New Sets Appearing at US Stores

Heads up citizens. Word on the BrickLink forums is that some of the new unlicensed LEGO themes like Kingdoms, Space Police III, City, and World Racers are now appearing in LEGO Stores across the US.

I just called my local store and they confirmed. Call yours today!

There are reports that Toys R Us also has some of these sets in the bricks and mortar store, plus ToysRUs.com has several sets listed now for sale. Brickset has a forum member who has also claimed to have purchased a box of Collectible Minfigures from TRU! If true, then the minifig invasion of the US has begun!

LEGO Harry Potter Minifigures: Harry Potter

This latest version of Harry follows a long line of variants (19 on BrickLink at last count). Make this variant number 20, which will be appearing in sets 4736, 4738, 4842 (Dobby's Release, Hagrid's Hut, and Hogwart's Castle, respectively).

There's also a more casual variant of Harry where he sports a jacket and t-shirt. This variant is scheduled to appear in sets 4840, 4841, and 10217, The Burrows, Hogwart's Express, and Diagon Alley.

Minifigure Parts and Accessories
Harry is a simple fig comprised of four parts: hairpiece, head, torso, and legs.

The hairpiece, appears to be a rehash of part x67 which appeared on this Harry Potter minifigure back in 2007.

The head sports a slightly updated print, but no drastic changes from the 2007 variant. The head continues to be in a light flesh color. It would appear that some of the heads are 'dual-sided' with a smiling Harry on one side and a grimace on the other.

The torso has probably changed the most. The tie pattern has changed in the direction of the stripes and taking on a more 'disheveled' appearance. The Gryffindor field of arms has been added to the lower left-hand side.

The 'casual' torso is blue with blue arms and flesh hands. The print on the front of the torso reveals a jacket and t-shirt. Early pictures of the t-shirt print make it seem either light blue or white in color.

The legs are basic black, but have not appeared with this combination of torso previously. This change was likely to add some variety, as similar figures in the past have appeared with grey pants which matched the sweater color.

In set 4736, Dobby's Release, Harry comes with a reddish brown 4L bar (part 30374) standing in for his wand. In the pics for set 4738, Hagrid's Hut, Harry is seen with a brick-build lantern. Finally, in set 4842, Hogwart's Castle, he's seen with his wand and a black broom (part 4332) with a grey 1x1 cone (part 4589) above at the bottom of the handle. The Hogwart's Castle Harry also has a translucent, shimmery cloth that stands in for an invisibility cloak. This would be a new part.

Army Building Potential
Given that Harry has been available in various forms over the years, and there's very little on this figure that likely to be sought after in multiples, the ABP for this figure is low.

Some builders may seek out the new Gryffindor sweater for MOCs that might feature more than the main cast of characters. If so then set 4736, Dobby's Release, would appear to be the best price point to get it. If this turns out to be the case, the ABP for the figure could be bumped up to a moderate.

Big Draw
Aside from an opportunity to get a minifigure Harry if you missed out on early sets, the torso prints appear to be the potential draws here; the sweater print for reasons mentioned above and the jacket print for signature figures.

(Pictures from Eurobricks and BrickLink)

(Back to the LEGO Harry Potter Minifigure Guide)

Hi-Res Pics of Cad Bane's Speeder Minifigs

Website Toys N Bricks gives us the first hi-res pics of set 8128, Cad Bane's Speeder. I'm predicting that this set will be a highly sought after item given the number and quality of minifigures combined with a lower price point (at least compared with the Clone Turbo Tank).

Although this will be the second set to include Bane, this will be the first time featuring Shahan Alama and a Senate Commando Captain in the LEGO Star Wars universe. Even the regular Senate Commando will be desirable, given it has only appeared in the pricey Venator-Class Republic Attack Cruiser (set 8039).

The article states that the set will be a Target exclusive with a $49.99 price point. The picture itself appeared on the Target.com website. Does that mean a US launch of Summer Star Wars sets is not far off?

(Picture from ToysNBricks.com)

New Collectible Minifigure Series 2 Pics

New pictures of the Collectible Minifigures Series 2 have surfaced on Eurobricks. I'm a little surprised given that Series 1 has not fully rolled out across the globe, but who cares!?

More pictures to see on Eurobricks, but no large, detailed images of the figures...yet.

(Picture from Eurobricks)

Penguin Recreates Gotham One Fig at a Time

Now that Warner Brothers has announced that the next Batman film will be released on July 20th, 2012, the rumors have started regarding who the next villain will be.

I actually know. You want a hint? They are somewhere in this picture...

Just kidding. I have no clue who its going to be! Nevertheless, Eurobricks member The Penguin has been posting his collection of custom minfigures from the Batman mythology. There are many more on the Eurobricks forums, so check them out.

Now That's How You Do Cad Bane!

Customizer Chapelle has been posting several Star Wars customs on his Flickr stream.

Given my disappointment over the official LEGO Cad Bane minifigure, I was hoping to find a better answer from customizers. This version may be the best Cad Bane minifig I've seen to date.

Although the blue utilized could be a little darker, and the addition of BrickForge vambraces and holster would just plus this fig even more, this combo seems pretty spot on.

There are several other custom Star Wars figs on his stream. There are no notes as to if these customs are 100% Chapelle creations, or use parts and decals from other custom houses. Either way its a nice result. Don't you think?

(Picture from Chapelle7048's Flickr stream)

Update: New Arealight Prints Starting 5/20

The folks at Arealight Customs have updated their website to say their new printed items will be available starting May 20th.

There will be at least 12 sets of female Twi'leks and female trooper torsos available with those classic Arealight curves.

The link to the store is here. Come back and visit them on Thursday to peruse all of the custom goodness.

(Picture from Arealight Customs website)