Vibrant Rover

TFDesigns has been rolling out some very interesting rover designs this month, including the one you see just below. This rover, for whatever reason, seems very playful to me (and certainly friendly). I think it's the choice of the bright colors that seem to call: "Come closer! I won't roll over you." This model also shows us that you don't need any truly specialty parts to make a solid rover, you just need a bit of creativity! Well done indeed!

The Violet Vanquisher

When it comes to building starfighters these days, the stranger the better, as demonstrated here by dark-purple fan Chris Perron. Thanks to LEGO's Nexo Knights series, we have had several new curved elements introduced to the ever growing collection of our favorite plastic pieces. Several newer parts are used throughout this spacecraft, for example the dark purple curved panel elements that work miraculously well as...well...panels on this ship's body. Another great and unique starfighter to showcase here on BrickNerd, and I can't wait to see some more designs from Chris in the future!

Star Wars Racer

While I might not be a big prequel fan, I did appreciate the podrace from Episode 1, and the video games that followed, and I really dig this latest creation by tkel86. It combines LEGO, Mindstorms and Star Wars to great effect, making an arcade game that l would absolutely love to try. Check out the video to see it in action, it's amazing.

For The Birds

The Pixar shorts have become practically as big a draw as the films they proceed. Through the years there have been many, but few have charmed me and made me laugh as much as For the Birds. Builder Yatkuu captures the essence of the mocking and bullying birds very well (don't worry, they get what's coming to them).

Holy Fruit-of-the-Loom, Batman!

My old pal Thorsten Bonsch has kicked off a new series of Gothic Batman scenes with this rendition of Bruce and Dick's tony changing area in the Batcave.  Note the highly ornate cabinets for their costumes, and even a candelabra on the table.  All this surrounded by the rugged stalactites and stalagmites of the mysterious underground lair.  And there's Robin, in his tighty-whities...  What a scene!

The White Tulip

I will admit I have very little knowledge of Russian architecture. In fact, beyond onion domes on colorful buildings or monolithic concrete structures, I'm really not aware of much more. So I found this wonderful building by buildingmaster1966 fascinating not only for it's brick construction, but for opening my eyes to a gap in my knowledge. Time for some google image searches and a little learning.

Stormtrooper E-11 Blaster

I've always been a fan of Stormtroopers, they're white armor, their expert aim, their ability to navigate doorways with ease (ok, I kid, but I am a fan). I've also been a fan of their blasters too, in fact I was just looking at photos last night for an upcoming prop project. So I was quite surprised and delighted to find this awesome LEGO blaster by Daryl Ng in my feed this morning. It's even got a spiffy UCS style display stand, neat!

Tianfeng Tower

Here in America we have a strange concept of what "history" is, or at least a strange time scale. Since our country has only been around 242 years, things going back that far seem really old. I can assure you there are paint flakes on this magnificent structure in China that are older than our oldest standing structure. This is Tianfeng Tower, and it's been standing for over 1300 years! This LEGO version of it by acgshow(G.S) is absolutely jaw dropping. Click through for many more pictures.

Mini Parisian Restaurant

If there's anything I enjoy more than nicely done modular buildings, it's a micro build of said modular buildings. The Parisian Restaurant is one of my favorites, and this miniature version of it by builder Simon NH is instantly recognizable. And just like it's full size counterpart, it's brimming with charm. There's so many clever techniques and part uses here I don't know where to start, so just gawk at it like I've been doing.

Starspeeder 3000

When Disney bought Lucasfilm a lot of people asked me how I felt about it. I explained that it seemed totally natural. After all, Star Tours opened in 1987, and since then there's been an ever growing presence in the parks and in the company. So it's been happening for 30 years, it wasn't a shock at all to me. Despite the fact that the ride makes me totally barfy, I love Star Tours and the Starspeeder 3000, and this version by TJJohn12 gives me the warm fuzzies.

The Grisly Fate Of Owen And Beru

When the Jawas stopped at the Lars homestead on that fateful day, Luke Skywalker could not have imagined how much his life was going to change. Literally the next day Luke loses EVERYTHING, his aunt and uncle, his home, everything. All he was left with was a landspeeder (which he had to sell immediately) two droids (one of which insisted he belonged to someone else) and the clothes on his back. This poingnat scene, expertly recreated in bricks by Ochre Jelly, is a pivotal moment in Lukes life.

Chinatown

As a testament to how much there is to see at a LEGO convention (or perhaps to how easily distracted and clueless I am) I don't recall seeing this at BricksLA 2018. How the heck did I miss it?!? As if a highly detailed street scene isn't difficult enough to built, Benjamin_Rose added a steep hill to his brilliant Chinatown street. And with the space created added a subway surprise on the back side.

Snowy Owl

Mr Owl is here to remind us that it's still winter, at least according to his friend the groundhog. This visually stunning piece by Azurekingfisher makes very effective use of the white foliage piece, making for an eye catching profile.

First Boy On The Moon

When I was a kid not only did I turn my toy box into a submarine (complete with working periscope) I also dotted my entire room with glow in the dark paint so when you turned the lights off you were in deep space (my parents didn't know for months). So this imaginative kid resonates with me big time. This is justin_m_winn's entry to the LEGO Ideas Moments in Space contest. 

Dinotopia

I was fortunate enough to see these gorgeous Dinotopia dinos by Shawn Snyder in person at BrickCon last year. I've never read any of the books but I have always enjoyed the artwork from the series, and these sculptures capture their essence perfectly. I might add that using a brachiosaur for fire fighting is inspired lunacy, what a wonder world that would be.

Recon Shuttle

I absolutely love the presentation of this cool shuttle by Horcik Designs. See how the lighting of the background for the most part matches the lighting of the ship? That's an often overlooked detail when photographing MOCs with the intention of editing over a background. It can make or break a shot, and as you can see here it totally makes it.

This Facility Is Crude...

Han Solo just can't get a break. First Greedo tries to shoot him (did I say first, I meant second), then he almost gets squished in a trash compactor, then he almost gets swallowed by a giant space slug, then he's turned into a scoundrelsicle. This carbon freezing chamber by I Scream Clone is one of the coolest I've ever seen.

Green Sea Rock Lighthouse

Dioramas don't have to be huge or elaborate to be impressive. They don't need to be loaded with figures to tell a story. And they don't need to be busy or intricate to be detailed. This MOC by W. Navarre is compelling without being over-the-top and I find that fascinating. I want to know it's history, I want to know the ships it protects, I want to see what's inside. That's a good diorama.

The Summerset Isles

I need a vacation. I know the holidays were only 8 weeks ago, and I did take some time off, but it's been nuts ever since. So my first instinct when seeing this stunning diorama by Brickwielder was a deep desire to be strolling that bridge with my wife, sipping some fruity and overly decorated beverage and sincerely appreciating that waterfall and the beautiful scenery.

Food Rover Friday

I can assure you the last job description you'd ever find for me is "astronaut". If my weight didn't instantly disqualify me my propensity for motion sickness would not long after. But, in the highly imaginative world where I would break the bounds of gravity of this planet I would still have a weakness for gimmicky food, and I'd be first in line to get something from these wonderful food rovers from TFDesigns.