Even Superheroes Need to Play

The Boy Wonder has a wonderful Batman-themed source of entertainment.  Unlike Batman, Robin is not limited to only black and very very dark gray.  With the release of the upcoming LEGO Batman film, Dark Knight creations are slowly popping up more and more.  LEGO 7 has created a diorama for the movie release, similar to what he did earlier this year for Star Wars.  The builder has filled this scene with little easter eggs and familiar Batman items, including some of the new superhero Microfighter figures.  How many can you pick out? 

Boom Box

Flashback to 1981. I could be seen dropping a piece of cardboard, slipping on some fingerless gloves, zipping the pockets of my parachute pants, inserting a mix tape of RUN DMC, Twilight 22, Art of Noise and Newcleus into a boom box not dissimilar to this one and poppin' and lockin' like there was no tomorrow. Thanks for a dose of nostalgia J.B.F!

Flashman's Study

This brilliant study interior is the culmination of 5 years of vignettes by builder workshysteve covering the life and times of Harry Paget Flashman. They start when he's a schoolboy and lead to this MOC, where he's reflecting on an eventful life and writing his memoirs. If you've got some time I recommend checking out the series, they're really well done and have a level of commitment rarely seen.

Freewheeler

This trike by builder ianying616 instantly caught my eye. Black models are notoriously difficult to photograph, but this looks absolutely gorgeous. It's beautifully lit and shot (with a phone no less!)   and the construction is top notch. I've never ridden a trike before, and most of the time I think they look a little silly, but not this one.

Tetley Tea Train

Yes, I'm drinking my tea while I'm posting about this tea train. Of course, mine is PG Tips, and this is Tetley, but we'll give it a pass since it's so brilliant. If this wonderful scene by BrickBaron looks more like a whimsical illustration than a MOC, that's because it's inspired directly by an illustration. The bright colors, masterful construction and humor naturally draw you in.

One With The Force, Farewell Princess

My absolute love for Star Wars is no secret, I wear it (quite literally) loud and proud. I was nine years old when the film came out, the perfect age to be warped for life. It's what sparked my love of film, filmmaking, sci-fi, model building and so many other creative aspects of my life. It also sparked one of the first crushes of my young life, a certain strong-willed, no-nonsense princess who defied an empire and saved the galaxy. I'm deeply saddened by the loss of Carrie Fisher, my heart is broken.

Santa's Chimney Cannon

I don't know how I missed this yuletide artillery MOC by nobu_tary when it was originally posted. And while Christmas may be over, the tree is still up, presents are all over the living room and I'm all hopped up on sugar so why not? I didn't realize Santa had a new "weapon" in his arsenal this year, which looks pretty exciting. I suppose the reindeer might have gotten upset for being underutilized, but at least they got a show.

Blacksmith's Shop & The House Of Peer Rumstiek

Does anyone else hear medieval minstrel music when they look at castle MOCs? I mean, the moment I looked at this wonderful blacksmith's shop and tudor house by Sylon-tw, I heard music right out of Excalibur (not the Mozart stuff, the minstrel music). I realize that music shapes and colors my creative world, but I have to wonder if I'm alone in this phenomenon.

AT-ACT

They're huge, they're menacing and they're armored...not to mention they walk! They're Imperial Walkers, and you really don't want to see them advancing on you. This is the AT-ACT, a cargo hauling variation seen for the first time in Rogue One. And while their primary function is to move things from one place to another, they can certainly hold their own in battle. This version by Forgotten Days looks like it's ready for some stompy stompy pew pew action.

Shortcut

While it's not the only criteria I look for (far from it) but for me one of the hallmarks of a great MOC is it doesn't look like LEGO at first. I know this seems at odds with a love of the bricks but let me explain. One of the things I find most fascinating about building with LEGO is the fact that is is transformed into something else. Each element is like a stroke from a pencil, a pixel on the screen or a thumbprint in clay. Individually just fragments of a larger idea, but It all comes together to become something else entirely. And when is it is so successfully transformed that those individual fragments disappear altogether, it's magic. This alley scene by builder LEGOMINDED just looked like a photograph of an urban scene from the thumbnail, I almost scrolled right past it. Beautifully conceived, built and photographed...transformed.

Santa Yoda

After I was done opening my presents yesterday I looked around and realized just how big a Star Wars fan I am. I was wearing Star Wars sleep pants, a Han and Chewie shirt, a jedi robe. In my pile of presents was a Stormtrooper helmet, model kits of R2-D2 and C-3PO, SW collector cards, a SW checkbook cover and more. And they all made me happy as could me. You'd swear Santa Yoda, depicted here by M<0><0>DSWIM, was the one that came down the chimney this year.

Merry Christmas From BrickNerd!

And happy Chanukah to you all. It's a time of celebration, where families come together and warm wishes are shared by all. I wish I could reach out and hug every one of you that visit this little blog on a regular basis, you're my BrickNerd family and I love you all! Santa's already been to our house, my stocking is overflowing. It's time to open presents, eat yummy food and listen to some classic holiday music. Speaking of Santa, check him out in this spiffy new hotrod sleigh by builder Vaionaut! This thing can certainly spread some cheer in a fast way.

Twas The Night Before Christmas...

...and all through the shop
Not a single brick was clicking
not one single MOC

The stockings were hung, Mickey, Pooh Bear and Tigger
ready for polybags, or something much bigger

Nerdly was nestled, all snug on his shelf,
Too blocky and cool to be confused with an elf.

Mrs BrickNerd in her Ugg boots, and I with my Mac,
Ripping off classics, like a no-talent hack.

We're all ready for Christmas here at the BrickNerd residential compound (my house). We have a few last minute projects to do, but for the most part we're just waiting for Santa and his reindeer. Speaking of which, check out this spectacular recreation of the classic Lucasfilm Christmas card from 1978 by builder Kevin Wollert. It's a very Star Warsy Christmas indeed.

Mines!

U-boats may have been the scourge of allied forces at sea, but they faces their own perils as well. As they preyed on unsuspecting surface ship, mines, torpedoes and bad navigation posed a continual threat. Builder PigletCiamek imagines a moment of realization that must have been quite the heart stopping moment indeed.

There It Is, My House, At Good Old Cleveland Street...

While it is the general policy of BrickNerd not to feature LEGO Ideas project, sometimes I have to make an exception. A Christmas Story is one of my all-time favorite movies. From Thanksgiving to Christmas every year we watch it (or at least have it on) a lot, practically every day, sometimes more than once. So when I saw this project of the Parker house I just had to share. It's got everything, the major award, the Bumpass hounds, the turkey, the rabbit pajamas and of course the official Red Rider carbine action 200 shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time.

P-51

While the corsair is my favorite WWII fighter, the mustang is a close second. Most planes of the era were so drab (literally) and unexciting, but not the mustang, she was shiny, fast and beautiful. This version by Milan CMadge is the best I've seen at this scale, right down to the dihedral. 

Did You Know That Wasn't Me?

K-2SO, the reprogrammed Imperial Droid from Rogue One was my personal favorite character from the film. His snarky comments and attitude, in direct contrast to his loyalty and chivalry, made him compelling and lovable. While I was a bit nonplussed by the official LEGO set, this version by nobu_tary which utilizes just the key components of that set is stellar.

This Dog's In The Holiday Mood

At my house the corgi's are getting into the spirit of Christmas. There's the repeated high speed passes under the tree, shaking the ornaments off. The systematic dismantling of the tubes that ribbon and wrapping paper come on. The occasional theft of a Santa hat for nefarious reasons. Actually, come to think of it, I'm not sure they're fans. But this terrier by bricks.life.idea is clearly into it with his awesome antlers.

Black Beauty

The Greet Hornet and his faithful sidekick Kato had a crazy plan, become crimefighters by pretending to be criminals. It was just crazy enough to work. But they needed to get around, and why not do it in style with a specially modified Chrysler Imperial bristling with firepower and gadgets? TBB's own Mad physicist brings this beast of a beauty to life with comic book style.

To The Gate!

These poor knights do not look like they'll be celebrating Christmas any time soon. . .  Builder Cab ~ has his hands full with a siege at his front gate.  There are many iconic weapons of war throughout history.  Some crafts were massive, some were simpler and smaller, but served an equal importance just the same.  This particular scene is a clean and lively build (well, except for the occasional arrow and dead soldier), while still portraying the urgency of the invading soldiers, and those defending their keep.  I'm seeing clean castle walls like this less and less lately, so this was a pleasant castle creation to witness.  Hopefully these soldiers can come to some sort of truce before the holiday. . .