Journey to the Center of the Earth: Chapter I: The Labratory

[SirNadroj]

Journey to the Center of the Earth: Chapter I: The Labratory

I present to you the first installment of my new narrative MOC series "Journey to the Center of the Earth" heavily inspired from Tokyo's Disneysea's attraction, and the famous novel.

The lights are by "Lifelites". You will see a video of different sequences at MOCpages.

Link to Chapter I, on MOCpages: http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/60163

The diorama is very rough around the edges, since, well, you aren't supposed to see them in the pictures. It's like a soundstage.

Let me know whatcha think.

[Wilhelm screamer]

I love the building here, but it is hard for some one like me with a short attention span to read the story.

[Skull-Mark_Ladybug]

...

Edited May 17, 2025 by Skull-Mark_Ladybug

[SirNadroj]

I love the building here, but it is hard for some one like me with a short attention span to read the story.

Thanks.

I'm sorry you feel like that. I invite you to take two minutes and read it. The text is kinda the whole point of this. You won't know what the hecks going on in the following chapters.

I knew that you would build great creations for this theme SirNadroj ,

this proves it . I like all of the detailing you've done, such as the rocks and the overhead lights and cranes you've built into the top of it. The vehicle (the Mole I believe you call it) looks great and looks very fitting with the rest of the set. The lights are a nice detail as well they make a nice light show as your video demonstrated, but did you have any problems installing them, or is there a really complex set of cables to operate them all? Also, just to clear things up for me does the crystal act as a power source for the lights (in your story not real life) or will it have any special powers, besides looking great ? The background story you also added in was good, and I'm heavily anticipating the next chapter. Overall I think you should be very proud of this MOC, it's one of the best I've seen lately .

Thanks very much for the kind words. The lifelites were very easy to use and were worth every cent!

All of your questions will be answered in the coming chapters (I don't want to give anything away. )

[Atoll Dweller]

You, SirNadroj, are a genius! The chapter was great and left me wanting more, the diorama is awe-inspiring, and I don't think anyone else could have thought of a better way to light it! 10/10 from me!

[zero1312]

Both an impressive build and writing!!!!

[iamded]

A very cool MOC SirNadroj! The lighting effect sure looks great, the rock wall is fantastic too.

~Peace

[Batbrick]

A very cool MOC SirNadroj! The lighting effect sure looks great, the rock wall is fantastic too.

~Peace

Total agreement here! I love the way it looks like a soundstage, and the rock work is brilliant. I shall read the story now...

Batbrick Away!

[Joebot]

The text is kinda the whole point of this.

I'm not sure I agree ... I would argue that for a Lego-based story presented on a Lego fan website, the pictures are the key! Especially when the set, lightning, and backdrop are so stunning. I read the story, and it was fine, but I really want more pictures!

Have you thought about making it more of a comic book format, with word balloons and captions? That might be more visually appealing than the "big block of text / tiny picture" format. That way, you could let the pictures tell more of the story. For example, you've got a line of dialogue that reads: "The crystal here is purple, and glows." You don't need to TELL us that; we can SEE it in the pictures!

In general, I think you're off to a great start! I've been doing these Lego stories for several years now with my Unlikely Society comics, and I always love to see the stories and sets that other people come up with. It's a ton of work, but it's fun!

[SirNadroj]

Thanks very much guys! Glad you like it! Waiting on a few orders, and chapter II will begin...

I'm not sure I agree ... I would argue that for a Lego-based story presented on a Lego fan website, the pictures are the key! Especially when the set, lightning, and backdrop are so stunning. I read the story, and it was fine, but I really want more pictures!

Have you thought about making it more of a comic book format, with word balloons and captions? That might be more visually appealing than the "big block of text / tiny picture" format. That way, you could let the pictures tell more of the story. For example, you've got a line of dialogue that reads: "The crystal here is purple, and glows." You don't need to TELL us that; we can SEE it in the pictures!

In general, I think you're off to a great start! I've been doing these Lego stories for several years now with my Unlikely Society comics, and I always love to see the stories and sets that other people come up with. It's a ton of work, but it's fun!

The text and the pictures go together, but the story line is crucial. It's like reading a novel: (generally) there are no pictures, just text. The pictures add to the text, though, of course, I'm putting much more time into the MOCs for pictures vs. the text. Too many pictures, I think, would ruin it. I liked the quantity I had in Ch. I, but obviously as the story progresses and unfolds, the picture quantity per chapter will vary.

Nope, no comic books. For two reasons: it's a lot more work, and comics generally imply jokes and punchlines. Yes, the story will have a few funny parts, but it's overall supposed to be a serious story, and you'll get more of a sense of that as the story progresses. I'll be frank, I'm not much of a comic reader, I just like the text there. Though I do appreciate a good comic.

Thanks.

[Adam]

A always, great MOC, Sir Nadroj!

[Joebot]

For two reasons: it's a lot more work

You are absolutely right about that!! I spend more time lettering my comics than any other part of the process.

Good luck with the story!

[SirNadroj]

Thanks guys!

And to keep you guessing: A teaser picture from Chapter II!

[Skull-Mark_Ladybug]

Thanks guys!

And to keep you guessing: A teaser picture from Chapter II!

I hate you SirNarddroj, why must you tease us like this .

From the picture that you provided the second chapter looks very promising, I'm guessing that that this next chapter will take place underground or close to it? I'm rather curious as to what the silver thing on the left is, as I can't place my finger on what it is exactly. But I guess finding out what it is, is just another thing to look forward to in the next chapter . I think I can also see a few Lifelites being used inside of the cave as crystals or something .

[iamded]

Finally got 'round to reading the story, very nice job, SirNadroj!

Also, do you have something to do with LifeLites other than buying them? Either way, it's neat to see your creation on their homepage.

~Peace

[Sandy]

I am loving this, Nadroj, and I agree with you about the format. Short story with pictures is the right way to go with this, not comics. There's really not very much text to read, so I don't get the complaints about short attention span. Surely you guys have done much more reading in school, haven't you?

The MOC is gorgeous, you've really captured the steampunk feeling with it. The motives of the characters joining the adventure feel a bit hazy for now, but I'm sure it'll all clear up as the story progresses!

I'm off to read the second chapter now!

[Quarryman]

I'm ashamed I haven't noticed this before, it's a great MOC and a good story

Eagerly looking forward to chapter III.

Nope, no comic books. For two reasons: it's a lot more work, and comics generally imply jokes and punchlines. Yes, the story will have a few funny parts, but it's overall supposed to be a serious story, and you'll get more of a sense of that as the story progresses. I'll be frank, I'm not much of a comic reader, I just like the text there. Though I do appreciate a good comic.

Though I well understand your point about it being a lot more work I just have to point out that a story being told as a comic should in no way be seen as implying that it's funny and not serious. An obvious example are Neil Gaiman's Sandman stories. But it's your story, so of course you must tell it the way you prefer.