MONTH IS TH DREAMZzz really captures what the whole LEGO concept is about – creativity. Like Time Cruisers and The LEGO Movie before it, the theme encourages mish-mashing of different subject matter to produce wacky, imaginative results. Now that the second year of storytelling has launched and new sets have been unveiled, Design Director Cerim Manovi is ready to reveal how he and his team continued to develop this sprawling universe. The feature is illustrated with beautiful concept art that shows just how much thought goes into every model. As for imaginative concepts, we had some fun with the recent Ice Planet Explorer minifigure from Collectible Minifigures – or more specifically, the robotic penguin accessory. We have exclusive instructions to build a mech for your mechanical bird. We want to see armies of these things, so have fun with that one – as ever, we’re also providing the parts list. Turning to a more realistic take on space exploration, Model Designer Hans Burkhard Schlömer discusses how he moved from Star Wars to Icons and found himself building a spaceship… the towering 10341 NASA Artemis Space Launch System. He gives great insight into how he tackled the challenging display model. Like most modern LEGO sets, 10341 would not have been possible without SNOT bricks, the relatively recent invention that make sideways building really easy. What you probably didn’t know though is that the LEGO Group first considered SNOT bricks in the 1960s… and even had TNOT (tubes not on top) bricks designed to go with them. It’s time for the final part of our Modulex feature this month – if you’ve missed any of the last three issues, be sure to get them so you have the full story. While it’s bittersweet to reach the end of a series packed with new insights, the conclusion doesn’t disappoint. The tiny bricks ended up a long way from the scale models they were originally intended for. Before you get to all of that though, enjoy The Sort… Kat and Ryan have different takes on whether sets are getting more expensive, Matt has a feeling that you should have sold your Rancors by now and Anthony is counting down the top 10 brick-built objects. Don’t just nod in agreement or shake your head in despair, be sure to share your take on what they have to say by sending an email or leaving a comment on our channels. Leg godt! GRAHAM E. HANCOCK Editor graham@blocksmag.com LEGO DREAMZZZ: NEW SEASON 2 CONCEPT ART INSIDE BATMOBILE BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES EDITION BUILT AND REVIEWED WIN! N! SPACE M SET NASA ARTEMIS SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM SET EX EXCLUSIVES ICE PLANET ICE PL ICE PL ICE ICE BU THE BUILD A MECH FOR THE ROBO PENGUIN SIDEWAYS SIDSID DEDE D N DISCOVER TUBES NOT ON BOTTOM ISSUE 117 // £6.49 SUBSCRIBE TO BLOCKS Get Blocks early every month with a great value subscription package. You’ll save money, be entered into a new prize draw every month and get access to our full digital archive. Browse the different options at blocksmag.com. 102 WELCOME What we’ve been building… When visiting LEGO Store Leicester Square, Ryan came across the perfect pieces for a mission to space and put together a classic rocket. A fire extinguisher was handy in case of a malfunction. Dave assembled 76274 Batman with the Batmobile vs. Harley Quinn and Mr. Freeze but his cat was less than impressed. Clearly he should have been building a Catwoman set instead. Daniel constructed 40693 The Lord of the Rings: Fell Beast, the gift with purchase set that, for a few days, came free with 10333 The Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr. Kat didn’t to go bird spotting in order to find some tweeting tree-dwelling critters, she just relaxed into building 40639 Bird’s Nest and found herself with a blocky feathered family. Blocks | 3