Captain Nemo

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Posts posted by Captain Nemo


  1. What?!  :laugh:

    I mean maybe in person, and actually seeing this, it’s a good set. But on paper, it’s awful! Seven figures? Seven figures what year is this?! Like what? What is this a Star Wars set? Why would you put the cave in a giant box, who wants that? You’re using so many pieces for that—just make the cave. How is a parts intensive box more interesting that just the cave itself? Do the vehicles fit inside the box? Like if the box is closed do the vehicles still fit inside? Because if they don’t, then what’s the point of the box? If it’s not also cute carrying case what’s the point? What is this mystery box—why is this mystery box?! 

    Maybe the set comes with like a crisp hundred dollar bill inside, I don’t know. Why would you not just cut out the box, drop 1000pcs and get this thing down to $300. Everything is so unnecessarily excessive now. 

    What are these choices they make no sense!

    I don’t know. 

    I don’t know anything anymore! :blush:

     


  2. :hmpf:

    Ugh, whatever happened to, “if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all” ? More and more over the years I’ve tried not to vent (publicly at least!) my many frustrations over the goings ons at Lego Superheroes, because I really don’t want to blast the (assumed) many people who work on these sets, but like why? Like why would you say any of that?! In this interview, in the last one. Who does this help? 

    What benefit is there to announce that you didn’t bother to consider anything for the 10th anniversary (which I feel is overblown, a celebration of it to me IS unnecessary, but that’s my minority opinion), but then also say that you were in fact aware of it (it’s 2012, like come on, we all know that) of the desire for something to celebrate it? Let alone acknowledge it. And that you and/or your team did not bother to discuss this any further. Did the team discuss anything, at all, over Covid? I know designers built from home, I know they were also prioritized access to office, but does Zoom not exist, are there not discussions between team members happening? Does the team not consult on each other’s work—they did not for the Black Panther bust, and that was used as an excuse for the set’s poor reception. Did they consult on the Hulkbuster? 

    I’ve just been so flabbergasted by all these recent statements. Again, we all know DC does not sell well. Were Lego Marvel and DC allocated as two separately budgeted themes, it is evidently clear that Lego DC itself would have been axed years ago. I don’t see how the lack of films dictates poor set choices, choices for sets not based on pre-existing sets. If you’re trying to sell DC, why emphasize so much 1966 Batman? Where’s the market for that? Why release the exact same Harley Quinn set every year? Why so many god damn Penguin duck boats? If you’re not going to make DC sets based off films, then make something creative—if you don’t want to be creative don’t make anything at all. 

    I think why I’m so frustrated is because—we as fans are use to DC, as a brand, being poorly managed—both by itself and its multiple recent parent companies. But that’s entirely a separate issue from design over at Lego. It is in no way prudent to publicly announce the apparent faults of the design team, that they don’t talk things through, they don’t compare notes or designs, that they DO hear the desires of the fans and yet dismiss them.  

    All those things can be true, and they also don’t need to be acknowledged publicly. It is what it is, but optically, this just looks horrible.


  3. I’m elated about the news of another Disney CMF, as I love the characters and they translate to Lego very well. However I have to admit I’m really really concerned about the new standard for CMFs being 12 figures (let alone the upcoming boxes instead of bags thing), and how that specifically will hurt this new Disney series. 

    I don’t expect there to be any change in the 12 count roster, and with only twelve figures we would be seriously limited in what new characters we end up with. A Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and probably Goofy (now that we have a mold for him) variants are required inclusions for any Disney CMF—that’s four figures, two thirds of an entire series! Throw in a Daisy or maybe a stand alone Pluto? And oof, we are running out of space! What happens if they put a repeat—are they going to leave all that money on the table by not adding a new Elsa minifigure? 

    Let’s be honest the 12 figures a series thing is great for non-licensed waves, because Lego has been clawing at the pavement below the bottom of the barrel for years now to conjure half-baked CMF figure concepts :blush:, but the limit of twelve is really a gut punch to licensed series, especially those without ongoing sets (sans Mickey & Friends), like Disney, who benefited immensely from the past large roster.  

    Ideally, I hope whatever roster space available is used to cover the most amount of films possible with one off encompassing characters. Cruella is a popular guess (I agree and wouldn’t bet against her inclusion), who would cover essentially the entire Dalmatian films. Same with someone like Tarzan, Tiana, or Snow White (disregarding my desire for an Evil Queen) It’s tough, once you start getting characters like Belle and Beast for instance—then that’s two slots gone to represent only one film. Granted, I have to admit I’m biased. Can we just get like all villains Lego? All Disney villains! Then you’ll get no complaints from me! 

    Or just like make Disney minifigure sets based off various movies, it’s not that hard Lego. 


  4. The Oasis 

    Each year, a dedicated group of Eurobricks members assemble in Schaumburg, Illinois, at the annual Lego convention--Brickworld Chicago--to construct one large and crazy collaborative display. This was the result:

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    The Eurobricks collaborative display for Brickworld Chicago 2022 was the Oasis. A sprawling adventure across deserts and jungles, the Oasis display attempted to replicate that exciting feeling of discovery. Utilizing sightlines and some clever (if perhaps intense) planning, the harsh desert and lush jungle were hidden not only from each other, but from the viewer too. Upon approaching the display, the viewer was greeted only by the endless desert and the tenacious adventurers traversing it. But like the adventures, as the viewer explored further and walked around the display, a massive jungle would appear and a new epic would begin. 

    And just as the explorers would ask themselves upon seeing the ruined temples of the jungle, you too are probably pondering, who built this?! 

    Well Eurobricks that's who! 

    team.jpg.69f0b7acae6c83b8f94c7d1beac64a5f.jpg

    From Jungle to Desert: @Darkdragon @Cecilie @KotZ @Quarryman @Hinckley @RoxYourBlox @Kristel @MKJoshA @ZCerberus @Rogue Angel @Cheesey @Silver.Smith @Captain Nemo @Peppermint_M @Evensong 

    Not Pictured: @Ryushi @Prune Face @Vincent Kessels

     

    The Oasis was built by 18 Eurobricks members over the course of three years! Yes, read that right, three years! Our dedicated Eurobricks collab family has been working on this display since Brickworld Chicago 2019 and one short apocalypse later, we were finally able to come together at Brickworld 2020 2021 2022 to display it as we always intended. 

    Spread across four tables, spanning 10 feet by 8 feet, with a height difference/drop of around 4 feet, this was our most ambitious and intensive display yet. Utilizing hundreds of thousands of pieces and just as much blood, sweat, and excess jungle water, this display was finally assembled together at Brickworld after a three day setup process. After which it was promptly destroyed.   

     

    The Desert 

    While the display itself is massive, the entire collaboration is comprised of smaller segments built by all of our teammates. Just like the spectators would see in person, let's start with a closer look at the Desert side:

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    While on paper a desert might seem like a bit of a bland build concept, in reality it is anything but! Covering 8x5 feet, this desert features massive dunes, insurmountable cliffs, downed planes, and even a mobile tavern. Also, this was built with all of the tan plates in the world.  

    With such a large barren landscape, what's the best way to cross it? A plane of course! Built by @Silver.Smith & @Evensong (Phil & Maria), this downed cargo plane now acts as a makeshift home for explorers. 

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    Deceptively massive, this wreckage now features a campsite, a shanty shack of fabric pieces, and even a functioning windmill created with one of the plane's propellers. 

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    Phil & Maria also built sections of the jungle that we will see later, but their plane was nominated for Best Airship. Additionally they received  nominations for Best Small Group Display, Best Group Train, Best Land Vehicle, and Best Mecha

    plane.jpg.e9053d3e26e4d867bc80f7bd3c9a90f3.jpg

    In addition to building the downed plane, Phil & Maria built the desert section below it--which included a previously hidden cave filled with crystal blue water. This area is now being explored with some most-likely-not-up-to-code wooden walkways. 

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    A plane is a more traditional way to travel, but if you have the money and want something with style, perhaps try this steampunk walker built by @Quarryman / Jens. Utilizing some nice large transparent domes and lax child labor laws, this Wild Wild West styled walker makes exploration a breeze. This build was nominated for Best Mecha. 

    mecha.jpg.724844594d38d9e51ac1ea232c566aeb.jpg

    If you don't mind the heat or slumming it with plebs, you could also try the cheaper option of an old tank turned tavern turned bathhouse? Whatever this is, Jens' equally impressive tank certainly added some stylish (hats) flair to the desert. 

    tank.jpg.49658f2ca3d16427f7192898a2bb00db.jpg

    That tank is all the more impressive when you realize it traversed the massive dunes built by @RoxYourBlox / Pete. Elsewhere at Chicago, Pete's builds won Best Mechanical, Best Humor, Best Group Display, and was nominated for Best Creature and Best Large Building. 

    1034563413_petedunes.jpg.89a08bb500200902db67282ff73d0f59.jpg

    While dunes are difficult to cross (and even more annoying to build!) having to watch out for holes that fall into a river is also a bit of a challenge. Built by @Captain Nemo / Tim, the cracked earth on the desert side shows hints of the adventure to come. Beneath the earth is a five foot long, partially mechanized, underground river that flows from the edge of the desert through to the jungle and beyond. 

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    The desert holds more secrets than a river though, as adventurers are uncovering hidden temples by the base of the cliffs. Built by @MKJoshA / Josh, this expedition force is digging out a large tower, which features a hidden chamber beneath the ground. Desert vehicles were created by @Peppermint_M / Christie, who also built an Ice Cream Shoppe for the Eurobricks Gingerbread train layout, which was nominated for Best Train Layout. 

    672062147_desertabove.jpg.063aa07e436b175fbb21aa076af945eb.jpg

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    Below you can see various hidden details such as geodes, dragon skulls and skeletons embedded into the cliffs and ground, all built by Josh. 

    josh.jpg.fc0d8d4581bbbb6dce4a9dc12b079f25.jpg

    PXL_20220618_212727330.jpg.c449223e2dfc35a5d3dade91845560fc.jpg

    And of course we need to talk about the cliff work, which is rather difficult to breakdown into segments, as they miraculously lined up rather well on site! The desert cliffs (both the desert facing side, and their jungle facing backside) were built by (from plane/left to dune/right) Josh, @Rogue Angel / Kevin, Tim, and @Cheesey / Caleb. In large part the quality of the cliffs is due to Caleb, as he first constructed his cliff sections in 2019, and created the style template that the rest of us matched. Caleb also built a segment for the jungle and numerous other builds for Chicago, taking home the win for Best Small Building, Best Group Layout, Best Dirty Buildster, and the nomination for Best Medieval. Caleb also created a spectacular video detailing this collaboration and it's creation, which is posted at the bottom of this recap. 

    On the other end of the desert, we can see some Easter eggs built and within Caleb's cliff section, including a hidden temple to rubber duckies and the unnecessary inclusion of a full staircase to the top the cliffs. 

    stairs.jpg.8325a65654293f8b616037efe1c5cdb8.jpg

     

    Of course all those amazing builds only make up HALF of the display, so prepare to gasp! 

    split.jpg.2937a0c331f6344d793eb26579768763.jpg

     

    The Jungle

    Following the flow of the underground river, which runs entirely through the base of the desert, you'll discover a massive jungle on the other side. Or actually you might not! Because hilarious aside, on numerous occasions we would see spectators be wowed by the desert and then just like walk off and not even bother to walk around the display and then we'd also we other spectators dragging their friends and family to the jungle saying, "No, no! Look there's a jungle too!" It was confounding and also hilarious. Anyways, on to the jungle: 

    Dominated by a massive waterfall, this atmospheric rainforest was a wonder to behold. Featuring multiple mist machines, moving functions, and every Lego plant piece ever produced, it covered tables spanning 8x5 feet and the surrounding convention floor in water. 

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    The main waterfall was built by Tim, reached 2.5 feet tall and was fully mechanized, featuring jumping fish and a large mist machine, which blanketed the surrounding bricks in a thick layer of water. For authenticity of course, it is a rainforest after all. The nearby T-Rex skeleton was built by Caleb. The jungle cliffs (from T-Rex level down) were built by Mark (left), Tim (Middle/Waterfall), and @ZCerberus / Ben (Right). 

    dino.jpg.ca7dbc62240cf0a722568e67051e47bd.jpg

    Now like all hidden secluded unexplored jungles, this one is a bit difficult to traverse, so we'll try to break it down by segments: 

    From the left is the large temple by @Hinckley / Mark. This was the first temple structure started for the Jungle side, so it established the style that the other temples followed. As the main ruined temple, this one was also the most haunted of course. It features a Pepper's Ghost function, which was placed about a foot off the ground. So it was hilarious watching kids bend down to see the ghost with ease and then watching non-ghost-believing dads straight up lay on the ground to see this there's-no-ghost for themselves. Note for next time, make sure to place your ghosts like a foot and a half off the ground. 

    temple.jpg.4900e82df8780b26ec6caf270f7d9a9c.jpg

    Also, hilarious aside, there was no top build to cover the Ghost section directly, so during setup we kept constantly dropping bricks into the ghost temple, and then hitting out hands on the invisible glass when we tried reaching through the side hole to grab them. No doubt the curse of the ghost! 

    ghost.jpg.95300da3269357749f16e862c2862ec6.jpg

    Directly in front of the temple is the reason it is most likely haunted, which is the killing fields territory of the big cats, which was designed by @Darkdragon / Lisa. No doubt this is the most dangerous section of the jungle, and that's saying a lot. Lisa also build the surrounding beach and river that flows from the waterfall. On the river was a nice, if somewhat sinking and snake-assaulted boat, which was built by @KotZ / Emilio. This was both Emilio's first time building with the Eurobricks collab and first time attending a Lego convention, so it's a joy to have him on the team with us going forward! We got another one! 

    cats.jpg.60e10201fc0be9ad2e6bcae73a7d7af4.jpg

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    Next to the left side river, and in front of the waterfall, are two temples dedicated to animals of the jungle: the Temple of the Parrot, built by Phil & Maria, and the Temple of the Monkey, built by Tim. Both featured hidden built in mist makers, which just got water like everywhere. 

    bird.jpg.2001adb0cebff7ce5e3d84d7831391ac.jpg

    monkey.jpg.5c0feae64e7495e2d4fa343fe1461e37.jpg

    The lands next to the Temple of the Monkey were built by @Cecilie / Cecilie, which features perhaps the guardian of the temple, a massive legally distinct giant ape. 

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    Surrounding jungle and river lands were built by Kevin (who was also nominated for Best Group Display, for WisLUG's castle display) and @Ryushi / Alysa, who was nominated for Best Replica. 

    PXL_20220617_172829371.jpg.849e08d3e05e5fe28e7567125cc9f67d.jpg

    On the front right of the jungle is the Temple of the Snake, which was Built by Tim two days before the convention, proving that even with three years we decided to wait until the last minute!  

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    As an example of someone who did not wait until the last minute, @Kristel / Kristel's Hippo lagoon was built in 2019, and survived all the way through three years and a flight from Australia to make it to Chicago. Featuring some cute hippos and transparent water, this lagoon was the ending point for the right side river that sprang from the Waterfall. In addition to bringing the lagoon, Kristel brought other builds that received nominations in Best Small Group Collab and Best Train Layout. 

    hippolagoon.jpg.57552e957e77f22c3272692be45d55fa.jpg

    Leading to the cliffs was a temple path built by Caleb and the Temple of the Bat build by @ZCerberus / Ben. Ben also constructed the surrounding Jungle cliffs featuring a scary(?) face. Ben's other builds won for Best Spacecraft, and was nominated for Best Group Train Layout, Best Medieval, and was nominated for Brickworld Master. 

    PXL_20220618_212517227.thumb.jpg.37fe00e5164bae4157bd83b180d37134.jpg

    Finally, as is tradition at Brickworld Chicago, there is the World of Lights event, where all the lights in the convention hall are turned off, leaving only the lights of the builds remaining. Oasis did not disappoint! 

    lights.jpg.2d83e37cfefd656a89e0dfd1c80ffdf7.jpg

     

    Overview

    That's a brief look at the Eurobricks display for Brickworld Chicago 2022. With such a large display, it's impossible to cover everything, but hopefully that gave you an idea of what this build was like. 

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    A cherry on top, or rather a red brick on top, was the fact that Oasis won the award for Best Group Display. This is now the fifth consecutive Best Group Display WIN for Eurobricks. Which just means the pressure is on for our next display!

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    If you would like some more insight into this display, please check out this awesome video created by @Cheesey / Caleb: 

     


  5. @Surge Here ya go: 

    I think it kinda works. If there were ever an occasion for Lego release a minifigure version of Triton, I think reusing this piece with more appropriate printing would work very well. 

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    I’m not sure if it has been mentioned anywhere, but all three of the mermaids from the set have newly designed tails, with fins that are duel molded with transparent opalescent colors—which look really nice. :thumbup:


  6. Welcome to the Lego Marvel Superheroes 2022 discussion thread! 
     

    This thread is dedicated to all Lego Marvel Superhero discussion throughout 2022; sets, rumors, thoughts, and discussion. 
     

    Enjoy! 

    ______________________________________________________

    First Quarter 2022 Releases

    Spidey and His Amazing Friends (4+ line)
    10781: Spider-Man's Techno Trike | $9.99 | 59 Pieces | Includes Miles Morales & Green Goblin
    10782: Hulk vs. Rhino Truck Showdown | $19.99 | 110 Pieces | Includes Spider-Man, Hulk and Rhino
    10783: Spider-Man at Doc Ock's Lab | $29.99 | 131 Pieces | Includes Spider-Man, Spider-Gwen, and Lady Octpus
    10784: Spider-Man Webquarters Hangout | $49.99 | 155 Pieces | Includes Spider-Man, Miles Morales, Spider-Gwen, Ms Marvel and Green Goblin

    MCU Spider-Man
    30443: Spider-Man Bridge Battle | Polybag inspired by Far From Home | Includes black-suit Spider-Man

    Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
    76205: Gargantos Showdown | $29.99 | 264 Pieces | Includes Dr Strange, Wong, and America Chaves

    MCU Avengers
    76206: Iron Man Figure | $39.99 | 381 Pieces | Buildable Iron-Man

    76209: Thor's Hammer | $100 | Target Exclusive in USA

     

    Second Quarter 2022 Releases

    Thor: Love & Thunder - April
    76207 Attack on New Asgard | $19.99 | 159 Pieces | Includes Mighty Thor, Thor and Gorr
    76208 The Goat Boat | $49.99 | 564 Pieces | Includes Mighty Thor, Thor, Gorr, King Valkyrie and Korg

    Mechs - April

    76202: Wolverine Mech Armor | $9.99 | 141 Pieces | Includes Wolverine with mask

    76203: Iron Man Mech Armor | $9.99 | 130 Pieces | Includes Iron Man with single piece helmet

    76204: Black Panther Mech Armor | $9.99 | 124 Pieces | Includes Black Panther with face and hair

    76219 Spider-Man & Green Goblin Mech Battle | $19.99 | 296 pieces | Includes pre-existing Spider-Man and GG minifigures

    April Release: The Infinity Saga Accessory Set (15€)

    Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - May
    76218: Sanctum Santorum | $210 / 220€ | 2708 Pieces | Includes Doctor Strange, Defender Strange, Supreme Strange, Wong, Mordo, Wanda, Spider-Man, Iron-Man and one more.

    Infinity Saga - June

    76216: Iron Man 2 Workshop | $90/90€ | 496 pcs | 7 Figures including Whiplash Mk1, War Machine Mk1, Pepper Potts, Nick Fury, Iron Man Mk IV, Iron Man MK XXV and potentially Iron Man MK85

    76217: Baby Groot | $55/50€ | 476 pcs

    Third Quarter 2022 Releases

    August

    76220 4+ | $10 | 43 pcs

    76221 | $45 | 456 pcs

    September

    76225 ($25)

    76226 ($25)

    76230 ($25) 

    76231 Guardians Of The Galaxy Calendar | $45 | 268 pcs | inspired by Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special

    Fourth Quarter 2022 Releases

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - October (Set from Stonewars.de) (Release timeline presumed but not known)
    76211 | $49.99 | 355 Pieces
    76212 | $9.99 | 56 Pieces
    76213 | $29.99 | 355 Pieces
    76214 | $79.99 |

     

    Unknown Release Dates

    UCS
    Hulkbuster based on Infinity War | $200-$250 | Around 2500 pieces | 1 Minifgure (from promobricks)
    76210 | $500 | Not 100% confirmed to be Marvel (from Brickmerge)


  7. Speaking of Spider-Man…

     

    FYI everyone, myself and the other Licensed Moderators, @Clone OPatra & @VBBN, will be continuing the Eurobricks tradition of temporarily closing the Marvel thread around the release of a major spoiler filled MCU film, ie Spider-Man: No Way Home. This is the only way to prevent blatant spoiler posts during the first weekend release—this tradition was very much appreciated during past releases such as Endgame. 
     

    As such, the 2021 Marvel Set discussion thread will be locked from roughly December 14th to December 20th

     

    On Monday, December 20th, we will “reopen” the Marvel thread (now to be named 2022 discussion). After which all (Lego relevant) discussion will be allowed. If you come to the Marvel thread on or after December 20th, expect discussion of Spider-Man SPOILERS to be open/allowed, you have been warned!
     

    Thanks everyone! :thumbup: