Brainbox

Ooh... more characters. It's nice to see Bane is in, especially seeing as how he's such a big part of the Bat-mythos. Nightwing looks good too, but I have to say, I wasn't really expecting Clayface. I like the way he's been done here, and it's be great to see him as an actual fig sometime.

Thanks for the review Batbrick. This is a great set. So there aren't any new figures, but it's nice to get more penguins and I have a use planned for the Robin fig. The jet-sub is cute and neat, and is very 'Robin-y'. Pengy's sub is also very nice, save for the shooter and flickfire missiles. But like you said, easy to MOD. The original sub was pretty cool, and this is only an improvement. Even if it still isn't available on UK S@H...

Unless you're in the mood for some 60s. In the TV Series, she had several henchmen, all wearing tiger print and those ridiculous ears... He does sometimes. They tend to have to wrap up warm, so as to manage in his refrigerated hideouts.

Thanks for the review, even if it is a number of years late. I picked this up whn it came out, and thought it was a rather cool set (besides the catapult). Plenty of cool pieces, and the baseplate has found a use in the Batcave. Although I think my dad managed to spill some beer on it at one point. That was awful to clean off... I wasn't expecting that! There I was, casually scrolling down, when I stumbled onto a picture of me.

I can't think why...

Very cool Batbrick. You know, it looks a little like the protoform modes fom the Transformers movie in the general shape. The landing gear is very cool, and considering it's made from a limited number and selection of pieces. Overall, a cool fighter BB2. Exactly what I did as well.

We do have TRUs, but we might as well not sometimes. I swear, every time I've been in recently there've been more Lego in sealed transport boxes in on the floor in front of the shelves than there has on the actual shelves. As for the keyrings, I have a bit of a soft spot for them anyway. Plus, a Harley will perfectly compliment my Joker keyring.

He was very impressed. For that matter, so was I. I'll make sure of it.

Exactly. I mean, he is a butler after all. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Butler-man! And is it just me, or does anyone elsse want to see Bat-Mite pop up?

Would it be too much to hope for Rack'n'Ruin? I believe there was a suggestion of the Constructicons being in the film. I wonder if we'll see a number of them, and I wonder too if we'll see Devastator. Now that would be cool. I guess Arcee was a likely candidate, seeing as how they already have a model created for her. Plus, she's a good character. And all male Transfans seem to have a thing for the fembots. As for Jetfire, I suppose he is a TF with some status and standing, especially as he's had incarnations in a number of series. Interestingly though, I read a report the other day that said the SR-71 Blackbird had a Decepticon insignia. Surely Jetfire's not going to be a Decticon, or convert like in the G1 cartoon and Marvel comic? I have no idea who either of these could be. I hope "Wheelbot" isn't Wheelie. And perhaps "Stinger" is good ol' Waspinator. Ooh... tantalising. One of the Stunticons perhaps?

Oh, well, I did consider that, but decided it didn't sound quite right. If I can afford them, yes, I should think so. They're both very cool... in that Agents way. Well of course, I'll have to read it sometime won't I? And I have no doubt I'll get round to it. Eventually. As a collection, no, I haven't read it. But I think I may have read a lot of the stories separately, in the first volume of Batman Legends, the CE I get. Good stories, all of them. Yes, I think I've heard good things as well. It shifts Bats to Hong Kong doesn't it? I tell you what you should read, and it's not Batman, but Justice. 12 oversized issues, split into 3 hardcover volumes. It's been printed in my CEs over here, and it's really very good. It's almost a modern extension of the Silver Age, with many characters still in their SA incarnations (Barry Allen, Barbara Gordon as Batgirl, the original Teen Titans, etc.). Plus, the combined Doug Braithwaite/Alex Ross art is superb (as usual).

Depends how much money I have! But I'll probably try and get Harley first, then the other too. I just can't wait for such an awesome fig.

Big laser gun. How much more fun 'evil megalomaniac' can that be? Seriously, I love both these new sets. The volcano base is just the epitomy of fun, and the sub is deliciously retro. That octopus is a bit weird, but it's good to see more baddies. Sigh... I have to budget for these now.

The article said Nighthawk, but we all take that to mean Nightwing. I think Gordon will be a playable character, and I'd imagine Alfred will be in there as well, in a C-3PO/R2-D2 support way. Perhaps Batgirl will pop up as well? Possibly, but I'd like to think it meant 18 Bat-rogues separate to the thugs, etc. It'd certainly be better to cram as many proper rogues in as possible.

"The name's Brainbox, B--" no, that doesn't work. I'm trying to afford it. I think I might be able to buy it in a couple of weeks... Can't wait for the Batman game though. Ooh, I can't wait.

So, the other week, I went to Manchester with college to see the Gunther Von Hagen Plastination exhibition. It was very good, and well worth the visit. I got home at the end of the day, and was telling my dad about it when he expressed an interest in going. I suggested my friend came along as well, as he was away when college went, but rather wanted to go. Anyway, last week was half-term, so the three of us headed down. Then he came back to mine and stopped for tea. I digress. He'd already seen my Lego a few weeks before while waiting for a train (the station's nearer my house than his), so I just took him through a few of the changes that had occured. He looked at his sigfig, displayed with mine, and decided he'd set about changing it. Here's the original: And here's the new version: The hair will change again once I get a black Mutt hairpiece, as I think it'll suit. Then I mentioned a box under my bed with some MOCs that aren't on display, and he asked to have a look. Highlights ( ) included the Rookyr fighter, the Sonic Scredriver, the steampunk-ish Adventurers jeep, the Police hoverbike, Thunderbirds 1 and 2, Optimus Prime and Brainbox's house. It was at this point that I mentioned the fun contests we have on here. I mentioned the Kill Jar-Jar contest, then had to explain a vignette. He then asked if he could build a vig, as I'd said they were often quick and easy to build. Here's what he came up with: Gallery I suggested the 'hand on harpoon' gun design, and showed him two ways of attatching the seaweed leaf, but other than that it's all his work. The base is black as I couldn't find enough green. Having enjoyed that, and been pleased with what he'd come up with, he decided to build something else. So, without further ado, another way to kill Jar-Jar. Cruel, no? For some reason, the word 'sadist' springs to mind... It was also a way to use the Clormies sat on my desk from a recent purchase of the Battle Pack. Gallery I built him the base, and suggested the ball-joints and the 1x2 spacer, but the rest is his. Then tea was ready. We had a casserole, and it was very nice. We had a bit of time after as well, before he went home, so he came up with this: A 5-man commando squad. Comms: RPG (I built the actual RPG, borrowed from Indy): You may notice that his feet aren't quite touching the ground. I didn't. Night vision, etc: Interesting choice of head, no? I guess he's an upper-class commando. Have we seen this before? It's a smooth fit, not forced at all. Because I've never noticed it, yet within 5 minutes of picking up my Lego, he comes up with it. Ninja: Um... heavy lifting? Gallery So there we have it. My friends first forray into AFOLism. I don't think I've converted him though. By his own admission, he's "too clumsy for Lego". And he's right- there were more pieces on the floor than the MOCs! Go easy on him, it's his first time. But he says he can't wait to hear what you think. So, you know, comments welcome.

So that's: Joker Harley Mr Freeze Scarecrow Two-Face Catwoman Penguin Riddler Killer Croc Man-Bat, Bane and Poison Ivy have apparantly been announced as well, but we've not seen them yet. That leaves 6 unaccounted for...

I think it's unlikely we'll see him as a more 'classic' truck, with the flat front. It would be harder to do a 'real transformation' with a flat cab than the current design. Plus, a flat cab would give a smaller robot, and Movie Prime at least should be somewhat imposing. I certainly think a fire engine is a feasable possibility. It's the other classic Prime alt mode. Well, there's the monkey as well, but I don't think that's going to happen. Or even something more like a traditional ambulance, as opposed to the rescue vehicle. Just to go for something completely different. Surely they'll redesign him as a VW Beetle... Ooh, I hadn't thought of that. Never much liked the Megs as Galvy thing though. I mean, Megs is Megs. I much prefer IDWs take on the character(s), as two separate Transformers. I can't wait for some news to start appearing soon. What we've had so far has been pretty boring.

Thanks for the review. I actually quite like this. I can't afford it, so I'm not getting too attached to it, but in its own way, it's great. It's certainly reminiscent of Space sets of the past, as others have said, and the drop-down ramp section is just really cool. As an idea, you understand. Sure, the lab is a little crap, but at least the effort was made (sort of ). The sheer fact that it's so big though, really makes me like this. There's just something appealing about large spaceships. Not capital ships, just big space ships. With lots of guns! Hey, it's no worse than Batbrick and I. No, really, it isn't even in the same league!

Thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying the project. It shouldn't be too long before it's up either, all the photography's done, so I've just got to wait for some time to upload and post them.

And still no sign of the Penguin set on UK S@H either. Hmm, strange...

I was on a bit of a punning role the other day though. One of the maths teachers from my old school got married recently. My sister was telling us about it... cue the onslaught of maths puns! Unfortunately no, but I had my last exam today, so no doubt I'll have plenty of time from now on. No, what? Yes. I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist. Anyway, I think it's a pretty good idea. I mean, obviously, I can't dictate what gets printed in the CEs, but other comics of course. Plus, the CEs give me a wealth of material to potentially include on the list. I'd suggest we widen the list to any comics, actually, rather than just Batman. It gives for a fuller reading experience. So... any recommendations?

What?! It's awesome! It looks so 'classic Batman'. To a fanboy, the Batman pose especially, it looks brilliant.

So... lets assume that Prime, Ratchet, Bumblebee and Ironhide are back. Jazz has been seen on set, so that leaves either 5 or 6 new Autobots. And for the Decepticons, Starscream and Barricade survived, we know that. It would be safe to assume that Megs will be back, and we know that Soundwave will be in. As for the others, they could be back, but they might not be, so that probably leaves 6 or 7 Decepticon places to be filled. It'd be nice to see more 'classic' characters, like Prowl and Wheeljack actually.

I did wonder that actually. It was certainly hinted that his daughter would play a bigger role later on. That occured to me as well, but then I decided it was a bit too ingrained in the backlore. A lot of people wouldn't even know who she is/was. I find that a bit sad actually... River's Run was the original name for Forest of the Dead, 4.11 is called Turn Left. Metebelis Three (also known as The Blue Planet). Yeah, I'm a fanboy.