Jack Bricker

Okay when I first heard the rumors for this theme I heard things like it is never going to happen. Then when the theme was confirmed I heard that the sets were not going to be very good. Then when the first blurry pics came out people tried to point out every flaw. Now that we have seen detailed pics people are saying it won't be successful just because it won't be successful. Now the only people that I have repeatedly said negativities about LOTR are either classic castle fans or SW fans and I have to say that I am getting a little tired of all of the pessimism. Have any of you purchased the sets? Have the sets been released yet? No, of course not and that is why we should save "constructive" criticism for when the sets do come out and only if it is deserved. I personally don't find the SW sets all that appealing but, I don't go over to their forum and tell everybody how SW is just a fad and is going to die. No, I would never do that because it is offensive to those who are SW fans. I guess the point I am trying to make is I would like it if there was a little less unfounded pessimism and wait until the sets are released and then constructive criticism where it is due. Because, right now I really don't even see how it is completely on topic since the sets haven't been released and we really don't know how they are going to do and frankly after looking at all of the great minifigs and detailed set designs I think that they will sell quite well but that is just an opinion.

I think LOTR will sell quite well. Everybody that I have talked to is excited about them even people that are not into Lego. LoTR is not just some new movie that came out like POTC but is considered one of the greatest literary works written and has been transferred very well to the big screen by Peter Jackson. It has also lasted the test of time by continuing to have a strong fanbase even after 60 years from when it was published.

Has anybody heard any sort of news on a possible Flying Dutchman set? I have heard all sorts of things but, nothing concrete. I have also heard that Disney is planning another Pirates release in 2013 so, if that is true do you think we might see it then or do you think that Lego is keeping it under wraps until it is released later this year?

That is just plain awesome. I really admire all of the detail that you put into your MOC of the Flying Dutchman. I only wish that I had the resources to build one like it. Thanks for posting.

I have to say that I am really torn with this one. I don't like both types of minifigs together but, I really like both of them. The POTC minifigs are great just because I really like POTC but, I will always have a special place for classic pirates in my heart.

Well, he also said that he read the books and they clearly state that she is his niece. I have to say that I am kind of suspicious when the Brickshow promotes garbage like Mega Bloks and Cobi as some of the best toys out there and then talks about how Lego LOTR is not going to sell well and how the Helms Deep should have included Gandalf the White, etc... I really wonder if they are getting paid by Lego or some of these other "brick companies" besides youtube in order to get good reviews. Anyway, back on topic, I am getting more and more excited about these sets. I thought the way they did the archer platform with the opening hatches was awesome and I really like the blow up feature of the Deeping Wall. I am also completely in love with Theodon's armor. I can just picture a super elite saxon force made from multiple Theodon minifigs.

First of all Awesome overview. I am always impressed with the amount of effort you put into these overviews and I always enjoy them. Now, I have to say that I had all of the major sets for this line and I was very happy with them as a child. Now as an adult there are some things that I like about them but, they are kind of boring. I think the main reason for that is it just feels like something is missing like an outer wall for the castle or a castle for the bull knights. Also the floor of the throne room is green instead of white or grey or tan and there is no outer wall with a gate and just a door to the throne room. Those are the major offenders in my opinion of this theme. Now to be fair I would like to point out that Lego was trying to depict a 15th/16th century castle a not a truly medieval castle and that may be the reason behind the design. That being said I wish that Lego had come out with minifigs that matched the cannons and the 16th century design and I probably would have liked it a lot better. A more realistic coat of arms would have helped too.

Well, the official release date from the toy fair was June but, usually the sets come out a month early, so I am guessing probably around May or April at the earliest.

I have to say that I absolutly love your version of Bag End. Bag End is one of my favorite locations in LOTR and I am really happy to see that someone has done it justice. My only dislike is the your MOC is not for sale from Lego so that I could buy multiples of it.

"None Shall Enter" That's okay I don't think that I want to enter when looking at those zombie knights at the top. No seriously a very nice MOC. I love all of the detail that you put into the building and the way you did the stone pathway is just pure genius. I will definitely be using some of your building techniques when I start doing my own MOCs.

Very nice. I really like the way that you did Helms Deep and and the mountain in the background. Truly a great Micro-build.

I was just wondering has anybody heard anything about the Hobbit wave coming later this year in terms of what sets. I was wondering because I am really curious what Lego is going to do in terms of elves. I was also wondering what people think of the new sting mold. I haven't heard a lot about it but, I have seen the pictures and I think it looks awesome. Also, does anybody think that Lego will do a Sauron minigure and if they do will it be taller than the rest of the minifigures?

Yeah, I bet it is just because the set at the toy fair is just a prototype. So far, everything that we have seen of the Lego LOTR line Indicates that Lego is really trying hard to put the utmost quality into their sets and thus far from what I have seen I think Legi has succeeded. Oh, I just cannot wait until June! :)

I am really hoping that Lego does a nice, big Revendell set for the first hobbit wave later this year. I would also love to see wood elf battle packs. Fingers crossed!

Absolutely gorgeous! I cannot wait until I can afford to build something like that. I am really impressed with the river and house especially. The detail is just stunning and really brings the MOC to life. Great job, and I hope to see more or your castles in the future!

Great job and I have to say that I am really glad that you did that and posted pics. I have to admit that I had had the same idea myself and am really glad to see what it would look like and it looks really nice. Keep up the moding to your sets and I hope to see more.

I personally would really like it if Lego did a big UCS set of Minas Tirith. That would be just too awesome!

I am not counting on this but, wouldn't a Sauron minifigure in human form just be too cool. I would buy at least 4-5 of that set just for that figure alone.

I have had both the Kings Carriage and the Royal Knights Castle since I was a kid. I have to say that it is one of Lego's best castles. The thing is huge and it also has a lot of features for playability and detail like the early dragon heads on the roof. Great design and a wonderful castle. Thank you for doing this theme overview; it has given me a lot of memories.

Simply amazing. I am really impressed. I especially like the targets and the festival going on. Really nice MOC.

That is a very nice MOC. I really like the bridge going over the brook and I like the way you did the statue. Great job.

Very nice. Helms Deep is looking better and better and I am really looking forward to the new troll. I am also very curious how the new Sting mold will look. Oh, I just cannot wait until June/July when I can get these sets. Thank you for posting those pictures.

I am just crazy about LOTR and I am getting more and more excited as I continue to see more pics of the sets as time goes on. I have to say that I do really like all of the different minifigs including the gollum minifigure. That is just how I was hoping they would make him and I think he is great. Also I am really excited about the sets so far. All of them look great and the fact that Lego is doing the new ring piece is just icing on the cake. Great theme and I hope that Lego continues it for many years as I plan to buy all of the sets and multiples of some.

I think it is just that some people, not all mind you, but some want to find something to whine about and when you call them on it they go on and on about how they have a right to their opinions, etc... but I think the sets are awesome for regular Lego sets and certainly a step in the right direction. When Lego first introduced Star Wars the sets were kind of crude looking, no offense to SW fans, but now they are some of the best licensed sets out there and I think that LOTR is starting out much better then that. I think there is a lot of potential in this theme and Lego is certainly not dropping the ball so far. Also, for those who do not know much about LOTR yet, Helms Deep is build into the side of a mountain and that is why the set looks kind of like a shell. I mean seriously, Lego is not going to build a 10 story high mountainside out of BURPs and reduce all of the playability of the set just to appease the very few AFOLs that could afford such a monster of BURPs.

I am really, really excited about these sets. I just cannot wait for helms deep it looks so cool and the fact that they got the tower on the correct side is really nice too. Also I am exstatic about the new ring piece. That is exactly what I was hoping for. Also, the minifigs so far are just gorgeous. I just simply cannot wait.