Karalora

You have to consider the context of violence and the genre of storytelling where it takes place. You know what all the franchises you mention have in common? Distance from the people watching the movies and the kids playing with the LEGOs. HP and LOTR are fantasies, Star Wars is a space opera, the MCU and Incredibles are four-color superheroes, and Indiana Jones is fantastic 1930s pulp adventure. In every case, there is a layer of unreality that buffers the violence in a sense. The James Bond franchise, on the other hand, is always contemporary to the year any given film is released, includes no magic or aliens or psychic powers or other exotic unreal elements. Bond’s gadgets can be semi-futuristic and some of the bad guys can be over-the-top, but it presents itself as realistic and current and a serious franchise for grown-ups. That makes the violence more immediate and potentially not something TLG wants associated with their brand. That and, you know, the sex. Lotta sex in Bond. Probably not the best look for a toy line that will attract 10-year-olds no matter what numbers they print on the box. For TLG to be willing to pick up a 007 license, they would have to cut out the gunplay and other realistic violence, and the sex, and focus entirely on cool cars and gadgets and chase scenes and outlandish baddies and Rube Goldberg-esque death traps. And I think that would be really fun! But would it satisfy the AFOLs who really really want James Bond LEGO sets? Are the distinctions between “fantasy” violence and “realistic” violence arbitrary? Yeah, probably. I’m just explaining how PR people see things.

Not sure we can take the statue as authoritative regarding Cerberus's size, mainly because I think he's there as an identifier for Hades rather than an indicator as to what the ancients thought he was actually like. In any case, even if not literally giant, he would have to be bigger than that, because he's described as a mastiff and wrestling him into submission was one of Heracles's heroic feats. It would not take Heracles to wrestle that dog. I could do it on my lunch break. Please do not take this as criticism of your Cerberus. We have already established that tiny!Cerberus is awesome.

Series J? Series J! Cyborg Man: Here we have a rare situation where TLG produced a minifig for an archetype that would normally default to male, and made it female instead, obligating Robert8 to give us the male version. I'm not gung-ho for science-fiction the way I am for fantasy, but I still collect them, and I think this guy would look terrific alongside his...sister? Let's go with sister. Hard to imagine they'd share that far-out hair color if they didn't share DNA. Majorette: I want an entire marching band, largely for the instruments, but also for the snazzy uniforms, and this is a gorgeous example. Philosopher: This is one of those historical minifigs we could really use...for example, as a framing device for all the gods and monsters! Mythology as philosophical lecture, d'you see? I can transcribe his scroll into the Latin alphabet (except where his hand blocks the print) but I have no idea what the words actually mean. I see PHILOS twice; something about love? Beatnik: And here we have the proto-hipster, ca. 1958. Or Richard Feynman, I guess. Either way, it's all about the bongos, isn't it? The black sweater could look nice as winter wear I suppose. Taco Man: What is it with minifigures and dressing up as food? Nice to let the Tex-Mex truck in on the party though. He's clearly having a lot of fun! French Queen: This one would be highly sought after on aesthetics alone. That fabulous wig,the printed fan, the exquisite gown design. And unlike the original article, this one can put her head back on if she loses it! Inventor: You're getting a lot of mileage out of the baby mold lately and I approve! We aren't there yet as of Series J, but returning to the present for a moment we've got a nice little steampunk mini-theme and it's making me want LEGO to go full steampunk with a line of sets. What fantastic builds they could devise! Postman: While I doubt many of us are clamoring for a postman, this is a fine example of one, and we could all probably think of uses for those tiles. (I am wondering whether we haven't gotten one simply because postal uniforms vary so much from country to country and it's an international company.) Cow Suit Girl: Knowing that you considered doing a zodiac mini-theme, I am now detecting a minor pattern in the animal costumes you have introduced. Still, a cow suit would be a great one for them to add to the lineup, and I'm sad they didn't do it last year for LNY when it was the Year of the Ox (they just put a bull hood on a guy). Pool Party Girl: The unicorn float and new hairdo alone are worth the cost of admission, but hey! Child-sized swimsuit! Haven't I been saying we need a wider variety of swimwear? Gate Guard: How the actual Swiss Guard can do their job with a straight face is one of the great mysteries of our era. For real. There are people in the world today who have to dress like that AT THEIR JOB. As a minifig design, though? Top-notch, and the bi-colored pike is a nice development. Wrestler Woman: What a fantastic mask design, with the little angel wings around the eyeholes! I don't follow lucha, so I don't know if it's based on a real one, but this entire look is delightfully distinctive. Martian: This is what aliens were when I was a kid. Little green men with antennae and zapper guns. I bet he flies around in a little UFO the size of a bumper car with a bubble dome too. Underworld King: Back on the mythology train with another classic! We've gotten "Hades" for real, of course, if the Disney version counts (no, not really), but I'd love to see a more serious take and who am I kidding, it is ALL ABOUT tiny!Cerberus. Where's my tiny!Cerberus, LEGO? I want him. White Chess Bishop: I like that he's old. Most bishops are IRL. At least you got more use out of Nefertiti's crook. Bellhop: I look at this guy and I want to build a hotel. (It may or may not be haunted.) The two suitcases are also great accessories, even if one of them is an old mold with some new embellishments. Overall: This is a really fun series. Not a lot of must-haves (I mean...I'd want most of them for my own collection, but I'm assuming on behalf of the community) , but a lot of REALLY fun ideas and imagery. The French Queen is probably the best of the lot.

I'm glad you didn't quit too, @Robert8. Sorry you had to go through such a tough time.

Work sucked, let's do Series I for me to decompress. Little Witch: I can always use more kids in adorable Halloween costumes, and this is probably the second most obvious one after the Ghost Boy. The lime-green pumpkin bucket is nice too. Elf Soldier: The fantasy wargaming fans would be all over this. Oddly enough, it doesn't do a lot for me, although I would feel obligated to get one to keep my fantasy collection complete. Movie Director: He looks pretty much like anyone would expect, I think. My one criticism is that the face is a little too similar to the Series 4 Artist, especially with the beret they both have. Retro Robot: I don't really know what to make of this one. It's cute enough, but it barely looks like a minifig. Pilgrim: This, on the other hand, I will tout the necessity for at every opportunity. TLG clearly knows Thanksgiving is a thing because they've done at least one small "Thanksgiving dinner" set, so come on, you Danish megacorp...where's our Pilgrim? Motocross Racer: Not my thing. I like the printing on the trophy, though--gussies it up a little. White Chess Pawn: A new concept enters the CMFs! (And now, however many waves later, we're almost done!) The beauty of this one is that everyone who cares would need at least 8 of them. Piñata Suit Guy: This is an odd one. Conceptually, it's...basically pointless. Nobody dresses up like a piñata. It's just not a thing. (Attention wise guys: this is NOT your cue to Google photos of people dressed as piñatas just to prove me wrong.) But...look how happy he is! Look how much fun he's having! It's so weird that I can appreciate the audacity! Or maybe I'm just attracted by the bright colors. Anyway, I like him. Gladiatrix: She is very cool. I always sit up and take notice when someone is daring enough to create a female character with a scarred face, and hers is a doozy. I like the prosthetic, although I don't recognize that blade type...is that historical? And of course that's a great hair piece for a character like this. Jetpack Guy: I think most people who want a Jetpack Man are picturing something more pulp/steampunk-y, like the Rocketeer, but you know who this reminds me of? The Rocket Man who did demos at Disneyland way back in the day. No, I never saw him, he was before my time, but I've seen short video clips. A dude literally put on a jetpack and got some air, in front of a crowd. This guy has more of that aesthetic, and that alone makes him a winner in my eyes. Doll: If we're not going to get a female scarecrow, can we at least have this? What a sweet design, and the antique teddy bear look is quite nice too. Clairvoyant: This guy is terrific. The ornate robe design, the collar with all the different-colored beads/jewels, that fabulous turban ornament, the crystal ball. The way the print on the ball interacts with the color of the plastic creates a nice effect. Butler: He looks like he puts up with a lot from Sir and Madam. Love the hair, love the feather duster, love the nice suit print. Rogue Woman: Yet another great fantasy archetype, and a great design to illustrate it. The slightly ragged edge to the cape is nicely evocative, and I think everyone who builds Castle would want that version of the sack. Ventriloquist: What a fun use for the baby-sized minifig molds! And that checkered suit is rather telltale, isn't it? You might guess his profession even without the dummy. Evil Scarecrow: Now this is where it's at! Probably the one I'd be most excited for out of this entire wave. The printed noose is probably a little too gruesome for LEGO, but overall it's a superb look and I think having jack-o-lanterns in dark orange would raise the profile of Halloween MOCs all by itself. And of course the crow is a sorely needed addition to the LEGO menagerie. Overall: Unfortunately not one of the best. Still more hits than misses.

"Adult" refers to the complexity of the models and in some cases an intent for display over play (e.g. the Botanicals line). Frankly it's fine with me if LEGO remains light-hearted and family-friendly even when it leans into the spooky side. Stranger Things was really pushing it IMO.

You're too hard on yourself. I'd say your design work is great about 90% of the time, even if the figure concept doesn't excite me personally.

Let's see if I can take on Series H before I have to leave for work... Sculptor: A nice addition to the growing collection of artists and other creative types from history. Good reference to the Statue from the last series too—I like that little sense of “continuity” we get sometimes. Pajama Party Girl: TLG pretty much copied this one wholesale. Yes, the hair is different and the pajamas have a different color, but...they invented a stuffed bunny just for the occasion. I guess we can't prove they're camping this thread for ideas, but this one really seems too close for coincidence. Oh well, at least we got a bunny out of it. Usher: I hope he gets paid well at this summer job, having to wear that ridiculous uniform. (Seriously...epaulettes? What is this, a military wedding?) All snark aside, the detailing on the jacket is very nice. The ticket stub is a useful print also. Forest Hermit: It's okay, we all know you mean Friar Tuck (or perhaps St. Francis of Assisi). We all know LEGO will never make such an obviously religious character...and I completely understand their reasons, but when I see ideas like this I think it's kind of a shame. I guess they might get away with it if they called it something with plausible deniability like Forest Hermit, but we'll probably never know. Ocean Soldier: I just want more colors of merfolk tails, a'ight? I like how the design of the helmet mirrors the spear-point; it really tells this guy a) is equipped on behalf of a developed civilization and b) means business. Likewise, the spiral designs on the armor are echoed on the rim of the shield. Good, tight design. Rock n' Roller: Now might be a good time to remark upon LEGO's habit of applying generic labels to what are clearly specific named characters and/or individual historical personages...a tradition which Robert8 has kept up nicely. Maybe this is Elvis or maybe it's “just” an impersonator, but either way you can't come out and say it. But it's not like the Presley estate holds a trademark on the concept of a rhinestoned jumpsuit, metallic cape, and mirrorshades. In any case, this one makes me laugh out loud every time I see the picture, so good job! Farmer Pig: I'll admit I didn't get this one at first. CMFs are archetypes, and an anthropomorphic pig who farms is too random to be an archetype. Then we got the Woodcutter Pig down the line and the lightbulb went on. Now we're just waiting on the Mason Pig and possibly the Windbag Wolf. Good on ya for making the head and hat separate instead of a single molded piece. Sea Life Photographer: Not my favorite idea in itself, but I want that seahorse! If we go with the conspiracy theory that TLG is swiping ideas from this thread, I think we can chalk this up as an influence on the Series 20 Sea Rescuer, since the wetsuits are strikingly similar in design. Imp: A kid wearing a devil costume wasn't too religious for LEGO, but would an actual demon be? That's the $64,000 question. Left up to me, I would say this is fine—this is a fantasy monster, not part of some people's actual faith. But I fear that even if the powers that be agreed, they would consider it redundant to the Cute Little Devil and pass. No fair. Golfer: The argyle sweater-vest, the ugly pants, the tam-o-shanter...yep, this is a golfer all right! Ages ago, before I was a regular on EB, I hoped for a golfer...so we could have a tam-o-shanter, which they gave us much more directly via the Bagpiper. Then when we eventually did get a golfer (Gone Golfin' President Business), he wasn't wearing one. Irony? Either way, I feel like GGPB is another lift, since even his argyle and ugly pants are hauntingly similar. Islander: A natural counterpart to the Island Warrior (whose Tiki mask grows ever more expensive on BL). The new flame piece is a winner for everyone who has ever wanted to depict torches that aren't streaming in the wind or growing to ridiculous heights. Her shield is also a super design, with the impression of painted-over wood grain. But you know what my eyes keep getting drawn to? The ankle bracelet. That's a neat detail. Red Football Player: I think a lot of people would just be glad to get the pigskin. Not including one with the original football player seems like a misstep. Barbershop Singer: I'll take four! This concept is on my wishlist for a super-specific and nerdy reason...but it probably would be anyway as an example of a distinctive performer. Milkmaid: She is super-cute. I don't think there's any debate on that point. I don't know what I'd do with her, MOC-wise, but I need her. Schoolboy: I think I might need him too. Look at him! He's so earnest! I definitely need his diagram of the solar system. Ghost Bride: I think we all need her. This is one of the standard ghost concepts (because of the irony, one presumes), and beyond that it's just a neat design. The tattered veil and ornate tiara suggest all kinds of repurposing, and that hair would be perfect for a raggedy old crone. A+++! Overall: Not every fig in this series knocks it out of the park, but there are a handful of really excellent stand-outs. I find that this one provoked more discussion from me than usual, which probably says something.

I guess my point is that the people packing orders at the warehouse are only human, and many of them are probably fans themselves and know which figs are the popular ones and have access to all the same resources we do for telling them apart.

I don't know about in-person, but I ordered the maximum allowed quantity of 16 off LEGO.com, and wound up with 5 Repair Robots and no Snow Warriors, which seems at least mildly sus, since I know people were excited about the Snow Warrior. I still got everything else I wanted so I'm not too fussed, and I know law of averages and all, but still.

It's early morning, I'm awake but can't do much yet, so let's take a look at Series G! Dragon Suit Guy: I'm a bit fuzzy on the timelines, but I feel like the real one of this came out relatively soon after Robert8 posted this wave, suggesting that it was already in development. The designs are fairly similar, which stands to reason--while artists love to play around with dragon features to create all kinds of looks, there's a perceived "standard," and LEGO tends to deal in archetypes. I think TLG's hood looks just a bit more draconic than Robert8's, but it's hard to tell without being able to compare side views. One thing Robert8's does have going for it is the possibility of two colors. Beauty Spa Girl: Just as I imagine the Homebound Man would be a draw primarily for his attire, I think this gal might hit the same. Imagine doing a Christmas morning MOC with the parents in these fab bathrobes while the children run amok. This is not to say that she's not also a fun concept by herself, and that head wrap towel is terrific, just the right shape. How's she gonna read that magazine with the cucumber slices over her eyes though? Dark Ballerina: Natalie Portman, eat your heart out. Okay but real talk: If you didn't know this was a reference to the villainous role in Swan Lake (or even if you did, like I'm about to do), you could posit a fantasy scenario where ballerinas are actual agents of the forces of good and evil, and this is one of the latter. In any case, that black tiara suggests "evil queen" even more than the Evil Queen's own tiara does, and her torso could be paired with a black skirt for an evening gown with a very daring neckline, so I approve all around. Trojan: Babe wake up a new army-builder just dropped! You know how I am with historical/cultural/mythological figures, and this guy would make a very nice addition to my Greek collection! I love both the shape of the shield and the interesting sunlike design on it. Better keep this guy away from wooden horses though. Monster Boy: Another fairly obvious Halloween costume that we haven't seen for real yet. Also, can I just say I love all the new jack-o-lantern faces you come up with for their buckets? I'd like to have them all so I could line them up, alongside all the ones TLG has made AND all the jack-o-lantern heads that exist, and have a wonderful varied display of pumpkins. Cotton Candy Vendor: I'm pretty sure we got something close to this in one of the Fairground sets--at least we got a guy selling cotton candy (recolored beehives--I think I prefer the unique shape here, as well as the choice of colors), though he didn't have a specialized costume design. The pink stripes and lettering look so circus-y, though I do wonder if the usual suspects would find pink on a male-coded figure off-putting. Curse the bigots of the world for making me think of these things instead of just enjoying this guy for what he is! Coach: Someone's got to wrangle all these athletes, don't they? I liked the whistle when it came with the Referee and I like that Robert8 re-issues it so it doesn't get absurdly expensive on Bricklink. Space Villainess: I'm sure classic LEGO fans will go gaga for the Blacktron logo. Me, I'm more interested in the cool laser blast piece, which I'm sure will go on to be produced in three or four different transparent colors for me to use as magic spell effects at my convenience. The character design now...she looks mean, but I don't think she's in charge of the baddies. She's a lieutenant or something and she's probably going to join the good guys once she sees how noble and selfless they are. Tribal Warrior: We definitely need a wider variety of indigenous North Americans. Is the war paint based on an authentic design (I hope so)? The buffalo headdress with the additional printing is absolutely gorgeous, of course, as is the shield, but I want to call out the colored arrowhead as a particularly nice detail. I don't think I've ever seen red flint before, but it might be jasper. Ring Bearer: The wedding party continues to grow! That pillow can of course be used for presentations of all sorts, and it's always nice to have another tux design. This one could be repurposed for a high school prom scene, with that corsage print. Alien Explorer: See? Told ya we'd get the laser blast in more colors (and no, I didn't specifically remember before scrolling down). But I ask you...why is a mere explorer going so heavily armed? What do they expect to encounter? Samba Dancer: Everything about her is perfect. This may be the most elaborate headgear anyone has ever imagined for a minifigure--not just the shapes of the fruits, but the colors. I imagine a lot of people would re-use it as a table centerpiece. Clock Tower Guy: Some costumes are so obvious that it's amazing TLG hasn't come up with them. And some of them are so non-obvious that they must be right around the corner, because for instance who would have expected anything like the purple crayon girl from The LEGO Movie 2? Come on, LEGO, where's my Clock Tower Guy with his prissy monocle and the nigh-incomprehensible RP British accent you know he must have? Statue: A must, no two ways about it. Every castle and museum and elegant garden needs statues. We need the marble hairdo, we need the detailed goblet, we need GRAPES. Please, LEGO, where are the grapes? Crossfitter: She has been doing this for some time judging by those abs. 30 kg is 66 pounds, and she's been lifting that with each hand and swinging it around? She's a beast! I'm tempted to love her for that reason alone! Alchemist: Another must, at least in my book, and for his accessories as much as for the figure itself. The potion flask! The elemental diagram! The skullcap, which is underrated as headgear for wizards! Even if alchemy itself leaves you cold, this guy makes an awesome wizard. I want him so bad. Overall: (I'm gonna start adding an Overall to these) This wave makes a really strong showing. I think the only one I wouldn't want in any capacity is the Coach.

I can understand them not going for Nefertiti when we already have Cleopatra, which might seem redundant (it's not...they're from two completely different time periods, but most people think of old Egypt as being quite homogenous). But there's no reason not to give the Highland Battler a female counterpart, especially given the historical basis for female Celtic warriors.

Well, get ready for more, because we got Series F up in this <redacted>! Piñata Party Boy: This is not one that I would have expected to get for real, and yet we did! Even the design of the piñata itself is nearly identical. I wish we could have gotten the cool sugar skull t-shirt though, as well as the loop on the back of the pinata for hanging it on a string. Celtic Battler: This is one I would advise tweaking in one small way: make the hair dark orange. That way she can be Boudicca, the queen of the Iceni tribe who actually scared the poop out of the Romans. Other than that, she's pretty perfect—the woad, the dark brown tartan, the knotwork shield. *chef's kiss* Android Woman: Shouldn't she actually be called a Gynoid then? She's cute, if a bit stereotypically feminine with the pink and the teddy bear. I like that she came first and the male counterpart isn't until several series later. Lacrosse Player: I personally have no use for the athlete figures, but I bet players and fans of lacrosse would be giddy over this. It's an oft-overlooked sport. Evil Genie: We're overdue this one, I think. There has to be someone around to deliberate interpret wishes in the nastiest way possible and have an excuse for hurting people. The color scheme is rather obvious, but I like the way the gold print looks against the red. Homebound Man: Poor guy. That looks like measles, which is an absolute bummer of an illness. I think the most appeal comes from the bathrobe-and-bear-slippers outfit. Everyone's gonna want those for Dad in their suburban home scene. Hat Maker: Would LEGO want to step on Disney's toes with their own take on Wonderland? Hmmm... Everyone knows what the Mad Hatter looks like thanks to Tenniel, but I like the loud colored patterns on his outfit and the playing card motif of the china, which ties into another aspect of Wonderland we'll see some of later. Spooky Knight: We actually got one of these, but as usual, Robert8's is better. The fade effect on the facial features gives a great impression of a skull lit from within by an eldritch glow, and the tattered appearance of the tabard and shield adds to the overall presence. This is clearly some sort of phantasm summoned to protect a necromancer's stronghold. Police Officer: Hang on...is that the Jewel Thief from Series 15 in the mugshot? HA! I'm not a fan of cops as a rule but I kinda dig the utility belt. Equestrienne: Very prim, very smart, very archetypal. Given she's made entirely out of existing molds as-is...what if you had designed a new legs piece with that distinctive jodhpurs shape? Trying too hard? Cartoon: I expect him to start flailing his arms like rubber hoses. All the bonus faces are terrific. Early cartoons have an element of mime to them even after the advent of sound, because the entire point at that stage of animation history was the spectacle of moving drawings. Winter Sprite: Gimme. No, you don't understand—gimme. TLG, what is wrong with you that we don't have a Jack Frost minifig yet? You give us a new Santa like every other year now. City Mayor: I saw a joke on Tumblr that said something like “All city mayors should have to wear a big top hat and a sash that says MAYOR whenever they appear in public” and it looks like this guy took that advice to heart. He definitely has a Southern accent even if the city he's mayor of is in Wisconsin. Egyptian Empress: Utterly gorgeous. Whatever else you might say about her, Nefertiti certainly had a look. Love the detailing on the pectoral. Minstrel: We have the Troubadour now, but he's not quite as stylish as this guy. Maybe it's the cape, maybe it's the soft cap over the pageboy hair, maybe it's the specific detailing on the lute. Still glad LEGO finally got on the ball with the concept. Lion Suit Guy: He looks worried. Is this really a costume or do we need to call Animal Control before someone else gets eaten? A lion costume is comfortably obvious, and they could even re-use the headpiece from that one Luna Lovegood figure if they wanted. Come on, TLG, the animal costumes are fun.

Did someone ask for a Series E review? Not specifically, no, but here we go! @Robert8 himself thinks Series D was a bit of a downer (D for Downer? Hey, should I be assigning descriptive names to these things?), but E is a clear bounce-back. Dog Groomer: The CMF line eventually gave us a Dog Sitter and a Dog Show Winner, but this is distinct enough, The point of such figures is obviously the dogs anyway, and the poodle here is superb. (Fun fact: Poodles have a reputation as prissy useless show dogs, but it's actually a hunting breed specializing in waterfowl retrieval! The curly coat does not snag easily on brush, and the infamous "poodle cut" is a way of reducing the tangle potential further while still keeping the dog's core and joints protected from chill.) Ming Dynasty Warrior: I'm surprised it took until Series 19 for TLG to give us an unambiguous Chinese cultural character (the Monkey King). The detailing on this one is lovely, with the lamellar armor and dragons-and-clouds brocade on the layers underneath. Strong cheekbone game too. Ghost Boy: We're back in "duh" territory with this one. Come on, LEGO, it's the most classic Halloween costume of all, and it would only require shortening the existing ghost shroud! Gingerbread Woman: This one we did eventually get, albeit not as a CMF, and--get ready for a shocker here--I prefer Robert's design. The hairstyle as part of the head is a more dedicated design than the simple printed bow, and yet the feminine coding is less exaggerated--no pink cookie filling or unnecessary skirt. Accountant: Not exciting in himself, but City couldn't run without him, could it? I feel like I'm missing a joke with the number on his calculator. Birthday Party Clown: Love the balloon piece, even if it's not suited to be anything other than a balloon. There is an existing minifig ID'ed as a "Birthday Clown," but it's just a recolor of the Series 1 Circus Clown, making this one more interesting by default. Alien Leader: There's a lot to love about this one, from the brainy head to the optical-illusion design of the robe to the nifty staff design. It would be even cooler if the Technic ball were trans-black with the galaxy design suspended inside it, but I don't know if LEGO manufacturing processes are up to that challenge. Yet. Dino Researcher: We have a Dino Hunter, so why not a more academically-minded counterpart? (Jurassic Park/World aside, I kind of love how in the LEGO world there are just...leftover dinosaurs around.) The egg print reminds me of the most famous video game dinosaur of all, Yoshi--deliberate? Pixie: Uh oh, hang on a second while I turn my clothes inside-out...whew! That face is all mischief, with the beady upturned eyes and one little fang. It's a nicely androgynous design--winged fairies are so often heavily female-coded that I think we tend to forget other options exist. The all-over greenish coloring says "nature sprite" loud and clear. Castaway: One of these did turn up in the actual CMFs down the line, right down to the message-in-a-bottle accessory...but unusually for me, I think TLG did the right thing with the hermit crab instead of a new color of monkey. It's a cute critter and gives more of an impression of just being there on the beach while he waits for rescue. The monkey implies that...he tamed a monkey at some point, and I would think he'd have more pressing concerns. The figure itself, however, is a nicely evocative design. This guy has been through it, all right. Sprinter: And now to make up for that out-of-character assessment, I will compare this guy to the just-released Wheelchair Racer and declare the Sprinter the definite winner...and not just because he can, you know, sprint! The prosthetic leg creates a much more interesting figure than one sitting in a wheelchair, which is just...you know...a minifig. Not that I fault TLG in the slightest--any sort of disabled athletic is terrific representation--but from a design standpoint, they should switch medals. Caroler: I can't remember if this wave predates the re-release of the Winter Toy Shop with its redesigned caroling duo, but whatever, this one still looks more Christmasy with the dark red and green woolen tartan and the Victorian-style bonnet. Is she soprano or alto? Peasant: Let's be honest, it's all about the new color of chicken, isn't it? Those of us who enjoy creating medieval scenes probably have no shortage of peasants from the various Castle themes, but dark orange chicken. Sneaky Guy: No lie, Robert8, this is one of my favorite minifig concepts you have ever presented. The extra-long torso with the short legs, the eye picking out from the middle of the trench coat, the huge mustache over an obviously youthful face...and then the name "Sneaky Guy" to pretend it's not blatantly obvious what is going on here. Out of all your City figures, this is the one I feel like we need. It's too funny. Go-Karter: I like the use of the roller skate as a trophy, that's clever. Nothing else to say, unfortunately. Space Soldier: I collect the sci-fi characters but I'm not into them the way I am into the more fantastic ones. I like the colors here though--black with bright pale blue, very good spacey vibes. The backwards printing for the HUD is a good touch, nice attention to detail there.

I've heard Jurassic Park described as survival horror, but I think the label mainly applies to the first movie. The longer the franchise goes on, the more it moves to being purely action-adventure, because no one wants to hate the dinosaurs. This strikes me a tough market for TLG to break into, because existing horror or kiddie/lite horror works don't tend to include many iconic vehicles, which are the kinds of models LEGO thrives on. Most horror stories revolve around a specific active threat which is generally a recognizable character (a monster or killer), or else a structure such as a haunted house or demonically corrupted cathedral. Scooby-Doo worked because secret doors and passages, hidden traps, and similar are a staple of the series which are also easy to turn into play features. Ghostbusters worked because the icon of the franchise is the Ecto-1. It seems it's actually easier for them to do horror as an original theme because then they can make up vehicles and other playable constructions out of whole cloth.

Eeeeyyyyyyyy. *finger guns*

Also on the official side, there's the Faun (could be Pan or a Satyr), Cyclops, Minotaur, Medusa, and an Amazon (Warrior Woman). I would love to see a Classical Mythology series. Dionysus would be a really fun design, as would Hera with her peacock feather fan, Demeter with her cornucopia...it's such a wealth of culturally ingrained icons.

On to Series D! Retro Party Girl: It's like middle school is staring me in the face. Are the 80s considered “historical” yet? American Girl seems to think so, so I'm gonna go with yes. Baker: This one is worth it for the new bread loaf alone. LEGO is pretty good at giving us different categories of food, but often only one or two molds within each category, which can make the scenes a little monotonous. Masked Hero: Zorro, Zorro, Zorro, the fox so cunning and free! Zorro, Zorro, Zorro, he makes the sign of the Z! Beyond the excellent depiction of a classic action hero, almost every part of this figure is bursting with potential. Parrot Guy: The eyepatch takes this design from good to great. Because that means this isn't just some guy dressed as a parrot. This is a pirate dressed as his own animal sidekick, which is hilarious. A+ concept. Berserker: Not 100% certain about the knotwork design on his belt buckle, which looks more Celtic than Norse to me. Still a good solid concept. We have a few Vikings among the CMF series; why not let one of them cut loose? Porridge Eater: Besides the reference to a standard children's fable, that Shirley Temple hair is to die for. (Hey, I just realized we haven't seen any of the bears yet, and only two waves to go!) Galactic Explorer: So the Galactic Traveler doesn't get lonely, of course. Red is an unconventional choice for “female counterpart to existing male archetype) and I approve. Toy Army Man: There's something...recursive about this one, isn't there? A small toy figure representing...a small toy figure. (At least he doesn't have his own olive drab microfigure, that would just be silly.) Dwarf King: The elaboration of the winged dwarf helmet into a more crownlike shape is a nice touch. Other than that, not much for me to say—you already know I'll snap up any fantasy minifig. Cheerleader Guy: Okay, I'll bite: What is the M a reference to? My favorite part of this one is the face paint. Makes me wonder a little why TLG doesn't market a whole range of “Spirit Week” minfigs with different color combos and capture that valuable TFOL/school booster market segment—wait, am I hearing myself right now? Grim Reaper: Definitely on my wishlist and one of the ones whose nonexistence still baffles me. I mean, it's pretty easy to build your own, but they never look quite right. I think it's the skull. This one has just the right vibe—somber, but not threatening. Toddler: We've got babies and grade-schoolers; we need the middle stage. Sandboarder: I'm reminded that these earlier waves were going for more of a “minifigs TLG might hypothetically actually produce” whereas the later ones seem to focus more on concepts and archetypes this forum craves. So you have to expect at least a couple that provoke a “meh” reaction. I don't imagine us being too excited about a sandboarder if it were real. He doesn't even have any new molds. Lawyer: Prosecutor or defender? I need to know whether I can trust her. All politics aside, the law book is a nice addition to the LEGO library. Virtual Reality Gamer: I'm kinda curious to know what he looks like under the goggles. He's obviously having a grand old time. Come up with a minifig playing an AR game on their phone and we could have a real “gamers' club” going. Ice Cream Girl: Another one that seems like a no-brainer, at least in the context of all the other good costumes. The cake slice guy being added to BAM is kinda close...

It has been...a day. I know what will help me relax: writing a very belated review of Series C! Banker: I especially like that he's clearly a period banker rather than a contemporary one. The vest and bowler hat say 19th Century, and the bolo tie specifically says Old West. Evil Queen: A must for any fairy-tale collection. The brocade pattern on the front panels of her gown is exquisite! On another note, while that's clearly a poisoned apple she's got, I don't think we have enough information to definitively ID her as the evil queen from “Snow White.” Poisoned apples are in vogue, dontcha know. Green Boxer: I mean...the Red Boxer needs someone to box. Bearded Woman: Another for the circus! This is one glamorous karyotypically atypical lady! (But why do I feel like most collectors would “shave” her and just have a glamorous lady?) Hipster: While I'm not a huge fan of plain City characters, I do tend to gravitate toward the ones who are just doing their thing more than the ones that are doing their, you know, jobs. This one amuses me. He's so perfectly designed. We've all seen this guy. Country Music Singer: Don't be coy, we all know this is Johnny Cash. Not that there is anything wrong with that, goodness no. I'd be proud to have him in my “entertainers” sub-collection. Dragon Trainer: This is just a cool design in general. That scar tells a story. A new color of the baby dragon is just a bonus. That scaly egg could pull double-duty as a Faberge creation. Crime Scene Investigator: The printed tile is what defines this character—the cleansuit and magnifying glass could fit in numerous contexts, from a medical lab to a document preservation facility. Emperor: Thank you for not giving him short legs. Honestly. (That's a huge historical misconception.) His uniform is very striking with the navy blue and red juxtaposed with the white. I think the printed bicorne is the real prize here though. Ladybug Girl: Another one that eventually became a reality, although for some reason TLG decided to polka-dot the torso itself. Other than that bit of weirdness, they're pretty evenly matched as far as cuteness goes...the official one has the red-spotted cheeks, but this one is a literal child. Hmmm... Sensei: Well, someone must be training all those Karate Champions and Kendo Fighters, yes? I have no criticisms of this design, but it occurs to me that it would be cool to have an alternate “kneeling” skirt piece! Kayaker: We kind of got this one too, not as a CMF but in the Outdoor Fun People Pack. I think this kayak paddle is more accurate though. Moon Goddess: GIMME. Artemis was always one of my favorite Olympians. Tambourine Player: That's a very...diplomatic name you've given him. Can we, uh, pretend he's also with the circus? Or maybe an unusually stylish pirate? Because oof. Cool design, and I obviously want the tambourine, but still oof. Ski Patrol: A bit ho-hum for me personally, but I certainly imagine people who MOC their winter villages would like to have her. Toymaker: Now this guy is where it's at when it comes to fleshing out a Winter Village! (Literally why didn't the Winter Village Toy Shop come with a more interesting toymaker minifigure?) I can see people collecting him just to have a toy soldier micro-army.

I caved and ordered 16 from lego.com on Saturday morning. Not my proudest moment, really.

I didn't remember the Series 20 Hiphop Girl (surprise surprise), so I went looking on Bricklink where she is apparently listed as Breakdancer. Not quite the same concept, but maybe close enough. I still like @Robert8's design better. You are correct--he puts a lot more interesting personality and design elements into his City figs than the official ones, even if plain City doesn't appeal to everyone much.

Incoming review of Series B! Archer: The crossbow and apple make this guy a clear reference to William Tell (cue the Rossini!), but the beauty of it is that you don't need to be familiar with that story to make sense of the concept. You get a nice new medieval costume either way. Holiday Elf Girl: Another one we did eventually get, albeit through the BAM towers rather than in a wave. I like the braids; I wish TLG had done something like that instead of just the pink recolor of the hat. The Dear Santa letter is another nice touch. Rodeo Clown: This is a good example of a character who is designed for a specific role but could also fill a slightly more general one. If you didn't know he was a rodeo clown, would you be able to tell that he wasn't just a regular circus clown with a specialty act? The hat and lasso are clues (the colored rags are stronger clues, but might be more obscure to most folks) but not exactly diagnostic. Droid: Not a whole lot to say about this one. The snap-on arm cannons are a nifty detail. Cinephile: That head would be a must for anyone doing 1950s City scenes! The popcorn and striped drink cup are also highly useful. Paranormal Investigator: I mean...I can tell this is Fox Mulder (and I never even watched The X-Files), but the printed tile is what really makes the character. The suit and trench would work for a more normal detective as well. Aztec Princess: You know me, I love the historical/cultural minfigs. Her headdress is really something special; it's almost a shame it's part of the hair. Lake Fisherman: The new fish mold alone would be enough of a reason to go for this one. The lure printing on the vest and bucket hat is very nice. Mardi Gras King: Mardi Gras is such a picturesque holiday, isn't it? Those colors! The crown and scepter are major draws here, but overall, all this guy needs to be a fancypants Renaissance king is a different head. Definitely a winner! Gondolier: I want him for the hat. We all need straw boaters in our lives. (Granted, I also want him for the cultural aspect.) Rapper Girl: This is a bit too much “modern City” to really appeal to me, but I like the purple. Mythological Hero: This one would be a chaser for sure, for people wanting to build another Spartan army. I love the Medusa shield myself. Cannonball Man: A vital addition to any circus theme! (Though sad to say, TLG would probably just reuse the existing standard helmet.) Teacher: Not just a teacher, but a math teacher, like my mom (now retired)! How could I resist? Referee: Again, not into the sports theme, but I appreciate that the whistle is a separate piece instead of a print. That's got some potential for re-use. Scarecrow Lady: A definite for my wishlist—why hasn't TLG made one yet? Thank you for not giving her an hourglass figure or stitched lipstick.

A red leprechaun would not be very in tune with St.Patrick's Day. An orange leprechaun, on the other hand...

Bringing this one back now that it's a new year again. It's a bit early for spring, but since I completely missed it last year, I'll just jump right in. Mardi Gras: Uh...anything really, since to the best of my knowledge TLG has never acknowledged this holiday. Maybe it's because the iconic imagery is actually specific to just New Orleans? Still, it is delightful imagery that could easily be repurposed in Renaissance-style MOCs. Minifigs: Our own @Robert8 has, as usual, given us some super designs for a Mardi Gras King and Queen, but I wouldn't say no to some common revelers as well. The purple/gold/green masks and metallic beads are all you really need to indicate that a minifig is celebrating Mardi Gras as opposed to any other raucous festival. The beads would be the most practical as a torso print, but it would also be nice to have a neckwear accessory in a variety of colors. Animals: Mardi Gras doesn't really have representative animals, unless you count alligators, which are a) emblematic of New Orleans in general and b) plentiful in LEGO already. Crayfish might also count, but the existing lobster is a good stand-in. Food: While not as essential as some of the other suggestions in this thread, representations of Cajun cuisine would be nice for embellishing a LEGO kitchen. Maybe a round tile with a jambalaya print, or a cocktail shrimp that minifigs could hold? St. Patrick's Day: Imported to the U.S. by Irish immigrants and by all accounts a bigger deal in the U.S. than Ireland these days. It still has a lot of fun imagery though. Minifigs: We have a Leprechaun, so how about a lady leprechaun to go with him? Not at all accurate to the folklore, but a fun concept. St. Patrick himself is definitely too steeped in religion for TLG, but some of the skirt pieces lend themselves very well to Irish step-dancing performers. Animals: The most-often mentioned miracle of St. Patrick's is "driving the snakes out of Ireland." This might be an opportunity to update the design of the classic LEGO snake. Food: Reiterating the call for the potato here. Other: We've been good; we deserve a shamrock. In both 3-leaved and 4-leaved varieties, for preference. Easter: We actually have some content for this one, but a few key things are missing. Minifigs: With all the bunny-costumed minifigs in existence, there's no actual anthropomorphic Easter Bunny. Seems like a pretty big oversight. Animals: While Easter is one of the contexts where a white bunny works, we all still want more colors, right? Lambs, ducks, and chicks would also be appropriate. Food: The palette of colors for the egg piece is strangely limited considering it's been featured in Easter models before. We need pink, yellow, and lime eggs, as well as a variety of patterns. A cooked ham would also be a great addition to the food collection. And might I suggest a chocolate bunny? Other: Baskets with a big arched handle (and maybe a pinhole for attaching a Friends-style bow). A new flower piece that could be either a daffodil (yellow) or lily (white). A two-part hollow egg big enough to hold, say, a round tile with a candy print.

Okay, who's ready to GO BACK IN TIME with me as I review all the previous series (probably with the exceptions of the Christmas and Halloween calendars, since I reacted to those as they came out)? Starting with Series A! Gymnast: A solid start for all its simplicity. The “athlete” figures generally aren't my favorite, but her outfit could be repurposed for slightly more fantastical characters, and the hoop mold would be a good one to have. Town Crier: On the other hand, I generally love the historical minifigs! This guy would work equally well in an 18th-Century period MOC or an Independence Day celebration. The buckles on the toes are a nice touch, and of course the handbell is superbly useful. Crossing Guard: Everyone would want the STOP sign for their City street signs, for sure. The color of the vest is fairly impressive—even knowing that it's ordinary lime green, my eyes won't stop seeing it as neon yellow because of the context. Harpist: This one is all about the harp itself, but the figure is also quite nice as an elegantly but not elaborately dressed woman. Galactic Traveler: The head molded inside the “glass” helmet is a neat idea, but it's not very re-usable. Still, if you don't feel the need to re-use it it's got a fun “Raygun Gothic” aesthetic, and a throwback to Classic Space is always welcome in the AFOL community. Southern Businessman: I hate this guy. Not the figure, which is perfect for the archetype. I hate this character. You just know he's a villain—he probably made his money from having orphans labor on his tobacco plantation—but if you confront him about it he'll turn it around on you and make you the offender for having been so impolite as to accuse him, a solid citizen of the Great State of Alabama or wherever. What a bastard. Mime Girl: To go with the existing Mime, of course. They make a cute couple. Her hat + hair would look equally good on a beatnik or mid-century fashionista. Troll: This must be a nursery-rhyme troll rather than an epic-fantasy troll, which tend to be much larger. Lifesaver Guy: He certainly fulfills one of my wishes, which is: more swimwear options. The pool float is also a fun piece. Puppeteer: What a look! We know he's just playing a role for the puppet show/pantomime, but sans puppets he's an archetypal Snidely Whiplash vaudeville baddie, which is something we can all love. Skydiver Girl: I'm not into most of the City figures as a rule, but I can certainly see re-using her face for a science lab scene where the experiment has Gone Horribly Wrong, so there's that. Architect: Her briefcase is the most attractive element for me, though it would be interesting to get a bunch of alternative blueprints. Giraffe Suit Guy: This one is obviously a good idea since LEGO actually made one! I know some people are tired of the animal costumes but I say bring 'em on! This one in particular...what's he doing? I know—he's walking up and down in front of the zoo doing goofy antics to entertain people in the ticket line! Organ Grinder: I think most people would chase this one for the classic monkey, but I like the old-timey costume and detailed printing on the organ. Piper: Another gorgeous period costume, and of course we always need more musical instruments for our minifigs to play. Oh, and it's a fairy-tale character, so you know I'm on board! Robotics Engineer: Lookit the cute little robot! Forget the guy, I'm here for the robot!