Wednesday, August 10, 2016

LEGO star wars magazines

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 08
LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 08

In the second half of 2015, the LEGO Star Wars Magazine was launched. Every issue of the magazine comes with an exclusive collectible LEGO toy for fans of the galaxy far, far away. It also features competitions, puzzles, and posters. But just like the other LEGO magazines, publication is currently limited within Europe. So, for the rest of the world, here's a little peek...

...of Issues 08 to 13. Yes, I missed the first few issues of this series. I missed the mini- and/or microbuilds of the X-Wing Starfighter, Slave I, Imperial Shooter (no regrets for this one), Star Destroyer and TIE Fighter, Jedi Weapon Stand (no regrets for this one either), Snowspeeder, and Millennium Falcon! Actually, I could have purchased the issue with the micro MF. When it was released, I just got here in the United Kingdom, and unfortunately, it was not high on my priority list. So I started with the eighth issue, which was given to me by my tita (aunt). The free gift in this issue is Luke's Landspeeder.

Landspeeder
Landspeeder

I instantly fell in love with the micro Landspeeder. I think it resembles Luke's X-34 with the three air-cooled thrust turbines and all. This looks a bit shiny though, compared to the farmboy's battered one.

When I saw Issue 09, I immediately bought it without second thoughts. It's as if C-3PO was calling me in his protocol droid voice saying he comes with a Naboo Starfighter!

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 09
LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 09

Naboo Starfighter
Naboo Starfighter

The Naboo Starfighter microbuild is the cutest microbuild ever! (Okay, maybe I'm a bit biased towards the N-1. It's my favorite ship after all). But it really is the cutest! It may not be as curvaceous as the real thing, but it's still perfect. And the grey stud as an astromech droid? Clever idea!

I was kind of hesitant with Issue 10 and the Probe Droid minibuild, but good thing I bought it nonetheless.


LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 10
LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 10

Probe Droid
Probe Droid

The Imperial Probe Droid minibuild is very similar (if not exactly the same) to the one in the Hoth Attack [75138] set. If I ever get my hands on that set, I'll make a side-by-side comparison. But what I love most from this foil pack are the transparent whip aerial and round plate pieces that serve as the droid's stand. It will prove useful for future spaceship mini- and/or microbuilds.

The editor of LEGO Star Wars Magazines must be a big fan of The Phantom Menace, for Issue 11 features another vehicle from the episode, the AAT.

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 11
LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 11

AAT
AAT

The Armored Assault Tank build looks accurate on a microscale. It's also funny (and fitting) that some of the parts used are Battle Droid parts. I got two of them because my tita overlooked that I already have one. How serendipitous?

The free gift of Issue 12 is an exclusive Acklay figure. But what in the outer rim is an Acklay?

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 12
LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 12

Acklay
Acklay

An Acklay is a part-crustacean and part-reptilian creature with claw-like legs and pointed fangs from the planet Vendaxa. It was first seen in the Attack of the Clones as one of the three creatures released in the Geonosis arena to execute Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Padmé Amidala.

This is the first time the Acklay was released in LEGO form. It is quite reassuring to know that the LEGO Star Wars Magazine is a medium to explore the untouched corners of the Star Wars brick universe.

The minibuild per se is a lot of fun. The use of the Battle Droids arms for the monster's appendages is a nice touch. And all those brick colors and pieces are also very interesting.

The thirteenth issue is a bumper issue. Meaning, there are two LEGO sets for free! I got a TIE Bomber and a Snowspeeder (from Issue 06). I thought all bonus sets are Snowspeeders, but no, you can also get the following: X-Wing Starfighter, Slave I, Imperial Shooter, and Star Destroyer and TIE Fighter from previous issues.

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 13
LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 13

TIE Bomber
TIE Bomber

Based on the cover, I thought at first the TIE Bomber is a small minibuild, but I was wrong. I was surprised by its actual length. I know that there's only one viewport in this space bomber, but the absence of a LEGO piece in the ordnance pod make it seems a bit off. By the way, I used the Probe Droid's transparent stand in this picture to create the illusion that it's flying.

The Snowspeeder on the other hand is super tiny. But I think you need to squint your eyes really small to see the resemblance.

Snowspeeder
Snowspeeder

Star Wars is my main LEGO collection. That's why I always can't wait to see what the latest LEGO Star Wars Magazine has in store. Once I do, I will immediately share it with you for sure!...



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