LEGO has finally updated their Retiring Soon list on the LEGO Shop for the US and here’s are what sets will be going away soon. Of course this isn’t the comprehensive list as LEGO doesn’t list everything that is retiring but it gives you an idea of what to expect. As of this post, there are 73 items listed as retiring, presumably by the end of the year. Note that some of the sets are older sets, quite a few of them are also from this year. Art • Modern Art (31210) Avatar • Skimwing Adventure (75576)• Payakan the Tulkun & Crabsuit (75579) BrickHeadz • Harry Potter & Cho Chang (40616)• Draco Malfoy & Cedric Diggory (40617)• Kingsley Shacklebolt & Nymphadora Tonks (40618)• The Phantom Menace (40676)• Mirabel Madrigal (40753) City • Street Skate Park (60364)• Green Race Car (60399)• Emergency Ambulance and Snowboarder (60403)• Emergency Rescue Helicopter (60405)• Fire Rescue...

I let LEGO phenom Bart De Dobbelaer title this passage. I merely copy/pasted it from his Flickr page because sometimes the builder’s own idea is by far better than whatever silliness I had in mind. Building bizarre alien worlds is not bizarre for Bart. It’s kinda his thing. But each time I’m enthralled with the level of imagination and storytelling. To further copy/paste from Bart (Is it good journalism or just laziness? You decide!) “Dear diary, today I went treasure hunting at the old temple ruin. Luckily I brought my harpoon with me as the place was swarming with crustaceans. I guess I’m having shrimp cocktail this evening. Pete.” But Bart-or-um-Pete, I have a question. Are they still called shrimp if they’re the size of a city bus? The post Beginner’s Guide to Adventuring – Always bring your harpoon appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Lino

Everyone’s favorite cantina band (and apparent one-hit wonder) Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes gets a jazzy replay in “Cantina Quartet” by Jonah. The DNA of the set that inspired it (21334 Jazz Quartet) is clear, but Jonah makes it something new by paying close attention to the individual instruments (which real fans—or at least those who took time to look stuff up on Wookieepedia—will know to be the bandfill, kloo horn, Dorenian beshniquel, and Ommni box). Despite having basically one good song, the Modal Nodes really know how to wail. The post Bet you can hear this picture in your head appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Ryan Kunz

Czech builder and LEGO masters winner Michal Horáček is a true artist at erecting big, rickety stonework in LEGO. It must help that he lives in Prague, one of the most architecturally exciting cities in the world. Over the past year, between contributing to a Tim Burton exhibition and collaborative builds with others like poMOCník & dirigent, Michal has been working on a massive medieval city showcasing his unique style. The central building in the tableau — the red town hall and adjoining tower and astronomical clock — is heavily inspired by Prague’s own Old Town Hall. Ramshackle brickwork and half-timbered buildings have long been in vogue with castle builders, but usually with a Norman or Tudor influence. Michal’s buildings incorporate Gothic flare with elaborate (bordering on chaotic) detailing that captures the flamboyant style that swept through much of Europe during the late Medieval period. Michal draws on a wide range of...

LEGO builder Fedde Barendrecht finds an innovative way to show off his troll and orc collection as well as enough tank treads to furnish an entire platoon. You had to have been collecting the Castle line back in 2008 to acquire so many orc and troll figures. That’s back when Katy Perry kissed a girl and liked it. Also the economy crashed but the incidents were likely unrelated. The aforementioned tank treads adorn the walls of the fortress giving it a-uh-fortified fort feel. To quote Fedde: “Quickly assembled frontier forts trolls throw up on newly ‘acquired’ territories to ensure their holdings stay held”. Isn’t that how 4Chan was founded? The post Don’t tread on this fortified troll fort appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Lino