Best of BrickNerd - Article originally published November 4, 2021. We’ve been featuring some mecha/robot building here at BrickNerd for Mechtober, but given the immense popularity of the theme in the AFOL community, we’ve barely scratched the surface of this particular topic. This is why we are always happy to chat with mech builders and discover more about mechs and building them. Today we chat with Lu Sim, better known as Messymaru. Lu’s builds have been featured in various LEGO media throughout the years and slots for his classes at the Japan Brick Festival always get filled up so quickly. Since BrickNerd has featured several of his models in the past (see his Aras, Aztech Deity, and Titoy’s Magical Chair) we figured it’s about time we sat down with him for a closer look at the builder behind the builds. Inez: Hi Lu! Thanks for talking with us! Can you tell...

A few months back, I was cursed by the AFOL community because of everything I did to poor old Benny. With Halloween just around the corner, one of the old skeletons hiding in my closet, er, desk inspired me again. Spooky Scary Skeletons will be harmed… Introduced back in 1995, the Skeleton quickly became a staple in many a LEGO theme, ranging from Castle, Adventurers, Pirates, and everything in between. The introduction of the skeleton was actually quite the controversial moment for LEGO, because outside of play, it represented the idea that a minifigure could die! Arms seem a little floppy floppy, huh? about that… Unlike standard poseable minifigure arms, LEGO skeleton arms used to end in a small ball socket that connected loosely to the torso. (Modern versions have a standard bar and clip connection like Battl eDroids). But the wiggly arms of the old skeleton have an awfully floppy...

Halloween is a holiday that I love as much as LEGO! I can’t get enough of everything fall, from pumpkin-carving and scary movies to haunted houses and Halloween costumes. However, not everyone gets excited about the spookiest day of the year. Some people even get stressed out at the thought of having to come up with a costume. The good news is the world of LEGO can provide a little inspiration. If you think about it, LEGO minifigures have been dressing up for years. Actors from movies and TV shows from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel, Disney and more have all appeared as minifigs. These characters can be great sources of costume inspiration, but there’s a good chance you won’t be the only Disney Princess or Avenger at the party. For a costume that’s a little more unique, you could consider dressing up as one of the real-life famous people who...

Halloween is just around the corner, so we are gathering a delightful assortment of spoopy MOCs to add a touch of adorable spookiness to your fall festivities. And no, that is not a typo for spooky. “Spoopy” is internet slang describing cute, comical, or silly versions of typically spooky subject matter such as ghosts and skeletons. Imagine a cute little dog in a ghost costume. Yep, that’s spoopy! And what’s better to get you into a spoopy building mood than a diverse collection of Halloween-themed MOCs!? Boo! Let’s kick it off with nobu_tary and some cute, unsuspecting trick-or-treaters. We’ve all been there, on the cusp of fun and terror, all at the same time. But the lust for sweet candy goodness always seems to win out! (Just don’t look up how much that bright light orange bush costs or you might get actually terrified…) Plushies That Will Petrify These plush spoopy...

2024 is only a couple of months away now, and German retailer JB Spielwaren have unveiled a host of LEGO sets slated for release in the new year. These cover the Jurassic World/Jurassic Park, Super Mario, Minecraft, and Sonic the Hedgehog themes. While most of them are playsets, the highlight for adult builders and collectors is likely to be 76964 Dinosaur Fossils: T-Rex Skull. This set contains 577 pieces, for a retail price of US $39.99 | CAN $49.99 | UK £34.99. The name suggests it could be the start of a series. Here’s hoping! The Jurassic World sets are the only ones we have global recommended retail prices for, but we do at least have prices in euros for the others. You can see prices and pictures after the jump! 76964 Dinosaur Fossils: T-Rex Skull | 577 pieces | Available January 1 | US $39.99 | CAN $49.99 | UK...