Zarkan

The thing that upsets me most about this wave is not that it is fire and police again, but that by and large these sets show almost no innovation whatsoever. The fire trucks are literally a cut and paste from the 2010 Fire wave, and the new fire station is pretty much an upscaled (and arguably worse) version of the previous one. And worse, the only geniuinely new concepts (flaming structures for firemen to put out, a museum robbery) have been completely squandered with undersized, unappealing designs. This latest wave is, simply put, not up to present TLG standards at all, including the standards set by the highly original City 2012 offerings.

Well, since the Glatorian were some of my favorite Bionicle sets ever, I had the exact opposite reaction. I've got to say, I'm glad to see TLC is actually digging into their past and giving these new villians an elemental flavor. Bruiser and Ogrum especially are brilliant representations of the Rock and Jungle elements, and Pyrox sure gives me a fire demon vibe. And then, there's Scarox, the only villian who actually fits the apparent alien theme. He's definitely the plainest of the four, though that face is absolute win, and I'm glad to see another non-humanoid set. The heroes are less impressive IMO, mainly because they don't cover any new ground and are loaded down with way too much silver. Look, I was okay with that in Bionicle, but it was getting tiresome by 2008, and I'm disappointed to see Hero Factory returing to such a worn-out color scheme. On the plus side, Furno XL, who barely even qualifies as a TItan set, is nevetheless looking pretty... hot. Love that new shield and sword, and the chest armor is pretty kicking too. Overall, it looks like Hero Factory still has life life in it, and I'm looking foward to seeing what the summer brings. One final note: were any of you expecting brown to make a return? Because that was about the last thing I would have thought this wave would introduce.

I'm sad about it too. I was rather impressed with the initial offerings, and the line has so much potential to expand. More importantly, if the line truly isn't continuing, its another instance of TLC failing to establish a sucessful constraction figure line centered around something other than robots. If the rumors about Legends of Chima having constraction figures are true, I question whether they will any more success than with previous lines.

I think what some people are not realizing (including, initially, me) is that as far as the Lego Superheroes line is concerned, conventions seem to be a clearinghouse for figures that will almost certainly never be released in official sets. This is because for the most part TLC does not appear to be interested in taking full advantage of the vast universes they have licensed, and instead seems content to release Lego Batman: Generation 2 and Lego "Whatever comic book movies will be popular with kids this year." The reason we haven't gotten a Green Lantern set, for example, is because the movie bombed with Lego's target audience, and thus TLC probably assumes that it's not worth making a kit based on either it or the current animated TV series (which has only 3 million or so viewers). In contrast, the Spiderman reboot was a hit, and though the Ultimate Spiderman series is tanking in the ratings, TLC probably assumes anything with Spiderman's name on it will attract the combined audiences of both the film and the show. And as for characters who don't have movies at all.... well, its pretty easy to see why Bizarro and Shazam were relegated to the conventions.

All of this may be true. BUT... it still doesn't justify why TLC can't even keep the colors consistent between two batches of the exact same part. Back a decade ago, you could be pretty much certain that every red two by two brick would match. Nowdays, you can't even be certain of that.

Well, you're incorect about my assumption, because personally, the Chineese-made lego parts don't look any poorer in quality to me than those produced in other countries. And for the record, I don't buy that TLC is unable to fix the color problem. I'm sure they could if they wanted to, but in order to cut down on costs, they've chosen production methods and materials that are not nearly as stable as what they used a decade ago.

Alright, I am officially confused. We know of at least two possible 2013 themes that could potentially replace Ninjago: TMNT and Legends of Chima. Both have enough rumors attached to them that they seem plausible. And yet, we not only have gotten confimination from TLC that Ninjago would get another wave, but we've seen what is clearly a finalized stone warrior figure. How can all of these themes exist at the same time? Is is possible TLC has pulled another Alien Conquest and canceled an entire wave in order to make room for all the new stuff they're craming into Winter 2013? Or are we missing some other important detail that can explain all this madness?

Well, as the person who asked the purple question, I'm rather uncertain if I am satisfied with Kevin Hinkles answer. That fact about the human eye may be true, but as far as I'm concerned, the color variation with modern purple does not appear to be any more significant than that of any other color - and we all know whose fault it is modern Lego bricks have so much color inconsistency. You raise an interesting question, although I'm not sure if you realize it. For those of you who have large quantities of Onepu purple pieces, how consistent are they compared to other colors of bricks made during that era? Because I sure don't recall people complaining about them like they did with pieces in the newer shade.

NinjaGo is almost certainly continuing - that stone warrior figure is obviously final. However, it's possible it may only get one final winter wave, and then will be replaced by TMNT in the summer. I would hope that's not the case though, and it does get a final full year.

Here's my prediction: Hero Factory is actually only going to have one more winter wave, with some of the most notable heroes going up against Von Nebula and his Villian Factory. Then, the theme is done, and replaced with another new Constraction theme in the summer. Why am I saying this? Because TLC has pretty much made it clear they don't extend themes beyond three years anymore, with the exception of City, Star Wars, and some of the smaller evergreen themes like Creator and Technic. Hero Factory will oficially have been around three years by the Summer, and judging by when Bionicle debuted and when it was replaced with Hero Factory, I think Summer 2013 is the most likely time Hero Factory bites the dust. Of course, I could be wrong. But if Hero Factory makes it all the way to the end of next year, bar the themes I mentioned above, it will pretty much be the first theme in quite a while to last that long.

Technically (if I'm reading BS01 correctly), it still is canon that Kapura gets to places quickly by moving slowly, but not that he actually teleports like in the MNOG. It's one of those early details that was modified or done away with entirely once a more solid canon was formed. Other examples of this include the Onu Koro "Taxi' crabs, the depiction of the Golden Kanohi in the MNOG, and Maku and Hewkii's romance.

Regarding Hero Factory's supposed uselessness for building large scale models, I don't deny that some great stuff has been built by MOCists. As far as TLC is concerned, however, it took them a whole year before they managed their first decent humanoid titan (Black Phantom). Witch Doctor, Rocka XL, and especially "Fail" Lord were all terrible IMO, and the other Ordeal of Fire villians also don't hold up well. This is contrast to Bionicle, which mastered the titan from year one onward - in fact, many of the large sets from the first two years are still considered some of the best. Oh, yeah, the Great Being reveal. Was cool, especially since I'm one of those fans who would have been severely disappointed if it was anyone other than Velika. Kapura was pretty odd too, but keep in mind that the weirdest features of his character (the teleporting) isn't actually canon. Besides, nothing about him really made me think that he was anything other than a slightly unusual Matoran - in constrast to Velika, who always carried himself about as though he was far beyond normal comprehension. Why else would he speak in riddles rather than just communicate like an average MU denizen?

Well, I think that's the final nail in Bionicle's coffin. Shame: I would have liked to see at least a couple more serials to wrap up as many post-Journey's End plot threads as possible. I'm sure it would have been rushed - but hey, the entirety of 2010 was rushed, and I thought Greg F. managed to wring quite a nice final novel out of it. And man, it kills me that we'll never know what he had in mind regarding the Red Star and the multiple resurections in the Mask of Light film. I'm sure the usual suspects would have hated it, but you can't please everyone. Anyway, these new Hero Factory books look like they're up to the standards of the Bionicle Adventures/Legends books, so I might have been interested, if if wasn't for the fact that I have little interest in buying books based off a toyline of which I have absolutely no investment in, financial or otherwise.

If this turns out to be true, it better be better than Hero Factory's first element themed wave. I still thing Ordeal of Fire was by far the worst thing Hero Factory has put out. Fortunately, now that TLC's set designers are getting more used to the theme, and realize making the individual heroes as unique as possible is crucial, this is probably very likely. But man, what I still really want is a space theme. Between heroes designed to look like they are wearing space armor, and disgustingly cool space aliens, a theme like this might actually get me to invest in Hero Factory. That, and/or Teal and/or Purple heroes.

Great review, and congrats on becoming a teacher! I have to ask though, where are all your previous reviews? I checked your profile and I can only seem to locate two others.

I haven't read through all the recent discussion, so this may have been brought up before, but... is anyone else really disappointed in TLC's selections for next year. 2013 DC is pretty much exactly like 2012: Batman remakes with another hero thrown in. And seriously, of all the heroes to make into minifigs, they chose Aquaman? I can think of well over a dozen DC characters I'd rather see minifigs of before him. And heck, they didn't even bother to give him the beard his most memorable depictions wore. Also, Dark Knight Rises toys? It might be good for AFOLS, but honestly, apart from hard R titles like Watchmen and Kick-megablocks, I can't think of a comic book movie less appropriate for Lego's target audience. Yeah, I know, they made a Tumbler set back in 2008, but that was less of an official tie-in product than it was merely loosely inspired. Then there's Marvel. TLG's Marvel lineup was by far the superior of the two 2012 Superhero themes, mainly because of the good variety of subjects. But next year looks like its just going to be the official toyline of Ultimate Spiderman with an Avengers set thrown in. And the Ultimate Spiderman characters they chose to make into minfigs are, for the most part, not at all iconic. Honestly, who really wants a Beetle figure before (off the top of my head) Ant Man, Cyclops, Black Panther, The Red Skull, or heck, any of the much more memorable Spiderman villians who have yet to get figures. Oh sure, they have Doctor Doom, but what's the point of having a figure of the Doctor if you're not going to release him alongside the Fantastic Four? And I'll give TLC props for Nick Fury, but why on earth wasn't he released in the first wave? Now, I realize from a buisness standpoint TLC's selections make some sense, but they're also rather shortsighted IMO, especially in regards to DC. For example, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that a Green Lantern set based on the current CN cartoon would probably sell at least as well as anything based on Ultimate Spiderman. And I don't doubt a Hall of Justice or Watchtower with over a half a dozen DC heroes and villians would be a must have to any KFOL who has watched and enjoyed the recent DC cartoons. But instead, we just get another Bane, another Mr Freeze, another Robin, and more Batman minifigures than you can shake a brick at. Is that really the limit of TLC's imagination?

"Tell me who you work for." "Ugh, I can't, he'll tear me apart!" *hand falls off arm* Well, it's no Lego Island 3, but it sure feels more like it than any other game Traveling Tales has ever made. Maybe that's why the voice acting actually worked for me here. If only it wasn't an exclusive to the Wii U, which looks dead on impact as far as I'm concerned.

I think the problem most people have with Batman's voice is that Christan Bale seriously amped up the gruffness in The Dark Knight, to the point where he sounded like he had a frog in his throat and/or one too many bottles of alcohol in his system. It was fine in Batman Begins IMO, and they should have kept it like that. As for Bane, I could understand his voice fine in the first trailer, and I'm not sure I like the apparent editing they've done to it since then. He sounds less threating in the latest trailer - but who knows, it might turn out just fine. When the teaser for The Dark Knight came out, I commented that Heath Ledger's Joker didn't seem to have the best laugh, but I ended up loving everything about his performance. All I know for sure is, I haven't seen a Nolan film that I haven't enjoyed.

You bet I am! It's by far the best CGI cartoon I have ever watched - the staging and fight scenes are miles better than the sluggish and lifeless ones featured in, say, Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The characterization and voice acting are also outstanding, and the dialogue and background music are quite good too. But of course, with Bruce Timm producing, it's no surprise at all that the show excels in pretty much every area. Hopefully Cartoon Network gives this show a good long run - It'd be a shame if it heads in the same direction I fear Young Justice is heading, by which I mean a smaller second season and likely an abrupt cancelation.

Just one problem: it's set to be LIVE ACTION. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/universal-lego-hero-factory-robots-movie-328785

Hi. To make a long story short, my brother (a budding lego fan) had some minifigs stolen from him, and I offered to see if I could find some replacements. Unfortunately, I can't find any reasonably priced U.S. located seller on Bricklink, so I thought I'd ask around here. The minifig's he need's are the following: first edition Cole, Jay, and Kai, and second edition Zane. Note: if someone has only three of the four figures above, I'd still probably be willing to buy. Kai in particular is the smallest priority, as my brother already has a figure from another set. I also might be willing to take a first edition Zane or a second edition of any of the other figures. I think my brother would just be happy to have a complete set of ninja again, so I don't need to be as picky as I am with my personal purchases.

Thanks for the review. I knew the moment I saw the Toyfair pictures that this was going to be the best giant brickbuilt spider ever. It sure beats the orc out of either of the official Harry Potter Aragogs. And its lovely of TLC to toss in a couple of extra One Rings - which will certainly get plenty of MOCing use outside of LotR.

I'm just going by legomilk's description of them being "researchers." That seems to indicate a theme based more around exploration. It could also be similar to 2012 Dino and the European version of Dino Attack, having the conflict not be a brutal war against evil monstrosities but merely another riff on "man vs. wild"

Well, I was one year off, but still, it's nice to know my prediction actually is coming true. Even better, judging by Legomilk's description it sounds like it might actually be leaning towards realism instead of being a monster and weapon filled extravaganza. Only time will tell, though.

I actually made a topic a while back explaining why I thought Power Miners was way better than Rock Raiders. It was a big wall of text, so I think I'll just post a link. And for those of you who don't want to read through it, I'll post a brief summary as well. 1. Power Miners uses less specalized pieces than Rock Raiders. Needless to say, PM never had any part as offensive as the giant base used for the Loader Dozer and Chrome Crusher. 2. Power Miners has more variety than Rock Raiders. Seriously, nearly every sizeable vehicle in RR used the exact same brown cockpit and chrome drill. Whereas in Power Miners, there was incredible variety in the various vehicle designs and drilling mechanism 3. Power Miners had better rock monsters than Rock Raiders. I always thought the monsters in RR looked like big piles of mud, and they can't even compare to the personality and poseability of PM's monsters. 4. Power Miners has more detail than Rock Raiders. PM blew me away with its usage of greebling, and I can't say the same thing about RR. 5. Power Miners has better functions than Rock Raiders. Two words: gear functions. I'll take the jackhammer of the new Granite Grinder and the spinning drill of the Thunder Driller over the lightup lasers of RR.