Hero Factory 2012

[Vinyl Scratch]

So XT4, Voltix, Core Hunter and Thornraxx actually show up in story?

Nice.

144 pages, is that a normal book or is it one of those Young Readers novels like The Journey of Takanuva?

[MakutaNocturn]

I'm not 100% certain Greg has the same influence on HF's story as he did with BIONICLE. I do know that he does have a similar role with Ninjago, but based on the simpler storylines of Hero Factory, it's possible that LEGO lets the set designers do a story outline for any given year, and the TV producers flesh it out into what we see of it. Such a system would explain why most of the comics we've seen are little more than adaptations of the TV episodes.

Greg made story for

- Bionicle

- Exo Force

- Atlantis

- Ninjago

- Hero Factory

And that means that he mades story for themes... that have story. Back to the topic. It's strange situation with Thornraxx. Is it a sneak-peak? This set? Or whaaat?

[Masta' Blasta']

I don't know if it has been brought up yet, but I noticed this image on the LEGO Wiki...

It looks just like his 2.0 helmet with a recolored mouth guard piece. I doubt that is the final helmet, but it looks interesting. Evo's helmet was based on his 2.0 variant, so I suppose Nex's will be too. Also, is that a new armor piece on his shoulder? The color scheme is beginning to grow on me, but the white torso is still overpowering.

I also took a peak at XT4's picture in the recent files and copied & pasted the image into Microsoft Paint. I used Paint to zoom in and noticed a few things. First of all, it appears to me as if XT4 has two black 8 long shells. I've only known this piece to be released in Silver (Set 2192). I've also noticed that XT4 appears to have a tail... Still think he's a drone? His upper body also seems to consist of only bones hooked together by various means. How? It's hard to tell. His pose is just so horrendous, those are the only features I've managed to make out. Is it possible XT4 introduces new pieces to the line?

[Darth Nihilus]

Also, is that a new armor piece on his shoulder?

That piece is new, yes, and it is used throughout the Breakout Wave 2 on Core Hunter, Stringer, Nex, and Stormer, as seen in the prelims and the images from the Toy Fairs.

[Masta' Blasta']

That piece is new, yes, and it is used throughout the Breakout Wave 2 on Core Hunter, Stringer, Nex, and Stormer, as seen in the prelims and the images from the Toy Fairs.

Wow, I can't believe I missed that. I suppose that's what I get for only paying attention to Nex and XT4. I did look at the images of Stringer, but it looked too big to be the same armor piece.

Edited February 8, 2012 by Masta' Blasta'

[Shakar]

That piece is new, yes, and it is used throughout the Breakout Wave 2 on Core Hunter, Stringer, Nex, and Stormer, as seen in the prelims and the images from the Toy Fairs.

Actually, Stringer does not use that piece, he uses another one that is seemingly unique to him. And to add to your list, Voltix uses it- both on the shins and on the shoulders. So does Ultrabuild Cap America.

[Masta' Blasta']

Actually, Stringer does not use that piece, he uses another one that is seemingly unique to him. And to add to your list, Voltix uses it- both on the shins and on the shoulders. So does Ultrabuild Cap America.

Captain America isn't HF, so he's an exception to me. Was this piece in the catalog images as well? I don't recall seeing it until now.

EDIT: Oh right, I do remember seeing it in the television images of Voltix.

Edited February 8, 2012 by Masta' Blasta'

[Darth Nihilus]

Actually, Stringer does not use that piece, he uses another one that is seemingly unique to him. And to add to your list, Voltix uses it- both on the shins and on the shoulders. So does Ultrabuild Cap America.

Really? The piece on Stringer bears a striking resemblance to the piece mentioned. I wonder why TLG made a completely new piece instead of simply reusing this one when they are so similar? Voltix, I must have missed that when I was looking over the pictures. I don't pay much attention to the Ultrabuild SuperHeroes, so that one wasn't too hard to miss.

[Shakar]

It's definitely a different piece compared to Nex's/Voltix's shoulder armour. See here, where Stringer and Voltix clearly show their shoulders- you can tell they're different pieces, no doubt about that. Completely different design, and much bulkier.

Edit: Oh, I forgot the bold. Purple doesn't look so good without bold.

Edited February 8, 2012 by Shakar

[dviddy]

Greg's a great author, just look at what he did with BIONICLE!

I read this sarcastically in order to agree with it.

[Dorek]

So XT4, Voltix, Core Hunter and Thornraxx actually show up in story?

Nice.

144 pages, is that a normal book or is it one of those Young Readers novels like The Journey of Takanuva?

Well, the Young Readers are like, 20 pages each, so this is probably a bit more like that XP (though a full-on graphic novel would be winsauce as well).

Anyway, this whole book thing sounds pretty fun. I wonder if this is in relation to those "short stories" we were promised earlier this year?

Greg made story for

- Bionicle

- Exo Force

- Atlantis

- Ninjago

- Hero Factory

And that means that he mades story for themes... that have story. Back to the topic. It's strange situation with Thornraxx. Is it a sneak-peak? This set? Or whaaat?

I wouldn't say he "made" the story for any of those lines; he had a fairly big hand in them, some moreso than others. BIONICLE was probably the biggest one. I didn't even know he had anything to do with Atlantis, since there wasn't much story there in the first place. Regardless, he hasn't had much to do with Hero Factory; thus far, it's just been adapting the comics from the TV episodes (as mentioned, they aren't really supposed to be anything more than that, although Comic 8 is giving me pause), and now this book of sorts.

I don't know if it has been brought up yet, but I noticed this image on the LEGO Wiki...

It looks just like his 2.0 helmet with a recolored mouth guard piece. I doubt that is the final helmet, but it looks interesting. Evo's helmet was based on his 2.0 variant, so I suppose Nex's will be too. Also, is that a new armor piece on his shoulder? The color scheme is beginning to grow on me, but the white torso is still overpowering.

The helmet looks plenty different enough for me.

[CabooseBM]

I read this sarcastically in order to agree with it.

I'm afraid I'd have to agree.

Edited February 8, 2012 by CabooseBM

[Vinyl Scratch]

Anyway, this whole book thing sounds pretty fun. I wonder if this is in relation to those "short stories" we were promised earlier this year?

Short stories promised to us...?

[Mesonak]

Opinions in a bit.

[vexorian]

Speeda demon looks cool enough. I think that if its price is the same as Scorpion or FL, it will be a good buy.

Edit: Actually let's say the same about Stormer XL.

Edit: In fact, if speeda demon was black I would be extremely happy right now. But the lime and gold combination looks very bad. Good for parts though.

Edit: techno meltdownXT4 is god. Yes, The bley could have been black, but it helps him gives it that look of a trashed robot that lost armor.

Edit: I had to shut down the sound so the voice over doesn't kill my brain.

Nex is an utter joke, specially when it is shown right next to Breeze.

I can officially say Bulk is win too.

Edit: Core hunter, almost everything is nice about this guy, except the face. It makes him look like those awful Inika.

Edited February 9, 2012 by vexorian

[Kalhiki]

Stringer's chest is trans-blue and it looks gorgeous.

Nex and speeda are kinda growing on me, but I still probably won't get 'em.

XT4 looks better than in the pictures now that I can actually see him.

Stormer... eh. Don't like the body. The chest piece on the torso armor looks a little off.

Kalhiki

[Aanchir]

I think those who dislike Greg's writing need to keep in mind that he brought us all of the comics from the very beginning, many of which were very well-loved, and had wonderful gems such as the last page of the issue where the Bahrag were introduced.

Some might think Greg's writing deteriorated over time, but I personally think it stayed pretty good in many important areas, like the 2007 serials and 2008 books. Now, if it did decrease, it was probably a result of his role in the theme's story team expanding greatly over time. But guess what? As far as we can tell, he hasn't had a very strong role on the Hero Factory story team-- and people have hated that anyway. So maybe Greg's the lesser of two evils.

[Vinyl Scratch]

Speeda Demon: This guy has really grown on me, he looks so cool... But eh, pass.

Stormer XL: Looks good, but I am pretty iffy on the building. Doesn't look interesting, pass.

The combiner: 10/10

XT4: Looks really better now, but the helmet is awful, and he looks pretty meh. Pass.

Nex: The only real complain I have with Nex is the white chest but I could change it with someone else's. Otherwise it's a guaranteed buy.

Bulk: AWESOME. I love everything about him, absolute buy.

Core Drainer: *heart attack* No comments. Absolute buy.

Voltix: The colours are still weird, I do not like the position of the "ears" but I am pretty sure they can be changed. Bought.

Stringer: omfg transparent blue chest, omfg guitar-esque blaster. Bought on sight.

Overall, I am really disappointed with XT4 and Stormer XL. Positive in Speeda Demon. Heck Yes in Bulk. AWWW YEAH in Nex and Voltix. BLOODY HELL YES on Core Drainer and Stringer.

*is still waiting for the first breakout line to get here*

Edited February 9, 2012 by Vinyl Scratch

[Mesonak]

Alright, opinion time.

Stormer XL looks absolutely horrible. After finally getting a clear, finalized look at the actual set, I know for sure I won't be picking him up. His design looks award, the legs are shoddy and the feet look absolutely ridiculous. The Hulk torso armor doesn't help.

Speeda Demon looks excellent, but not enough of a departure from the Furno Bike for me to consider picking it up. An excellent array of pieces, however.

XT4 is growing on me, though the grey limbs still look out of place. Looks to have a fairly inventive torso construction, so hooray for that. Nex still looks very well done.

Bulk and Core Hunter... Bulk's color scheme still looks off to me, but it's not as glaring as I would have initially thought upon seeing the set from many different angles. His chest printing is also very fitting. Core Hunter, now that we finally get a good look at his design, looks... exactly the same as I presumed he would look. Outstanding. the recolors are many, the color scheme is consistent and very aesthetically pleasing, and the design looks fantastic. My favorite set from the summer wave.

Finally, Stringer and Voltix... I'm impressed. While I would prefer for Stringer's regular armor plates to be consistent with his torso, it still looks outstanding. The shoulder armor looks cool, the "gun-guitar" is great, and finally, obviously, the trans-blue chest is glorious. Voltix has definitely improved in my eyes, and has ended up looking like an alright set.

Overall, I very much enjoy all of these bar Stormer XL who is a huge disappointment. Currently, due to financial dilemmas, I will likely only be picking up Breez and Thornraxx (who I consider part of the summer wave at this point, and it looks like Lego does as well), as well as Stringer and Core Hunter.

Now, bring on the NY Toy Fair!

[vexorian]

XT4 seems to be supposed to look like an utter mess of a robot. The sort of thing you find in a robot scrap yard about to get recycled. Anyway, I think the saw might get some extra detail.

Edit: Stringer... I am so glad about all the trans pieces this year, but he doesn't seem to have any back armor. I think it will look very wrong with the transparent torso...

Edited February 9, 2012 by vexorian

[Rocketbilly]

Yay!

Ahem...does Stringer's helmet look like it's Titanium Metallic to anyone else? it does to me, though I hope it's just the lighting...

The rest look awesome. Speeda Demon is a must by for me.

EDIT: On second viewing, a lot of elements I know are black look like Titanium Metallic here too, so it could just be the lighting in the showroom.

Nex's weapon looks like it's going to be pretty flimsy, pretty much any long System piece atttached via only one stud is going to be flimsy, and I've gota feeling the hose used will push it out of place a lot too. Shame. Really not liking the use of the System aerials.

Atamaii.com FTW

Edited February 9, 2012 by Rocketbilly

[Dorek]

Short stories promised to us...?

Most recent issue of the LEGO mag indicated that the club section would be home to short stories about HF at some point. Hasn't happened yet, obviously.

I think those who dislike Greg's writing need to keep in mind that he brought us all of the comics from the very beginning, many of which were very well-loved, and had wonderful gems such as the last page of the issue where the Bahrag were introduced.

Some might think Greg's writing deteriorated over time, but I personally think it stayed pretty good in many important areas, like the 2007 serials and 2008 books. Now, if it did decrease, it was probably a result of his role in the theme's story team expanding greatly over time. But guess what? As far as we can tell, he hasn't had a very strong role on the Hero Factory story team-- and people have hated that anyway. So maybe Greg's the lesser of two evils.

Basically this. As an entire story manager, Greg was kinda iffy, but when it got down to writing the serials and books, the work was top notch. Even some of the Hero Factory comics have been great in the dialogue department (even if the most recent one sucked).

But I digress.

Speeda effing Demon. Summer will be expensive... but worth it. That combiner is freaking amazing, too, I wish they had storyline relevance XP.

I'm still not getting the love about Core Hunter. The head is actually really cool, and a black MTIS is nice, but the build is just so generic, as is weapon and overall feeling of it. I do appreciate the black new mold Hero Chest, which is what it looks like he has. Bulk is just nice all around.

Voltix and Stringer look great, as we thought. I'm still undecided on XT4, but I'll chance it; I think it really is just the terrible posing, but we'll see. Nex is aight.

[Rocketbilly]

Looking at the video again, the piece of Skrall/Vorox armour on Speeda Demons bike looks to be transparent.

It looks very odd.

Maybe it's marbled with black?

Either that or it's just a painted black piece.

[Bonehead74]

Am I the only one who thinks that Stormer XL looks REMOTELY good?

(Actually, I think he is EPIC. My opinion.)

Also, that combiner is meh.....

[Kalhiki]

I like Stormer XL. But I'm definitely modding him since I'm not too thrilled about him being an XL. Hopefully he'll be easy to shrink down a bit.

Core Hunter; That helmet it epic win. He may have a generic build the part usage is fantastic.

Stinger needs back armor. I wonder what pieces I have lying around to give him some once he comes out.

EDIT: I think Stormer's built wrong. The chest seems to be placed one peg too high. In some shots it appears the lower peg hole is visible. Plus, moving the chest down would put it line with the shoulders and get rid of some awkward angles created by the torso armor.

Kalhiki

Edited February 9, 2012 by Kalhiki