A Peek Into The Life Of Dave Kaleta

Builder Dave Kaleta has been doing a series of autobiographical builds. His latest is his LEGO room where it's quite likely this MOC was built (wrap your head around that). At first glance these almost look like photographs because of the stark lighting and attention to detail. Well, I guess they are photographs, but they're photographs of MOCs... you know what I mean.

411C
411C
411C

Bounty Hunters, We Don't Need Their Scum

This MOC, inspired by one of my favorite movies of all time, The Empire Strikes Back, make me happy and confused at the same time. Of course anything Star Wars gives me a warm fuzzy, so that explains the happiness. But why Bossk has been seemingly replaced by Han Solo is totally baffling to me. Explain yourself Burglarhobbit.

IDSMO-2014-R1-Bounty Hunters
IDSMO-2014-R1-Bounty Hunters

Update: It turns out part of the contest this was submitted to dictated that you include "yourself" in the MOC. So this is Burglarhobbit, dressed as Han Solo, making a cameo (I'm sure it still confused Vader to no end).

You Mean We Shouldn't Drink Contaminated Water?

During my time in London I worked in Soho, and from time to time I would pass a small black pump thingy on the sidewalk without giving it a second thought. Then one day I read the plaque on it. It turns out it was the focus of infection in the 1854 Cholera outbreak. Builder peggyjdb recreates this pivotal moment in disease control in his usual informative and brilliant style. Ah to be a Londoner in the 1800's.

The data shows.....

What Once Was

As a kid of the eighties, we were all fairly convinced this was our inevitable future. Between The Day After, Road Warrior, Terminator and, well, the nightly news, we were sure the bombs were going to drop any day. Thankfully calmer heads prevailed (for now) and we're not forced to roam the wastelands in search of gasoline and fighting off mutants (at least those of us not in Fresno). But it's fun to imagine, and MOCs like this one from Gabe Umland paint a bleak picture.

What Once Was
Closer look
Detail Shot

The Legend Of Zorro

Being a California native, and fan of it's proud Mexican heritage, I've always had a soft spot for Zorro. Not just for his badass costume and swordsmanship, but for his championship of the people. I'm not a huge fan of the early films and TV series (too many white guys) but the books are great. I've always loved his willingness to not only defeat the bad guys, but to publicly shame them at the same time. This MOC by TheBrickAvenger captures the mood and chivalry of the legend perfectly, well done.

Type 17 Kai

Dear Mom,

How's dad? Boot camp is going very well. The food is pretty terrible, but I can always talk my friends out of their fruit cup so I'm getting enough to eat. Yesterday started a bit rough, with a ten mile hike, but then we got to drive TANKS! I was a mess at first, but with a little practice I got it down pretty quick. Luckily I was mastering it fast, because just as we were finishing up there was a terrible rumble. Apparently our weapon testing of the 120mm ETC woke up a slumbering monster in the depths of the mountain. We sprang into action and I drove the tank while Wilson and Hacker opened fire. With the help of the other three Type 17's we drove the monster back. Eventually he retreated back to the sea, but I suspect we'll see him again before long. Not to worry though, we're well armed. 

Love you,

-Yoshi

PS. can you please send some more of those Pocari Sweat packets? They're yummy

Type 17 Kai Sunday Stroll
Type 17 Kai (1)

Now This Is Podracing

There have been a great many steamy Star Wars MOCs in recent weeks, thanks to our pals at FBTB and their MOC Madness Steam Wars contest. I know I haven't featured many here, I'm not sure why really. But this one from builder Legopard just had to be featured. I really dig the giant plumes of steam bellowing out of the engines of this Podracer, and if course Watto's junk shop reimagined as a victorian "junkvilla", but I'm totally smitten with that mechanical dewback.

TatooSteam

Watchtower Of Gragoloon

It takes care and skill to pack this much detail in a footprint this size. Many builders confuse detail as "more stuff" and that's simply not the case. Everything should have purpose and serve the MOC. This diorama by Cesbrick strikes an excellent balance between foliage, structures and equipment to make it super detailed, but not unnecessarily "busy".

WTA3

A Feast For The Eyes As Well As The King

This banquet scene is from the upcoming book Build Your Own LEGO Knights Realm. And if this single image is any indication, it's going to be a fantastic book. There's so much detail here you can stare at this image for ages and keep spotting new things. My favorite detail is the candelabra on the main table, great use of the handcuffs part.

Knights banqueting
 
Build Your Own Lego Knight's Realm: The Big Unofficial Lego Builder's Book
By Joachim Klang, Philipp Honvehlmann, Lutz Uhlmann, Tim Bischoff