In addition to the amazing LEGO models created by builders all over the world, The Brothers Brick brings you the best LEGO news and reviews. This is our weekly Brick Report for the first week of July 2024. TBB NEWS AND REVIEWS Did you catch our last Brick Report? This time we escape the jaws of a killer great white shark, marvel at the growth of two new sets in the Botanical Collection, share a feature on the history lesson in Octan Team Racing, and more! [NEWS] LEGO and Universal reveal the next set in the LEGO Ideas line: 21350 JAWS — This 4th of July, it IS safe to go brick in the water as the JAWS set is unleashed![NEWS] LEGO Botanical Collection grows further with two new additions releasing in August — 10368 LEGO Chrysanthemum and 10369 LEGO Plum Blossom announced![FEATURE] Chronicling the history of the Octan Racing Team...

The “Beast Masters” category of the Summer Joust 2024 competition is producing some wild flights of fancy, and this cartographic crustacean is no exception. Pohaturon‘s “Crabtographer” imagines a world where seafaring guilds wouldn’t get far without the expertise of giant crabs who know their stuff. And speaking of technical know-how, I adore all the unconventional uses of commonplace and less-than-common pieces to give this build some extra flair. Check out the One Ring used for the naval officer’s buckle, or the white energy blast standing in for melted candle wax, for example. Both the crab and the officer are dynamic and well-executed, and it makes me long to explore this fictional world a little more. If only I had a map… The post This fab crab can point you in the right direction appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Ryan Kunz

With Inside Out 2 making its mark in theaters, it’s only fitting that a vignette based on that delightful inner world would make it to our front page. This build by mc tung brings all the emotions from the first film to life: Fear, Disgust, Joy, Sadness, and Anger. As befits their onscreen appearances, no two figures are built exactly alike, and even Disgust and Joy, both of whose faces lack detailing, are instantly recognizable thanks to spot-on colors and shaping. And of course let’s not forget the flames bursting from Anger’s head. It’s all enough to bring a smile to your face. The post This build brings joy (and other emotions too) appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Ryan Kunz

Bringing a 2-D trading card into the third dimension certainly feels like a job made for LEGO. And Takamichi Irie puts those bricks to work, moving the Pokémon Chikorita into the active position. The ‘Mon is an impressive recreation, extending a mushroom to the “camera” using one of its vines. And the terrain is downright astounding, brimming with vegetation and crags in front of a gradient pixelated background. But the features that take this build from astounding to jaw-droppingly awesome are all the references to items from the game surrounding the card: Master Ball, Rare Candy, Pokédex, Potion, Full Heal, and PlusPower. Even the kanji at the top of the card spells out the Japanese name of this particular pocket monster. One more thing before attaching a Grass Energy and going in for the attack. As with all trading cards, there’s always a second side to consider. And Takamichi didn’t skimp...

If there’s one thing we at TBB never get tired of, it’s castles. The LEGO community never fails at using both innovative and tried-and-true techniques to bring castle walls to life, and this build by JakobKaiserMOCs (“Gothic: Twilight – Greenmire Gate”) is no exception. The first thing that drew my eye was the stunning vaulted arch that serves as the entryway, made from curved stacks of 1×1 round bricks set on top of microfigs to suggest carved figures in the stone. Another standout feature is the lovely set of windows along the gallery on the left, with some 1×1 studs providing an effective accent. It’s worth trudging across that dodgy-looking pond (itself worth a good look) just to get a better view. The post What awaits you beyond Greenmire Gate? appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Ryan Kunz

Kids. They grow up so fast. One day they’re playing with LEGO and coloring books, the next they’re asking hard questions like, “Dad, why is our family different? Why do we wear these cardboard robot suits?” Builder duo Les Foutch‘s charming scene captures a moment between father and son that is both silly and heartwarming. Les Foutch were inspired by the cardboard robot from Collectible Minifigures Series 23, seen here bound inside the family album. The builders do an admirable job enlarging the retro robot costume for father and son, recreating details at two different scales. The child’s bedroom is wonderfully detailed with matching furniture and storage solutions that look like they could have come from Ikea, and shelves packed with everything a child could need, like Star Wars microbuild vehicles. This scene was displayed by Les Foutch, members of Canadian QuéLUG, at last month’s Exposition Deux tonnes de briques. Looks...

The right minifigs can elevate a build by making a scene come alive, suggesting a story much bigger than the LEGO model on display. The motley crew of pirates assembled by Bryckland have clearly seen their fair share of action, gaining infamy for their raids, but no shortage of glory too with close-calls and daring adventure too, I’d wager. Bryckland’s longship is a wonderful design, with a hull made of horns and rounded Technic elements, invoking ancient reed boats. Considering the sails are made from Hungarian Horntail wings, perhaps the hull is made of dragonbone or some other fantastical substance. The diorama is elevated by the patch of roiling blue sea.  Where will this voyage end? Perhaps with a little pillaging at one of Bryckland’s past ports of call. The post Steer clear of these surly Sea Raiders appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Jake Forbes

There are no shades of grey on the battlefield of chess — only black and white. Builder Herbert Lee explores that stark contrast with a pair of opposing pieces that are as commanding as they are elegant. The White Queen is almost entirely monochrome, with only black contrast for the eyes and hidden mixel joints to allow for regal posing. Herbert mixes soft, rounded parts for the queen’s dress with sharp horns and egg shells that should make you think twice before accepting her gambit. The Black King is no slouch waiting for his knights and rooks to keep him out of check. Armed with a jagged sword and Kylo Ren’s chiseled abs, he looks ready to pwn a few pawns. I appreciate the asymmetry introduced by a single metallic grey Bionicle chest piece as a pauldron. Seeing these two pieces, I can’t help but imagine a full board of such...

Batman has always been a bit of a rōnin at heart: a masterless warrior honor-bound to protecting people. So it makes sense that a fusion between Caped Crusader and samurai (and LEGO) would be supremely satisfying. It’s not the first time Batman and feudal Japan have come together (if you haven’t seen the anime Batman Ninja, it’s a odd mash-up), but this build by Dad’s Bricks (Joe) at Japan’s Brickfest is just plain awesome. Every aspect of the Batsuit makes an appearance, from the blades on his arms (now the samurai’s vambraces) to the ears on his cowl (now the helmet crest). I don’t know what the Japanese term is for “whoa,” but now I might have to learn it. The post This awesome Batman is a little far from Gotham City appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Ryan Kunz

Construction vehicles come in many shapes and sizes in the real world, but I’ve never seen one, LEGO or otherwise, in the shape of a cube until now. This boxy mech by SweStar looks like a cross between Ghost in the Shell and Super Mario. I love how the piston legs feel like they could hold the weight, although the sidewalk and street may not survive intact. Hopefully there is enough room inside for a mini-fridge. The post This LEGO construction mech is square, and that is OK appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Daniel