rodiziorobs

And My guess is, although they are not warring factions, the different characters don't really get along. I imagine that they used to be friends but had a falling out long ago or something. Emily's job is to get them all to reunite and help resolve whatever happened so that they can use their powers/keys together to return her home. It would allow for some non-violent conflict, character dynamics, and some side-quest type adventures for Emily. Just my two bits' worth.

Yes. Yes it does.

Before, I was going to try and pick these up aftermarket, without the 'dolls in order to save some money...and not have to get the dolls. But now, I am not so sure. Those are really great designs. I am absolutely loving these sets. Of course, I am still bummed at the lack of minidoll articulation, but I might be willing to overlook that now, having seen the final designs.

Well, we already got a Lego Deadpool, and since Fox holds the film rights but Marvel controls merchandising, that's likely all we're going to get.

I've used Magic Eraser before to re-whiten old yellowed bricks, and didn't have any issues with it being abrasive. It just isn't as good at cleaning as soap and water (or H2O2, in the case of whitening).

I was really hoping for those Unikitties, but am thrilled with the SW figs, as well! That, and my entry picture being put on the calendar all on the same day? Whooah awesome! A Big Thanks to CopMike and Sinner.

I bought some Lego second-hand that smelled strongly of cigarette smoke. Obviously not the same as your situation, but I found that while soap and water did the trick, I had to keep replacing the water to keep it hot, and scrub everything with a soft sponge at least twice to remove the odor. I assume that if your pieces are covered in soot, the same treatment would work.

I had already decided that, while it is a really pretty set, I wouldn't be getting it. Now after your review (as well as Tim's over at New Elementary), I am more on the fence. I probably still won't get it though; even though the price per piece ratio is good, it's still a big price tag for what is essentially a lot of basic parts. Nice parts, no doubt, but basic. If they were available individually, I would certainly grab a blue jay, and possibly the hummingbird. While the robin is also nice, those two have the best parts IMO.

Nah, I can totally envision a MOC of a city overrun with HDGs with zombie heads.

I view the page on mobile, and I can't see it either, unless I highlight the link as if I were to click on it. It's no problem for me to do that, but maybe you'd like to know.

Given the number 14 written on the side, I'd say it is destined for CMF series 14. It's clearly nothing to do with a 2014 release, and I can't find any other way of justifying it.

I picked up some Kazi mini-builds a few years ago, when I was barely out of my dark age. I was ready to start buying Lego again, but didn't want to pay the prices. I saw the Kazi and thought, "heck, half the price (or less), what harm could it do?" The build designs were decent, with good techniques. The minifigure, as you said, was appalling. But I also had problems with the quality of plastic. Many arrived cracked, or cracked during building or were so obviously mis-molded that I could not use them, for being either too loose or too tight. Also, there were huge probems with color inconsistencies in almost every color. Black, light grey, yellow and red are the ones I remember. I didn't have much of a collection then, so whatever was useful got integrated into whatever Lego I had. But in the years since, most of the Kazi has been thrown out--not because I am purist to the point I can't stand even owning the pieces, but because they keep failing. Thanks for the review! It's good to hear that they worked out for you. Maybe--hopefully--in the years since I bought them they have improved their manufacturing quality.

That makes about as much sense as saying that a recipe book eliminates creativity from a kitchen. The recipe book helps people who may not know how to cook, guiding them to an outcome that will be successful, and giving them confidence to someday perhaps stray from the recipe and try their own creation. However, the ingredients remain unchanged regardless of whether they follow the recipe or not, and thus the potential for creativity is always there. What the heck is a "single-outcome set" anyway? Ha! I had never seen this before, thanks!

While they look good, I don't think I'm likely to pick it up...I'm not overly fond of birds, and as a parts pack I don't see anything in it that catches my eye. I will spend my $45 on other sets. However, I am glad to see that this set has passed, and is so faithful to the original. I think that bodes well for Ideas in general, showing that even simple unlicensed projects can be approved, and that the design team really both considers the creator's design and tries to satisfy supporters' wishes.

Rats! Only a couple more days, and I know I'm not going to finish on time. Well, good luck to all participants!

Lots of goblins (as many as I can find), one king, one evil wizard, and two snake charmers. That should do it for me. The rest look great (even the ridiculous cyclops), but I don't really have much use for them.

Well I got a couple more Huns, and since no one has PM'd me for any codes yet, I'll just post them all here. If you take one, just reply so everyone knows its been taken: 18: 8EV-YND-9TB-9JH Battle Goddess 20: U9Q-PFR-WGQ-7WJ Dino Tracker 24: 4TU-FVF-7WP-3E6 Hun 24: BFB-YXC-J7C-35A Hun 24: 36F-MG3-JMA-PXQ Hun 25: AM7-XVX-HTR-MX4 Princess 29: HW8-3Q4-J6X-RAE Prospector

This theme is looking more and more promising...

YES. I don't even care if they are UCS, but anything from Thor: The Dark World would immediately go to the top of my wish list. As long as Marvel keeps spitting out new movies though, I doubt we'll see them go back and release much from any old ones, if at all (unless, such as the helicarrier, it were a part of the MCU at large, and not limited to a single film).

Absolutely agree. As nice a set as it might be, buying it would mean excluding any other sets I might want, including modulars--which, even though they are less than half the price of the rumored helicarrier, I have still not bought for the same reason. I prefer to spread the new-Lego feeling throughout the year, rather than blow it all at once. Fury and Hill (+ Winter Soldier) is all I feel like I would need. Maybe a Banner and Rogers, but I wouldn't fret over that. As for the guy playing Galaga, I was impressed we got a sticker in the Hulk Helicarrier set. All you would need is a generic guy to sit at the screen, no need for a specific exclusive fig.

Yeah, probably something along the lines of the TMNT monster molds. Hopefully not, but I too am afraid that's what we'll get. If, on the other hand, the monsters are good then that might change my mind about the sets. I would be surprised if Chima ends so abruptly, what with the Cartoon Network tie-ins, the apparent success of the theme, and the whopping Chima-themed waterpark that opened in Legoland a few months back. Chima will be around at least awhile longer.

I doubt I would buy a single set if it turns out to be Scooby Doo. Nothing against the property, it's just not enough to get me to spend money on it. On the other hand, if licensed, maybe it will be a movie tie-in theme with Universal's planned Monster continuity? From what I understand, the movies will be more action/adventure than horror, so there is a chance they will be kid-friendly enough to partner with Lego. Probably not, but it's a possibility. If it turns out to be steampunk (either spooky or non-spooky), then I would definitely be on board with that. Worried it might be a little too much overlap with MF, though, but since I never had a chance to pick those up, that wouldn't be a bad thing, either.

Well, she's given me permission to spend before, but in this case it helped that she thought the set was 'adorable' and would be a great Christmas decoration. If only I could convince her we need some Modular decoration and LOTR decoration...

Based on a true story: Raffle entry by rodiziorobs, on Flickr My wife surprised me a few weeks ago with money to pick up Santa's workshop, as well as a little extra (Metalbeard's Duel, another set she knows I have had my eye on since its release) to get the Toy Workshop as well. Best early Christmas present ever! Thanks CopMike for hosting this again this year!

Looks like Rainforest Creatures is actually a 4-in one. That bird of paradise practically sells the set for me.