Visorak-kal

Technically, from the point of view of the majority of customers, you have to look at it as being 6 dwarves this year, because while being released Special Edition at the end of last year, the Dwarf Mine technically is a 2008 set, it was re-released on purpose. But yeah, I can see what you mean. I think that besides the mine there really should have been a large structure this year; the Troll Warship should have been the mid-size set at around 50-60 US dollars; instead, the price is 80 USD, and that ship does not compare to other sets of its price range, no matter how great a set it is. I think the Tower Raid is really the only well-organized set in terms of good versus evil equality. There are just so many troll siege machines, when you include the Troll Battle Wheel. I mean, I've got no problem with trolls since I am not a buyer of many, many sets, but I can see how collectors or MOCers could find themselves frustrated with somewhat a lack of variety that has accompanied what is otherwise a superb line in terms of design. VK

For all U.S. Castle 2008 fans... Can't wait to get your hands on LEGO Castle 2008 sets, but don't have a TRU near you, or like me, are stuck with out-of-date stores? You're in luck, because you can now order three of the new 2008 Castle sets on Toysrus.com, just happened to notice that now. There's the Dwarf Mine Defender, the Tower Raid, and the Troll Battlecart. Prices are, as usual, about a dollar or two higher than Shop@Home should you wait for them to pop up there. Also, I think they are selling the Agents sets on TRU.com as well. Seems like those who are waiting for the Troll Warship (like me!) in the U.S. will have to wait some more for it to be available online. VK

Good point. I should revise that statement, to say that it depends on the prophecy. I mean story-spoiling prophecies, like in Eragon where we already KNOW that he's going to have to leave forever or Harry Potter where we know that one is gonna have to kill the other (that one was more of a "duh"). Stuff like that. The only prophecy I recall in BIONICLE is the coming of the Toa, which we really only found out about after the Toa had already landed. There's a difference I think between mystical prophecies and prophecies prophecized by some nutjob lady in a hut. In any case, there are hundreds of other things that drew people to BIONICLE in 01, like the photo of Kopaka on his canister. (Yep, that's what got me into it!) VK

New bit of interesting news, in case anybody hasn't noticed it on BZP (with this video breakthrough and all occupying your attentions spans ) Apparently, the ancient curse of the Makuta is arrogance, pride, etc, those personality traits that curse them never to be satisfied with what they have and what made them attempt, in the first place, to do something as massive as trying to overthrow Mata Nui himself. Some on BZP are complaining, saying it's a weak curse, anticlimactic, etc, but I actually think its cool. I was never one for prophecies or curses, they are a little far-fetched for my tastes, so having the curse be a metaphorical one, in a sense, is a neat thing. Plus, you know, this could have been a doom if the plan to overthrow Mata Nui had failed. It goes it with the Mata Nui=huge information (giant fist go BOOM!) VK

And why should he look like his original self? The original form of the Makuta has never been revealed, so there is no definition as to what it is. All Makuta take a shapeshifted form, even the Makuta of Metru Nui in his 03 set. The instructions did not ask for the winner to make a humanoid figure, therefore to exclude any figure because it is not humanoid would be unfair judging. GregF actually wrote either a blog entry or a post on this subject, where he said that basically they had tied it down to a bunch of equally good models (I received the magazine yesterday and I would have to agree that all the first-place winners are excellent models as well.) and so the winning model ended up being put down to originality. It is a lot more original to have the creativity to see a Makuta in a crowned-Rahi form than as your typical, bipedal figure. Considering bipedal Titans have dominated BIONICLE sets for some time, I found this a refreshing change for a model. And storyline-wise, Miserix has been in the center of a volcanic island for some time, I think it might have been a little suitable to transform into something better adapted to handle that environment, and lizard/dragon Rahi is the first thing that honestly comes to mind. Plus there is no guarantee that Miserix was in his original form when he was captured anyway. You realize that so many BIONICLE fans hated the Kal that BIONICLE almost died in 03 due to them? So using the Kal as an example here is not the best idea. And then there are those adamant BZPers who despite the rubber of the Piraka, Zamor launchers, and everything about 2006. Firstly, you made a dumb move buying the Mahri because you basically showed LEGO that you support those figures by boosting their sales. You have to vote with your wallet, otherwise LEGO would never get the hint. LEGO didn't listen to clone-set complainers until people actually starting voting with their money. Secondly, I have seen numerous people who despite 2006 and 2008 yet loved 2007. The point I am trying to make here is that for every person like you who says BIONICLE is going downhill for reasons A, B, and C, there is another who says BIONICLE is going downhill for reasons D, E, and F. Even those who agree that BIONICLE is going downhill cannot agree on what is "good" BIONICLE and what is "Bad." Some say 2006 and 2008 are ruiners, other says 2007, others say they hated it from 2005! There are those who hated 2002 and 2003 but now love 2006. There are those who hate 2007 but love 06 and 08. Every person is different, the only thing we really have to judge here is the facts, and the facts say that 2006 and 2007 revived a dying line. Sales are up. More people like the new BIONICLE, apparently, than hate it. And come on, Greg Farshtey is not "in on it." It is naive to think that one man can single-handedly control the entire BIONICLE storyline, or that he is somehow twisted into thinking that the majority wants something that they don't really want. He doesn't sit around thinking of new ways to disappoint people. There is a team of people who create the story, and Greg Farshtey is a member of that team. What happens in the books is his decision, the basic setting and story is a co-decision. LEGO is not giving its customers the WRONG thing (if they were, sales would drop), you are just assuming that you are the person they are targeting, which is clearly not the case. Yeah, he's an Onu-Matoran, I'm hoping for purple coloring here, but I doubt it. And considering GregF likes the new weapons chances are most internet fans will hate them when they first see them. I just hope that if there are guns, they are not the only weapon. Villains tend to be better in that respect, I think. VK

I actually think Miserix is really neat--I mean, I'm no expert on MOCs as I have no talent for it myself--but he's got a cool design and he's innovative. I fail to see why a Makuta "needs" to have a certain look about him, it is not like he's ever been described or defined and then our total definition was changed. Miserix being a Makuta can look like anything he wants, and after living in the near center of a volcanic island for a long time, I wouldn't be surprised if this would be the guise he took. It is almost like a Rahi warlord, it has that hint of intelligence mingled with ferocity that I can easily see as stemming from Miserix's anger at the rest of the Brotherhood. (I mean, he's had a really long time to let that anger simmer and grow.) I would understand this statement and your frustration if it was a Toa building contest or Matoran building contest, but Makuta are shapeshifters. Nowhere on the instructions did it say to build a humanoid Makuta. Originality is a plus here, I think, I didn't just want to see a Mutran remake or another version of Makuta 03 or 07. And they did get a lot of Mutran remakes, I hear. So when you've got a lot of great entries, originality and innovation is something judges look for. It seems you don't like this model because it is not exactly what you imagined (personally, I didn't bother imagining anything.) Did any of you who could enter actually enter the contest? (Here I can understand if you aren't from the U.S.) Combiner: That Niaszesk (sp?) is one of the coolest combiners I've seen in a long time. First thing I thought when looking at it was "Nui-Rama!" Those eyes are so reminiscent of those insect-like Rahi from yesteryear. It really has a good style, and though the color scheme obviously is not perfect (what combiner color scheme was, really?) it really does a good job of using the pieces included in those sets. I like it much better than Spiriah. BrickMaster Rahi: It took a while to really "see" the design, first thing I thought was that it had a toa head which clearly doesn't fit a bird-like Rahi that it appears to be. After looking at it for a while, though, I must say I'm pleased to be re-signing BM for it. The design makes good usage of the head-rocket combo, the rockets clearly being the eyes. If you look at it a little, it works, I think. The birdlike shape is well-achieved, and it includes a numerous amount of good and useful pieces. Plus, it's the only Rahi we seem to be getting this year, and it's not a bad little bird at that. I don't know. Granted, I was younger in 01 than now, but 01 felt very dark to me. I mean, the idea of Rahi terrorizing Matoran, and village plagued by an unending, destructive evil that for all they know is deity-like is pretty dark. Nobody actually died like in 06, but that underlying fear was always there. And the similarity I think goes further than trees; that is sort of an understatement. I think it mean really the return to a rural setting, with the desert, the volcano, the icy region, the forest, the mysterious underground, the quest for a mask(s) again, etc. If you look, 06 does bear certain similarities to 01 in terms of feel and story. Miserix I think is more of an evil character who's just not as radical as Teridax, Gorast, and those guys. He rejected light for probably the same reasons as the other Makuta, where he dissented was that he wasn't willing to risk his high position for something that probably wasn't going to work anyway. Miserix, as we saw in the first Mutran Chronicle, wasn't a nice guy, he just wasn't as "crazy" as the rest of them. VK

Not as far as I know. The tan trolls are evil in both the Dwarf Mine and the Giant Chess Set, so I guess whoever made the diorama was either a little confused or decided to spice things up a bit. That is a European store from the look of it, right? No chance of it being in America? VK

No! Live, live, live! 1. As lots of others have stated, LEGO should not discontinue BIONICLE for the most important reason of all--it's making money. More money=more castle, more city, more Star Wars, etc. When BIONICLE stops making money, then you can all consider it, but for now it is a ridiculous idea to cancel a completely money-making theme, whether you hate it or not. 2. As of now, BIONICLE still has fresh ideas and designs every year, even if not ALL the sets are fresh and new. This year, for example, we have new styles of build for the three winter Makuta and the three summer Makuta. The Toa have designs similar to the past two years, but they are not all the sets. Look at the Titans and vehicles and you will see new designs and innovations in terms of BIONICLE building. As long as there are continuous innovations things don't get boring. And remember that most of us here are not who BIONICLE is catering to, so the fact that some of us may not like ALL the sets is not necessarily a terrible thing. And don't say that the rest of the consumer-base is tasteless! 3. Here is a question for those who criticize what they claim is a repetitive story; where do you base this criticism? From comics, from pics in LEGO magazines, from secondhand storytelling by a younger BIONICLE fan? Or do you judge it from the books, in which the bulk of the story is told? As far as I can tell, each year has been different in numerous ways. They are not searching for an ultimate mask every year nor have they ever been. Plus, as for the argument that there are always six Toa, etc., that is the moneymaking process. Toa is a valued brand name and one that is recognized by millions of children--to abandon "Toa" as the heroes is headed down the road to destruction, UNLESS you start a new story with the new style of hero. This is possibly what they're doing in 2009. Front: You seem to misunderstand this forum, Front. As far a I know, this forum is typically older than the main fanbase, which is why their tastes differ so much from the mainstream. I am also older, but I lucked out in that I am a fan of both styles, the one BIONICLE had and the one it has now. I don't think they bash sets because they think it's "cool" they bash the sets they don't like because they don't like them. Criticism isn't always bad--people here and on BZP were criticizing clone sets for a long time, and eventually LEGO listened once sales dropped. The descriptions you are giving sound more like BZPower after toyfair, though the more-experienced members there usually stick to their opinions. And remember that a set design doesn't affect the quality of the pieces included in it. Jinzo here, if I remember correctly, purchases sets for the MOC parts because he likes those parts, which is just as much of a reason to buy the set as the design itself. Unfortunately, the fix is that LEGO won't get that he doesn't like the sets, because to them a sale is a sale. I'd have to agree, though, that for the most part the constructions of great MOCers, while amazing, would be too expensive for me. So, I don't want BIONICLE to end as I am still a fan of it and I believe it's headed in the right direction with a mix of technicism and articulation for the Titans, vehicles, and canister sets. Plus, seeing as BIONICLE is heading a new, fresh direction in 2009, I find it hard to believe they will become repetitive anytime in the near future. It seems to be heading uphill, and we all know you don't beat down a horse when it's getting up, right? VK

That is Radiak. One word. Kardas. Honestly, though, after purchasing the set I don't find Icarax as bad as I had previously assumed. While his build regrettably is not as advanced as Maxilos, it is not as unadvanced as I thought. He's way more than a mere Titan with a Phantoka body. The hip system is really neat, a great improvement and I am glad to see the hip system is kept consistent on Takanuva later this year. While some sets like Maxilos, Karzahni, Vezon/Fenrakk, Kardas, Brutaka, etc. are better than Icarax, I find him just as cool as others like Axonn, Hydraxon, Gadunka, and Umbra. So he is pretty cool, and I can see how 2008 might actually be the perfect year for some fans in terms of its mix of poseability/articulation with style and that hint of technic first reintroduced to use in 2007. I mean, you have a mix between clonism and differentiation which provides a good number of new pieces. You also have the return of a gear function in Icarax, and although gears are not popular to build this gear function was not too hard to construct. So I can how that point could be made, though I myself am a die-hard 2007 fan. Icarax's wings cover the hole in the back. *tongue* But I like Antroz as well, though he could use a little lower body armor, his hips seem to thin. I think the armor Chirox and Mutran has would have looked good on Antroz in red or perhaps upside-down like on Icarax. VK

Well, I don't think it was specifically towards the few like you, lol. Where I do agree is in your descriptions of Onua, Tahu, and Gali. Really big disappointments. That isn't to say they aren't bad sets, they just (to my tastes, mind you) don't look like Toa. I like my Toa to look noble. Gali looks evil, and Onua looks like he's got the special-edition Kraahkan from 2003 or the Ultimate Dume specia-edition mask from 2004. Tahu I think is the most acceptable of the three, as a ninja/knight is a noble look. Plus, at least he's got a melee weapon! I mean, Kopaka at the very least has a knife which can be paired with either his old sword or shield. Gali has a sniper, which can serve no purpose unless it is attached to her gun. Onua at least has a shield. While I wish Krika had arm articulation, I am okay with his 40 pieces since they fit what I think is a well thought-out design. And needless to say I like Axalara and somewhat Jetrax. Not a fan of the flying green box. Yeah, sorry about that. Either I missed that or I was just commenting but not to you. Can't remember which. Actually, I do see where you're coming from with this. Where I "luck out" so to speak is that I value two things; innovation and style. I like my Toa to look noble, but I also like them to be innovative. Perhaps this is why I like the winter 2008 Toa (they are noble-looking) and I like the Mahri (they are innovative in design.) There are several times that LEGO has pleased me on both accounts, obviously with the original Toa, the Toa Metru, Matoro and Hewkii Inika, and Jaller Mahri. I don't get what you mean by faithful to any particular character, I think what you mean is faithful to the ideals of "Toa." I also like my Toa to look noble, heroic, etc. I mean, some of the Mahri and Inika I didn't like because they looked evil. Kongu was two-face and Nuparu looked like an evil psychopath. Hewkii Mahri looked villainous. This is my problem with Gali, she looks pure evil! Perhaps that is why I notice that on BZP in particular there is more support for the villains than for the heroes. Heroes must look heroic, villains can look anything they want. My praise for the Mahri is on their innovation, which is why I am a fan of Matoro, Kongu, and Hahli. Especially Jaller, since I think he looks both heroic and has some of the best armor I've seen in a long time. This year's winter canister villains are some of the best I've seen in years. A. Since their gimmick doubles as a wicked-cool body piece they don't have guns. While I'm okay with guns, I prefer not to have them. I agree with you on your thoughts of the winter Makuta, I think that the bat-feel conveys their menacing evil without being overly ugly. I mean, I look at Chirox or Antroz or Icarax and I am not thinking, "Ugh, ugly!" That is a change. And I am glad to find someone who likes Chirox's arms! On BZP they are loaded with complaints that the arms are too long, people just don't see the innovation! While ugliness works for a year, such as with the Barraki, it is best not to let it get overwhelming. To tell the truth, though I loved their innovation, I actually prefer the Makuta to the Barraki. PIraka I also think were great, but your story interpretation of them is wrong, I find them to be the most violent villains as of late. But not in a bad way, of course. Zaktan was a masterpiece of character and visage. Never fear, I see where you're coming from. Grievous I bought him to show that I support his blizzard blade. I will NOT buy Gali for the reason you have stated. I refuse to support Toa with no melee weapons! Kopaka is acceptable because of his knife, Onua because of his shield. (Though I probably won't buy him anyway.) Hopefully LEGO might realize that we want Toa with melee weapons. I'm okay with guns as long as they don't replace swords and shields, but when they start replacing them they become my enemy. VK

To tell the truth, that prototype Kopaka is everything this one is and worse. I much prefer his blizzard blade, which can double as a knife, to a dimpy Mantax claw. And I think the Piraka legs and snowshoe Inika feet are very good for the Toa of Ice. Plus, I don't see what's unimaginative in having arm and leg styles the same. It merely doesn't work for every Toa. In Kopaka's case it was okay, but I think it goes too far in Tahu Nuva, Gali Nuva, AND Onua Nuva. Where I do agree is in the use of that great upper arm armor (the one also used on Chirox and Ignika) and in the fact that all the Toa this year do have more similar builds than the Toa Mahri. As shown with Jaller Mahri, there are easy and what appears to be relatively inexpensive ways to create new armor styles. Jaller Mahri used two pieces for his armor attachment to Kopaka's one armor piece. Another example is Toa Ignika, who I find to be a prime example of a well-armored Toa that doesn't use the same torsos and armor pieces. Ignika has shorter arms than legs, neat shoulder armor, and still manages to have frontal and back armor even though he uses a better, forward-facing Piraka torso. (Though I don't really have problems with backwards Piraka torsos, I just prefer my Toa well-armored.) My sentiments are pretty much exactly like Grievous puts them, I think 2007 so far has been a prime example of a BIONICLE year in terms of variety and mix of articulation with some technic (the trap, Karzahni, Maxilos, Lesovikk's sled). Well, looking at all six Toa side-by-side and not just either the winter or summer Toa Nuva, I am seeing some differences, but as you said nothing so creative as the Toa Mahri. I mean, Tahu and Gali have the same body-build. Kopaka and Lewa use the same shoulder/thigh armor and both have Inika torsos from 2006. Pohatu is really I would say the most creative with his choice of weapon. Onua I think has a new build, with a new type of armor on an Inika torso. You'll also notice that both Tahu and Kopaka use Piraka legs for their arms and legs. Plus, both Tahu's arms and legs have the same Metru armor, and both Kopaka's arms and legs have the same INika armor. Not nearly as diverse as the Mahri, and a hundred times less diverse than the Barraki. Winter-Makuta wise I can't complain, as they have the same body because their body is their function. I would actually prefer they have the same body with a Tridax pod than having a gun like the Toa/Summer Makuta. I think the Makuta are the first canisters in a long time to remind me of the original Toa and the Rahkshi. They have old-style weapons, blades, daggers, claws, swords, spears, etc. Not one of them carries a projectile weapon! And luckily, the Tridax pod either can appear like glowing center or it can be removed, giving the Makuta a wicked skeletal-rib look. What I think we're seeing in 2008 is a result of 2007. While 2007 sales were good, GregF on BZP reported that the sales were not as high as expected because of the high cost of not doing clone sets. So, to compensate in 2008, LEGO decided that while they shouldn't go back to clone sets, they had to cut down the cost. The result is that while the sets are still not clones (they are all different) they are less diverse and less creative. It must be said though, that I think the designers did a fair job on making the summer Makuta really different from one another and from the winter Makuta. I am just glad that the winter Toa Nuva are more noble-looking than the Mahri and Inika, a style I like in Toa. None of the winter three have remotely evil-looking masks, whereas the same cannot be said for Hewkii and Jaller Mahri or *shudders* the demented Gali Nuva. VK

IC: Count Location M-17 The Count looked up at the Skeleton Tower high above him. He did not shudder, or even show a glimpse of fear at the prospect of meeting with the Necromancer, the Evil Wizard. What was there to fear? "Lacking in detail," he said aloud. "I would have used more pillars and less--lava." "Quiet," growled the Skeleton General. "You asked to see the Wizard, and he has accepted. Get in and shut up." "Very well, my vulgar friend," the Count replied, stepping off his chariot and entering the Skeleton Tower through its skull gateway. Once inside, he headed up the stairs, followed by the Skeleton General. At the top of the stairs, he found himself inside a black throne room--on his throne sat the Evil Wizard. "Necromancer," the Count said, bowing. "I bring word from Wizardo." "That imbecile?" the Wizard snarled. "What does he want now?" "He has sent me, the Count of Counts, to win you the crown lands through guile rather than force." Behind him, the Skeleton General guffawed. "And you can achieve this how?" the Evil Wizard asked. "By capturing the King himself," said the Count. The Skeleton General could contain himself no longer--he burst into laughter. "Capture the King!" he cried. "Ha!" The Wizard held up a hand. "How?" was all he asked. "I was hoping we could come to that," murmured the Count. "I was once a tutor--I taught the princess, his daughter. I am trusted in their court. I will steal her, he will chase her, and we will get him." "We have tried this plan before," said the Skeleton General. "The King would come with an army. You can't take him alive or dead." "We will steal him at night." "And how do you propose my skeletons avoid being caught?" said the Wizard. "They are not masters of stealth, or ninjas." "Your skeletons will do nothing but create confusion," said the Count, "While the land's greatest thieves, murderers, and cutthroats slip into the King's ranks and escape with him." "How do you intend to kidnap the princess?" said the Wizard, intrigued. "They say that only ninjas or the like have the power to sneak into guarded Palaces. You are no ninja." "Do thieves count as ninjas?" asked the Count. "Possibly," replied the Wizard. ----------------- Johnny the Shadow Knight crept silently into the Monkey Troupe Inn. He had heard of hirees in here willing to do anything for pay. He figured the count could pay them to do whatever vile thing he had planned. At least, he hoped so. VK VK

IC(Count of Counts): Location 18-M, edge of Crown Lands and Undead Lands There was the slightest bit of a breeze, which blew back the dark cape of mysterious figure atop a chariot. At first glance, he would have appeared to be a great and mighty warrior, lord of numerous lands and master of all. In truth, he was all this...and more. In his own mind, that is. "Interesting," the figure murmured. "Most interesting." He was looking across at the Crown lands from his location atop an Undead hill. Behind him, in the distance, the Skeleton Tower in all its dark glory could be seen. Dragons flew high above him, but paid him no mind. Around him, a group of skeletons and rogue shadow knights crowded, getting look at the mysterious newcomer. "Who is he, I wonders?" asked one skeleton. "Out of the way, out of the way!" roared a Skeleton General, black horse and all. "Who are you, stranger? What are you doing in the Wizard's domain?" The figure chuckled. "You would do well to treat me with respect," he said, "for I have come to win you the Crown Lands." "By yourself?" the General snorted. "Do what all we skulls have not been able to do thus far? How?" "Through brains," replied the stranger, "a little something you undeads lack. Go back to your master, black skull. Tell him that Wizardo sends him greeting, and that the Count of Counts has come." "The Count of what?" asked a shadow knight. "The Count of Counts," the count said. "Tell me, little knight, what is your name?" "Johnny," the shadow knight said. "Johnny," the count said, "I need you to find me the greatest thieves that the world has ever known. Can you do that?" "Um, well," the shadow knight said. He suddenly found a long, sharp spear at his throat. "You'd better," said the count. "I will be counting on your success, my measly friend. It is a gamble, I'll admit, given your lack of higher functions, but I think you should be able to succeed. If your life depends on it." The shadow knight ran off, leaving behind a group of concerned skeletons, a furious General, and a strange count. He had to find thieves...his life depended on it, he was sure. VK

At last! An RP that you don't have to be there every second for. I tried RPing on other sites, but I had the little problem that I'm not around a lot. Now I don't have to worry about being there. I'd love to join. Name: Count of Counts, Conte de Contes, Comte de Comtes, etc. Age: 30 Faction: Fright Knights Class/Place in Hierarchy: Egoistic megalomaniac servant of another megalomaniac wizard aiding the Fright Knights. Currently hatching numerous imbecilic plots, some smart ones. Equipment: Chariot with single black horse and basher wheels (the ones from KK2 siege towers.) Weapons include double-spear, Skelly sword from new Castle theme, and black/silver Vladek shield. All weapons he has stolen. (Yeah, so he stole them from junk piles, so what?) Looks: Black pants with red waist lining, red lining around armored shirt (an old minifig shirt from the 1900s), plain smiley face, old KK1 Bulls war helmet, black cape. Pic ASAP. Background: The Count of Counts is one of the most vile of villains, an egoistic megalomaniac whose sole purpose is to use trickery and deception to destroy the forces of good so that evil will rule forever over all the lands. Not much is known about the Count's past, except that he was not a count as a child. It is said he was found by the wizard Wizardo, and trained in the ways of evil and trickery. The count gets most of his plots from cheap novelettes written by crazed monks. Still, the count has read a great many good novels, from which he gets his better plots. His is most recently wandering about the countryside, thinking of an ingenious plan to capture the Princess and hold her ransome for more than she is worth. The count enjoys bossing around orcs, skellies, or shadow knights. The only other thing known about the count is that his plans do have a tendency to work numerous times, for the count is reponsible for the death of a great many noble knights, none of which he fought fairly. Name: The Killer Age: Unknown Faction: Crown Knights Class/Place in Hierarchy: Normal knight, with a nasty reputation. Is often used to kill off high ranking enemy generals, especially if they are on horseback. Equipment: Small axe and and crown knight shield. Looks: Exactly the same as the knight with the axe from the Crossbow castle set from 2007, except with black starry cape from Harry Potter theme. Background: They say that as a child he killed a marauding knight with a frying pan. Ever since that day, his lust for battle has not eased, perhaps it has even increased over the years. He true name is unknown to any, for he is known by all as the Killer. He became a knight through a joust in which he knocked all the other knights off their horses without being on a horse himself. It was not so much the feat that impressed the King as how he did it; he used his axe to knock the horses in the side. So immense was his strength that the horses tumbled over...dead. Indeed, the Killer has a reputation for killing or punching enemy horses with whatever weapon he can get his hands on (or his hands themselves). The Killer has no fear of blood or his own death, and he never hesitates on the field of battle. When an order is given to him, he will follow it through to the end. He even attacked the King himself once when the King forgot that he had given him an order to let no one into the wine cellar. Currently, the Killer is on leave of duty--which means he is prowling the countryside, seeking the only knight ever to have defeated him in battle (through trickery) and whose name he knows not. Pity on this knight should he ever be found, for the Killer will not just kill him...he will destroy him. One more coming later--Wizardo. I'll try and get pics as soon as I can, may not be able to. FYI, these bios are from a neat story I made up with my numerous Castle factions, involving orcs, skellies, etc. Should be fun. VK

I liked Antroz as well, though I think his lower torso could have benefited greatly from an armor addition like Vamprah and Chirox have. I am actually a huge fan of Mutran, but I also have to agree with Shakar. I didn't think that much of Icarax, but I fell to temptation and bought him off Shop at Home since it saved me 5 bucks. He is actually a great set once you get him. The gear arm is not a hindrance and there are numerous poses in which it looks great, and he is much bulkier than the other Makuta due to his lower torso armor and use of piston-style functions to keep his hips sturdy. I think like most sets (such as Krekka) he looked better in person and pictures don't do him justice. Unfortunately, though, in-person doesn't sell sets, it is what the pics show that does. And Pencoin is right, I don't get this idea that Chirox has unusually long arms. The arms on my Chirox are normal-sized when you follow the instructions for the set. In fact, there are really some of the neatest arms I've seen, they're made by folding up a double-socket and a Piraka arm. His arms are actually more humanoid in length than those of Antroz or the Nuva Phantoka. Are you judging the arm length by the secondary pics on Lego Shop? Because I have seen in the CGIs and in some pics that they unfold Chirox's arms, but when you build him with the instructions you are told to fold up the arms to create the shoulders and wings. It is a cool idea, I think. Plus, I figured since they were bat-like and not human-like they didn't have to follow humanoid arm standards. I have stretched out CHirox's arms sometimes in a flight pose and it looks menacing. VK

About the Rahkshi comment, I was just being sarcastic. I'm a Rahkshi fan as much as the next guy. I still haven't stopped BIONICLE, I've bought sets into 2008. I was actually pleased with the vehicles, I was seeing Ussanui (I remember it, a great set) all over again. I see what you mean with the Hordika being the Metru, the Mahri being the Inika, but that is a tradition in BIONICLE, the Nuva were just the Mata, and now the Toa Nuva Phantoka are really just the Toa Nuva brought to modern standards and changed. But they've got to be different, you don't want the Mahri to look like the Inika when they come out only a year afterwards. I admit that the new Nuva could have looked more like the originals, but as I've said that really wasn't the designers purpose. For the purposes of sets, I prefer that there are differences between adjacent years, but for the purposes of story I prefer same characters for a while, and then a refreshing change. (Nuva to Metru to Inika to Nuva again.) And the Matoran really just ride them, any Matoran could have ridden any of the old Toa, only now they sort of made it a gimmick, to persuade fans to buy Matoran and Toa to link up. Now, you say you stopped in 2005, with the Rhotuka, correct? This might explain why you don't know about the Brotherhood of Makuta. There's a whole Brotherhood of them out there, although they are all under the leadership of classic Makuta. (We've just learned his real name is Teridax, but I prefer Makuta.) ALl the 2008 villains are Makuta species, but they can be identified by their real names. (Antroz, Chirox, etc.) I figured that, what I didn't get was that you didn't know about all these Makuta before they showed up. I was following story dilligently through 2005-2007, so the apperance of more Makuta was not a surprise to me. I think I misunderstood you. Were you trying to say that you are still interested or that you aren't? Did you mean to say that you haven't lost all hope in BIONICLE, or that you have? I see what you mean in the difference between Kanoka and Rhotuka. I too was saddened by the death of collectibles, and then came the squid which really finished them off. There weren't even different colors, sort of. And now this year there are no ammo packs. And you do know that the Toa Hordika/Visorak came out in 2005, right? VK

As far as I can remember, trooperdavinfelth, this is the first year where a character(s) has been released more than once? Unless you are counting different years? In that case, the only other option is new Toa every year, which would please you and bring out the haters of character ditching. And let's be serious, nobody is going to buy Axalara, Jetrax, or Rockoh for the guy sitting on it. I for one wouldn't waste 80 bucks unless I actually liked the vehicle. WIth things that size, the vehicle is easily priority over the rider. And in any case, it is hardly a different style of Lewa Nuva, it is really just someone to include in the vehicle so that kids can start playing as soon as they get it and not have to buy both vehicle AND a canister set to ride it. And you seem to be classifying a lot of people, I bet the vast majority of BIONICLE buyers don't even collect. They just buy the ones they like and roleplay. And in my opinion, I prefer the same characters, even if in different forms. You see, I write, and I know that successful stories, even in vast universes, revolve around a set of characters and not twenty-one or thirty people. There is the occasional come-in character, but they are not the focus of the story. The focus of BIONICLE over these years has been so far Toa--they can't ditch Toa and they have to have a hero every year, or they get stuck with 2003 all over again. I prefer they pick old characters instead of making new ones, as those characters can grow and develop and the story is easier to follow because you know and care for these characters. If you look, you'll notice that the characters who have become Toa were, for the most part, all characters we have known and loved since 2001. I prefer it that way, and I also prefer less characters in 2008 rather than 21+ at the end of the 2006. Less characters=more screen time for existing characters=more development and story. So what you see as bad set-wise, I see as unimportant set-wise (the vehicles are what matter) and good story-wise. Then you must hate 2003, you know, the sons of Makuta, the Rahkshi. Terrible. I don't know where this Makuta wife, daughter, son thing came from, but none of the Makuta this year have ever been seen before. They are all-new characters, they are all the species Makuta that work for the Makuta we know and love. (Makuta Teridax for the sake of understanding, though I prefer just to call him Makuta.) They are all part of the Brotherhood of Makuta, they are not old characters. And I wholeheartedly disagree with dumping either the Toa Nuva or Makuta. New forms, however different, are acceptable to me, but abandoning the characters would have been unforgivable. Frankly, no one is expecting consumers to buy on impulse. That job is for the Matoran and other impulse sets. You didn't buy the Barraki or the PIraka for the same reason I didn't buy Reidak or Mantax or Ehlek, the same reason I'm not going to buy Gorast or Rockoh T3. You didn't like them. Honestly, you're better than other dislikers who say they dislike and then buy the set anyway. You speak with your wallet, and if most of the fanbase agrees with you then you've helped change something. That is what happened with clones. And you mean 2005 is when you stopped? And I don't get the whole argument with the Rhotuka and Kanoka. Did you like them, or not? And what do you mena by, Don't get me wrong, I've lost all interest in BIONICLE? VK

Difficult to say, since I am a fan of the whole 2008 Winter lineup. I like both Toa Nuva and Makuta, but I think I prefer the Makuta because they have a feel of old-school BIONICLE to them, since they have no guns (Their Tridax pods just seem more like cool glowing bodies to me, they don't have that gun feel that BIONICLE has carried since the Cordak.) Although I have an affinity for Titans like Ignika and Icarax, I'll have to agree with Tohst and go with Mutran and Vican. At first I wasn't crazy about him, I thought he was a re-made Chirox and Kirop, but after getting him I can say that I was extremely pleased. His parts and pieces, once I looked closely, are practically nothing in common with Chirox or Kirop, only the masks are the same. (And different colored masks is a good thing!) Plus the hand design on a canister-size set is sweet. Overall, I just love Mutran's design, his character in the latest BIONICLE book, and the fact that the combined set is a dollar cheaper than a single Matoran + Toa. And jifel, I wasn't surprised that a Toa was winning (that is, before I voted for Mutran ha! *skull* ) because you have to remember that speakers are typically not as common as voters. VK

In some cases the fighting is for survival...in others it is for freedom. I really saw the Metru Nui saga as a fight for the freedom of Matoran; we don't want Matoran living under the tyrannical rule of Vahki controlled by Makuta. I think that the whole underlying tone of the Vahki was the lack of freedom. Again, in 2005 the fight against the Visorak was to finish the job of freeing the Matoran and bringing them to a new land. It really wasn't for survival because Makuta wasn't in any way going to kill the Matoran. Now, I agree with you that the 2006-2007 cycle was obviously for the survival of the universe in terms of the big pictures and the Matoran. Those Matoran are not like the Metru Nui/Mata Nui Matoran, they were plagued by things that required them to hold on to survival. The whole underlying theme of 2006-2007 cycle was survival, it was a race. And then we have 2008. Now, while survival is mentioned a lot you've got to really look at every action or drama out there...you're going to find the word "survival" somewhere, either in the context of the book or in a dialogue. It makes suspense, whether or not survival is the actual theme of that story. Harry Potter mentions survival numerous times throughout the books, but in the early books Harry wasn't really fighting for his survival. It's included for effect. I see 2008 as about finishing what the Toa Nuva started to do. For the Karda Nui Matoran, it isn't about survival here, their friends are being turned evil, they're not being killed. It is for the figurative survival of light. And the Toa Nuva's fight is obviously for the freedom of the universe by awakening Mata Nui. That's the point of 2008. So, as you can see, not everything is for survival, you've got different types of action all of which could be considered "deep." That said, I agree with your point about the girl with the flowers, there are simple, deep stories. I wouldn't mind a break from the action for like one comic or a chapter in a book, but LEGO isn't going to allot time in the story for that. If anything, the target wants more action, not less, so I just make the assumption that of course the Matoran had peace. The Karda Nui Matoran had about a thousand years of peace, it just isn't shown, you've got to use your imagination. Tohst: I believe that the current fanbase is kept about 3-4 years, ages 8-12, 12 already starting to outgrow. The problem, Tohst, is that you are looking at it in the opposite direction. LEGO is not focusing on the older side of the 8-12 spectrum, but on the younger side. Who will be 8-12 in a few years? The 6-7 year olds. Those are the targets that LEGO needs to try and attract slightly to BIONICLe through their older siblings. Those 6-7 year olds need to know BIONICLE when they become in the target. LEGO cannot focus on keeping current fans a year longer at the sacrifice of gaining new fans later on. And I'm guessing that it is hard to focus on both sides of that spectrum, the pleasure of a seven year old are vastly different from those of a thirteen year old. As I said, it is actually about 3-4 years in the target, the fourth year being less likely. I agree with the cycle theory, but you've got to remember that 2006-2008 are included in a single cycle, so we may see new styles and diversity in 2009. Well, I"m not so sure that there is a lack of diversity there. I mean, Jaller Mahri had a bright orange undertone, Maxilos took on Mata red as did Hakann. Pridak and Matoro are clean whites, Hahli had a great lime green undertone, Matoro Mahri had a sky blue, so I don't see the dark colors in 2007, really, except maybe if you look at the Barraki. 2006, possibly, but a lot of the Piraka had brighter colors, plus there was teh trans colors in Jaller and Matoro Inika and the orange-yellow in Hewkii. Hahli also had a white combined with her dark blue. I really think that so far only 2008 really has a darker color tone. Every Toa has dark grey, but I think that is used to unify them, their main colors (orange, lime green, and white) are not so dark. And it makes sense for the Makuta Phantoka to have darker colors, since Makuta are beings of darkness. So, I think I shall reserve that judgement for 2009 and see if we at last get a change in bodies and we'll whether your theory on dark colors is correct, I see where you are coming from with the dark colors, looking at the Mistika which IMO are not as pleasing in bright colors as the Phantoka. (I prefer bright to dark on Toa, or at least a mix, and silver doesn't really cut down on teh darkness.) I see the point about the Toa changing, but I think it would have been even worse for BIONICLE if they had kept the same Toa Nuva year after year after year--they had to change. And remember that you are losing 99 percent of the market from the previous years, when you lose that 99 percent of old fans you are gaining a great percentage of newer fans who are taking the 8-12 year old spot. The important thing is to keep that target spot in existence, otherwise you end up with no target audience and there goes the line. VK

That is interesting info on flash, Jinzo, I didn't know that. Now, those people who make that flash are probably really, but you've got to remember that larger flash-making companies or companies who do that stuff are going to charge you for their services, regardless of how cheap it is to actually make the flash animation. Plus, with all the CGI and stuff that goes to commercials and the two bionicle websites, I honestly can't seem them alloting money to flash without taking away from something else that they may not want to take away. Your interest diminished in 2002-2003? I've honestly got to congratulate your loyalty. I certainly wouldn't have stuck around for the sake of one or two good years of a line if I thought it started getting ugly. I can see your point about the Nuva masks, to this day I still prefer Mata to Nuva, although the Hau Nuva is not a bad mask IMO. But see? Doesn't that mean you should be happy that the new Nuva don't have masks that look remotely like those Nuva masks? :-D How are the Matoran now any different from the Matoran then? They are still in desperate need of being protected, but they are not defenseless. They do fight back using their brains as far as I can tell. The Voya Nui Matoran Resistance consistently tricked the Piraka to steal their Zamor launchers and try to reproduce them. The Mahri Nui Matoran tried their best to discover what was plaguing them in the black waters of the Pit. I really don't see how, story-wise, the Matoran have changed. Is it cause they have weapons instead of bamboo disks? Set-wise, they have gotten bigger, obviously because the Toa have gotten bigger. Further, remember that the Av-Matoran are special in size, so they don't reflect all Matoran. I personally think that the Mahri Nui Matoran are the best example of Matoran we have seen so far. 2007: Yeah, there's nothing frightening about sea creatures serving some unknown intelligence. If you ask me, 2007 harkened back to 2001 in that sense. Rahi, out to grab you at every turn. And even scarier, their masters look like Rahi as well, only they stand on two legs and are intelligent species. 2006: ALl your friends enslaved, hiding from six monsters with the power of Toa that are not opposed to murder, enslavement, savagery, torture, etc. Not in the bit frightening. 2008: Even worse than 06, all your friends EVIL. No turning back, they are exactly evil, with the same intelligence, no longer mindless mind you. Add that to the incarnations of darkness itself, the Brotherhood of Makuta. You should see how the shadow Matoran are put into words in Bionicle Legends 9. Nope, not scary. Rather happy-go-lucky. I see the characters and their quest as a hundred times more deep than those things. Look, they have defined characters, there is no gratuitous violence and weird faces on normal people. These characters are serious, and their personalities can be eastablished by their dialogue, by their actions, etc. Their quest? Saving the city of Metru Nui isn't deep? For that matter, saving the life of the Great Spirit isn't deep? That is not deep? I'd like to know your opinion of deep, then, because BIONICLE cannot in any sense be a classic novel with a really deep, intrinsic meaning. VK

trooperdavinfelth: I've already commented to others on the sets issue, but you raise a great point about the comics. There was actually a poll about this on BZP, are the comics getting worse? And though I am a supporter of modern BIONICLE, I did vote yes. The comics today are a lot harder to understand than those of yesteryear, and they have a lot more action, a lot less humor and planning and trapping, etc. This is basically for two reasons. One is that the story has clearly improved from merely a one-island story to a vast world that includes plenty more opportunities to create your own story and imagine. So, when the story becomes that much more complex, 12-page comics aren't going to cut it as well. Secondly, the majority of the fanbase wants more action in their comics, so action replaces the humor and all those other things you mentioned. The answer to this, for me at least, is to buy the books. The books are SO MUCH of an improvement from the comics. They are a hundred times better, which makes sense because they have way more words and explain things in far more detail. Characters, settings, etc. all look better in the books now than in the comics, because in the books Greg Farshtey has the space to include the wanted action and those other parts of a story that makes it great. I agree with you on 2003-2005, the lack of story ending in the comics bugs me, which is why I was glad in 2006 when they ended movies. Notice that 2006 and 2007 ended the story for that year, something that previously only 2002 had done. (If you remember, 2001 never told its ending in comics either, that was online.) This is what worries me about 2009, there is sure to be a lack of comic ending because of the movie. While I'll be the first to admit that I prefer non-guns to guns, the guns are unfortunately a necessary item that we have to put up with. The focus groups want them, so the sets include them. I haven't minded so much in the past, because the Piraka, Inika, Mahri, and Phantoka could all look fine without their guns. (Kopaka is the exception, but I personally like his bayonet and he at least includes a knife if you want to take the Midak off.) My problems are starting to arise with, for example, Gali and Onua Mistika. Take away those guns and you are left with a weaponless Toa. Their weapons are their guns, something I disagree with. This is why I like the Makuta Phantoka--their Tridax pods don't look like guns and their weapons are old-fashioned, they remind me of older sets like the Bohrok--their launching function has to do with their form, it is not an exterior "gun." I think the comments you made about 2006 and 2007 are somewhat accurate, but you have to remember that those two years were basically a race for the Mask of Life. The Toa didn't have time to make plans or set traps, they had to get that mask as soon as they could. I think that those things you noted simply stem from teh story of those two years. If the story had been something different, I don't think we would have seen that type of action. For your notes on traps and plans, etc. if you can get the books I suggest you pick up Bionicle Legends 9. I was very surprised in reading it to see that there are a great many tricks and traps. The Nuva have really returned in complete character. And for a change, the book ends in a hopeful note. The Nuva, unlike the Mahri, have time now to make plans and battle their enemies with traps, because the Makuta obviously are too powerful to simply battle one-on-one. It really was a step back to the past, I'm so glad the Nuva have returned even if they don't look like their old selves. VK

Yeah, I got that yesterday. I think it's a good thing--it obviously costs less money to print and there's no need for a big one this time of year. There were only four new items that I could see; Makuta Icarax, Troll Battle Wheel, Green Grocer, and this dwarf key chain. Plus, I don't know about you all but I don't remember getting Early Spring catalogues; I thought they all used to be Late Spring? VK

Oh, I see. Yeah, I got that impression too from Miserix before we had seen him. The very fact that they were trying to rescue him gave me the impression that maybe he wasn't as bad as the rest of the Brotherhood. He probably isn't, but my new impressions from him based on his appearances haven't been those of a merciful Makuta, lol. VK

Well, I am not too worried as the winners they have picked prior to this (the winners of the Dark Hunter contest, the Rahi contest, the Toa contest) have all been pretty good models. I recall Ancient was a superb model, and the Tahtorak was just amazing. I don't think they make decisions based on age, I've noticed they tend to like more complex models judging from the past winners. If you look, the Toa contest winner (krakua) did not even use the typical one-piece Toa body. Plus, Miserix actually isn't any more benevolent than the other Makuta. He isn't a nice person, according to the Official Greg Discussion on BZP. He just didn't think attacking Mata Nui was wise or feasible. I'm thinking that the other reason he might join with the Order of Mata Nui is possibly for revenge or for the same reason as Makuta Spiriah--no other choice. VK

Lol, after I wrote this I wondered to myself, "This guy doesn't sound so old..." So I went and checked out your profile, and lol I found that I am actually older than you! How's that for irony? Yep, which is why I refer a lot to 06 as the "schism." It is very obvious the change that came over BIONICLE then--I mean, look at Axonn compared to Sidorak or Roodaka. More poseability, no functions or gears, and not a custom-built, technic-beam body. Then again, I've always found Sidorak a little too technic-beamy. As for your thoughts on playsets, to tell the truth I was never a playset fan. I have felt that BIONICLE is about the characters, the figures, not really about a bunch of mini-sized sets. Now, figure-sized playsets I am not opposed to... I agree with you on the comparison of the 05-06 playsets to the 07 ones. I thought the designs of the 05 buildings were very good, and I even bought Tower of Toa. (That is actually the only playset I possess.) I was tempted to buy it partly because it looked neat, had great style, and I liked the idea of the Matoran using Kanohi Masks as gateways. I thought that was very fitting in BIONICLE. 2006 also had some good playsets, though as you said in reality the colors of them all were the same. I think the bridge was the best deal, and the upgrade to moveable unique figures was great. In 2007, I was disappointed by the change from twelve unique faces to about half. However, I am forgiving of that because Greg Farshtey recently revealed that playsets did not sell as well as was hoped. A lot of littler kids called in and asked for playsets, so LEGO thought there would be a demand. But those kids never went out and bought them, and the BIONICLE purists saw no reason to purchase them either. I know I didn't. So by 2007 I bet LEGO was already knowing that the time had come to drop playsets so they didn't bother wasting money on twelve unique molds. On the issue of clone sets, I personally think this year's Phantoka (moreso than Mistika) are the way to go. I thought they had a good variety of new pieces, such as the wings, jetpacks, etc. but at the same time they are not clones. I think their new piece variety was better than that of the Mahri and Mistika. The Phantoka Makuta I think really do a great job as they have the same body, all new pieces, but their vareity in arms/legs and other factors makes them far less cloney than the clone years. And in fact, clone sets were shown in research to be disliked by both us original fans and the newer fans, so that is something we agreed on. If it had been only us complaining, I doubt we would have seen a change from clone sets. As for Jinzo's post, where he sums up his thoughts: I really think, Jinzo, that you are not noticing a lot of the subtle nods given to us fans--judging from your age you were an adult when BIONICLE started and you are an adult now. BIONICLE was never aimed at adults, so in reality your fandom with it is sort of a fluke, no offense. And remember that the BIONICLE targeted age-group is younger than originally supposed in 2001, that age group did not buy. Furthermore, you grew up in an age without today's technology, without all these mega blasters and World of Warcraft stuff (heck, neither did I, none of that stuff even remotely interests me) but a lot of the kids of this world like these blasters, to use an example. Plus I bet that a lot more money was alloted to BIONICLE in 2001 than in any other year following that. Line launches are given a lot more marketing money than the years after. So how much BIONICLE could afford animations like that now is unknown, I would bet unlikely. Basically you are saying that your BIONICLE fandom diminished at the end of the animations, I guess around 2004. I see you've been here a long time since then. Where I agree with you is in the subject of the movies. While I am sure they brought in new fans (which was their purpose) and it was neat to see those sets in action, I really didn't like the movies because as I have said they caused the rest of the year to suffer and get cut off. I don't get your StarWars analogy, BIONICLE has only expanded since its conception, not shrunk to Toa babies? And no, it isn't a crime to appeal to old and new. It is done a lot. In the recent comic, a scene was thrown in purposefully with Lewa and a shadow leech, a nod to Lewa's incidents with kraata, krana and infected masks. The Onua save a Toa will appear in a book this year, and old mysteries and old characters are kept alive as nods through the serials, when LEGO policy is mostly that story exists solely to promote CURRENT sets. I think these are all gifts to older fans, but probably just not the gifts you are looking for. Another example is how the Nuva Mistika originally looked more like their older selves but were shot down in focus groups. Would you have suggested the set designers stick with them even though the focus groups didn't like them a lot, just to please both old and new fans? VK