Earlier this morning The LEGO Group revealed 76178 Daily Bugle, the iconic newspaper building from the comics and the largest Marvel Super Heroes set to date. The set will retail for $300 in the US when it releases on June 1st, and in addition to 3772 pieces, it contains over two dozen minifigures from the streets of the Big Apple. If the set itself wasn't awesome enough to stare at, there are four different iterations of spider-people and some characters we've never seen in ABS before like Daredevil and Blade! It looks like it will be a blast to build and I'm sure many brick and comic fans will be planning to pick it up in a couple of weeks. How about you?

After a little bit of a slow period, a new project has achieved ten thousand votes of support on LEGO Ideas. It shouldn't come as a surprise that The Costume Store by Bricky_Brick has made the grade, as '10k Club veteran' doesn't begin to describe this builder. With at least eleven projects that have been or will be considered, Pablo seems to have the formula on lockdown, just like this modular-style building. While the costume shop itself is full of cool details, the apartments are also well-furnished with features like fold-down beds and fireplaces. It'll be a while before we know if this is successful like Pirates of Barracuda Bay, but we wish it the best of luck!

Recently Helene Teichert shared a story on the LEGO Ambassador Network blog about a recent LEGO Certified Professional who never even played with bricks as a child! You should go read Luke Reveruzzi's story to see how he went from starting his own business right out of college to making an augmented reality game where you can race a minifigure to becoming one of the latest LCPs. It's definitely an interesting and inspiring story and one you should check out!

This week's Ninjago Legacy Reimagined short feels much more like a traditional episode of the show and for that I am grateful. Go watch Sweatin' to the Goldies to see Jay and Zane go up against Reflectra, an art thief with a unique power. The ninjas have to take inspiration from Clutch Powers: A Musical Life to find a way to defeat her. It's certainly an interesting concept for the series and shows the creators are definitely having some fun. More and more though, these shorts are appearing to be completely unrelated and just an anthology series celebrating the tenth anniversary of Ninjago, which isn't a bad thing, just perhaps a tad disappointing.

I'm happy to say that I'm feeling well enough to stream this weekend after receiving my second vaccine dose. We'll be heading back to work on the 71741 Ninjago City Gardens on both Saturday and Sunday, May 15th and 16th, starting at 1 PM Eastern on the BZPower Twitch channel. Maybe we'll actually finish it, but even if we don't, it should be a fun time. We'll build, chat, and give away some prizes. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

The LEGO Ideas team has been busy this week, with yet another 10k Club interview going up today. This time Kamila has chatted with Pablo Sanchez, The Creator of The Little Venice and The Car Wash, among many other projects they built that joined the club, including the awesome Pirates of Barracuda Bay. This isn't the first, nor will it be the last time we learn about Pablo, and while perhaps his background hasn't changed, it's still interesting to see how he approaches and designs each creation. Inspiration and ideas can strike differently and result in different build processes, so go learn more about this AFOL and his works!

Bionicle has a long history of unique and interesting Rahi, which fans have added to extensively over the years, both canonically and for fun. A recent 'discovery' in the Bionicle animal kingdom is the Turtle Cat by BZPower member Voxumo. Sometimes you come up with an interesting tablescrap or brick sketch that inspires a complete MOC, and the wonderful head with glow-in-the-dark eyes and vicious looking teeth was the starting point here. I also really like how the spikes from Corroder were used to create a spiky, rounded shell, giving it that turtle-vibe, while the erect legs and long tail add to the feline aspect. All in all it's a great little creature that you should go take a closer look at!

The LEGO Architecture line has been a staple for over a decade now, and Vida Andras hopes to make his mark in your skyline with LEGO Ideas' Milwaukee Art Museum. In the latest 10K Club Interview he talks about his love of architecture, working his digital experience into both his job and LEGO hobby, what he loves most about LEGO, and why this Hungarian chose an American building for LEGO Ideas. Check out the interview for several more models by Andras and a deeper look into this dedicated fan.

Today on LEGO Ideas, Kamila has posted the latest 10k Club Interview for our reading pleasure. Head on over to meet Tom Gerardin, the Creator of Wallace & Gromit to learn all about this UK design student and his interest in LEGO bricks and Aardman Animations. Tom clearly has a lot of passion for both and it's great to hear about his LEGO journey that brought him to this point. Go give it a read to see what you can learn and apply to your own Ideas projects and LEGO hobby!

While vaccines have been rolling out around the world for COVID-19, some places are still fighting harder than ever to stop its deadly spread. India has been especially hard hit lately, and to that end The LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation have donated US$1 million to support COVID-19 relief in India. The relief funds are supporting Save the Children India, and will be used to, "deliver learning to around 20,000 children aged 3-14 whose education has been disrupted by the most recent outbreak, ensure food security for families and provide COVID-19 Care Kits designed to reduce infection rates." It's fantastic to see the company supporting a crucial cause and our hearts go out to those in India affected by the recent surge, and everyone who has been impacted by the pandemic.

Slight change of plans for tonight - we're still doing our usual stream, but it will be starting at 8 PM Eastern instead of 7:30 PM. Despite the delay, we're still looking forward to playing some more of The LEGO Ninjago Movie Videogame over at the BZPower Twitch channel to continue our progress towards 100% completion. The plan is to dive into the Battle Arenas and go up against some bots in a multiplayer-style mode that you don't usually find in these titles. We'll see you all there in the chat as we try out Samurai Showdown, Mystic Bounty, and Ultimate Ultimate Weapon to learn what they're all about!

Today The LEGO Group announced 10292 F.R.I.E.N.D.S Apartments, not to be confused with the awesome minidolls sets, the model is based on the super popular 1990s sitcom and features Rachel and Monica's and Joey and Chandler's apartments as well as the hallway to connect them. It's a pretty large set, coming in at 2048 pieces including minifigures of Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Chandler, Ross, Joey and Janice, although it will 'only' cost $150, which is a pretty decent value. LEGO VIP members will have a chance to buy it starting May 19th, with general availability starting June 1st. You can see all the pictures an read more in the official press release. I guess this is a sign that the Central Perk set has been selling very well, and hopefully this means we might see more TV show sets that keep reaching ten thousand votes on LEGO Ideas (I'm looking at you, The Office and Community)!

LEGO Certified Professional Sean Kenney, an artist that has astounded audiences with his LEGO sculptures, recently installed an exhibit of 38 pieces in Tennessee's Cheekwood Estate and Gardens. "Kenney's work blurs the boundaries between austere and the everyday, drawing from a belief that everything is interconnected," says their website. The works can be found throughout the gardens, the bright colors of LEGO bricks contrasting with the scenery. To get an idea of what he does, look no further than his 2016 exhibit Nature Connects. If you have the chance to visit before September 5, you're sure to be impressed. Details on the website.

We missed last week that a new episode of the Our LEGO Stories podcast was released, focusing on Adult Fans of LEGO! The hosts talk to Head of AFOL Engagement at The LEGO Group Tormod Askildsen, AFOL-turned-LEGO Designer Carl Merriam, and LEGO Ambassador and LEGO Masters Australia competitor Annie O'Reilly, covering a breadth of topics surrounding the fan community and how the company works with us. This podcast has had a slow start but I hope it picks up steam - there's lots of interesting subjects to cover. Go give is a listen on YouTube or your preferred podcast platform!

If you recognize the title then you can probably guess what the latest project to reach ten thousand votes of support on LEGO Ideas is all about. Take a look at Spaceballs by Bricktory Lap, based on the iconic Winnebago Eagle 5 from the film. In addition to capturing the look of the vehicle in the movie, the minifigures are spot-on and the merchandising alone would make Yogurt happy. Even though it's not my favorite Mel Brooks movie, I still wouldn't mind adding this to my collection, as I'm sure many other fans would. We'll keep our fingers crossed that it becomes a set in a ludicrously speedy manner.

A little over a week ago TIME announced their list of the hundred most influential companies of 2021. Appearing in the Innovators category was none other than The LEGO Group, with, "Braille Bricks and pandemic-inspired online content and hybrid learning resources," being cited as areas of innovation lately, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's certainly an honor for them to be recognized. I'm curious - what do you think The LEGO Group's biggest innovations have been over the last year and a half? Let us know in the Talkback!

Recently a pair of cool creations have entered the vaunted halls of the LEGO Ideas 10k Club. First up is Lifeguard's Shack by adwind, which features a cute little building on the beach with lifeguards on duty ready to save the day. Next on the list is the A-Frame Cabin by Norton74, which is well suited for the polar opposite climates and features some great building techniques (how many Mjolnirs can you spot?). I could see either being a popular purchase for people wanting to remind themselves of their vacation getaways while stuck at work. We wish them the best of luck when they enter their upcoming review phase!

Yesterday LEGO posted the newest video in their Ninjago Legacy series, and boy is it something. Feeling like a cartoon coming right out of the 1960s or 1970s complete with a fourth-wall-breaking narrator, A Day in the Life of a Golden Ninja is a look at what a ninja and his dragon do when they're not out protecting the innocent and fighting evil. Is the ninja Lloyd? Why are there so many fart jokes? What could this possibly have to do with anything else in the Ninjago franchise? There are so many other questions and I am so confused. Go watch it and join me in my befuddlement, I guess?

Yesterday Jacob shared the results of the latest LEGO House contest with the models that came out on top and will be displayed at the Home of the Brick. I apologize if I missed anyone, but there are at least four BZPower members who made the grade - congratulations to Ballom, DeeVee, Djokson, and Woomy World! But now it's up to everyone to vote on your favorites of all the entries: you have three votes to cast by May 13th to help determine the fan favorites in the competition who will win some awesome prizes in addition to having their MOCs on display in Denmark. Best of luck to all the finalists!

We have lots more work to do on 71741 Ninjago City Gardens, so let's get back to it tomorrow! Join us at 1 PM Eastern on Saturday, May 8th as we keep building, chatting, and giving away some sets. You can watch on the BZPower Twitch channel to see how this fantastic LEGO Ninjago set is designed and see all the little details and easter eggs as we assemble them. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

If you've had enough of going outside enjoying the spring weather, look no further than LEGO Ideas! A new project has reached ten thousand votes of support on the platform: Movie Set by Max Brich and Castor Troy, which helps you create your own brick films in our favorite plastic blocks. The model features eight detailed building facades, minifigures to be the actors and crew, and a rail to move a LEGO camera or your smartphone along to get an awesome tracking shot. It's a cool concept that is well-designed and would be a great addition to the Ideas theme. We'll keep our fingers crossed for a favorable review result!

Earlier today, LEGO announced 75314 The Bad Batch Attack Shuttle, a new set based on the Star Wars animated show that premiered this Tuesday. The set will be available on August 1st and features the shuttle as well as two speeder bikes and the five required minifigures: Tech, Echo, Hunter, Wrecker, and Crosshair - although you would think there would be some bad guys for them to fight. Hmm... Anyway, at 969 pieces and retailing for $100 in the US, it seems like a pretty decent value especially with the exclusive minifigures. It's already listed on LEGO [email protected] where you can preorder it right now!

Twenty years ago, LEGO was making a huge bet with a new theme called 'Bionicle,' and it was big enough that it made ripples all the way to the mainstream news. BZPower member Max Nui recently stumbled across a Washington Post Bionicle Article circa 2001 that looks at the toys from a unique perspective and interviews a number of fans, parents, and even a couple of people who ran Bionicle websites, namely Christian of xTIAN's Bionicle Corner and Mike of Bionicle Island, two of the three predecessors of BZPower! It's a fascinating read that you can check out right here to go back in time to 2001 before Bionicle was a thing so many of us loved and cherished.

With the upcoming Ninjago sets' pictures released recently, set designer Niek has shared the design process of the Hydro Bounty on his Twitter page. Check out the thread, where he talks about building it mostly at home instead of at LEGO HQ, what features he wanted to include, and how he moved past some puzzling design options. While we're still excited for the current Island sets out now, we'll keep an eye out for Niek's next sets this summer.

A couple more interviews with recent additions to the LEGO Ideas 10k Club have been posted so far this week. First, let's meet Alexandre Rossier, the creator of Auto Union Type C Racecar, a passionate car enthusiast who was inspired to build this model by seeing the actual racecar in action. Then we have Andrzej Undro, the creator of TX Master Games, a sixty-year old Taekwon-do trainer (and Bionicle fan!) who used LEGO bricks to bring an idea they had for twenty years to life. Both provide some great insights into their lives and processes, and I especially found Andrzej's journey to be a unique one among Ideas builders. Go give them both a read to learn more!

Two new projects have achieved ten thousand votes of support on LEGO Ideas over the past couple of days. First up is the Imperial Island Fort by BrickHammer, who has made the grade four times previously before this classic pirates-inspired outpost. It's a fun model that looks like it would pair well with Pirates of Barracuda Bay. Next up is Bike Lanes by MarcelSteeman, who is brand new to the 10k Club and made it with their very first submission. The MOC is designed to work with the recently-released LEGO City road plates to help add some realism and accessibility to your own city. Both builds feature cool details and techniques and could be great additions to the Ideas theme. We wish them the best of luck when they enter their upcoming review phase!

It's the first Tuesday of the month, and that means that not only are we going to play some LEGO videgames, we're going to be diving back into LEGO Dimensions! Come on by the BZPower Twitch channel starting at 7:30 PM Eastern as we revisit Springfield and the always-entertaining Simpsons. We'll definitely be playing as good ole Homer, but may be checking out Bart and Krusty as well! Stop on by to watch the fun!

The second season of the Bits N' Bricks podcast hasn't officially kicked off yet, but journalist Brian Crecente and documentarian Ethan Vincent are back on this May the Fourth to talk all things Star Wars, LEGO, and videogames! In this special episode, May the 4th Be With You, they talk to Matt Fillbrandt and Matt Shell from Lucasfilm Games about how the original LEGO Star Wars videogame came about, how the partnership has grown since then, some of their favorite moments, and what the future might hold! There are some great anecdotes and some fun history of Star Wars and Lucasfilm videogames, which was a nice nostalgia trip as I grew up playing the likes of Day of the Tentacle, Dark Forces, and TIE Fighter. Give it a listen and then go back to waiting for season two to launch - I hear there's some great episodes in store for us!

Earlier today, Hasan announced that the first LEGO Ideas review period for 2021 had closed, resulting in fifty-seven projects making it to the next phase. It would have been fifty-eight, but apparently one, Stadium Tour, was actually based on an IP that the builder did not disclose, which violated the rules. There's still plenty of other great MOCs though, with some very apparent trends. There's lots of modular-style creations, several castles, NASA and other space builds, Nintendo and a couple of other videogames, and, oddly enough, two pairs of bookends and two models of The Office. It's difficult to pick a favorite with so many to choose from, and I'm sure I'll forget about most right around the time we see the results of the third 2020 review period, which is coming soon! Congratulations and good luck to all of the builders!