Hapori Tohu

Summer sets are starting to get stacked on shelves, but let us not want for writings of wonderful works from the winter. Today, xccj reviews the Ninjago Earth Drill set, where Ninja Cole faces off against a ruthless Stone Warrior. Continue on to collect clarity of the coolness or classlessness of this constructed concoction.View the full article

This past Thursday a new exhibit opened in the Norton Museum of Art. <a href='http://www.norton.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=exhibitions.details&content_id=926' target='offsite'>Block by Block: Inventing Amazing Architecture</a> is a display of ten landmark skyscrapers from around the world, constructed by LEGO Certified Professional Dan Parker and his team. The buildings will be on display until October 20th, so if you find yourself in the West Palm Beach area between now and then - check it out!View the full article

BZPower is hoping to throw some kind of party at BrickFair Virginia this year in August. We'd like to hear from all of you on what you'd like to see or do. Head over to <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showtopic=10179'>this poll</a> in the Voting Booth to let us know your thoughts. The sooner you vote the better so we can set things in motion!View the full article

Another two fortnights, another two winners in the Bionicle and OTC Fortnightly Flash Fiction Contests! This time around, the victory goes to <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showtopic=9784' target='offsite'><b>"Averted Trial"</b></a>, by Pahrak #0579, for the Bionicle theme "Trial by Fire" and <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showtopic=10040' target='offsite'><b>"P B & J"</b></a>, by Jedi Gali, for the OTC theme "Sunset". Both submissions are worthy reads, so check them out, and maybe leave a response! And if you're interested in participating in the FFFCs, there are still a few days left before the deadline for the current Bionicle theme. What is the theme, you ask? Uh, go <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showtopic=7076&p=566264' target='offsite'>fish</a>.View the full article

Warner Brothers has released a two minute long teaser trailer for next year's The LEGO Movie. <a href='http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lPnY2NjSjrg' target='offsite'>Go give it a watch</a> and let us know what you think in the Talkback. It looks very interesting, and I think I like the way they're doing things. Only a year left to go!View the full article

Are minifigs losing their carefree expressions as LEGO moves into conflict-based licenses? Christopher Bartneck's research would certainly seem to indicate that. He's concerned that The LEGO Group's reputation will suffer as children's play is affected by the negative attitudes and increasingly vast array of weapons that minifigs carry. I for one am skeptical since licensed themes have always been a little more serious, but has this attitude carried over to original lines? What do you think?View the full article

Today we look at one of the newest Lord of the Rings sets, <a href='http://amzn.to/11RLYlu' target='offsite'>79005 The Wizard Battle</a>. Forum Assistant and Tolkien fan Nuju Metru has decided to share his thoughts on this little set from the pivotal scene in the film. Read on to see if this set is worth buying and finding space for in your already-crowded LEGO Tolkien display area! (Or is that just me?)View the full article

This is a public service announcement to remind everyone about the two contests currently going on on BZPower. <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showtopic=9951'>BBC Contest #65: For the Birds</a> ends in less than a week. That's still plenty of time to build a bird and enter it though! Ending a week from today is <a href='http://www.bzpower.com/board/index.php?showtopic=9960'>RPG Contest #28</a>, which could also use your entries. So whether you like to build or write, get those creative juices going and join the fun!View the full article

LEGO has announced the fifth CUUSOO set, and it is (drumroll please)...the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover! Sadly, the UCS Sandcrawler did not make the final cut but Team Jigsaw's Thinking With Portals! may still have a shot. You can check out the <a href='http://blog.lego.cuusoo.com/2013/06/14/results-fall-2012-lego-review/' target='offsite'>LEGO CUUSOO Blog post</a> for more information. Despite the sadness, we can look forward to a great set that immortalizes the giant, sky-crane-lowered, SUV-sized rover that is exploring the red planet right now.View the full article

It's time for another opportunity to give LEGO some feedback and thoughts. They've started up <a href='http://fluidsurveys.com/s/LEGO_AFOL_Q2_2013/langeng/?collector=7500' target='offsite'>a new survey</a> that they would like you all to respond to. It's not too long, and mainly asks about how you perceive the community and the brand, as well as your buying habits. It's only open until June 27th, so head on over and make your voice heard!View the full article

Later today we will be taking the forums offline to complete some upgrades to the underlying software. They should be back up by sometime this evening. As always, we appreciate your patience and understanding.View the full article

Unfortunately I am not at Brickworld Chicago this weekend. If I was there, I could see the unveiling of a brand new LEGO set in person, the 10234 Sydney Opera House, the latest set in the architecture lineup. At almost 3000 pieces, this thing is pretty ridiculous and doubly impressive, with a lot of cool building techniques. You can check out the designer video . If you read on, you can see pretty pictures and the full press release.View the full article

In anticipation of the LEGO Marvel Super Heroes game coming soon, Marvel and LEGO have teamed up to provide LEGOized variant covers featuring Marvel characters. This September, select Marvel comics will have variant covers with the minifig heroes recreating classic comic cover homages. Read on for a preview and a list of titles.View the full article

As LEGO continues to expand on their recent revitalizing of space themes, the final frontier comes to Earth in the form of some nasty bugs. But have no fear, for Galaxy Squad's 70704 Vermin Vaporizer plans to save humanity - most likely by rolling the over them and squashing them under those big wheels. Will the invaders get a step closer to conquering Earth, or should you pick up this set and help stop them? Read on as reporter ChocolateFrogs reviews this large set.View the full article

BZPower member Infrared reports in with a LEGO Cuusoo update. It seems that two projects: Female Minifigure Set and League of Legends of LEGO have both hit the 10,000 supporter goal! The projects will now enter the review stage to possibly be made into a set. I'm looking forward to see what LEGO decides!View the full article

LEGO's new video game based on Marvel Comics' collection of superheroes (including the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Spider-Man, and the Avengers) has had a new trailer released showcasing--everybody, pretty much. Like LEGO Batman 2, LEGO Marvel Superheroes will feature an open world as well as levels, and features talking characters, who spout off some of their lines in the trailer. (Ironically enough, Deadpool has an appearance in the trailer, but doesn't say anything himself) The game is based around a conflict between the heroes and two villains: Loki and Galactus.View the full article

Another member of the blog staff is up for interview on the BZPowercast this month. Blog Assistant Kohaku has volunteered to be subjected to your questions - you can ask him anything! Send him a PM with your queries and I'll see to it they're answered later this month. Find out why he's so adorable and if brain-wave-controlled cat ears make him hear better. Oh, you could also ask him about BZPower and Bionicle and stuff.View the full article

An interesting article was recently posted on The News about Duncan Titmarsh and Bright Bricks. The UK's only LEGO-certified building company, they hold workshops for kids across the country. They also are responsible for a nearly six-foot long model of the Concorde, the world's only supersonic commercial transport (since retired from service). Quite an impressive model, and a nice little read!View the full article

Near the end of May, LEGO unveiled the world's largest LEGO model in Times Square, New York in order to promote the Yoda Chronicles TV series. We shared some info about both the X-Wing and the show, but we're not quite done. I was able to make it into the city before it got shipped out to LEGOLand California, and thought I'd share with you some pictures and thoughts from the event.View the full article

There are currently two awesome contests going on right here on BZPower. First up, between now and June 22nd, you can enter BBC Contest #65: For the Birds - make a bird MOC and have a chance at sending it to BrickFair and winning some cool prizes from LEGO. There's also RPG Contest #28 going until June 23rd, allowing you to create an engaging text-based RPG to play with your fellow members. Go check them out and enter!View the full article

The LEGO Group and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have joined forces to encourage future ingenuity among their fans. The "NASA's Missions: Imagine and Build" contest, running until July 31, asks teenage builders to design new and current aeronautic technology, vehicles and concepts using the iconic bricks. These young inventors will have the chance to think towards the future of space travel and helping the planet. More can be read through this article about this exciting opportunity.View the full article

It might technically be last month's news, but better late than never: the LEGO Ninjago website has undergone a significant update. Additions include some new product information, as well as a fun new game. Presumably this update is in anticipation of Ninjago's return next year, although unfortunately it appears that the old storyline content is now gone. Regardless, be sure to check it out!View the full article

Recently a new LEGO reference resource opened its doors to the Internet. Brickimedia brings the contents of Brickipedia, Brickipedia Customs, the LEGO Message Boards Wiki, the LEGO Stories Wiki, and the LEGO Cuusoo Wiki all under one roof. No longer hosted on the Wikia site, there's no more annoying adds to deal with and they have the freedom to grow as they want. Head over and check it out!View the full article

Whatever you think of the news of the shutdown of BIONICLE's websites, the one feeling almost everyone seems to show is nostalgia. People want to think of the website and point out, "Hey, remember that, and how much fun it was?" That's what I aim to do in this piece. I want to bring to your mind those things from the past that we all used to have fun with on BIONICLE.com, and if there's anything I miss that you folks find particularly memorable, go ahead and post it in the talkback, for your instance of "Remember that?"View the full article

The summer LEGO catalogs are coming your way, with Superman featured on the cover. The primary sets featured are the DC Superheroes sets based on Man of Steel, and if you make a purchase of $75 or more, you'll receive a Jor-El minifigure as well. Ninjago and Legends of Chima each have a section to themselves, although Hero Factory is relegated to a single page. Go ahead and check it out when it hits your mailbox--pardon me--postal receptacle soon.View the full article