JasBrick's Wolfenstein Paratrooper

I really debated on if I should blog this custom design from JasBrick due to the sensitive nature of subject.

Yes, Indiana Jones technically fights Nazis in official LEGO sets, but you don't see swastikas all over those figures or models. I also don't feel comfortable editing the work to hide icons that some may not be comfortable with.

At the end of the day, when your realize that Jas is only recreating a character from a video game, and not celebrating the regime the solider represents, then I feel we can enjoy the skill that went into this figure's creation.

I really want to draw attention to the hand painted eagle on the soldier's helmet. Photography always hides the actual scale of minifigures. Imagine yourself painting this detail on the helmet of a toy solider minifig from Toy Story and I think you will be amazed. The helmet and backpack come courtesy of Amazing Armory.

(Via JasBrick's Flickr stream)

Collectible Minifigs Invade The Brick House

If you haven't been following Christopher Doyle's web comic Brick House recently, you will have missed the recent infusion of Collectible Minifigures into the strip.

Chris has recently blogged that he's scored a couple of cases from his local TRU (lucky jerk). I'm really interested to see where this ultimately goes, as I'm hoping he doesn't know which figures are in each of the bags.

How did the bags get there in the first place? Well the Dwarven kingdom and their army of rock monsters have decided to make war against the Brick House after encountering an evil, disembodied hair piece. Deciding they needed reinforcements, the gang calls Tony Stark (AKA Iron Man). Tony, being the SOB that he is, refuses to help directly but instead sends a truckload of collectible minifigure packets in his place. So far, they mostly have an army of crash test dummies and a Mexican luchador named "El Stud"..and that's what happened previously on "Glee".

(Via ReasonablyClever.com)

Brickset's Bar Code Domination

Huw and his Howling Commandos on Brickset are dead set on being your one stop shop for Series 1, Collectible Minifigure bar codes.

They've pulled together this handy one-page 'cheat sheet' listing the bar codes for the US, Europe, and Asia.

Speaking from personal experience, the bar codes are likely your best bet to finding the figures you want without drawing weird looks in the store. Despite claims that certain figures could be found by 'feeling it out', I couldn't do it.

Right now, however, you need to find them on sale first!

(Via Brickset)

BrickTW Announces Plans Through 2012

BrickTW has put out this promotional poster detailing their product plans through 2012. Although the thumbnail images are small, what you can see looks fantastic. It even looks like they plan on getting into custom firearms in 2010. I'm sure Tigerggyy will be putting out more promotional posters featuring these new items soon. Expect to start seeing some of these items for sale around July.

On a separate but related note, it looks like BrickTW will be attending BrickCon 2010 in Seattle. Posted via Facebook, this will give you the opportunity to pick up some of these items without shipping and handling. If you are planning on attending in October, look for them there!

(Via BrickTW Flickr stream)

New Collectible Minifigure Series 2 Pics In The Wild

Huw and company have found new, more detailed pictures of the individual Collectible Minifigure Series 2 (set 8684) guys. The pictures appear to be a collection of rendered images and actual pics of the figures themselves. They do have shots of all 16 figures but not in each variety.

The pictures can be found at the site Brandora.de or via Brickset.

Of course you know what this means? Expect to see Series 2 preview guides on the site here very soon!

(Via Brickset)

LEGO Harry Potter Minifigures: Voldemort

Now Showing
He Who Shall Not Be Named, Lord Voldemort, will be making his return to the LEGO universe in set 4842, the 2010 version of Hogwarts Castle.

Minifigure Parts and Accessories
Voldemort is a simple minifigure with only four parts: head, torso, legs, and cape.

The head features a new design in white. Not quite as reptilian as the previous version (part 3626bpx330).

The torso is dark green with a tunic like print. The legs are also dark green.

The cape appears to be made if a vinyl material that is dark green on one side and white on the other. It is not known if there is a print or other pattern on the back side of the cape.

The accessory is a white 4L bar (part 30374) standing in for Voldemort's wand.

Army Building Potential
The APB for this figure is "low"; not likely to be sought after in multiples for the entire figure or for individual parts.

Big Draw
Aside from its appeal to Harry Potter collectors, there's not much of a draw here. It would have really been nice to see a bit more attention in the design of this pivotal character in the Harry Potter universe. Even a minifigure-scale boa constrictor to stand in for Voldemort's snake, Nagini, would have been an improvement.

(Picture via Eurobricks)

(Back to the LEGO Harry Potter Minifigure Guide)

Are You Not Entertained?

Sir Nadroj salutes those about to die with this killer historical MOC. These custom gladiators are a great mash-up of various LEGO themes like Kingdoms, Atlantis, Indiana Jones, and Prince of Persia.

If you click through to Jordan's Flickr stream you'll also see a great Emperor minifig giving the thumbs down symbol flanked by two Roman guards...not to mention the fantastic Colosseum vignette!

(Via Sir Nadroj's Flickr stream)