Best of BrickNerd: Weekend Highlight — Article originally published November 13, 2021. LEGOLAND parks issued several special models in the past to commemorate milestones, holidays and special occasions. In my previous article, we learned about many of the models including a red Audi TT Roadster that became “the model that forever changed LEGO.” The car’s design caused stress on the elements which led to all sets going through stringent quality control and design standardization. This effectively put an end to bootleg LEGO sets designed locally at various LEGOLAND parks in 2006. Or did it!? Today we will explore several additional Ambassador Pass models created and given out by LEGOLAND California, and you’ll see that the new designs took it to the next level. The Ambassador Pass LEGOLAND California used to offer a lifetime membership called an Ambassador Pass (they stopped offering it in 2016, sadly). One of the benefits of the...

Best of BrickNerd: Weekend Highlight — Article originally published November 8, 2021. “The model that forever changed LEGO” is a pretty bold statement. Yet that is exactly how Jamie Berard characterized the Audi TT Roadster model developed by LEGOLAND Deutschland. In his Stressing the Elements presentation from 2006, Jamie pointed out several deficiencies, including illegal connections, no build instructions, and a difficult building experience. According to Jamie, “As a direct result of this set, all models now produced by the LEGO Group must go through the Design Department.” This effectively put an end to semi-official “bootleg” LEGO sets designed locally at various LEGOLAND parks. Was this the first or only model designed locally at a LEGOLAND park? No, there have been at least 42 bootleg models! Three LEGOLAND parks are known to have issued models: Billund, Deutschland and California. I’ve always been intrigued by unique LEGO models more than the mass-produced...

Today we are honored to feature a guest article by educator and LEGO Masters contestant Corey Samuels who shares his experience building the new LEGO Black Panther bust with his community. Wakanda Forever 2018 was a special year for the Black community. That was the year that Marvel Studios released Black Panther into theaters. I remember exactly where I was that weekend, escaping to the movies and dressing up in African-representative garments to watch a movie alongside my close friends. I was moved to tears watching the film. Finally, our community had a superhero. We finally had representation of our struggles on-screen with LEGO sets in tow. Earlier this year, LEGO introduced set 76215 Black Panther, a massive 3,000-piece bust of King T’Challa complete with the iconic necklace and hands posed in tribute to the Wakanda Forever salute. When the set was announced, I immediately felt a rush of emotions, I...

Comics are a great source of inspiration for builders. And while this is exactly how I started my previous article on The Unicorn from Tintin, it holds so very true for today’s feature on Thomas Labourot aka Legolabo, a French comic book artist and classic space builder I had the chance to chat with. Being a big fan of comics I just had to know how Thomas merges these two passions—I hope you’ll enjoy our conversation as much as I did! Sam: Hello Thomas, I’m honoured to be talking to you. To start off, would you mind introducing yourself? Thomas : Hi Sam, I am a 45-year-old boy who likes to draw and play, to tell stories, and to create worlds to escape to. Sam: You are a comic book writer by profession. What are some of the titles you worked on, and were any of them published in the US?...

LEGO has published a wide array of books in recent years. My own (growing) collection of LEGO books includes how-to-build books, books about collections (often with collectible mini figures inside), story books featuring minifigures, and even an exhibit companion book. My children and I have spent many happy hours reading together, often finding inspiration for builds between the pages. What I hadn’t realized—until I read LEGO In Focus—is that my collection had been sorely missing an awesome photography book. LEGO In Focus is everything a bibliophile could want in a book about photography. It’s got beautiful photos, glimpses behind the scenes, and great stories told both through text and in pictures. But to LEGO fans of all ages, LEGO in FOCUS is so much more than a great photography book. It offers a different avenue to enjoy this hobby that we love so well. Cliffs Notes Thirty-two photographers from Stuck in...