Doctor Sinister

Thanks Ralph. James, are your posters based on anything specifically? The Tabletown ones are usually based on one (sometimes two) specific posters of WWII vintage - you'll find that a lot of those types of image generally depict ultra-heroic or patriotic soldiers off to war, and that's what I try to replicate. Shooting minifigs or vehicles from below is a good (albeit tricky) way to give them a larger than life status as it gives the reader the impression that they must try to literally "look up" to the example in the poster, and emulate the hero. Also, the Tabletown images are often multi-layered with judicious use of Photoshop to merge images together and sometimes processing to get interesting effects - those are just a few tips you might (or might not) want to adopt although I stress I'm not an expert. Ralph is correct - my posters are very much tongue-in-cheek - they are deliberately OTT pastiches of the real thing, boosting the ego of LEGO Doctor Sinister in his quest to wage war. However when you compare the apparently heroic activities of the men in the posters with the men in Grunts, it soon becomes apparent what the truth is...which is why it's fun to put a poster in a Grunts episode every now and then to make the contrast. Dr. S.

An apparent loophole in new Tabletown Government legislation allows commercial premises to operate lethal defensive robots to defend shops, stores, warehouses and offices. Needless to say, the Mayor's own corporation is in on the act in supplying these lethal droids. See your local stockist for details of the DER-004A Defensive Enforcement Robot program - you know it makes sense. Full set of images and details. Dr. S.

Pass. Dr. S.

Dunno - it's not an "official" licence of course, merely an extrapolation of a 20+ year old comic strip. Dr. S.

Further to reports of a Skeletoid attack on a nearby continent, we present more exclusive pictures from Tabletown News - as received from a broadcast apparently emanating from near space. * * * Skeletoid units rely on humanoid organisms to function...unfortunately the organic component doesn't last forever... This Skeletoid is effectively "dead" - although the suit still functions, it requires the brain of a humanoid to process data. However although the environment suits that form the external Skeletoid machine were designed to keep humanoids alive, it requires that the humanoid inside take regular sustenance - and Skeletoids do not feed. In order to maintain the numbers of their combat units, Skeletoids routinely raid other planets to "harvest" new humanoids to place into their cybernetic suits. Here, a captured human from Earth is escorted to a conversion chamber on board a Skeletoid warship. As he realises what is to happen to him, the human cries out in fear, but it is useless to resist. The armed guard and the Skeletoid surgeons surrounding the operating table are enough to prevent his escape. The Skeletoid surgeons begin by removing the dead humanoid from the Skeletoid suit. The bones are discarded on the floor with others from recent conversion operations - Skeletoids have no use for such waste. The now empty Skeletoid suit is forced onto the human - he screams in agony as the suit clamps itself around him, inserting metal prongs into his skin, re-routing itself around his nervous system, taking control of his bodily functions. The stench of the previous incumbent of the suit fills the human's nose, overwhelming his senses, making him gag, but he cannot move. The suit is already in control. As more suit components are added, the human's sense of self slowly disappears, his brain is flooded with chemicals to prevent dissent, the suit feels its way around its new body, revelling in the freedom that has been restored to its function. The final step is the addition of the backpack which contains communications devices for contacting Skeletoid control and chemical storage units which will preserve the human inside so it lasts as long as possible - a slave to the Skeletoid forces who are free to use this unit as they will. The human's face is contorted in a rictus of fear, but that is merely the vestige of his last emotion as a free man, his brain is already dulled by the chemicals coursing through his veins. The surgeons test the backpack and see that all is well. Deep within the human's mind, what is left of his personality realises what has happened to him, but unable to access his nervous system, he finds his body responding to impulses that are not his own. His mind is trapped in a body that is no longer his! Helmet in place, the terrified human finds his body rising. A gun is forced into his hand. He wants so much to use the gun to destroy the Skeletoids around him, but he cannot, for his hands are not his own, the gun will only do what the suit demands. His body is merely a tool for the suit to use and abuse. The pain is absolute as muscles are forced into work that they were never designed for, the needles poking into his brain and body are agonising, but the suit cares not, for it is finally a complete Skeletoid once again! Over time, the body will decay, starved of food, nourishment or even water - preserved only by the embalming chemicals pumped from the backpack. The human body within, forced to work 24 hours a day, every day, forced to bear loads it was not designed for, forced to run at speeds it cannot sustain, eventually tears itself apart inside and slowly decays. The human may take up to ten years to die in absolute agony as the suit continues to operate, to use the brain as a central processor. After a few years, with the blackened skin stretched over the shattered bones, the Skeletoid will look like this and one day, a new humanoid body will be needed to fill this suit. One in an endless line of corpses animating a suit designed to protect its owner... The "Harvest" is complete. The warship is in space once again. The bones have been dumped out of a nearby airlock and the conversion chamber awaits another victim on another world... Note to readers - the Skeletoids originally appeared in episodes of the Doctor Who Monthly comic strip around 1986. No copyright infringement intended - I just thought it was too cool an idea to waste! Dr. S.

I thought it was time I used Ed's "Dragon" plane again, and I recalled these brilliant (allegedly true) "Aviation funnies" which purported to be written exchanges between flight crews and their ground engineer counterparts. So there may be more of these to come... Dr. S.

Well, I had a major LEGO blowout today... OK, so I decided, on a whim, to leave work early today and drive to Bluewater which is a MASSIVE shopping centre near London…and where there is a LEGO store! I get 10% off all purchases because I am a member of the Brickish Association…and so with credit card in hand, here is my story! Dr. S.

Take heart...2 years ago Tabletown was UTTERLY destroyed by my builder...and yet it was reborn, even greater than before - with proper healthcare and everything. It can happen to Foggyville too. Dr. S.

Thank you one and all! As I look out of the window into the darkness of the early day, I can already see the military preparing for the massed parade in the morning, planes will be flying over, the Navy will be firing a salute and this year, we will be nuking a small island as a climax to the fireworks display - it will be magnificent! For now, I am off to bed to dream of glory and conquest! Dr. S.

Happy Leader Day to me! Happy Leader Day to me! Happy Leader Day Doctor Sinister! Happy Leader Day to me! Yes, it's Leader Day - AKA My Birthday. Tributes to the usual address please - no skimping on the cash. Thanks. Dr. S.

Interestingly enough, this is not the first time this has happened to me. I know...it's a shock. But if you put yourself out there as Emperor Eternal, you just have to accept that someone will have a pop at some time. In fact, it was only a couple of months ago, whilst the cream of the Tabletown Army assembled at LEGOLand Windsor for a display, that a Portugese gentleman declared war on me there and then - and I think we might even be wargaming at a future event. A war would be interesting...although my Grunts are already fighting on one front, we can easily handle another fight. Enemies of Tabletown need only know this...as I check the inventory of my local friendly Bricklink supplier who lives just three streets away, I see that he has enough minifig parts for me to instantly create an army of over 1,000 Tabletown Army troops to throw into the fray. Remember, I'm totally insane - don't think I won't do it! Oh, as for allegations of corruption, I think you'll find that my administration has always been 100% open on the public money we embezzle - you can inspect the books at any time. Yes I am building a palace made of golden LEGO bricks on the outskirts of Tabletown. What of it? It's not corruption if I admit it. Such has always been my philosophy. Ralph, happy to take you up on that cuppa any time. Dr. S.

I'm not sure which of us is slipping further into insanity...me or him. Dr. S.

Hmmm...it seems a call to arms is needed! Time to wheel out the propaganda posters, including this brand new one: Dr. S.

They were SO nearly green...I just couldn't get the parts I needed in that colour. I think they look better this way. The green flag was a must of course. I know the top looks busy, but it's all there for a practical reason, so it has to be. Dr. S. is indeed in the pix if you follow the links. Yes, they were partially inspired by PT boats or WWII MTBs. Grunts will be returning very soon with episode 42 - possibly even later today. Dr. S.

Yeah, I read this book a couple of years ago, it's quite sad in places, very well written though. Dr. S.

The Courageous Class Patrol Vessel is a high-speed attack craft designed to engage and destroy or cripple enemy capital ships and defend the shores of Tabletown. It's secondary roles include coastguard duties, anti-piracy, and tracking down drug dealers and smugglers. Linkies: Page 1 - General profile. Page 2 - Weapons and features. Page 3 - More features and general information. Page 4 - Internal details. Bonus feature - Tabletown Naval uniforms. Sample images: Dr. S.

I know, but I am a sucker for anything with the brand on it. Dr. S.

Having now sifted through the whole lot, I am the proud owner of: * My first ever Fabuland element! A large blue house with yellow windows...Alice can have that. * My first ever Bionicle pieces! Shed-loads of them in fact...much weirdness there. * What looks to be a complete football pitch - the type with the flicky springy doodads for the players. * Lots of Technic bits and pieces. * Some kind of white module thingy with buttons on it - don't know what the heck it is, it's similar to the one I got out of the first Star Wars Mindstorms kit but this one has no motor output - just some lights? More weirdness...I would put some batteries in it but it might be a trap... * A small 4x4x3 motor (?) in a trans-clear box complete with a connection at the top for a cable link. * A pirate-style shooty cannon - that's cool, one of my two pirate ships can have that. * Set 1349 - 100% complete - yes, even the camera is there, and it works brilliantly, plus the software CD, baseplates, car, dinosaur - it's all there. The minifigs look like they've been tortured though... :-D * Several hundred seemingly random LEGO elements, clearly from sets, there are Harry Potter bits in there, a few dislocated Star Wars pieces, some very old printed LEGO bricks, a couple of meteorites (?), various odds and sods - a few interesting pieces but that's about it. Oh, and... * Four CLONE bricks of indeterminate origin - but they feel a bit like they might be from an old Cobi "Blockmen" set. I swear, I only know this as someone once bought me a set. No really. OK, dammit, you're too good for me, so I once bought one of those sets myself - I was experimenting, confused. But it meant nothing! NOTHING! No...don't leave me! It won't happen again! Dr. S.

OK, but if you open the box, strange whirling ghosties and spirits will come out and melt you before slamming the lid shut again. Dr. S.

Yes, the camera is there, AND the CD with the software! Dr. S.

I got into work this morning to find a massive box of LEGO sitting there. I haven't gone through it yet but just based on the stuff sitting on top it appears to at least contain copies of sets 1349 and 4094 and a load of football stuff, plus a load of other bits and bobs. All in pretty good condition. Despite my insistence to the lady who left it for me, she doesn't want anything for it - but at the very least I will buy her a bottle of her favourite tipple as a thank-you. Dr. S.

Great model - beautiful write-up! You seem to know Doctor Sinister so well! Brilliant stuff. FYI, I spent some hours modifying the ammunition loading carriage for the train tonight, and it now has a 7th carriage, a second ammo' carriage to store the extra rounds. I'll post pix tomorrow but the whole train is about 6 feet long now - and the new loading mechanism is very cool, even if I say so myself! Dr. S.

My daughter insisted I make this so I present to you "Aladdin and the Lamp". In which Aladdin rubs the lamp, erm, teapot, and is granted three wishes... More images... Dr. S.

Beautiful graphics chaps! Dr. S.

Bravo sir! Funny as heck and GREAT choices of music to accompany the film. No, it wasn't perfect but I enjoyed it. Dr. S.