LEGO star wars magazine: issue 27

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 27

The LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 27 is already available and the awesome gift is Rey's Speeder!

Finally! the LEGO Star Wars Magazine has finally caught up with The Force Awakens (but then there's Rogue One and the upcoming The Last Jedi, no pressure)! And what's the best way to represent the new trilogy in this monthly magazine than with Rey herself (though she's just a tiny black round plate).

Rey's Speeder

Building the model is a lot of fun. The build starts with the hood on an upright position then eventually rotating to gradually reveal the final look. The design is really smart considering the scale, with every detail depicting something, like Rey's salvage bag and her hauls. It just fell a bit flat when placed on a surface. I have to place it on two transparent clear round tiles to make it appear like it's hovering.

Rey's Speeder microbuild reminded me a lot of Luke's Landspeeder (see it in this post), and it's really easy to see why. Both shared the same color schemes, and even the same elements. (Duh, they're both speeders in desert planets!).

First Order Snowspeeder

For next month's issue, which comes out on 11 October, make way for the First Order Snowspeeder. Yahoo! More The Force Awakens love!

P. S. I think the Original LEGO Star Wars Minifigure stamp pictured above is a mistake, unless they do include a minifigure. We'll see next month!

LEGO star wars magazine: issue 26

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 26

The LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 26 is finally out, and it's a bumper issue! Free Imperial Snowtrooper minifigure plus a bonus gift!

Minifigures are a bit of a rarity when it comes to the LEGO Star Wars Magazine. That's why this month's issue is special with the Imperial Snowtrooper minifigure giveaway.

The free gift is limited edition (in terms of distribution) but not necessarily exclusive (or sort of, depending on one's perspective). It is similar to the one released from the Snowspeeder [75049], AT-AT [75054], Assault on Hoth [75098], Hoth Attack [75138], and Star Wars Advent Calendar [75146] sets without the white kama and/or the white lamp holder piece (between the neck bracket and backpack). But nevertheless, a free minifigure is a free minifigure (not to mention this is great for army building)!

Before moving on from the Imperial Snowtrooper, let me just mention a page that has literally made me laughed out loud. In this issue, there is an activity encouraging kids to color in the Snowtrooper, inviting them to let their imaginations run wild and make colorful outfits! Isn't it hilarious?

Imperial Snowtrooper

As mentioned above, this issue is a bumper issue, meaning previous free gifts were re-gifted re-released. For the others, they got the AAT or Luke's Landspeeder. As for me, I got the Probe Droid! All of which were featured in my first LEGO Star Wars Magazine post.

Probe Droid

For next month, it's time to awaken the force with Rey's Speeder! Don't you just love the reddish brown color on LEGO Star Wars sets? The new issue comes out on 6 September.

Rey's Speeder

LEGO star wars magazine: issue 25

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 25

Better late than never. Issue 25 of the LEGO Star Wars Magazine has been out for some time now, and the amazing gift is none other than a Sandcrawler minibuild!

The free LEGO set for July is a miniature version of the Jawas' huge mobile fortress. The meter-tall humanoid species use the Sandcrawler both for their transport and shelter. The build is quite simple but efficient enough to be distinguishable. And of course, it's always fun to make smaller variations of iconic Star Wars models. It's such a shame that a Jawa minifigure is not included. I guess that's just too much to ask. Well, there's always future issues!

Sandcrawler

Next issue comes out with a LEGO minifigure. It may not be a Jawa, but it's equally cool! Free Imperial Snowtrooper minifigure next month! Issue 26 will be released on 9 August.

Imperial Snowtrooper

LEGO star wars magazine: issue 24

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 24

The LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 24 is already out and this month's free gift is the awesome A-Wing Starfighter!

The latest issue of our favorite magazine from a brick galaxy far, far away is filled with the usual comics, pull-out posters, fact files, puzzles, and more, encompassing all eras and even beyond (ehem, Freemakers, ehem). Speaking of comics, the one where the Skywalker twins used a Gungan Sub to save Lando and Chewie in Naboo painfully reminded me that I missed the LEGO version of the underwater vehicle! And not to mention the Queen Amidala minifigure! Say what you want but I super love The Phantom Menace!

Back to the magazine, the free LEGO set in this issue is an A-Wing minibuild. The A-Wing is a wedge-shaped starfighter widely used by the rebels for a long period of time, from the early rebellion against the Galactic Empire, to the Resistance against the First Order.

A-Wing

The mini A-Wing is a cute and fun model to build. With regards to resemblance to the film version, it's quite passable, but a casual fan may not be able to identify it straightaway. I like the green and yellow color scheme of the model, matching the one in the Vader’s TIE Advanced vs. A-Wing Starfighter [75150] set. The free toy is a nod to Star Wars Rebels after all. By the way, the transparent stand is not included.

Next month's cool toy is the Sandcrawler! It was not written but I highly doubt that the Jawas minifigures will be included. The new issue comes out 5 July.

Sandcrawler

LEGO star wars magazine: issue 23

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 23

The LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 23 is already available, and this month's free gift is the Vulture Droid!

The Vulture Droid is one of the many Droid Starfighters of the Trade Federation. It is also known as the Variable Geometry Self-Propelled Battle Droid, Mark I, or as the Vulture-Class Starfighter. Construction was done in the cathedral factories of Xi Char. As a Droid Starfighter, a Vulture Droid is highly automated, meaning it doesn't need a living or even a droid pilot for, as its name implies, it is a droid itself!

The building experience is simple and straightforward. The color scheme of the droid is evidently there. I also love how symmetrical the design is. It's just unfortunate that you have to look at the final build at certain angles to see the resemblance. Oh, by the way, the transparent stand is not included, and was used for photographic purposes only. Overall, it's really a fun build!

Vulture Droid

Next month, more Star Wars Rebels! The Phoenix Squadron's logo is proudly brandished behind next issue's free gift, the A-Wing! Issue 24 comes out 7 June!

A-Wing

LEGO batman movie magazine: issues 01 & 02

LEGO Batman Movie Magazine Issue 01

The LEGO Batman (Movie) is literally everywhere, including the print media. The brick iteration of the Caped Crusader has also invaded the UK and EU LEGO Magazines, releasing two special issues with limited edition minifigures.

Just like the other LEGO Magazines, the glossy special issues contained comics, pull-out posters, fact files, puzzles, etc. about the LEGO Batman, his friends (which are, of course, family), and his enemies. Each issue comes with a free minifigure, which was labeled as limited. Technically, it is indeed a limited release, but it's not exclusive. So, bat-brick completists in other areas of the world have nothing to worry about for the minifigures can be obtained somewhere else. But if like me, you're a casual LEGO Batman collector, this is an easy way to get them.

For Issue 01, it just made perfect sense to include the man of the hour, Batman!

Batman

He comes complete with a cowl, a cape, a utility belt, and two batarangs. I love that the cape was packaged in the usual small box to preserve its form, unlike in The LEGO Batman Movie Minifigure Series [71017], wherein some of the capes have folds and creases. The included minifig head is dual sided with a crooked smile, and a clenched teeth pattern.

Batarangs

Issue 02's free gift is none other than the Joker!

LEGO Batman Movie Magazine Issue 02

The Dark Knight's best frenemy comes with his iconic purple coattail, which was also packaged neatly in a small box. The minifig head is also dual sided with an open mouth pattern, and a wide grin with pointed teeth together.

The Joker

Dynamites

It's such a shame the run of this mini-series ended with just two issues. The movie has given us so much materials (and not to mention minifigures) to explore. But it's okay. We can always use our imagination and creativity to build something Batman!

LEGO star wars magazine: issues 21 & 22

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 21

More LEGO Star Wars Magazines!

Due to my unscheduled hiatus (sorry), Issues 21 and 22 have piled up in my drafts folder. That's the reason behind this bumper post.

For Issue 21, the free gift is the Imperial Combat Driver! Wow! Another minifigure! But as I mentioned in the previous LEGO Star Wars magazine post, he may look rather familiar if you own a certain someone's speeder bike. Still doesn't ring a bell? Check it out here. It's the minifigure from Kanan's Speeder Bike [75141]! If you can remember, two issues ago, in Issue 19, Kanan Jarrus was the first ever free minifigure in this magazine series. Now it makes me wonder if the Stormtrooper is next, or the speeder bike, haha. Anyway, a free minifigure is a free minifigure! And the Imperial Combat Driver is a great addition to any collection. Especially now that Star Wars Rebels is ending (boohoo)!

Imperial Combat Driver

For Issue 22, the free gift is a TIE Advanced minibuild.

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 22

When I first saw the preview image, I wasn't really impressed with it. It reminded me of the previous TIE Bomber minibuild, which in my opinion kind of look awkward. But after the final minibuild, I was actually impressed. At a certain angle, the TIE Advanced looks wicked! As if it will shoot right at you any moment.

TIE Advanced

Next issue's free gift is a new Starfighter, the Vulture Droid! Now, don't get too excited (like me). There's a very fine print in the lower left of the page that the Battle Droids minifigures are not included. Issue 23 comes out 3 May.

Vulture Droid

LEGO star wars magazine: issue 20

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 20

The LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 20 is now available, and it's continuing the rebel streak! This month's free gift is the Ghost!

How do you follow up last month's Kanan Jarrus minifigure? Throw away his (or rather Hera's) ship in the mix! The Ghost finally received the microbuild treatment in Issue 20 of the LEGO Star Wars Magazine.

The building experience is a lot of fun. The microbuild really resembles the modified VCX-100 light freighter. My only complaint is there's no micro-Phantom, or at least a space for it. Overall, it is a solid build. I super love it! By the way, the transparent stand is not included.

The Ghost

On 8 March, Issue 21 comes out, and it looks like there's no stopping with the rebel streak, for next month's cool toy is the Imperial Combat Driver! He may look rather familiar if you own a certain someone's speeder bike (more on this next month), but it's a free minifigure! Thank you LEGO Star Wars Magazine!

Imperial Combat Driver

LEGO star wars magazine: issue 19

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 19

The LEGO Star Wars Magazine's latest issue is already out in the market and it's a great, great start. Issue 19's free gift is none other than the rebel jedi himself, Kanan Jarrus!

I so love the team behind the LEGO Star Wars Magazine for not skipping a month (I have a hunch that this is the bestselling title among its contemporaries, so it's a win-win situation). But a greater reason to love them is that they've finally given as a free minifigure! And it's Kanan Jarrus!

Kanan Jarrus

The minifigure may have been the same figure from the Wookie Gunship [75084] and Kanan's Speeder Bike [75141] sets, but nonetheless it's still awesome! This is the cheapest way to officially get hold of a Kanan minifig. By the way, it's just now that I've realized that when the Kanan minifigure first came out in The Ghost [75053] set, his hair, eyebrows, and goatee was black instead of the accurate brown.

The free minifigure also comes with his own blue lightsaber (pssshhew)!

Rebel Jedi

The LEGO Star Wars Magazine is continuing its rebel streak for next month's exclusive toy is The Ghost in microscale! Issue 20 comes out on 8 February.

Ghost

LEGO nexo knights magazine issue 11

LEGO Nexo Knights Magazine Issue 11

LEGO Nexo Knights Magazine Issue 11 is now available, and it includes two gifts!

Or so I thought. (Sort of) bad news first. The advertised free gift Sand Tornado Nexo Power is printed in the magazine itself. It is scannable, yes, but it's on paper. For those like me who expected it printed on a LEGO piece, we have to look elsewhere. I guess it's just rational to look forward to one after receiving the Minify Surprise Nexo Power in physical form three issues ago.

But that doesn't matter, because the real star of this issue is the Pilot Bot!

Pilot Bot

I just simply adore these cute little Squirebots! And having another official variant is a big check in my Nexo Knights list. I always enjoy building Squirebots. I find their design really ingenious, in the sense that the small pieces, both in size and number, produce such charming minions. And the diastema (sorry, gap teeth) never fails to induce a smile.

The Pilot Bot can be appreciated more when it boards its intended ride, the Mech Bot.

Mech and Pilot Bots

It's true that the Nexo Knights may look cooler maneuvering this exo-suit, but it won't be as delightful when the Pilot Bot does it. As I posted in the last issue, I think this design is a bit of a starter for the newly released Battle Suits, which are already available both in physical brick and digital game forms.

For the next issue, get ready for Clay in his new armor! The new trans-orange armor may really be intended for the new Royal Soldiers but it's a new armor nevertheless! Unfortunately, there'll be a brief LEGO Nexo Knights Magazine hiatus, for Issue 12 comes out 8 February.

New Armored Clay

LEGO star wars magazine: issue 18

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 18

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 18 is already available and it's a bumper issue! This month's freebie is the Flash Speeder plus a bonus gift!

I usually have a love/hate relationship with bumper issues mainly because of the price tag, but in this case, it's purely love. Because I got the Millennium Falcon that I've missed earlier this year!

Millennium Falcon

Ain't it sweet? It's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs! Please take note that the clear stand is not included in the foil pack.

Just like other bumper issues, the bonus gift varies per quantity. Aside from the Millenium Falcon, one can get another chance in obtaining the Jedi Weapon Rack or Luke's Landspeeder.

The people behind LEGO Star Wars Magazine must really love the prequel trilogy for this month's free gift is another model from that era.

Flash Speeder

The Flash Speeder is a lightweight vehicle used by Naboo Royal Security Forces as a patrol craft and personnel transport. These super fast machines are a big help in organizing the Resistance during the invasion of the Trade Federation.

The microbuild experience is really enjoyable. The final model looks sleek and it's very similar to the real thing. Not to mention that it's green. If you truly know me, you know that I'm rather biased towards that color. Again, the clear stand is not included.

Oh, I almost forgot. Issue 18 has some free stickers as well!

For next month's issue... Is this real?! LEGO Star Wars Magazine is finally giving us a minifigure! And it's none other than the powerful rebel jedi Kanan Jarrus himself! Issue 19 comes out 11 January.

Kanan Jarrus

LEGO nexo knights magazine issue 10

LEGO Nexo Knights Issue 10

The LEGO Nexo Knights Magazine Issue 10 is currently on sale, and there's more than one free gift!

Before everything else, I would like to apologize for two things. First, for the brief hiatus. Life happened. I'll still try to blog as often as possible though. I'll try my best. Second, for this very tardy post. Issue 10 came out last 16 November but for some reason our local shops don't have it. I have to literally travel downhill to purchase one in the big supermarket. Fortunately, they still have a few on the shelf. And to my surprise, it's a bumper issue! That means it's £1 more expensive. But good thing my bonus toy is a Lava Warrior, so that basically offsets the extra pound. And who says no to army building? I wonder what the others got...

Lava Warrior

Issue 10's free gift is insanely cool! Ladies and gentlemen, the Mech Bot!

Mech Bot

The Mech Bots are featured heavily in this issue's comics. They were worn by the Nexo Knights themselves, and by the Pilot Bots (more on this later). I think these exo-suits are a bit of a teasing for the upcoming Battle Suits (currently a bit undecided on that line). It would have been cool to get each Nexo Knight a Mech Bot, but the bumper price is a big hindering factor. I guess I'm going to have to settle with the Pilot Bot.

Pilot Bot?! Debuting in brick form, the Pilot Bot is LEGO Nexo Knights Magazine Issue 11's free gift. And not only that, it comes with the Nexo Power Sand Tornado as well. All of these will be available from 14 December.

Pilot Bot

LEGO star wars magazine: issue 17

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 17

The LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 17 has just been released, and this month's free gift is the personal transport of the evil Emperor, it's Palpatine's Shuttle!

The modified Theta-class T-2c Shuttle was the vehicle used by the Emperor to aid his injured apprentice Anakin Skywalker from the fiery planet Mustafar. Of course, all this happened towards the end of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

Palpatine's Shuttle

This month's microbuild is a bit of a saving grace from last month's MTT, but obviously, it still hasn't top the AT-AT. It is a fun quick build, and the resemblance from the source material is easily seen.

By the way, the foil pack packaging has changed in this issue. It's bigger now, and it's no longer resealable. I don't know if this will be the case from now on, or it's just because big parts were included in this month's free gift. But this makes more sense though in terms of security. There'll be no way to open the foil packs in the store shelves without leaving a trace. It is also important to note the presence of a Death Trooper in the packaging. Can we expect Rogue One microbuilds soon?

For next month's issue, get ready for the very green Flash Speeder! The LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 18 comes out on 14 December.

Flash Speeder

LEGO nexo knights magazine issue 09

LEGO Nexo Knights Magazine Issue 09

The LEGO Nexo Knights Magazine Issue 09 has just been released. And as promised, it's a profusion of free gifts, including a Bat Flyer and Ninjago trading cards!

Just like the previous issue, Issue 09 is overloaded with giveaways, specifically the Bat Flyer LEGO toy, a Ninjago booster pack, and a limited edition Ninjago card. All that's lacking is a Nexo Power, but that's okay. The brilliant strategy of introducing the Ninjago Trading Card Game in the LEGO Magazines is still ongoing. Just like last month, another rare card was included. A genius move, I believe, to tease the desire to complete the whole collection. It almost worked for me, almost, for now.

Ninjago Trading Cards

A Limited Edition Team Ninja golden foil card is included in every Issue 09. And with the special card guaranteed in every booster pack, I got a Jay & Cole silver foil card. So, by purchasing the two issues of LEGO Nexo Knights Magazine, I instantly have four shiny foil cards. This has tempted me into buying a Starter Pack. It's priced at £4.99, and it includes a binder, a pack of cards, an exclusive NRG Kai card, a gameboard, and a set of rules and instructions. Let's see if I can resist it...

For the LEGO toy, this month's freebie is a Bat Flyer.

Bat Flyer

Even without a rider, the airborne vehicle looks wickedly hot. The six shooter housing piece instantly makes any build fiercely hardcore. And the press release reads that the flame bat fires lava ammo (and that it's a vampire speedster)! I thought that the Bat Flyer is Lavaria's ride, but in the comics, a Crust Smasher was seen flying it. I always love it when the toys would appear in the comics.

I'm actually excited for next issue's free gift, for a knightly toy is promised, none other than a supermighty Mech Bot! Is this in preparation for the future Action sets? Then a Pilot Bot will be included in Issue 11 (I believe that's a typo below, unless the wrong toy was highlighted). LEGO Nexo Knights Magazine Issue 10 is on sale from 16 November.

Mech Bot