Ptah

Thanks for the comments.You've given me a lot to think about Ezorov. You are right it was taken in my bedroom. When I started with Ice, I tried a white posterboard and got a weird polar bear in a snow storm look. Now that I've moved on to the other colors I'll give it a try. I'm not sure how I can give the sets a more active pose. I think you're right that more can be done. Look for improvements in the next batch.

Ascent of Matoran This time the ladies are doing it for themselves. An Ascent of Woman as it were, except for Berix. I tried Secondius in the Agori/Av-matoran spot, but a blue helm fit better than a silver one. I also tried another angle shot since the previous one was well received. Keep those comments coming. Three more elements to go. Classic OrderMaku in FrontGali in Front

Thanks for the love everyone. For those who asked, yes, the matoran 2.0 (Tamaru) is a custom job. Lego didn't make Le-matoran set. I used parts from Nidhiki, Lehvak Va, Lehvak and a rahkshi. On the subject of size, I tried to fix that, but Piruk is hunched over. The other Voya Nui shouldn't have the same problem.

Welcome back, This is a continuation of my series Ascent of Matoran. I derivation of the Ascent of Man picture. This week I'm hitting the matoran of Air, the Le-matoran. The fun part was building a matoran 2.0. I had to dig up my Bohrok sets for that one. Once I finish all six I'll compile them in one final topic. For now enjoy. Please add your comments below. Classic Ascent of Man pose:http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Ptah/Ascent/Air/ascent_01.jpgUpdated Angular pose: http://www.brickshel...r/ascent_02.jpgEdit Note 1: I fixed the link address for the first image.

Thanks for the love. I'll be sure to work on the Air next. I'll have to get creative for the matoran 2.0. We'll see.

Ascent of MatoranYou've probably seen this picture, but don't know it by name. The Ascent of Man is the iconic picture we think of when evolution is mentioned. The series of primates going from chimp, to hominid to modern man. This is like that only featuring matoran.I plan on doing one for each of the six basic elements, but Ice is my favorite element so I tried it first. Constructive comments are welcome I'd like to improve this as I work through the other elements. http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Ptah/Ascent/Ice/ascent_1_1.jpgThis second picture comes at if from a different angle. http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Ptah/Ascent/Ice/ascent_2_1.jpg Do no post images over 500kB. -B6

I can confirm Monster Alive sets in Southern California. I saw the Swamp Creature and Vampyre Castle in Chino, CA Toys'R'Us. It looks to have a similar quest set up as Atlantis. Each monster has a 'key'. Collecting all six unlock something. The Vampyre Caste (the largest set) has all the keys assembled in some device.

I'll try and keep this focused on the sets rather than the story. If I get caught up in the story it will be a long 10 page critique.Here's what I like in the current wave (The Breakout): I like the hero and villains are matched in specific settings. Furno and Jawblade under the sea for an example. It explains why the sets have the accessories they do. This is like the Vikings sets a few years back where each set had heroic Viking minifigs, a vehicle and a monster. Where Lego could improve on this is to flesh out the locations on the website and the series. Water, Ice, Swamp, City? They've used such venues for decades how about mixing it up. Maybe tell us the Water planet Scylla has a fluorescent kelp forest or the Ice planet, is in the middle of a decade long winter. Some background info that makes the Breakout and the sets more engaging.Here is what I like about the previous wave (Savage Planet): I liked the variety of the heroes. The helmets and claw really sold me on the sets. I bought all of them except Rocka. Instead of generic guns/tools, the claws and how they were set up were a little accessory change that has drawn me into buy sets since the Turaga in 2001. Oddly, the villain sets didn't wow me. The scorpion and the wasp have been done so many times, I can build a better one from parts. The hybrid and Fangz seemed too expensive for what they offered. And the Witch Doctor seemed the most out-of-place villain in a long time.If my choice is between one central theme (Savage Planet) versus several mini-episodes (Breakout), I'd chose the mini-episodes. The mini episodes look to have more flexibility. Both in set design and in storytelling.

There are two sets I've actively avoided. I guess they fit in least favorite category. That would be Waspix and Scorpio, because after 10 years of Bionicle a wasp and a scorpion, again? These two are like Lego's default monsters. It seems uncreative from a very creative company.I really got tweaked with Zesk and the Mistika wasp Makuta (the name escapes me) both seem to so much less that the designers ability. So when I saw Scorpio in the Savage Planet line I skipped it. When Waspix comes out this summer, I will buy it for the wings, but MOC the set into something else.

Greetings, I just finished reading Chapter 1 and wish to add my constructive comments. First, the backstory. I can see you put a lot of thought into the world and the conflict, but laying out so much in the first chapter seems unwise. I found it hard to follow as goblins and Makuta are tossed in with no real connection to the ongoing battle. I'd recommend writing down the complete history of the land and save it until the story absolutely calls for it. At this point all we need to know is there is a big fight and our protagonists are caught in the middle trying to get out. Second, faceless casualties. I see you want to convey the death and destruction in this fight. The hero loses a lot of friends in the chapter. I think he loses too many. When I read so many good guys die so quickly, I feel unattached. Imlen and the others don't seem to matter because at any point they will be dead too. I'd recommend keeping the group small like 3 or 4. If someone dies, make it one character so we can measure the impact their passing has. A gang of seven where 3 die in the first few pages many convey danger of the situation, but it also establishes the characters as disposable. Keep writing

Others have stated my feelings more clearly. I am sorry she's gone and offer all the comfort these words can convey to you and her family.

Initial thoughts:Space marine: Decker 'It's about time!'Evil Knight: Love the shout outs to villains past like Vladek and Bat Lord.Viking Woman: Would have been cooler if they called her Boudicca.

Thanks for the good vibes. Keep them coming.Yes getting the two halves to connect was tricky. I think I spent 2 weeks tinkering around with that alone.

One quick comment. I would suggest a four fingered claw (3 fingers and 1 thumb). The fourth claw makes the hand look crowded.

The StoryMazeka followed Vultraz to Karda Nui. Unfortunately, his Swap Strider was inadequate for chasing Vultraz in the skies above. He linked up with the matorans defending Av-koro and it was Solek who offered to build him an aircraft of his own. Named the Stratolight, this compact aeroframe is everything Mazeka asked for. It has twin skyblasters to outgun Vultraz. The flexible frame allows for responsive handling and needed agility in a dogfight. Steering is controlled by the hands while speed and braking are controlled by the feet. With this Mazeka is ready to take the fight to Vultraz in the skies. Behind the Scene I tinkered around with this vehicle ever since I saw the Light Flyers in Tron: Legacy. The real challenge was getting the two halves connected. Constructive criticism is always welcome. If I use your suggestions I'll be sure to give you credit. Sorry it's only the link to the gallery, I'm still new to the Forum changes.Gallery

Creator's Note: Hello all. It's been aeons since I posted and this is my first MOC. Any suggestions are welcome.BackstoryDateline: Makuhero CitySally Sagittarius reporting from the Hero DeskHero Factory has rolled out a new line of autonomous drones meant to partner with active Heroes on missions. The project, titiled Heroic Beasts, presents four distinct drone types that will assist Heroes in the field. Crimson Talon is the name given to the hawk drone. It can reach speeds of 1000 mph in a steep dive and can carry its partner and one other. Additionally, a hyper-reality link can route the Hero's vision through the drone giving the hero the eyes of a hawk.Images released show Crimson Talon partnered with up and coming Hero phenom, Furno. <Gallery>

I saw this bad boy on Brickshelf over the Christmas break and was awed and amazed. I'm glad you shared it with BZP. Add my kudoes to the tons of praised heaped by the others. Have you thought of renting or selling this as a scuplture? Lunar New Year is around the corner and I'd think another of businesses would like that as a decoration. Just a thought. This creation deserves the name 'dragon'. Well done Roa, well done.

Evo> I'm going to borrow the Buddist Temple idea. I think he went to the planet of Zen to realign is cyberchakras, but a vicious gang of Skrolls (Space Skralls) threatened to destroy the planet and their pacifist inhabitants. Evo struggled with his desire for non-violence and the need to stop evil and in the end the need to kick butt won out. He took on the gang and their leader single handedly. The win was an empty one, because now the peace loving Zens wanted nothing to do with him. Saddened, but understanding, Evo returned to the Hero Factory with his new prisoners.Breeze> I'd call her adventure 'Two Solar Cycles'. Breeze is framed for a crime she didn't commit. The only lead she has on the case is a rogue 'bot already in lockup (Lariska by another name). They fight bad guys and trade barbs back and forth, but in the end, Lariska comes through and Breeze saves her life. The two buddies take down the crime boss that not only framed breeze but set Lariska up in the first place.Surge> Time travel is involved with Surge's story 'Closing the Loop'. Back in the 'Ordeal of Fire', when Surge incredibly (I'm using the literal sense of the word) escapes point blank fire from multiple attackers. The truth is he slipped through a time hole. The time traveler needs Surge's electrical powers to fix a tear in space-time. In truth, 1 Surge isn't enough, he needs 3. He pulled Surge out of certain death for one version. He pulls one more from the future and this one use their powers to seal the tear and keep the universe who. Surge 1.0 returns some time later after the fire minions have moved on; safe and intact. That's all I can spit out in 5 minutes. Enjoy.

I'm taking this from the PR stand point of 'There's no such thing as bad press'. As folks upthread pointed out, Lego got no flak when it released the Belleville line. And those sets were largely ignored when they came out and languish in the discount corner at the two Lego Stores I frequent. 'Friends' on the other hand won't be ignored because of this. And the objects seem very soft. The main complaint is that Lego is marketing to girls. The doesn't really scream evil. Especially when you've got Barbie and My Little Pony doing the same thing unprotrested.As others repeatedly point out, any customer that really objects can buy another Lego set or another toy entirely. My personal anecdote is my 5 year old daughter who loves playing with my Bionicle/Hero Factory, but plays with them as dolls. It's her imagination and play time, she's welcome to it. Which reminds me, I've got to put some of those Toa back together again.

I cast my votes for 1 & 4

Thanks for the info. I'm curious how the matoran were turned. Kirop sounds like a convert (He's seen the dark!) but how they we're turned is a story I can't wait to here.

I can see Antroz with a code of honor. It would make his victories that much sweeter. The defeated can't whine that they were tricked or cheated and it doesn't leave them with hope that a second go around would end differently. When he beats them it is total and final. One question that comes to mind: how much of each Makuta's personality gets picked up by their matoran supplicant?