Brainbox

Yeah, I guess. But no, I've not actually. I've had a bit of a run on my Transformers series though, so BTAS has accidentally been on the backburner. But I did finally get the Batcycle/Hammer Hummer the other week though. Great set, I love Harley. I got my Castle Advent Calendar as well, plus a couple of other bits and pieces. Then yesterday I went Christmas shopping and sort of... bought Mission 4 and Mission 7. The sub looks really cool, even if it is really quite big. Slime Face is a great fig, and both the GITD octopus and the new sharks are wonderful. Hmm... MODs here we come. Try the SPV for size (with its no-reason-at-all backwards driving) and work out from there... Yeah... um... But that's what I meant. Everyone has some sensible phobias and some not so sensible ones. He used to be an astronaut, so that might be it. Yes, but she offered some helpful information, which is far more than usual. Plus he's called Agent Bondson. You know, this is the only episode where TB2 rests the pod on the water? Normally it just drops it, but not here for some reason. No no, my friend, she's British... I get first dibs. I've not quite got round to reading Jekyll and Hyde yet, but it looks good, so... soon. It is the Golden Age I believe. The stories, lets face it, aren't all that great sometimes, and you can tell the writers were paid by the word sometimes, but I love them. They're a bit of timeless (mostly) fun, and they show us the development of our favourite characters. Great fun. Torment is the one you're thinking of. He really is a great artist, I love it. In fact, I think I prefer the 'unusual style' artists to the 'draw things as reall as possible' artists. You know, people like Ed McGuiness, Dustin Nguyen, Tim Sale, Karl Kerschl et al. Oh! Oh! Riddler suit. I'm sure I'll manage to get some pics up somehow, and maybe a MOC, but I'll tell you anyway. This panto group I'm in? Well this year we're performing it at a proper theatre, and that means it's going to cost us a hell of a lot of money. We have to pay to use the theatre for the performance, pay for a week of rehersals beforehand, pay for any props, sets and costumes we get from there, and then any others on top of that. We said we'd keep ticket prices low though, because that's what we've always done, we've always wanted to be a cheap night out. So we need to raise some money. Anyway, a local supermarket asked us if we wanted to pack bags for them, and obviously we get donations from the public for doing it. I suggested we do it in costume, to give us more of a group feel, and to make it more fun. They said yes, so the cast will all be wearing costumes that are similar to their performance costumes. Now, being crew, I don't have a costume, and rather than go in my black stage-gear, I'm borrowing a spare one. So, to make it as embarrassing as possible, the cast have chosen... a dame costume. Yep, that's right... I'm packing bags all day in a dress and make-up. I quite liked the art (see above), and I did have to reread it. But I guess that could be seen as a reflection on the confusing nature of our own psyche... no, I didn't believe that either. Thank you, thank you, you're welcome and I did. Aw, poor you. And good luck in finding something. I think I may have to find time for a Christmas Shopping trip to a city with a Forbidden Planet (geek shop). Yeah... 'Christmas Shopping'. And you're not being annoying. The more you buy, the more I feel the need to buy, which is good. It's also interesting that I'm nothing like my sister either. I'm quite sciencey and very ordered, she's sort of arty and... lost. Seriously, she never listens, she's away with the fairies and she never has a clue what's going on. I'm sure my CE will get round to it eventually, Detective Comics at least. I've not read much really, still getting through those library books. I've been quite busy this week, so not much reading time sadly.

There is. But I haven't got one. Surely you know me well enough by now to know that I never have any money. Oh, it's a great series. It feels so different to TB, and I think really that's a good thing. It's almost worth watching just for Colonel White being grumpy whenever his officers are having even the slightest bit of fun. But as with TB, the vehicles are great (easily my favourite part), the characters are good and the stories are enjoyable. Here's something: Captain Grey used to work for the World Aquanaut Security Patrol (from Stingray) and Lady Penelope trained Rhapsody Angel as a spy. I don't know. Surely you have vivid memories from you childhood of things that scare you for no real reason? I rather liked End of the Road as well, it was a bit different. The effects were great though. See, that's the problem with being production crew... I watch things from a production crew perspective. Hmm... you know how they're all for preserving their secrecy and everything? Well... why do they go about rescue zones calling each other by their full names? Plus it features the only appearance of a human face in the series, when Penelope looks through the keyhole. Interestingly, I think it's the only time Grandma has done something that isn't cooking, baking, packing, fussing or (in one case) getting rescued. It was a joke. After reading JLA: Ultramarine Corps (art by the wonderful Ed McGuiness) I've discovered I, um, rather like the new Squire as well... I'll look out for it in the library, see if I can't find it. Actually, I got quite a good haul at the library the other day. I managed to find JLA:UC, Batman: Jekyll and Hyde, Superman/Batman: Torment and The Batman Chronicles Vol.3-5. Looking forward to reading some classic 40s Batman, with Bruce smoking a pipe and unecessary panel descriptions everywhere (that said, Stan Lee was still doing that in the 60s). Torment looks quite good, Batman gets a bit of romance again, this time in the form of Orion's wife Bekka. Yeah, I guess. Ours wasn't really a dinner per se, so I got away with it. Oh, you should. Trust me, it's better than what I get to wear in a few weeks. No spoilers, you have to wait until then. He is. And no, I've read the first part but no further. I'm waiting on the next issue of my CE (due soon I think), and part 2 is in there. The last issue had Joker's Asylum: Scarecrow in. I rather liked it actually, see if you can check it out. Supes defeated Brainiac's latest plan, and in anger Brainiac attacked Smallville and the Kent farm. Pa Kent had a fatal heart attack (a constant through the other media). Sure, whenever. It'll give me a chance to catch up with the final releases of #6 and #7. You should be. I've been told no list this year, which means I won't get any comics, Lego, Transformers, etc.

Have you only just noticed? No... but that is a point. It might be something we should look into.

Thanks guys. I would have used light blue like the original, but using dark blue let me use the parts I did. I like it this way though. As for the feet thing, I really have no idea where that came from... it just sort of happened. I felt hip articulation (along with neck movement) was really the one thing the original Toa lacked, so I knew it was something I needed to include here. Um... am I missing something?

Hey, I'm dark horse. Thanks. The leg armour was added because I just felt that they looked a bit 'bare'. That and they give the legs a bit of curve. Gali was my first as well, which is partly why I felt the need to do this remake. Thanks. But that's because I only uploaded the pics this morning. Patience... good things come to those who wait. Perhaps, and I'll look into it. But you can see a curve on them. I wanted to make sure to keep a few things that were traditional Bionicle, like the hands and the waist. But each to his own, right?

Great as the original Toa were, they didn't exactly have many defined features, did they? This wasn't such an issue with the male toa, but with Gali it made her look a bit too un-feminine. They weren't all that posable either. So I decided to make a new version of Gali that was more feminine generally, and was far more posable. The arms can move at the shoulder, the elbow (it's a high elbow, but an elbow nonetheless) and the wrist. The neck can pivot, and the waist can move a little. The legs are jointed at the hip, the knee and the ankle. I used one of the new heads to get the neck movement, and I think it gives it a certain streamlined look necessary to swimming quickly underwater. The chest area is made of two feet. The middle bit (front and back) are made of bricks, and the blue 1x1 is inspired by the movie designs. She is quite a bit taller than the original. I didn't get a photo of the two versions for scale, but I did get one with a minifig. I mean, it's not perfect, but I certainly think it's an improvement on the orignal (which I loved). It's got more posability and it does look somewhat more feminine... if you squint. EDIT: Forgot to add a Gallery link Anyway, hope you like.

I couldn't think of a snake-related pun, so settled for snake-speak instead. I can only get Region 2 or Universal DVDs though. Universal codes are relatively rare, and it not being on R2 is the problem. Funnily enough, the destroyed Empire State Building crops up in a stock photo (from the 60s) of NY in the first episode of Captain Scarlet despite CS being set later in the same universe. I suppose they could have rebuilt it though... Anyway, I liked that episode too. Actually, that said, you know where Virgil has that bandage round his head? For some reason it scared the hell out of me as a kid, and I look at the picture now and it still scares me. I was explaining to my sister the other day how the palm trees are alive despite being able to swing back. Turns out they're in pivoting grow-tanks. Nitro-glycerine shells apparantly, to starve the fire of oxygen. Not a good idea on an oil fire though... Stalk victim? Funny thing is though, you find yourself reading the script and, no matter how strange or tenuous the link, going "Yeah... yeah, I can see that..." It's a good read though, if only for the creepy art and that great word-association scene with Batman. I could do with reading it again, in fact, the last time I read it was a good while ago. Huh... I thought I might have finally found someone. But I guess no-one ever looks like you expect them to. And you've not even seen my face yet! I didn't even bother with a suit. I went in a shirt and tie, but said no to a jacket. Incidentally, I think the tie only cost me £2.50! Oh yeah, J'onn as well, forgot about him. Not sure how. See, there are some things in comics that shouldn't under any circumstances be messed with: Lois and Clark, Batman is Bruce Wayne, Peter and MJ, Reed and Sue, Ma and Pa Kent. There are more, but they're the main ones. Just... leave them alone. Hey, it's better than running in fear. EDIT: Sent the #8 and #9 drafts.

Hmm... I don't seem to have all the parts yet. I did make a new costume Robin and a Golden Age Batman. Okay, so the cape isn't quite right, and neither is the mask, but he has a gun and the purple gloves.

No... but it was a somewhat tongue-in-cheek use of the phrase. Let's face it, they are sort of a family, whether Bats will admit it or not. Funnily enough, I tried fleshie BB the other day, just to see what he looked like. How bizarre that he looks less like me than yellow BB does... Let's face it... they're both essentially the same.

I rather like the fold-out track sets, especially the Ferrari one. Not too sure how I feel on them being the set box. Then again, if they stand up well in the shops, then they're going to serve well as travel sets. The rest of the sets aren't really anything that special as far as I'm concerned, although I don't mind the track marshal car.

Um... I seem to remember I've been saying that I like them since the very beginning. Or does that not count?

What's a week between friends? But I guess all the Halloween narrators were booked up. Sorry about that... Anyway, An Encounter With Death. Some creepy photography here, and it's a nice simple vig with a great premise. I have to say though, the woman in the phone booth must be even more unlucky than me, to have managed to get surrounded by so many skellies. Actually, she must have been pretty wrapped up in that conversation to not notice all those deceased. Anywho, the waiter one is also pretty nice, just perhaps not as creepy-cool as the others. But the best one of the lot has to be the last one, mainly because of the cool use of the flames. Great work throughout. AAAAHHH!

Well... not specifically, but I rather disliked the "only Batbrick" part. Batbrick and I are here, so tough! You mean the tail?

Ah, but you do admit that it would be crazy to drop the line. A win for the Bat-geeks there I think.

Ooh, nice. Poor Batsss... let'sss sssee him essscape from thisss one. So do I mate. There's always something nice about getting a big bunch of someone elses Lego. Most of the pieces are useful but somewhat regular and boring... then right at the bottom you find a gem of a piece. Apparantly, if you watch the opening sequence of Brink of Disaster when the villains car goes out of control, you can see a huge chunk of greenery just randomly fall out of the sky. You know... Jeff hardly does anything. He barely leaves the island all series, and practically lives behind his desk. Actually, have you come across his stern face yet? It really is a gem to behold. Oh, and tell me when you get to Edge of Impact, I have a wonderful factoid about that. No, not at all. I just displayed an unusually bad grasp of linguistics (for me) when agreeing with you. Don't worry, I won't give away the plot. But you do see the character in an entirely different light when viewed as what is essentially a Panto Dame. Exactly. I mean, at least his glider has a weapon. I've not quite got round to playing either bonus level (I've unlocked both though), but if they're the 'collect a million studs' type, then LSW2 and Indy had one each. I quite like them actually, but I admit they're not that challenging. Ha ha ha, looks like my plan worked Poor you. Hopefully you'll get them elsewhere though. And yes, I realise how creepy that 'poor you' just sounded... Not really. It's funny, the handle broke off years ago, and no effort was made to fix it. We've had to struggle to open it since. Interestingly, the fridge handle has broken off in much the same way... You certainly seem to like it, I have to say. Even if you can't see my face. Is there something you're not telling me? But have you noticed just how similar my hair is to my sigfig's? See Bat-minifigs 4. I'll make sure to read it later. I mean, as a DC fanboy I'm almost programmed to intrinsically love (or at least like) everything they put out. I think they're going in an interesting direction with Final Crisis and the like, and I'll be interested to see where it goes. However, I do think there are a few things that they shouldn't have done. I mean, Barry Allen was great as the Flash, but is it really a good idea to brng him back? Surely that undermines his sacrifice. And they've just killed ! How could they? But I still find DC vastly superior to everything Marvel (with the possible exception of the Fantastic Four, as I do quite like them). In other news, I came out as an AFOL to Jenny (the girl from the panto) the other day. Heh, she thought it was kind of cute.

Nice work again mate. Ra's, like I said over in our thread, is great. Nice choice of head, and the group shot (dare I say family) looks good. New Robin is also great, I think I prefer his current costme to his old green one. I must have been released from Arkham then, as I'm not among the escapees (or perhaps I'm the mastermind... the Punster strikes again). As for the generics, well, we always need generics right? I bet everyone's had a nice break recently, without us clogging up every thread we visit. Why didn't I notice that? Hmm... I'm sure I've seen something like that before... Well alright, technically it's more a whiskers-beard-thing, but it looks more like a moustache than a regular beard.

I don't know, I like them. I guess that's just the level of my sense of humour.

I don't see anything wrong with it per se. There's just something about it that's not exciting me. I just don't get the 'must have' feeling from it. Ahem... I think you might be forgetting someone.

Look mate, if that's not a hint I don't know what it is. Just ask her out. The worst that can happen is she says no, the best is obvious.

Happy birthday mate. Hope you've had a good day.

Loving the punning names. But then I would, wouldn't I? I'm also wondering if the scientist being called Brains is perhaps a not-so-subtle reference to Brains of Thunderbirds, especially as the Thunder Drill can be classed as a homage (of sorts) to the Mole from the same series...

Exactly. Let's not get too downhearted. True, but that's far from the entire line up. We don't know what the Indy sets will be, we haven't heard anything more from Galaxy Patrol, and like Batbrick said, no news on Castle. And that's more likely to be second April-May than Summer, like it was this year.

No, go ahead. I'll be famous!

Thanks guys, glad you liked it. I felt it was high time to have a go at spin-off. Of course, the Batman ones will still get the most attention, but expect more special editions in the future. Thanks with regards the photography. I actually used the inside of my wardrobe as an impromptu dark area. I'm pleased with how they came out, especially considering photography isn't one of my strong points. The red wash photos were discovered purely by accident as I hit the wrong switch on the camera. Not a problem, I'll just clean it first. I've used it before, but on a much smaller scale. It's surprisingly sturdy as well. I just don't feel it would suit a Man-Bat. He is a bat after all, not a wolf. As for the blur, it was actually entirely accidental. I didn't realise how blurred it was until I uploaded the photos to my laptop. It does work though, you're right. The redriding hood thing was an afterthought as well. It only occured to me when I came to put the 'traveller' in. The only tell-tale sign you can see... Glad you all like. I'll be honest, the werewolf one is my least favourite (although I think the tree turned out quite nicely), but you all seem to like it. I was considering wearing it to rehersal on Friday, as my Halloween costume, but didn;t in the end. Mostly because I forgot...

Nice and simple, and strangely accurate.