Newsweek Celebrates LEGO

The LEGO brick is 60, and the minifigure is 40, and I'm right in the middle between them. I'm not sure what the significance of that is, but I find it interesting. It also means I was the perfect age when the Minifigure was introduced, and I've loved them ever since. And I'm not alone in that love, the world has been captivated with LEGO for over half a century, and Newsweek is celebrating that with a special edition. They were kind enough to send us a preview issue, and let me tell you, you're all in for a treat. It hits newsstands next week, be sure to pick up an issue or order it here.

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The Little Mech That Could

Somedays I feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of military mechs that flood the LEGO community, therefore I am always surprised and intrigued by mechs that break this trend, such as this one created by legomelego. The background hangar and lighting is what really caught my eye at first, but the more I look at it, the more I can't help but feel that this little robot is trying to portray emotions and break free from his human overlords. Look at their diabolical smiles... how evil.

AU-R1C

Quetzalcoatl Would Prefer Not

You just don't see very many Aztec builds, here on BrickNerd we've only featured a handful. But when they do come along they're usually pretty special, like this one from builder Nuju Metru. It turns out the god Quetzalcoatl was against human sacrifice (why are humans so terrible to each other?) and with the help of some brave warriors is about to put a stop to this rogue priest. 

Sacrilege Against Quetzalcoatl

Purple Rod

There's a moment in every hot rod builder's project where the decision has to be made, what color? In the real world this can be put off and agonized over for most of the project, and consequently make or break it. Imagine having spent years building a car, only to screw it up at the last minute with a terrible paint job. In the LEGO world, that decision has to happen quite early, and can also have dire consequences. Depending on color, finding the parts you need can be quite challenging. So I'm always impressed with a rare color choice, and this purple beast by builder redfern1950s2, is a real eye catcher. Of course purple isn't as rare as it used to be, but it's still very limited in part choice, which makes this hot rod all the more impressive.

Purple Rod...
Purple Rod...

Yuru Camp

While my new Airstream has fundamentally changed how I camp, I spent the first half century of my life tent camping. I've always enjoyed adding a bit of separation between myself and the real world and decompressing while "roughing it" (and of course eating camp food). These adorable figures based on the comic Yuru Camp by MikeVd are getting away from it all, and I have to admit I'm just a little jealous.

Yuru Camp

Bayonetta

Hey boys and girls! It's time for another round of "Games that Tommy has never heard of!" Yes, I've never played, or actually even heard of Bayonetta. We'll just have to add it to the growing list of games that have eluded me but inspire insanely cool MOCs like this one from builder Umm, Who? I don't know what's going on or who's who (or what) but it's a feast for the eyes.

LEGO® Bayonetta
LEGO® Bayonetta

Greed

I've never been about money. As an artist I always find it difficult to put a price on my time, and I've never had ambitions of wealth. I'm just happy making stuff, sharing stuff, and making enough money to keep my family fed and happy. But there are some in the world who see the buckazoids differently, for who the accumulation of wealth is all consuming and the yardstick by way they measure their self worth. Sort of like this guy from builder lummerlander, who may never learn money can't buy you happiness. Don't be like this guy.

Money Doesn't Buy Happiness?

There's No Place, I Can Be...

A nice peaceful river retreat gives this peasant boy a place to rest and find a little serenity before back to being oppressed by someone who received a sword from a watery tart.  This small vignette by David Zambito has some great rock work using official boulder pieces and upside-down boat tiles, but the stand out is the duck, a simple and elegant 5 piece build, with a stud shooter as the body.

Serenity