Svelte

Great find. At first glance I didn't think I'd get this as I also don't usually bother outside of minifig scale, but looking through the instructions there's so many nice parts and details - I especially love the method of making Grievous' fleshy heart *wub*. Not too many technicy parts either so a great parts pack for system builders. As always, it will depend on price in the end.

i also posted these yesterday in the pinned indy set pics section - didn't realise i should start a new thread! i think the jungle cutter is the best - amongst other things, 11 dark green large leaves per set! fantastic! a great range of pieces although i agree the temple looks a little odd - but when it's built it may make more sense visually. still, some great pieces.

BREAKING NEWS, guys and dolls! The instructions are now able to be downloaded from Lego customer service! I had a feeling they'd be up soon! Jungle Duel 7624 River Chase 7625 Jungle Cutter 7626 Temple of the Crystal Skull 7627 Book 1 Temple of the Crystal Skull 7627 Book 2 So many beautiful colours - new dark brown, dark green, dark tan - I am going to have to get multiples of these....

Ha! That's probably true. My twisted mind didn't even think of that! It actually makes sense, too, dammit. I think I was thrown off because of the creepy minifig smile... like Damien from 'The Omen'.

In the interests of clarification, here's the 10185 box art. Apologies for the dodgy pic. You can just see black-hatted guy's top-hat flying off to the left there. That mean scout is clearly dangling the pussy cat by it's tail over the railing - ouch! It's a very 'Michael Jackson' kind of scenario.

Here's a shot with 2 middle floors, and the fire escape. So beautiful! I think 2 middle floors works really well, more impressive than just one, and the fire escape looks amazing too. Three middle floors might be too much. The modularity in this baby is better than Cafe Corner. I think it would be Lego nirvana to build 4 x 10185 into one super GG with the other 2 sets built mirrored to the original, so that the bay windows bookended the overall model *wub*. Somebody's probably done this but I haven't seen pics yet! (brickshelf folder with larger files when public)

Actually I think it is hilarious that on the side of the Green Grocer box showing the closeup of the fire escape, the male minifig's top hat has exploded off his head with horror that the boy scout is dangling the innocent pussy cat over the railing of the fire escape. True!

The last issue of the Lego Club magazine had a price of $AUD59.99 for the Battle Wheel, with a release date of April exclusively at Toys R Us.

Wow, that is expensive, though the free shipping does help bring it back down in price for Australian customers to almost a Cafe Corner or GG price. I think I'll pass, though - sure it looks great, but I'm not a chess player and am already tight for display place. The main appeal is obviously the figures - personally I'd prefer to buy up the regular sets on sale and maybe some impulses - and get more regular castle pieces. If you waited for a 20% off sale (not uncommon here) you could get a Dwarves' Mining, Troll Warship, King's Castle Siege and still have $50 to spend on smaller Impulse sets, the 2007 battlepacks or a Tower Assault. On the other hand, if you're an army builder or minifig collector, it probably makes sense to buy this one. It does look fab. I agree with Hinckley - for this price, I'd have rather seen a UCS type castle set rather than a chess board.

as robbo says, Cafe Corner only came out a month or two before Xmas at DJs, so even if they do sell Green Grocer here, it may take a while before it arrives. personally I'm not sure if they will sell it since it's been reduced to clearance, which is generally not a sign that it sold that well. i think the $250 price is just too high for australian consumers (unless it's Star Wars, which seems to be in a category all of its own). the big technic bulldozer at the same price point was also on clearance at kmart and toys r us. sadly this discourages retailers from ordering the larger sets in future. lego has yet to find the right balance of prices. something like the king's castle siege was only really on shelves for two or three months before Xmas before it vanished completely ($150), and from what i've seen the police station seems to be selling well ($140).

Mine finally came today - hope yours arrives too (if it hasn't already!)

Phew! There's a reasonable explanation after all X-D

Hilarious and cute too! I love the flags - very nice. Let's hope the elephant doesn't stampede or some of the participants will find themselves on the other side of the police van. Messy! The undead army doesn't look impressed at this intrusion. I didn't realise there were pride parades beyond the grave too. Probably just jealous coz they don't have any cool flags or other accessories. Some of your figs are great, esp bear man in the front row. I don't know what you're trying to imply about Spongebob by putting him next to that dog, though. Where's Patrick? More importantly... How could you *need* motivation to build Green Grocer??? The question should be, how could you restrain yourself from tearing open the box? *wacko* Besides, androgynous overall woman looks like she might enjoy the parade... don't deprive her.

Hey Sinner, did you get yours yet? Mine still hasn't arrived, which is a shame as I was looking forward to Green Grocery easter goodness over the long weekend. :-(

Related to 'Insane price for Green Grocer'... very good price for Cafe Corner! David Jones stores are selling Cafe Corners on clearance for $179.95 at the moment for anyone interested.

great news, thanks *yoda* !

I voted for Graynar's factory as it is well-executed, has great play value and looks like it could be a real set from the 90s - BURPS, traps, dodgy colour scheme (no offence Graynar!). I voted for Dancing Cacti Momo Kittens as it kind of means the same as 'Random Unnecessaries'... but says it just more randomly :-P I think the Garbage thing is maybe just a bit too specific if this theme really will come into its own full-blown spin off... Total Garbage maybe as a sub-theme instead.

I'm afraid I have to disagree with the general sentiment here - that mech is way too gorgeous, sleek and functional-looking to be a genuine Block Block set - must be a clone brand design. The inclusion of the old-style postboxes in the footsies is transparently a last-minute attempt to integrate Block Block thematics into an official release. Shame on you, Block Block designers! Seriously though, it's fantastic as ever Hinckley. The mech is fantastic and the tower is a hoot. Definitely at the premium of the Block Block range. I wonder if it was released in Europe what the price would be, especially with all those nice accessories. 200 Euros maybe? Also, the monkey with the bad habits and the red hands. Are his hands red BECAUSE he's been indulging in his bad habits? If so, I hate to think what that would entail... X-O

I really like your detachable pod, Oky Wan. Nice idea. And your figs are great too - very classic Lego looking *sweet* Cute but deadly looking all at the same time! The action shots show an extra polish and really add to your entry.

does anyone know if the 08 SB sets will be available in europe/ the rest of the world? i'm wondering how the 07 line did outside the US since the prices seemed very high on S@H compared to the 06 line.

Wow, you're lucky. That was fast! Hopefully mine arrives soon too - I ordered on 3/3.

Mine too - just got confirmation. Yay! And I have the same problem - where to fit it. :-)

How wide are those window shutters anyway? They kind of look wider than 2 studs each in that first pic and it's hard to see from the pic where all the pieces are jumbled together. 8-| Anyone have any clues?

thanks zero1312! I think your evil Robo-Sinner is fantastic - the menace is all in the eyes ;-)