Hi there! Since the Brick Fanatics magazine just released in the UK, Just want to know you guy's thoughts. Are you excited? Are you disappointed in what you see so far? 

For all you British people, I know you already have the magazine so feel free to share anything you find interesting in it.

I personally am very excited for the release date in the US. But what do you guys think?

Personally, I don't see the point of it. It will always be out of date compared to the internet. Unless it gets some very high profile interviews or content that is not available elsewhere, I doubt it will survive. They have done well to get into WHS in the UK, at least they may get sales because of that.

 

They are up to issue 3 already, issues 1 and 2 were only internet available ones. Again, that might not help sales - if I missed 1 and 2, why bother starting at 3?

Edited March 18, 20195 yr by MAB

I'll get a copy to take a look. I do find that these sort of magazines are good for the fan who has not jumped head first into internet sources just yet.

A joking term my sister and I use is "Internet Enabled", what we mean is people who's first stop is the internet for information/news/entertainment and understand the slang and terms of web culture. For ourselves, our peers and those younger than us, we are "Internet Enabled" but the older generation as a rule is not. My parents, grandparents and those of their peer group might not immediately turn to the internet, so a book or a magazine on a subject would be useful for them, or to guide them to web sources. 

It is also a safe way to share my hobby with those who have strict opinions (read: Morally Zealous types who freak about things like coloured hair, "vulgar" language etc) as it is much easier to show a magazine page than a website or media feed on my phone. 

Anyway, I was going to drop down to town for lunch so I think I will check for a copy at my local WHSmith. 

 

What's the difference between Brick Fanatics mag and Blocks mag?

More than the size, Blocks ≈ A4. Brick Fanatics ≈ A5.

Some of the people involved are the same.

Which one would be the best for an AFOL?

I've seen a few glimpses of it, and it doesn't seem really that interesting. I don't see the point it paying for a magazine (that also gets the news later) when you stay up to date with the news for free from the Internet, and most of the time, the exact same they they surface. 

Plus the fact that there isn't really any exclusive information in them or anything.

Edited July 6, 20195 yr by Lego David

I have been reading both since their respective inceptions and enjoy them for different reasons.

Blocks is glossier and has more 'fun' articles. Brick Fanatics is more sophisticated though; there's an interview with a Cambridge professor in the last issue I have, for example.

Sure, both contain 'news' that I am mostly long aware of from online sources. But they also contain building technique articles and MOCs I may have missed online (there's a great Droggon in BF issue 6!). 

Also, like lots of people, I spend a great deal of time as it is staring at screens all day. It's nice to curl up with a hard copy publication instead.