a – pardon the pun – blast.
Here’s a better look at that Ubrikkian 9000 speeder that took the place of Luke’s from the original 4501 set. It’s a covered vehicle with room inside for a minifigure to pilot, though I’ve no idea about its performance. Does it hover along like Luke’s speeder did, or can it actually fly?
Uh-oh, here comes that Stormtrooper through the Cantina doors, acting on a tip from somebody inside about the missing droids they’ve been looking for. We all know how that turns out, right?
And that’s the update. Now we’ll be waiting for a release date in 2018 so we can expect when the LEGO Star Wars Mos Eisley Cantina set (75205) will become available.
Whoops, we appear to be slipping in schedule. I should’ve posted the third digest of mini-goodies from the LEGO Star Wars 2017 Advent Calendar (75184) yesterday. But better late than never, so now we’re going to have a look at what models and minifigures were revealed from Day 9 to Day 12.
Day 9: Rey’s Speeder – I remember back when teasers for The Force Awakens were still rather new in 2014, and aside from the shot of BB-8 rolling across the sands full throttle, I was also impressed by a segment showing the Jakku scavenger later identified as Rey (Daisy Ridley) scooting off in her massive motorcycle-type speeder. She looked so small compared to its forward section. Anyway, LEGO does have a full-scale model set of the speeder (75099), so this mini-model is a budget option for those who missed getting that. It’s too small for minifigures, though.
Day 10: Jakku Scavenger – Well, Rey wasn’t the only one in Jakku poking through all those star destroyer wrecks. Here’s one of those many other scrappers working the barren planet, whom Rey does business with. The desert gear goes with the cool facemask, but that wooden crook looks incongruous.
Day 11: Luggabeast – If you’re wondering what else to do with the scavenger from Day 10, then here’s your answer. The luggabeast is a weird cyborg mount and beast of burden that’s somewhat common in worlds like Jakku. Rey’s had scenes in The Force Awakens interacting with scavengers on luggabeasts, before the start of the great adventure.
Day 12: Millennium Falcon – Didn’t we cover this before in micro-foil form? Indeed, the most iconic spaceship in the whole Star Wars franchise gets yet another micro-model take for this advent calendar. It’s nothing collectors haven’t seen before, but Han Solo’s just never gets old.
After careful consideration, I’ve decided to wait until Day 18 for the next digest of reveals for the LEGO Star Wars 2017 Advent Calendar (75184). That’s 6 days’ worth of new stuff to cover, and the next digest after that should be the last one, showcasing the remaining minis all the way to Day 24, Christmas Eve. I’ll see you then, after the premiere of The Last Jedi on Friday.
After LEGO recently announced and created some buzz around the latest BrickHeadz to watch out for with the Valentine’s Bee (40270), it left me with a distinct impression that it will not be the last in the series. Revealed as a seasonal set, it is somehow expected that more similar sets will be introduced later on from this particular subtheme of BrickHeadz.
As it seems, it looks like LEGO is intentionally showing us what’s next after the Valentine’s Bee BrickHeadz for 2018. The back side of the set’s box art reveals five additional LEGO seasonal BrickHeadz, each of which is expected to be released alongside the traditional seasonal vignettes throughout the year.
#30 Easter Bunny – available in March
#31 Halloween Witch – available in September
#32 Thanksgiving Turkey – available in October
#33 & #34 Mr. and Mrs. Claus – available in November
Truth be told, I wish LEGO could have followed its usual BrickHeadz silhouette teaser rather than revealing the whole nine yards. As a LEGO enthusiast, I appreciate a certain degree of excitement and sense mystery on what LEGO has in the works for its future sets. So revealing all the LEGO Seasonal BrickHeadz all in one swoop kind of put a damper on it.
Nevertheless, these are still lovely sets, and will be a great addition to your ever growing BrickHeadz collection.
We’re just a few weeks away before the next LEGO Creator modular set is released for everyone to enjoy. The LEGO Creator Expert Downtown Diner (10260) will be available starting January 1, and it was also previously announced that it will not have an early VIP access unlike previous larger sets. Coming in at 2,480 pieces and retailing for $169.99, the Downtown Diner is a welcomed addition, a breather if you will, to the modular series because of its unconventional and maverick design. Particularly, I appreciate the 1950s vibe of this set, with its large curve front window, outrageous Diner sign, and the pink, stylish convertible.
However, most of you were also quick to notice that LEGO Designers seem to have taken a detour in coming up with the usual minifigures that traditionally goes along these modular sets. For the first time ever, LEGO decided to do away with the bland, generic minifigure expressions that are standard features among the minifigs in these sets, as you can see from previous sets below.
Collection of minifigures from the LEGO Creator Expert Assembly Square (10255).
Minifigures from the LEGO Creator Expert Detective’s Office (10246).
Frankly, most fans of the theme were a bit unhappy with the move since it clearly deviates from what is expected from the modular sets. This difference becomes more obvious when you build this set alongside older ones, as you try to figure out how these newer minifigures will ‘blend’ with the old ones. It’s a rather perplexing moment, if not frustrating, to figure out how these new minifigs on the block will aesthetically go along with the older minifigures.
Just to be clear: I do prefer the changes that LEGO introduced with its line of minifigs for the Downtown Diner. The dual print minifig heads and the creative visualization of the various emotions that they try to represent has a vast potential for creative story-telling and imaginative play. Check out some of these official images from the Downtown Diner (10260), and see how these minifigures seem to interact with each other to build up a story.
After almost 2 weeks since the announcement of the Diner, LEGO seems to have been quietly listening to fans’ comments about this new direction of minifigure designs. LEGO has been keeping tabs with the community and has recently released its official statement on the reasons behind the changes. Here’s what LEGO Designers have to say, courtesy of The Brick Fan.
Over the past 10 years our modular buildings have evolved in many ways. We’ve added more interior details, more story-telling and more emotional triggers such as unique decorations on windows & Minifigure torsos. We now feel the time is right to bring the Minifigure expression in line with all the amazing details now offered throughout our models. We have always loved the classic smiley face for its versatility and nostalgia value, but are now excited to explore the new possibilities expressive faces will offer us.
Clearly, LEGO is trying to innovate with the Downtown Diner (10260), and has now made known the direction that it will take for future modular sets. Now I know that most of us are still uneasy with these developments, and we just have to wait and see if these will eventually catch up with the fans of the theme.
What do you think brick fans? Are you happy with these changes? Do you agree with the LEGO designers on this one? Let your voice be heard in the comments below.
