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CONTENTS // THE SORT 06 We’re off to see the Wizard 08 What’s new and next 09 A roll of the die 10 The lost elements 12 Better than gold? 13 Latest from LEGO House 14 Meet... BioniLUG 16 Gaming Download 17 Brick Central 18 Ideas Latest 20 The Brick Debate 22 What’s new at BrickLink 23 It’s not much... 24 Top Ten 26 Screen Time 28 In other news... 29 Secrets we’ve spotted in... 30 Contest of the Month 32 Early Concepts 33 Five things we’ve learned 34 This LEGO life 8 76 // FEATURES 38 The Nightmare Before Christmas Simon Scott was determined to see the holiday classic become a LEGO set. He and the design team reveal how they imbued the quirky model with Halloween and Christmas charm. 44 Piece by Piece When Pharrell Williams asked Morgan Neville to tell his story cinematically, he had an unorthodox idea. In this exclusive interview, the director of Piece by Piece talks about rebuilding the entire notion of what a biopic can be. 52 10 favourite sets from the past 10 years To celebrate the magazine’s 10 year anniversary, the Blocks crew have picked out our favourite sets that have launched during the past decade. 58 Pushing the City limits Design Manager Chris Stamp explains how the City team are elevating the longest running theme to see where they can take it next. 98 Build and chat with Crystal Fontan Designing characters sounds like a dream career. Design Manager Crystal Fontan discusses finding her creative passion, joining the LEGO Group and adapting characters from beloved properties including Sesame Street and Fortnite. 38 Editor GRAHAM E. HANCOCK A LEGO expert who can’t remember life without the brick, Graham loves using that knowledge to bring Blocks to readers every single month. Build Expert & Historian DANIEL KONSTANSKI Both a builder and a collector, Daniel has extensively researched the LEGO Group’s history, making him an unrivalled fount of knowledge. Build Specialist SIMON PICKARD If there’s a way to put two bricks together, Simon knows it. He’s an experienced builder who is always discovering new techniques. 4 | Blocks 80 84 Features Writer KAT REES-JAUKE This life-long brick fan is always ready to dig deep into the latest sets to find out how they were conceptualised, designed and developed. Features Writer ANTHONY WALKER-COOK With a passion for fantasy sets but a penchant for any box that features the LEGO logo, Anthony covers every aspect of the brick experience. Reviews Writer DAVE CARTLIDGE Whether it ’s from Marvel Super Heroes, Friends, Technic or any other theme, Dave has the LEGO build know-how to assess the latest sets. Build Curator GENEVA DURAND A 2x2 pillar of the community, Geneva is a respected member of the online creative LEGO scene with an expert eye for the best builds out there. News Writer RYAN EVERLETH This LEGO aficionado has eclectic tastes, including Star Wars, Ideas and The Lord of the Rings. He always has a take on the latest news. Photographer PHIL WRIGHTON Models never look better than when this prize-winning LEGO photographer has worked his magic to produce beautiful Blocks covers.
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// BUILDS 50 Fortnite Battle Bus Don’t forget to thank the driver, because you’re about to drop into the midst of a frenetic battle – everybody off! Last stop in 12 steps... 64 Stegosaurus restraints If you don’t feel any need to restrain your dinosaurs, then clearly you weren’t paying attention during Jurassic Park or its sequels. 90 Gravestones Create a spooky setting for ghouls, zombies and spooks with these different gravestones that you can build with just a few bricks. 95 Technique Spotlight In his Dragon Reconstruction build, Jarosław Książczyk demonstrates how you can ‘cheat’ with 1x2 bricks to create dramatic arches. 96 Crabs If you think LEGO builders are going to only build crabs that scuttle across the sand, then you’re underestimating the ingenuity of these talented creators. 90 44 // REVIEWS 68 Piece by Piece 70 21351 Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas 74 75583 Minions and Gru’s Family Mansion 76 75374 The Onyx Cinder 78 76288 Iron Man & Iron Legion vs. Hydra Soldier, 76297 Dancing Groot 79 Tilting Towers 80 42172 McLaren P1 84 77092 Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 88 Reviews round-up 78 74 CONTENTS 58 98 6 // RETRO 106 In 1999… Star Wars and Rock Raiders were new, DK kicked off serious LEGO publishing and McDonald’s was willing to sell you a 2x4 brick for charity. 108 Time Cruising Take a look back at the original skeleton, the unique Futuron era of Space and the very first fan created brickfilm – Journey to the Moon. 109 Vintage print ad Why not use your Castle minifigures to play a game of chess? 110 341 Warehouse Before minifigures were a thing, sets were scaled for diecast vehicles. They also had weird baseplates and a different style of tree. 111 From the Vault The marching band of LEGOLAND Billund proved such an entertaining sight for guests that a brick-built tribute to the group is still situated outside the theme park’s entrance today. LEGO SET REVIEWS INSIDE INSIDEINSIDE LEGO THE LORD OF THE RINGS BARAD-DÛR REVIE STAR WARS SKELETON CREW • THE LEGEND OF ZELDA MARVEL • DESPICABLE ME • MCLAREN P1 • AND MORE righton il W Cover image: Ph THE AMBITIOUS NASA MISSION GETS A TOWERING MODEL ARTEMIS BRAND NEW WINWIN SECTIONS THE EPIC NEW LEGO THE EPIC NEW LEGO INSIDE FORTNITEFORTNITE BATTLE BUS BATTLE BUS CASTLE B&B SEE THE SKETCH MODELS AND MINI-DOLL CONCEPTS W ha t a W ha t ha t a Nig ht ma re... STAR ARS LEGO DESIGNERS RECALL WORKING AT LIGHTSPEED FOR THE BIG 1999 LAUNCH EXO-FORCE EXCLUSIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR MINI SENTAI FORTRESS PIECE BY PIECE PIECE BY PIECE Bringing PHARRELL WILLIAMS' LIFE to the screen – IN BRICKS THE MASSIVE NEW LEGO DUNGEONS & DRAGONS SET IN! INSIDE FORTNITE INSIDE FORTNITE how designers adapted the game's icons as minifigures ISSUE 116 // £6.49 .4 9 // £ 6 1 2 0 I S S U E Contributors Matt Chiles, Will Tachick, Chris Wharfe Thanks to… The LEGO Group, featured builders, BioniLUG, Andrew Bulthaupt, Kirstin Carag, Crystal Fontan, Gudfinna Kristinsdottir, John Longbottom, Morgan Neville, Jordan Paxton, Laura Perron, Jordan Scott, Simon Scott, César Soares, Jon Spurny, Sara Skahill, Chris Stamp, Signe Wiese Bundsbæk Advertising Manager Colin Smithson Art Editor Keith Wood, Hype Creative Publisher Tom Saunders tom@silverbackpublishing.rocks +447841 412199 Independence Blocks is published by Silverback Publishing Ltd for fans and enthusiasts of LEGO. LEGO, the LEGO logo, the brick and knob configurations, and the minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorise or endorse Blocks magazine. Distribution If you have trouble finding Blocks please call +447841 412199 or email subs@silverbackpublishing.rocks. ­While every effort is made in compiling Blocks, the publishers cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any storage or retrieval system, without the consent of the publisher. Blocks | 5

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CONTENTS

// THE SORT 06 We’re off to see the Wizard 08 What’s new and next 09 A roll of the die 10 The lost elements 12 Better than gold? 13 Latest from LEGO House 14 Meet... BioniLUG 16 Gaming Download 17 Brick Central 18 Ideas Latest 20 The Brick Debate 22 What’s new at BrickLink 23 It’s not much... 24 Top Ten 26 Screen Time 28 In other news... 29 Secrets we’ve spotted in... 30 Contest of the Month 32 Early Concepts 33 Five things we’ve learned 34 This LEGO life

8

76

// FEATURES 38 The Nightmare Before Christmas Simon Scott was determined to see the holiday classic become a LEGO set. He and the design team reveal how they imbued the quirky model with Halloween and Christmas charm.

44 Piece by Piece When Pharrell Williams asked Morgan Neville to tell his story cinematically, he had an unorthodox idea. In this exclusive interview, the director of Piece by Piece talks about rebuilding the entire notion of what a biopic can be.

52 10 favourite sets from the past 10 years To celebrate the magazine’s 10 year anniversary, the Blocks crew have picked out our favourite sets that have launched during the past decade.

58 Pushing the City limits Design Manager Chris Stamp explains how the City team are elevating the longest running theme to see where they can take it next. 98 Build and chat with Crystal Fontan Designing characters sounds like a dream career. Design Manager Crystal Fontan discusses finding her creative passion, joining the LEGO Group and adapting characters from beloved properties including Sesame Street and Fortnite.

38

Editor GRAHAM E. HANCOCK A LEGO expert who can’t remember life without the brick, Graham loves using that knowledge to bring Blocks to readers every single month. Build Expert & Historian DANIEL KONSTANSKI Both a builder and a collector, Daniel has extensively researched the LEGO Group’s history, making him an unrivalled fount of knowledge. Build Specialist SIMON PICKARD If there’s a way to put two bricks together, Simon knows it. He’s an experienced builder who is always discovering new techniques.

4 | Blocks

80

84

Features Writer KAT REES-JAUKE This life-long brick fan is always ready to dig deep into the latest sets to find out how they were conceptualised, designed and developed. Features Writer ANTHONY WALKER-COOK With a passion for fantasy sets but a penchant for any box that features the LEGO logo, Anthony covers every aspect of the brick experience. Reviews Writer DAVE CARTLIDGE Whether it ’s from Marvel Super Heroes, Friends, Technic or any other theme, Dave has the LEGO build know-how to assess the latest sets.

Build Curator GENEVA DURAND A 2x2 pillar of the community, Geneva is a respected member of the online creative LEGO scene with an expert eye for the best builds out there. News Writer RYAN EVERLETH This LEGO aficionado has eclectic tastes, including Star Wars, Ideas and The Lord of the Rings. He always has a take on the latest news. Photographer PHIL WRIGHTON Models never look better than when this prize-winning LEGO photographer has worked his magic to produce beautiful Blocks covers.

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