The Kid

My appointment at the LEGO stand at Toy Fair isn't until 4pm GMT, but I did just catch a glimpse of the Final Duel set over the balcony... it's basically laid out the same as Palpatine's Arrest (from what I could see), with two Royal Guards. I'll have more info at 5ish but no doubt other sites will have reported by then. Just thought I'd offer a tidbit to keep you all going...

I'll be there and I'm sure a few others will, so we'll hopefully have some info to share.

Having just got back from a screening, I can guarantee you it's anything but... that is, as far as subjective opinions can be a guarantee of the quality of anything. (Which is to say, they can't.)

Sold off half my drum kit earlier this year, much to my chagrin... a replacement would be grand! Sadly, due to lack of space, this LEGO version is probably the only one I'd have room for:

Who's to say the core family can't have new head moulds too? Their inclusion seems likely because they're the focal point of a Simpsons series - not to save on the cost of moulds. Series 1 was a risk but still had 16 new moulds; Series 2 is a safer bet, so why not another 16 (or 17, with SLH)?

Picked up the 2014 Jedi Interceptor, Vulture Droid and V-Wing sets for 50% off last week. Wasn't intending to bother with the V-Wing having bought a couple of the 2005 iteration and one of the Imperial version, but it's a solid improvement for the price. They've also got me slightly hooked on Star Wars again... a slippery slope, I fear!

I guess this second series was prompted by sales figures on the first, then - hence the delay between the two. This may mean a third series (and possibly more) could be in the offing with less of a gap between releases, if LEGO intends to fully capitalise on the line's popularity... here's hoping. A couple of smaller sets would also be welcome - say one or two £80-100 shops (Kwik-E-Mart, Krusty Burger, Android's Dungeon et al).

Watched the LEGO Movie Blu last night and fairly sure I spotted what might be the Slave 1 hanging in the basement layout alongside the other UCS sets. Will try to get a screenshot tonight if I can... unless anyone else has seen it too?

Finally picked up the Death Star this weekend as an early birthday present from my other half. 15% off was too much to pass up at this (presumably) late stage in its life cycle. Not quite finished building it yet but I'm still amazed by its size and detail, more so than I ever thought I would be. Perhaps my only niggle is the Emperor's black hands... why not grey?! Still wondering whether to keep Raven or trade/sell him as I had no foreknowledge of the character before LEGO produced a minifigure version, so I'm not too fussed about having him in my collection... but I'm starting to get hooked on the exclusive SW minifigs, with both TC-14 and TC-4 currently wandering aimlessly around the Death Star's corridors. Hmm.

These are superb have you considered blowing them up into poster size and selling them on somewhere like Etsy? I know I'd certainly buy a few!

Does this mean we can expect another Microfighters range later this year? I'd be surprised if so as I would have expected it to have been announced alongside the rest of the summer lineup.

I would be well up for Spider-Man on a jet-ski. Then again, we've already had a bike and a trike. Fingers crossed the Spider-Unicycle is up next.

Bump. Willing to let this go for around £400 if someone wants it, which is at least £100 cheaper than the average used price on Bricklink.

Picked up Kashyyyk Troopers to bag the last TC-4 I could find in TRU. Love the droid. It's spurred me to finally open my sealed TC-14 after deliberating over it for the best part of two years... TK

Price lowered to £550. Still open to offers.

In the case of that post, do. (And this one, for you pedants out there.) TK

It's time to part ways with Market Street, as I can no longer afford to have it sitting on my shelf when I could replace it with a dozen other sets (and things I actually need). So if anyone's in the market for completing their modular range, make me an offer. It's complete with box and instructions. I'm looking in the region of £600 based on average Bricklink prices with box and instructions. I'm happy to negotiate though so make me an offer. I'm based in Central London if anyone wants to do local pickup though I won't be available for that until January 3rd. I can post any time though so don't hesitate to contact me. Thanks! TK

If next year's is indeed RotS-based, a Santa Palpatine would be good for the 24th, with a red cape/hood and Santa torso (maybe a grey beard?). And then the second 'main figure' (a la Snowman Artoo) could be a white Vader as seen above. I'd be pretty happy with that. TK

Looks like they've finally figured out the arms if that turns out to be the real deal. And Grievous wasn't exactly painted in tennis whites in the film, only the original Clone Wars cartoon. A little bit of musky beige is more fitting for a film version, no? TK

I still haven't picked up the Death Star, and now I probably never will. This has a far more interesting design than a big grey ball and complements the other Endor stuff well. Love it. Time to start saving! TK

Accessing the landing pages for the summer sets on S@H Germany and changing region brings up prices in other currencies rather than the usual 'product unavailable in this region' message, which suggests they'll be available to order in other (European) countries soon too. (US and Canada does indeed bring up 'page not found'.) Can't help but balk at some of the UK prices as usual. £100 for the Sail Barge, £110 for the RGS, etc. and £60/€70 for Jek-14's fighter? Bit of a hefty price tag for a set that people will have little connection with... Still, at least the Tank Droid is a reasonable £20. Even if the Homing Spider Droid has gone up £10 on the last version simply due to a smaller droid being included. Boo-urns. TK

As presumed, Iron Patriot is an exclusive Walmart pre-order bonus in the US, with the new Marvel Superheroes game More details here. TK

Searched 4 different Tesco stores on Friday for a cheap Jabba's Palace, to no avail Consoled myself with Saesee Tiin's Jedi Starfighter at a third off. Haven't bothered with any of the other CW Starfighters but this may have just convinced me to seek out the rest TK

TRU have the new Y-Wing half price at £24.99 http://www.toysrus.c...r-9495(0093100) (Or you can get it with the 2012 Battle Packs for an extra £17... http://www.toysrus.c...earchPosition=6) TK

Perhaps a spin-off series? We've had Team GB Minifigures; why not an Animal line? Which could spur other spin-off series... As for Series 9... I'll come up with a list later, but I'd just like to throw a nod in for the packaging, which I'll take a stab in the dark as being green. (Darker than S3, obviously.) TK