Countdown To Comic-Con

San Diego Comic-Con is only a few days away. If you're attending I'd like to invite you to a panel, BrickJournal: LEGO as an Art Form. It's on Saturday at 5:00PM in room 23ABC. It features BrickJournal's Joe Meno, LEGO Artist and STUDS founder Brandon Griffith, world famous LEGO artist Nathan Sawaya and me (wait a minute, me?) Yes, for some reason I was invited to sit on this panel with three totally awesome AFOLs, go figure.

Nathan Sawaya

Brandon Griffith

Joe Meno

Tommy Williamson

"Brick Sketches"

Chris McVeigh has been up to something interesting, something he calls "brick sketches".  I'm inspired to make my own, but first I need some free time to build.

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Sherman "Jumbo"

This fine little offering from TBB's own Andrew Becraft is great. I love how there's no wasted space, no superfluous studs or unneeded details. Check out the front end, check out the mud flaps/lights, check out the hatches. It's compact perfection.

*update: Andrew posted this and more MOCs on TBB 

Fiat 682/RN2 Bartoletti

This is a fun little retro build. As if it wasn't cool enough to recreate this transport icon, Flickr user Ape_Fight also incorporated Power Functions. They sure knew how to make a grill in the 50's.

The Very First Episode Of BrickNerd!

The very first episode of BrickNerd is now available and it almost doesn't suck! 

I review the UCS B-Wing Starfighter, take a look at the Lone Ranger line, share some news and MOCs.  This was a real learning experience, and I'm ready to tackle the next episode. I'm very curious what you think so please comment.

Robo-Rex

Here at BrickNerd we like to look back, sometimes WAY back (like 65 million years). When dinosaurs roamed the earth and they were all gear-driven. Sure some scientists theorize that an asteroid killed them off, but I'm guessing it was a lack of quality lubrication and probably rust. 

Winter Village Market Revealed

Every year I look forward to the holiday season just like any other kid. And every year I look forward to adding to my collection of winter sets from LEGO. This year we are treated to a little market, complete with several vendors, a park bench and a cute little merry-go-round. 

Get more pictures and info at The Brothers Brick

Big Models, Motion Control Cameras And Optical Printing

While pondering what to title this post, and what to write right here, I became seriously nostalgic for some good old fashion visual effects. When men were men and we blew stuff up. I also realized it's been way too long since I've screened ROTJ, so if you'll excuse me, I have some movie watching to do.

Sharknado!

When I saw Iain's comment about Sharknado on Facebook, I had a stinking suspicion we would all be appreciating something like this soon. Iain, you never fail to crack me up. 

Silent, Floating Peril

I can just hear the roar of the engines when looking at this. The golden age of dirigibles must have been a sight to see, but something like this would have been even more amazing. And depending on who's side you were on, probably terrifying. I really dig these little biplanes.

Somebody Call An Exterminator!

There was a giant spider outside my front door last night, so I know exactly how these guys feel. OK, that's a bit of a stretch, but check out this MOC. A giant tentacled beast terrorizing a factory as two cool vehicles rain hell fire upon it. Just another day at the Snuggies plant.  I have to assume the blue reflections to one side are sunlight creeping in to the picture, but it's a happy accident, because it adds some great effects.

Forced Perspective

One of the staples of visual effects and trick photography, forced perspective gives the illusion of greater distance in a small space. And combining minifigures and micro scale in the same vignette is a serious crunch in space. I love the medusa hair trees.

San Diego Comic Con LEGO Exclusives!

The LEGO SDCC exclusives have been revealed, and they're pretty sweet. Hundreds are supposed to be given away next week so limber up those line waiting muscles and wear comfortable shoes.

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Dennis The Menace

I confess, I've never really cared for Dennis the Menace. I was born too late for the TV show, and the comic never really resonated with me, and we just won't discuss the 1993 movie. But this MOC caught my attention. It's clean, it's fun and it's clever. Check out that slingshot, love it.

This Is Heavy

I've been waiting patiently (or not) for this, the trilogy is finally complete. Larry Lars has been sharing his amazing DeLoreans from Back To The Future as he's been building them. As a BTTF fan I've been admiring them and hoping my favorite would make an appearance. I'm happy to say it's finally here and I can show all three. 

Elvis' Flight Recorder

LEGO Certified Professional Ryan McNaught has created this deceivingly complex MOC as part of the healing process after the destruction of "Elvis", his stunning Erickson Air Crane. Last month while on display at Cairns Central a group of juveniles senselessly destroyed the $25,000 model. Vandals suck.

Wall-E

This MOC was posted before I really knew Joe Meno, and back when I was just starting to open my eyes to the AFOL community (you mean there's more LEGO nuts out there?). It remains one of my favorite MOCs of all time. And I'm happy to call Joe a friend now. He was very instrumental to introducing me to a fantastic community, and I probably wouldn't be doing this today if it wasn't for him. Thanks Joe.

Taking A Second (Or Third) Look

At first glance this seems like a strait-forward, simple little vignette. But take a closer look, there is a lot of clever building going on here. This is just first class NPU (nice part use). I especially love the jukebox and the desk lamp.

It's Free Slurpee Day!

What more do I have to say? Go get a free Slurpee! Oh, and this MOC from the Mini Shop Series on Cuusoo  is brilliant, as they all are. It's supported, but still waiting for official word from LEGO.

Onyx

With Pacific Rim out tomorrow there's mech fever in the air. So far I haven't exactly been jonzin' to see it, but it's from one of my favorite directors, so I might have to give it a chance. In the mean time we can all oggle at this nifty MOC by ZephrChaos.