kelceycoe

Wouldn't that be ironic the very same thing that saved LEGO from its first near-demise (licensed sets) could actually become its demise? In all due respect, we are definitely upon the dawn of a new era for LEGO. Obviously, licensed sets got way out of hand and now have been merged with LEGO properties (TLM, TLBMM, TLNM, Dimensions, etc). What's next for LEGO? Not to mention the quality of the bricks and pieces (LEGO Ghostbusters Ecto-1 instruction booklet; Monster Fighters glow stickers, the small gray circle pieces in the Monster Fighter sets), as well as their handling on customer relations and succumbing to politics (LEGO Friends anyone?) and the quality of the designs (LEGO Scooby Doo) or its lack of knowledge in supply and chain (Millennium Falcon 2, most early Ideas sets, and The Zombies anyone?) or its complete disregard for collectors (LEGO Scooby Doo brick figures that never became available to the public after appearing in the Mystery Campaign Builder box; Mr. Gold anyone?) or its "new agenda" to keep out AFOLs from collecting LEGO memorabilia (all this new LEGO Life crap) or requiring registration for minibuilds, etc., the list goes on. Not to mention LOSING to Mega Bloks and battling Lepin and piracy altogether, let's not forget the new China factories that I guarantee will cause controversy and more quality issues (and I bet we won't see lower prices either) added to the fact that LEGO sets are now reaching $800 with some averaging $200, and the new Toys R Us deal, yes, LEGO appears to still be struggling with brand recognition. They're producing way too much and even re-producing it (like rehashing many of their books and not always updating them) as well as the whole "so now LEGO pieces can be versatile, what works as a spike can also be the horn of an animal; a door can now be a part of the roof; a traditional car door is now toilet paper; a life float is now a toilet seat" initiative to reduce the number of pieces it produces by finding ways to reuse them.

This is the 2017 Halloween campaign from LEGO. Looking at the source code, we will have to "ring the bell" of the three doors for treats like wallpaper and the like that's already on the web site. It seems to cover Nexo Knights, City, and Elves, so it doesn't appear it's any more Halloween related than through its marketing using the Haunted House, Spooky Boy, and Devil Boy CMFs. https://www.lego.com/en-us/campaigns/halloween-trick-or-treat

Holy crap, thanks for that. Didnt know about that book. Might be another rehash like Ideas was with the Playbook. Update: Yep it's a rehash of several books and a UK exclusive for Sainburys: http://bricksfanz.com/lego-fright-night-book-review/ It's also interesting to note how TLc still relies a lot on the MF line to promote Halloween. Also, there is a New campaign for Halloween coming - I found it through Google. Hopefully it gives us some good stuff.

Good to note Johnny Depp has had 2 I am aware of... PoC and Lone Ranger. What if we based it on characters based on actor portrayals? How many would be attributed to Boris Karloff?

They had planned it all the way back since 2010ish, made Monster Fighters first in 2012, then the theme to coincide with Be Cool, Scooby Doo, though I'm not sure how intentional it was since Scooby was based on the classic cartoons. That same year (2015) Wal-Mart released a DVD exclusive called Favorite Frights which, coincidently, lined with the villains used in the sets. None of us could pinpoint where the Sea Creature came from because they used a different character - no one knows why. But this DVD release helped us to finalize these cartoon sources of Scooby Doo sets: Here is the full episode list: 1. What a Night for a Knight (featuring the Black Knight from the Mystery Mansion set) 2. Hassle in the Castle (featuring the phantom from the Mystery Mansion set) 3. A Gaggle of Galloping Ghosts (featuring the vampire from the Mystery Mansion set) 4. Scooby-Doo and a Mummy Too (featuring the mummy from the Mummy Museum Mystery set) 5. Which Witch is Which? (featuring the zombie from the Mystery Machine set) 6. Fright House of a Lighthouse (featuring the Creepy Keeper from the Haunted Lighthouse set) 7. The Headless Horseman of Halloween (featuring the Headless Horseman from the Mystery Plane Adventures set) 8. Scoo-Be or not Scoo-Be? (new to DVD, featuring the sea beast from the Haunted Lighthouse set)

It looks like there will be a "Double Feature" DVD in October with both Lego Scooby movies... https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B074VYW4Z6/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1506391320&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=scooby+haunted+dvd&dpPl=1&dpID=51V6qkdLwWL&ref=plSrch

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN AND WITH HALLOWEEN AROUND THE CORNER I WANTED TO HONOR THESE MONSTER MEMORIALS: 15TH: This year marks the 15th year since the Studios monster subtheme (called Scary Thriller and even Scary Monsters) made its debut, introducing Universal-style monsters. Although TLC had licenses on Universal Studios properties such as Jurassic Park and Steven Spielberg's name, one is led to believe that they did not have the Universal Studios Monsters license or, at least, were granted permission to make sets resembling this license. There were four sets and even at times these sets mixed monsters from other movies (like the 2017 edition of The Mummy with Tom Cruise). The main monsters represented were a Vampire, Werewolf, Frankenstein, and The Mummy, although these characters were more or less designed to be costumed actors on film sets. The sets, in many ways, closely resembled the Universal Studios monster films. Other monster mashups included a modified version of Dr Jeckyll/Mr Hyde as the Scientist in the Frankenstein set, the ghost costume and a female actress in the same set (I am guessing an homage to Phantom of the Opera) and The Hunchback in the Vampire set. Although not directly stated by his name, Van Helsing makes an appearance too in the Vampire set. 5th: This year marks the 5th year since the Monster Fighters line was released. Centered around the fictional steampunk culture, here, a gang of monster hunters must stop Lord Vampyre from eclipsing the sun forever. Many of the sets were different from actual sets in the movies but at times, especially with the Vampyre's castle, they had some similarities. Given the design of the vehicles one must wonder if the time period wasn't meant to be depression-era, especially since many monster movies were released around this time. The sets, in some ways like the Werewolf set, reused previous ideas from the original line. However, some sets did indeed create new editions of older sets and introduce new monster properties from which they were derived. I suggest the following: * Lord Vampyre's Castle - Dracula * Frankenstein - Frankenstein * The Mummy - A chariot, * Werewolf - The Wolf Man * Sea Creature - Creature from the Black Lagoon * Vampire Hearse / Coffin Car - Munsters Coach & Dragula. The driver had been called Renfield, Dracula's assistant, in the preliminary box displays, as well as Dracula being used for Dracula's Castle. * Vampire's Bride - A spin-off of Bride of Frankenstein mixed with Elvira * Haunted House - Munsters (the creator of the set was wearing a Munsters shirt during the reveal for this set) and some Addams Family influence since there was a Frankenstein's monster butler * The Zombies - White Zombie (it was supposed to feature the VoodDoo doctor) and of course was, after all, a zombie wedding in a graveyard * Ghost Train - I am guessing a very loose idea from the 1941 film by the same name * Spooky Boy & Spooky Girl - Although they came later, it's worth noting Spooky Boy is more like Pugsly Addams while Spooky Girl, which you would think is Wednesday Addams, reminded me more of Lydia from Beetlejuice due to her schoolgirl outfit * Tiger Woman - close to the 1944 film by the same name * Mr Good/Evil - A spinoff from Dr Jeckyll/Mr. Hyde * Grandfather clock - Any number of horror films, though Disney's Haunted Mansion ride stands out for me * The Fly/Scientist - obvious * Venus Flytraps (Scooby doo) - Little Shop of Horrors * Graveyard / Witch scenes - Wizard of Oz, Walking Dead * Most zombies are likely influenced by Walking Dead and the rise of the zombie movie craze around that time * One can't help to think if Mad Monster Party and Groovie Ghoulies helped to influence any of these sets and CMFs * Frankenrocker - I know the Beetlejuice show done this at Universal Studios Orlando but I can only find the frankenstein monster from Munsters playing the guitar Almost all of these comparisons to all the Monster properties mentioned are based on my observation since the only time we knew of TLC acknowledging their relation to existing monster movies was at an event where recording was prohibited during an advance presentation of the line.

As of now SCOOBY DOO is all retired but the Mummy set. As mentioned above, hopefully we see it back next year when another animated film is expected to be released.

About time there's a Halloween seasonal set worth having. I purposely missed out on last years and the year's before was just stupid. Seems the FRIENDS Halloween sets in the European magazine has fared better than the official sets. I also love the Valentine and Easter sets for this year but honestly enough is enough. I might get the Easter set if there are any left next week but we could use new ideas rather than just rehashes of older sets. I'm guessing the butler in the Halloween set is just a generic butler but wonder if he is somehow the basis for the Haunted House butler or even Lord Vampire before he became a vampire?

When the CMF14 series revealed a Monster Rocker, LEGO fans were confused and had no clue about its possible origin. I originally said it was likely derived from Universal Studios' now defunt "Beetlejuice Graveyard Revue" show where, you guessed it, the Frankenstein monster dresses somewhat similar to the CMF14 Monster Rocker figure and plays a guitar. Why does this matter? Because Beetlejuice is now a confirmed LEGO DIMENSIONS property for Wave 9 (source here: http://www.thebrickfan.com/lego-dimensions-wave-9-powerpuff-girls-info/). I follow a lot of "monster media" and I cannot recall a Frankenstein monster that plays a guitar other than this one and Herman Munster, whom this idea was likely based because The Munsters are also a Universal Studio property based on the Universal Studios monster line and LEGO fanatics should recall LEGO collections that use derivatives of the Universal Monster line, especially since TLC first used the License with the Studios theme and of course its own monster subtheme in 2002 followed by Monster Fighters in 2012 and continuing, almost verbatim, with Scooby Doo 2015 (not to mention countless USM CMFs). There were never a Frankenstein monster playing a guitar in these "monster rally" films featuring a monster band: Mad Monster Party, The Halloween that Almost Wasn't, Groovie Ghoulies, Hotel Transylvania, the list goes on but is also very limited. http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/munster/images/f/f6/Herman_on_the_guitar.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20120505015441

Unfortunately the Ghostbusters Story Pack's instructions or any set from this new wave of DIMENSIONS is not listed on Lego.com's site at this time. So I'm guessing you can only get them if you have and play the game.

Why not have monsters since, you know, it's for Bricktober fest? I mean sure we don't need rehashes of a vampire, mummy, frankenstein monster or wolfman, which we'd likely get in a 4-pack, but c'mon Bricktober is getting way out of focus.

Or they added the pumpkin from Cinderella into the kitchen from "The Little Mermaid" in an odd mixture of the two.

This year, so far, we know there will be 2 seasonal sets and one "monthly build" Halloween set. Currently you can buy the 40203 Vampire and Bat set on Ebay or at least see the front and back of the box, as well as images for the 40217 Werewolf set which will be October's MMM or whatever they call the monthly build now. For some reason, 40204 Witch has no photos and the only original source about this seems to be Brickset. I think a black cat would have been warranted since we have never seen a seasonal set of a black cat (only a MMM) but the werewolf is a welcome build, even if it's a monthly build. We have never officially seen a vampire build either, only a couple bats, other than the LEGO "U-Build It" or "Let's Build Together" or Club vampires that can sometimes be bought online.

Does anyone own this set and can provide better photos of the box panels? I have never seen it for sale online and replicating the set would be useless since that lid looks very exclusive.

It's around the corner... so I updated the links in my signature so please go check out the spookiest sets and even learn about LEGO's Halloween history (up until last year),

Great list and I 100% agree that a Christmas theme needs to happen. Compared to Christmas, TLC has almost always been neglectful of Halloween and 2015 saw the biggest year for Halloween sets and promotions forever for TLC (and honestly I don't think sales were all that great). Whereas Christmas sets have been offered by TLC for decades (to be fair, TLC didn't offer a general-avail Halloween set until 2000 whereas I remember collecting tons of Christmas sets throughout the '80s and '90s and if I'm not mistaken there might have even been something before this, but it doesn't matter what I am saying is Christmas has 20 years+ on Halloween in the Lego world). You could try to count the 1997 Fright Knights and 1998 Halloween Bucket but that bucket was a Target exclusive and the FK was a fright-filled castle theme. To exemplify why 2015 was the year of Halloween for TLC (2012 and 2002 were popular before that): * Halloween web campaign * Scooby Doo Halloween campaign * CMF based on monsters * Scooby Doo line with a Halloween emphasis * A crappy seasonal vignette We hadn't even had a Lego Halloween site since about 2000 when the Pumpkin set debuted and then TLC kept it alive for a couple years. Before that Lego Club magazine, if we were lucky, mentioned Halloween and maybe gave us a build.

I'm also personally upset there was no "terror dog" scene in the freezer. I know that was in Dana's apartment but if they're giving us the library ghost and taxi driver then they could have made a sticker for the inside of the freezer and not on a TV. But I digress. Good build but very tiring. I couldn't stand to do more than 2 bags a night due to the repetition and of course the overabundance of stickers.

How many times do you honestly see Cinderella at Disney World? How many times outside of "Cinderella" do you see the castle associated with Cinderella? Until Storybook and this Princess crap came in, Cinderella was mainly used in the parade. I was a faithful visitor to Disney World from 2009 to 2013 when I lived in Florida. Also, think Disney overall. Whenever you see a "Magical World of Disney" who do you see? Tinkerbell flying a lot of times (see the opening to this show on Youtube to see what I mean). As for the archery section... I haven't watched Brave nor am I really interested in seeing it since it was a CG film and not the traditional animation like Princess and the FRog. But I highly doubt that is a reference to "Robin Hood." Also keep in mind, despite many of these rooms reflect already-existing Disney Princess sets, many of them are also famous Disney films (Snow White and Fantasia being traditional examples). As much as I love Robin Hood (TLG already made a couple Robin Hood themes back in the '80s and '90s... and in the UK they were really called Robin Hood and they came with printed target pieces and were alot like Disney's Robin Hood except with humans and not animals). Also, when Michael Eisner walked out during MWOD, Mickey and a few of his friends joined him. I do hate that Goofy and Pluto aren't included and don't see why Daisy is, aside from the mould already existing from Donald's and that both Goofy and Pluto require two new molds (they got Pluto's body from scooby doo pretty much but his head needs modification and both Pluto and Goofy are dogs so it shouldn't be too difficult to make a similar mold from that). Could be an obscure reference to Disney's legend of sleepy hollow.

I just finished bags 1-3 and the new Ecto-1 fits like a charm.

Scooby Doo Knight Time Terror on Bluray... & DVD in the USA (as a special feature on the new Haunted Hollywood movie) I don't know if everyone knows this or not... it doesn't seem to be on the box... but "Knight Time Terror" is also on the Bluray and DVD of the new "Haunted Hollywood" movie. So that's an official release for that Halloween special that didn't even come on during Halloween here in the U.S. There are only two vintage cartoons, pretty much cartoons we already knew some of the LEGO line came from: Scooby Doo! The Headless Horseman of Halloween! and What's New Scooby Doo? Fright House of a Light House Mystery Machine Mod in Process... Much Logical I'm still working on an alt mod of the Mystery Machine. I managed to mod it to where (I think) all 4 gang members can sit in with Scooby and it doesn't alter the exterior of the set at all, like my older mod heavily did, so the back opens as it should and the kitchen even fits if you want it to.

PM Me the LDD file too please

was anything added that wasn't in the set?

Soupperson1, Have you upped that video? That makes 2 LEGO SCOOBY videos that were released, removed, and never shown again!

The box for the set, Black Seas arracuda in 1989 was paper thin. An inside cardboard tray box held the bags and manual. Those were the best box systems. I hate these heavy and bulky boxes of today.