IT CAME FROM PLANET BRICKNERD

When I saw this awesome Nerdly MOC from Colin Hemmen on Facebook the first thing I thought of was a 1950's movie poster. If I had more time this morning I would already be in Photoshop, but I don't. Perhaps you do, I'd love to see this thing on a movie posters or pulp novel, you have the chops? I might even have some prizes, who knows?

Guardian Spirit Jayfa

I wish my guardian spirit was a dragon. I've become convinced over the years that it is indeed a sloth, and does no protecting. While I like sloths, this dragon by dviddy is way cooler. He sort of reminds me of Mushu from Mulan, but a more badass version. The mix of Hero Factory and System elements is spot on here, nicely done.

White Lotus Priest

It's been a while since we've featured a good tilted timbers build here, thankfully builder jaapxaap is there to give us our fix with this wonderfully disheveled, colorful dwelling. The color palette on this is stunning and eye-grabbing, while still feeling somewhat natural. Considering the colors chosen this is not logical, but really works.

Newsweek Celebrates LEGO

The LEGO brick is 60, and the minifigure is 40, and I'm right in the middle between them. I'm not sure what the significance of that is, but I find it interesting. It also means I was the perfect age when the Minifigure was introduced, and I've loved them ever since. And I'm not alone in that love, the world has been captivated with LEGO for over half a century, and Newsweek is celebrating that with a special edition. They were kind enough to send us a preview issue, and let me tell you, you're all in for a treat. It hits newsstands next week, be sure to pick up an issue or order it here.

Quetzalcoatl Would Prefer Not

You just don't see very many Aztec builds, here on BrickNerd we've only featured a handful. But when they do come along they're usually pretty special, like this one from builder Nuju Metru. It turns out the god Quetzalcoatl was against human sacrifice (why are humans so terrible to each other?) and with the help of some brave warriors is about to put a stop to this rogue priest. 

Zombie Car

Ranking quite high on the "sentences I didn't expect to compose today" list is this: Here is a remote controlled LEGO car shaped like a zombie taking a bath with some rubber duckies. I'll let that sink in, then invite you to click through to see more pics of this crazy car by builder Olive_Leaf as well as a video of it in action.

Purple Rod

There's a moment in every hot rod builder's project where the decision has to be made, what color? In the real world this can be put off and agonized over for most of the project, and consequently make or break it. Imagine having spent years building a car, only to screw it up at the last minute with a terrible paint job. In the LEGO world, that decision has to happen quite early, and can also have dire consequences. Depending on color, finding the parts you need can be quite challenging. So I'm always impressed with a rare color choice, and this purple beast by builder redfern1950s2, is a real eye catcher. Of course purple isn't as rare as it used to be, but it's still very limited in part choice, which makes this hot rod all the more impressive.

FDNY Tactical Support Unit

Builder sponki25 is back with another addition to his amazing NY emergency vehicle fleet. This time it's Tactical Support Unit 1, a 2016 International 7500/Seagrave 4x4. It's loaded with details and the accuracy we've come to expect including custom chrome and stickers. Click through for more pictures and to see it in action.

Yuru Camp

While my new Airstream has fundamentally changed how I camp, I spent the first half century of my life tent camping. I've always enjoyed adding a bit of separation between myself and the real world and decompressing while "roughing it" (and of course eating camp food). These adorable figures based on the comic Yuru Camp by MikeVd are getting away from it all, and I have to admit I'm just a little jealous.

Bayonetta

Hey boys and girls! It's time for another round of "Games that Tommy has never heard of!" Yes, I've never played, or actually even heard of Bayonetta. We'll just have to add it to the growing list of games that have eluded me but inspire insanely cool MOCs like this one from builder Umm, Who? I don't know what's going on or who's who (or what) but it's a feast for the eyes.

Micro Castle

I will never tire of seeing a good micro build, especially one as good as this castle by builder soccerkid6. This is the second place prize for the 48x48 Castle category of the Summer Joust. The color combination is my favorite thing about this, but I have to make mention of that stud-to-stud technique for adding windows to the round tower.

Retro Bugatti

While everyone is drooling over the new LEGO Bugatti Chiron Technic set builder _Pixeljunkie_ has decided to go more retro, way more retro. This is a 1928 Bugatti Type 37A, and it's beautiful. There's a fair amount of custom chrome on her, and it really pops. And an old garage is the perfect setting.

Missiles Delivered By Turtle

Sure showering your enemy with hellfire from above is fun, but what makes it awesome is when that shock and awe destruction is delivered by turtle. Yes, I said turtle, namely Legoloverman's classic turtles. Here we see one equipped with missile launcher, and it's a wicked combination of cute and catastrophic.

Greed

I've never been about money. As an artist I always find it difficult to put a price on my time, and I've never had ambitions of wealth. I'm just happy making stuff, sharing stuff, and making enough money to keep my family fed and happy. But there are some in the world who see the buckazoids differently, for who the accumulation of wealth is all consuming and the yardstick by way they measure their self worth. Sort of like this guy from builder lummerlander, who may never learn money can't buy you happiness. Don't be like this guy.

Squall's Gunblade

Have you ever been accused of "bringing a knife to a gunfight"? Well now you can do both thanks to builder vitreolum. Yes this classic weapon from the video game series Final Fantasy has never made a lick of sense, but no one cares because it's so totally awesome. 

R2-D2 Bus

During my time in London I took a lot of busses. And while I have a soft spot for the venerable Routemaster, I would have been riding this bus all the time if it existed. It's the R2-D2 bus, a Star Wars reimagining by builder lucbyard. I have to assume that the football hooligans that inevitable congregate on the upper level late at night can be easily ejected like Luke's Lightsaber.

BrickNerd Wants You!

Like LEGO? Spend part of every day drooling over cool creations on Flickr? Love to share your enthusiasm? Do you like words and using them to describe things? Can you name every cast member of Star Wars? Then you sound like BrickNerd material! If you'd like to join the "Nerd Herd" drop me a line at tommy@bricknerd.com with the subject "sign me up!" and let's see if you have what it takes to join the ranks!

Zabivaka

While my personal interest in football is so infinitesimally small it's functionally immeasurable I can appreciate other's interest and enthusiasm for the World Cup. And while I couldn't tell you a single statistic about the current tournament (even if you refer to it as a "tournament" really) I can totally get into this LEGO version of the mascot Zabivaka by builder vir-a-cocha. 

Oh The Heat

The US is currently getting warm, quite warm, and it's going to get warmer. There's a major heatwave building here in the midwest and northeast, with record highs predicted. This of course poses a serious threat, warped and melted bricks. Do not leave your bricks or creations in your car, or they could end up like this melty offering by cmaddison. Oh and you humans out there, drink lots of water, limit outdoor activity and stay inside and play with LEGO.

Kokedama

This looks like a pretty good plant for my house. For one, thanks to the building skills of Takamichi Irie, it's beautiful. It's also interesting, a moss covered ball of soil with a decorative plant growing out of it. And it's plastic, so I can't kill it. Actually, come to think of it, it's LEGO so it's delicate...it's doomed at my house.