Category: 2015 Lego

Lego Book Review: Star Wars Minifigure Encyclopedia 2nd Edition

LEGO Star Wars 2nd Edition Encyclopedia ReviewWow, that is a long title :0)

The Lego Star Wars Minifigure Encyclopedia is a standard in the bookshelves of any Lego fan. Shaped rather like a brick itself, the book is a tome meant to cover the breadth of characters in the LEGO Star Wars Universe, which seems to be growing exponentially every year.

This year particularly so.

I must admit, 2015 seems also a strange year to release a new editon of this book, given the looming release of Star Wars Episode VII, which will no doubt add dozens of new characters to the fold.

I’m guessing that with the new cast of characters DK might need to split the books into separate volumes (ie Pre Episode 7 and Post) and that is why they are releasing this volume now.

But that is just a guess.

So is the new edition a worthwhile purchase if you have the last one?

Did I mention that it comes with a white Boba Fett ‘prototype’ minifigure? You know, the Ralph McQuarrie prototype one?

I guess you know the answer to that first question then.

Comparison Edition 1 and 2

DK were kind enough to send me the latest edition of the encyclopedia and my first thought on opening the box was how thick the book was. Even taking into account the empty ‘white box of air’ which is bound into the book and meant to protect the minifigure on the front cover, the book seems at least 1/3rd thicker than the last.

I took some photos to compare them side by side so you could see for yourself.

Inside things remain pretty similar between both versions. I guess if you are on a good thing stick to it, right? And the first edition of The LEGO Star Wars Minifigure Encyclopaedia set the standard for future versions of this book, including the LEGO Harry Potter Character Encyclopaedia.

There are of course a number of new characters and DK have also added Star Wars Rebels to the mix as well as a category called ‘Legends’ which, if they are working on the new Disney-terminology, refers to non-canon characters in what used to be called the Expanded Universe.

Overall I would be happy to add this to my bookshelf.

Its nice to see the Star Wars Rebels characters and the increasing variations of familiar characters as well as new ones. A great addition to the bookshelf of any Star Wars LEGO fan. Worth the update even if you have the original because of the mini figure and the new additions. Casual fans might want to wait to see if there is a new edition after Episode VII is released.

LEGO Elves Sets

Lego Elves Logo
The new LEGO Elves theme has me very interested in the future direction of Lego. I’ve been hankering after a theme that was directed to fans of fantasy, but not derived from a pre-established franchise for some time. In my mind it was a ‘no-brainer’ but I guess that’s why I’m not in charge of a large company like LEGO – I’m sure they have done their sums 🙂

I suppose because of the ’Friends” sized figures they are directing the LEGO Elves theme towards a different audience than their traditional LEGO sets (I dare not bring gender into the argument) and I’m OK with that.

However I would still love to see them make ‘true minfigs’ of elves. Yes I know about LOTR and Hobbit sets, but as I mentioned above I am thinking about their own ‘branding’ of fantasy rather than a Brick-Tolkien version – in mining format this time.

Despite my own personal preferences I do like the look of Elves, even with this strange long-legged figures. It is amazing how this larger LEGO figure has snuck its way into (some of our) hearts so quickly and I know that fans of this format will rejoice in the new LEGO Elves sets. And, as an aside, I still think a Disney Fairies theme would sell well for LEGO. Heaven knows that franchise could do with some quality toys.

LEGO Elves wave 1 for 2015 is out in March.

2015 Lego Elves Sets