A sketch based off the box art for the Tripod Invader:

Tripod Invader by vmln8r, on Flickr

A sketch based off the box art for the Tripod Invader:

(snip)

Tripod Invader by vmln8r, on Flickr

Good drawing 'VMLN8R', although that alien clinger looks a little too happy. The actual one has more of a "scared/angry" look.

There's an excellent sale going on at Amazon.com right now. I just picked up my Earth Defense HQ for $62.99 - a really great deal, considering how widely loved this set is. I'd hurry up and take advantage of it before it ends!

I am 50/50 on this theme, I love the minifigs and the Earth Defense vehicles, yet I'm not overkeen on the Alien invasion ships, I would have prefered closer to UFO or Insectoids themes when it comes to aliens vehicles

Just got my Earth Defense HQ, and I have to say, it definitely lives up to all the hype. Best set of the year for me.

Just got my Earth Defense HQ, and I have to say, it definitely lives up to all the hype. Best set of the year for me.

Agreed-- got mine last week and it's without question the best set I've built in 2011. Huge and fun!!!!!!!

Here are some ADU MOCs. An ADU Troop transport, ADU skimmer and ADU commanders Jeep.

A sketch based off the box art for the Tripod Invader:

Tripod Invader by vmln8r, on Flickr

Wow, that's great! I could never draw something like that, as I have the artistic skills of a four year old.

Has there been any word on Alien Conquest returning for 2012?

Has there been any word on Alien Conquest returning for 2012?

No Alien Conquest in 2012. Not sure there's a new space/sci-fi theme at all for 2012...

No Alien Conquest in 2012. Not sure there's a new space/sci-fi theme at all for 2012...

I think it will be like Power Miners where they will have a break and come back in the summer

I think it will be like Power Miners where they will have a break and come back in the summer

Did Power Miners do that? I don't think it did. Some sets were delayed until summer for the US release, but it was a regular line with three consecutive waves everywhere else.

It's weird how it looks like both Castle and Space seem to be taking a hiatus next year; traditionally, those have been core lines. It doesn't bother me as much, since I haven't collected castle sets for years and am currently abstaining from space themes in favor of Ninjago. But it looks like action themes and licenses are going to be the name of the game, at least for early 2012.

It would be nice to have some new AQ sets, but it doesn't look like this or Pharaoh's Quest are coming back. Maybe we'll get something really cool in 2013.

A sketch based off the box art for the Tripod Invader:

[snip]

Nice drawing. I really should pick up drawing again.. I was pretty good at it a couple of years back.

Just bought my kids the Earth Defence HQ for xmas and the Helicopter, Defender and Flying Saucer sets. Amazing prices online and great variety in this theme. I hope it returns next summer.

It's weird how it looks like both Castle and Space seem to be taking a hiatus next year; traditionally, those have been core lines. It doesn't bother me as much, since I haven't collected castle sets for years and am currently abstaining from space themes in favor of Ninjago. But it looks like action themes and licenses are going to be the name of the game, at least for early 2012.

It does seem that way. It's a shame, since Alien Conquest and Pharaoh's Quest are both my favorite themes from this year. Although I do welcome LEGO Superheroes and the possibility of LEGO LotR, I'm gonna miss the classics.

It does seem that way. It's a shame, since Alien Conquest and Pharaoh's Quest are both my favorite themes from this year. Although I do welcome LEGO Superheroes and the possibility of LEGO LotR, I'm gonna miss the classics.

Ditto and ditto.

As excited as I am about LEGO Superheroes, I don't think they will be able to match my enthusiasm for AC and PQ, two VERY underrated themes.

I just got the Alien Conquest Earth Defense HQ. I got it 50% off at a recent TRU BOGO 50% off. I really like this set. I just need more ADU agents to fill out the positions like the missile launchers, driver seats, cart etc.

I think I want a Dropship in ADU colors now haha

I hate licensed themes.

It seems that just about every licensed theme and its mom has arrived this city, but I guess Alien Conquest and Kingdoms are too niche for us. PotC, Cars, Star Wars, Harry Potter and now Super Heroes, it is just too much for the real themes to hope to get picked by retailers.

I wish I had realistic ways to buy sets online. Farewell, Alien Conquest. I expected you for almost a whole year only to get utterly disappointed.

It looks like a great theme and will provide some nice peices!

I hate licensed themes.

It seems that just about every licensed theme and its mom has arrived this city, but I guess Alien Conquest and Kingdoms are too niche for us. PotC, Cars, Star Wars, Harry Potter and now Super Heroes, it is just too much for the real themes to hope to get picked by retailers.

I wish I had realistic ways to buy sets online. Farewell, Alien Conquest. I expected you for almost a whole year only to get utterly disappointed.

I concur with this. I'm totally sick of licensed themes and I never buy them. I think the last licensed theme I avidly enjoyed and collected was the old batman sets but these new ones don't sound nearly as good. I wish lego would just start being original with their own ideas other than ninja go. I even found alien conquest to be rather lacking. I hope this "monster fighter" line is real and turns out to be half as cool as I imagine. Because if not, I'm leaving lego to go buy some gundam models. They're cheaper and take more time to build.

Edited November 25, 201113 yr by ComputerBug

I concur with this. I'm totally sick of licensed themes and I never buy them. I think the last licensed theme I avidly enjoyed and collected was the old batman sets but these new ones don't sound nearly as good. I wish lego would just start being original with their own ideas other than ninja go. I even found alien conquest to be rather lacking. I hope this "monster fighter" line is real and turns out to be half as cool as I imagine. Because if not, I'm leaving lego to go buy some gundam models. They're cheaper and take more time to build.

I also concur! While I'm fine with licenses in general, I think that over the past few years LEGO has become more and more license-orientated. I can see why they're doing it, but I think licenses also restrict imagination; LEGO is only doing half the job, whereas original LEGO themes are just that, completely original and I prefer them. To be honest, in maybe ten years time I'm almost expecting LEGO to only produce licensed sets. That would be a shame.

Let's be optimistic about possible new AC sets. This year, the Kingdoms theme had no winter wave but four new sets came out in summer.

This winter, store shelves will be filled with the new City, Star Wars, Dino, DC sets which could distract buyers' attention from the new AC ones. Maybe that's why TLG could decide to release all 2012 AC sets in summer.

Let's be optimistic about possible new AC sets. This year, the Kingdoms theme had no winter wave but four new sets came out in summer.

This winter, store shelves will be filled with the new City, Star Wars, Dino, DC sets which could distract buyers' attention from the new AC ones. Maybe that's why TLG could decide to release all 2012 AC sets in summer.

I too am hopeful for new Alien conquest, but I wonder what sets can still be released for either faction? Especially on the alien side. The first/only? wave was just so well rounded and has left relatively few gaps unless they move away from the B movie feel it has but then it may lose its charm?

For the ADU, the set that I would like to see is something like the Space Police base from Space Police III, a place where captured aliens and equipment are brought to be further studied. And maybe some smaller fighter type ships aimed at bringing down ADU fighters and smaller saucers. Maybe a mecha of some sort, big and beefy with lots of those flick-fire missiles.

For the aliens, I am sure there are more things they could make, maybe some more ground vehicles.