Lego – Nerds on Earth https://nerdsonearth.com The best place on earth for nerds. Fri, 11 Mar 2022 03:23:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://nerdsonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/cropped-nerds_head_thumb2-100x100.png Lego – Nerds on Earth https://nerdsonearth.com 32 32 All the podcasts from NerdsonEarth.com, under one umbrella. We create short run podcasts for nerds, covering D&D, Marvel, Starfinder, and more! You vote for your favorite shows and they just might get a second season. Lego – Nerds on Earth false episodic Lego – Nerds on Earth jason.sansbury@nerdsonearth.com podcast All the podcasts from NerdsonEarth.com, the best place on Earth for nerds. Lego – Nerds on Earth https://nerdsonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/powerpress/noe-podcast-logo.png https://nerdsonearth.com/blog/ Let’s Talk About Displaying Your LEGO! https://nerdsonearth.com/2022/03/displaying-lego/ Mon, 14 Mar 2022 12:00:00 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=38246

How do you best display your Lego collection?!? Nerds on Earth has some tips!

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It is best hobby in the world but there is one frustrating thing about Lego: How to display it. Of course, how you display will be dictated in large part by what you collect and/or choose to display, as well as space you have available.

Much like when I talked about storage, you need to go with what you got space-wise, but also, displaying in limited spaces can help you to think outside of the box and get creative! So let’s dive in!

What are you collecting? Minifigures or full on sets?

Full Sets

If you are wanting to display full sets, you will need some sort of shelving. Generally, Lego sets are not super heavy, so you don’t have to break the bank for top-end sturdy shelving. IKEA has a lot of great options that will fit your needs well, and if you are like me and want to put most of your money in the acquisition of Lego, then I would utilize things like online marketplaces to help get the best deal!

However, if you want everything to match, you will need to be patient to find the right things on a budget, or you have to make a bit of an investment upfront in order to display your Lego.

I talked about dusting your Lego sets in my cleaning series, but how about focusing on dust prevention. If you can land a shelf that has glass doors that would be an ideal way to keep your sets visible as well as protected from dust. Though, sometimes these enclosed shelves feel uninviting for Lego as, in my opinion, Lego should be held and even played with.

So you will have to decide how freely accessible you want your collection to be as it is a personal choice if you want people handling your Lego collection or not.

Another pro tip is look for at least one corner shelf! This helps maximize almost any space and can really be a fun unique way to display sets that will draw peoples’ eyes towards them! Also, floating shelves look really cool so, much like the hobby of Lego, displaying them is another part of the artistic expression!

Minifigures

There are so many great ways to display minifigures, so my recommendation is really look at as many ideas as you can before you decide on which is your style!

While there are some very cost effective ways to do it, but some of my favorite are not very cost effective. I personally like the enclosed Lego display cases as they protect from dust and dander. Though these cases run expensive, and if you need a lot of them you may have to be patient in tracking them down.        

Recently I have seen a lot of people making their own displays out of, you guessed it, Lego. People are doing it in a variety of ways, some are very complex, others are very simple and most people even make the displays theme based.

Essentially matching your personality is the fun of Lego, whether building or displaying! Which is the point right? We each find one or two, or more, themes that we are drawn to with Lego and we make those the focus of our collection.

Lego allows us to express ourselves like no other hobby, and that is why I absolutely love Lego!


Well, I hope this inspires you to take hold of the rapidly growing Lego hobby and get yours displayed. Thanks for reading and keeping looking for Lego posts as I want to help you build your dream Lego layout, brick by brick. Just search Nerds on Earth!

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Let’s Talk About Storage Solutions for Your LEGO! https://nerdsonearth.com/2022/02/lego-storage-solutions/ Mon, 07 Feb 2022 13:00:00 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=38097

How in the Sam Hill tarnation is a Nerd supposed to store all his LEGO?!?! Nerds on Earth has some LEGO storage tips for you!

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The dead of winter it is the perfect time of year to get back into LEGO, the greatest hobby in the world. But before we dive into discussion of individual LEGO sets, let’s talk about taking care of LEGO! Here are

Ultimately, storage of LEGO is 75% of the effort in collecting LEGO, so let’s build a foundation in regards to the storage of said bricks.

Sort LEGO by piece, notcolor.

That’s right, we’re starting off with perhaps the most controversial part of storage: type vs. color. While so many people prefer to sort by color because it is aesthetically pleasing, sorting by color will only drive you mad over time through having to absolutely dig through all of your red parts to find the one unique red piece you are looking for, as opposed to seeing the right color amongst a stock pile of pieces. 

So if you have the opportunity to truly sort out your pieces, sort by piece rather than color and you will save time and energy when you need to track down the right piece.

Use storage that fits your space well.

Again, people often default to aesthetic rather than workability. If you have an good amount of space and can do both well, awesome, but if you are pressed for space you will have to decide what is your primary objective.

If you are like me and often customize sets or find incomplete sets that you make 100% complete with parts you have, then workability is critically important! So, rather than Google a stock storage solution, take the time to assess your space and research the solution that fits your space practically in terms of usability.

Here is an option is you know you want something resembling the pictured solutions, but again, think about your space and your needs, so don’t feel pressure to use the pictured solution.

(I also do a lot of shipping LEGO, but I can talk more about that in a different article. Just note that work space plays and important role in taking photos as well.)

To label or not to label, that is the question.

Early on you will likely feel compelled to label everything for the sake of finding things more quickly. However, I have found that over time you will just remember where things are regardless. So my suggestion is to take the time up front to organize your collection in a way that makes sense to you and just be patient as your remember your lay out.

If you truly want to label them, I recommend post it notes that will be easy to remove and change as needed. If you try to make the labels permanently stick, you will regret it if you ever try to overhaul your organization system. 

If you use larger bins that have the size to accommodate label holders, then that might be an option. These self-adhesive index cards holders provide a clear sleeve where you can insert an index card. The benefit is relabeling wouldn’t require trying to peel off adhesive, it would simply mean pulling out an index card, then sliding in a new one.

Save yourself some dusting.

If you primarily display your sets rather than use then for active imagination play, then you should invest in some cases. Dusting your LEGO collection takes forever, and we will get to more specific tips on that in later articles.

However, if you use your sets actively, then you will have to worry less about them collecting dust. If you are only displaying them they will collect dust, and I promise it is easier to dust a display case than a LEGO set.

For example, here is a case designed for just displaying figures. And here is a display case for larger sets, but shop around but there are tons of options.


Search Nerds on Earth for more LEGO content, as I can into care and cleaning in other articles. For now, I hope this inspires you to take hold of your rapidly growing collection and get organized. Now go build your dream LEGO layout, brick by brick.

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Top 7 Characters to Add to the Marvel LEGO Minifig Poly Bags! https://nerdsonearth.com/2021/10/top-7-characters-to-add-to-the-marvel-lego-minifig-poly-bags/ Mon, 18 Oct 2021 12:52:16 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=37153

Nash shares his love for the new LEGO Marvel Superheroes Poly bag line, as well as his thoughts for the next characters who should be immortalized in LEGO.

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Hey gang, it’s been a while since we talked LEGO, however with winter right around the corner, it is the perfect time of year to get back into the greatest hobby in the world. I will get back to reviews of LEGO sets, but first and foremost I want to talk about the most recent run of Lego Licensed poly bags. Poly bags have never really gotten me too excited… until now.

The latest run of Marvel studios mini figures gave me the bug to collect them all! initially I was given 3 bags as a gift for starting my new job. I opened all 3, and got 3 of the cooler ones:

  1. T’challa as Starlord,
  2. White Vision, which was my Son’s favorite, and
  3. Loki with THROG! (Thor Frog).

What’s really great about all of the minifig poly bags is that you get such a wide variety of parts that you could use for other builds if you wanted to.

I’m always sifting through accessories, tops, legs, and more to try and recreate some of my most beloved characters as LEGO minifigs. I remember when we were doing one of our Marvel Superhero drafts, which prompted me to recreate my team out of LEGO. What did I ever do with those…?

Everybody can get excited about minifigs because they are so versatile. People love to recreate themselves, their favorite characters from pop culture, and more. I’d argue that they’re the lifeblood of the LEGO universe, which incidentally runs heavily on IP deals with big names.

But having the ability to display Marvel Superheroes and see the history of the MCU incarnate in plastic is just so great. And with the addition of the Disney Plus series, there is a lot more IP to draw from.

These bags are all awesome because they represent some of the best of the current MCU. Which brings me to the point of this article, who is missing and why they should be in the next wave of poly bags:

  1. USAgent, John Walker. We don’t really need a set for Falcon and winter soldier as they released Cap Sam and Bucky in poly bags. So why not get John Walker and his amazing suit design!
  2. Zemo. This show actually has a lot of characters who we could demand, and Zemo is a MUST ADD to my collection if they release him. I want a cool purple mask that goes over the mini fig head, not just a purple LEGO head BTW.
  3. Agatha Harkness. Let’s stick with missing toons from the TV shows for now, and bring in our favorite new witch. Also there is the indication that she is getting her own spin-off show and I am here for it!
  4. Mobius. I mean, who hasn’t wanted Owen Wilson in Lego form? He was absolutely perfect in his MCU role and deserves to be immortalized as a mini figure.
  5. Taskmaster. I know there was a mini figure released as part of a Black widow set, but let’s be honest. The shield was a let down. With all the cool versions of Cap’s shield out there, let’s get Taskmaster a proper shield, and again, would like a helmet not just a printed mini figure head.
  6. Red Guardian. Much of the same reasoning as Taskmaster. Let’s get a rework of R.G. with a proper shield, and if anyone from Lego is listening, you could probably get a very cool breastplate piece like medieval armor to emulate David Harbors physique from the movie. Also, cap style helmet as well, if that wasn’t clear.
  7. Ultron-Vision. This list would not be complete without the iconic villain from the “What if..” series. We have a lot of “What if…” sets and even got a few mini figures in poly bags. However, the one that I just can’t live with out, is Ultron-Vision!

Well, by Nerds on Earth law, I only get 7 per list. Did I miss any that you can’t live without?! It’s hard to keep track of all the characters that are already in minifig form, and which ones I’ve imagined! And even despite the numerous Marvel LEGO minifigs out there, I feel like LEGO has only begun to scratch the surface on the genre.

Also, be on the lookout for more Lego articles such as caring for Lego and highest value sets on the market right now!

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LEGO Video Games: Cheaper Than Therapy https://nerdsonearth.com/2020/07/lego-video-games-cheaper-than-therapy/ Fri, 24 Jul 2020 12:00:00 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=32070

The LEGO video games offer simple, accessible fun featuring dozens of IPs. And they aren't just for kids! Here are 5 reasons why you should be playing!

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I swear I hear the phrase “strange times” a dozen times a day and hate it more every time, but I’ll be darned if it isn’t accurate. Between COVID-19’s effects, politics, and an increasing number of social and cultural issues, I feel like a James Bond martini most days: Shaken.

We’ve all got our coping mechanisms and means of decompression, and I’ve found the LEGO video games series to hit the spot for me. I saw that the LEGO Marvel Collection, which includes LEGO Marvel Superheroes 1 and 2 as well as LEGO Marvel’s Avengers plus all the season pass content for each game, was on sale for $17.99 in the Playstation store about a month ago. I jumped on it and found just what I’ve needed since March.

Here’s what this grown man loves and appreciates about a series of video games designed for children!

1. They’re Light Fare

This means really three things:

  1. There’s plenty of comedy. Visual gags and scripted humor shine across every title. LEGO video games don’t take themselves seriously ever. While I won’t promise non-stop laugh out loudness (it isn’t there), I can say that they give my furrowed brow a rest.
  2. There’s little complexity. This is a kid’s game, after all. There are some minor puzzles, but oftentimes the game will prompt you with hints as to what you need to do. More often than not the gameplay consists of breaking everything in sight (more on this below), assembling a thing or two, or using a specific character power. So easy a cave-child could do it.
  3. Death is inconsequential. No game overs. No restarting from checkpoints. You just pop back into existence wherever it is you lost your last heart and keep on chugging along. I’m not against the Souls-like genre, but sometimes it’s nice to sit down to a game with zero punishment, you know?

2. You Get to Break All the Stuff

There are businesses that exist where you pay to go into a room and just smash stuff to take out your frustrations. LEGO video games are the digital equivalent of that. Almost everything you can see can be smashed, and you’re actually rewarded with studs (the in-game currency) for doing so. 

You can also beat NPCs to death over and over again if you’d like. Just assign one the name of the so-and-so who’s got you frustrated and smash away. You’ll not only get the satisfaction of seeing them literally fall to bits, but also of getting to do so again. And again. And again. Ahhhhhh…sweet catharsis.

3. There’s Tons To Do

Each of the LEGO video games has about a bajillion collectibles between characters, vehicles, red bricks, gold bricks, minikits, and series-specific to-dos like rescuing Stan Lee from a series of harrowing predicaments. I’m 25+ hours in on LEGO Marvel Superheroes and only have 64.8% of it all!

You’ll replay each level at least once to mine them for all their collectible goodness, but the replay will feel very different than the initial one because you’ll be able to freely switch to any unlocked character and use them to interact with the environment in ways you could not previously. The games also feature an open overworld riddled with side quests, as well. While the game itself isn’t terribly challenging, collecting all it offers is!

There’s definitely no shortage of things to do, and there are guides for all of it on the internet.  Double win. Plus it’s nice to come home after a day seemingly lacking in productivity and make progress on something. It’s the simple things, sometimes.

This isn’t even all of the characters or skins available for LEGO Marvel Superheroes…

4. There’s a LEGO Game for You

There is an impressive lineup of IPs in on the LEGO video games:

  • Jurassic Park
  • The Hobbit
  • The Incredibles
  • DC Comics
  • The Lord of the Rings
  • Marvel Comics
  • Harry Potter
  • Indiana Jones
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Star Wars

The list could go on! And with each IP comes a slew of references, nods, powers, characters, and jokes that’ll appeal to fans. Each game, in other words, feels like more than just a reskin. The developers put in good work to give each a character of their own. You’ll feel like Captain America when you sit down to the IP that tickles your fancy:

5. Play with Your Kids!

Local co-op is an option, so why not sit down with your son or daughter and play together? They’ll be more than capable of accomplishing most of what the game has to offer without aid, and you’ll be there to offer guidance or advice the few times they might get stuck. It is easy to have a conversation overtop of the gameplay, plus it is wholly cooperative. 

As a bonus: I turn subtitles on, the volume down, and listen to podcasts I’m behind on while I play. Dialogue is minimal (some of the earlier games had none if I remember right) and the game is highly visual, plus I love multi-tasking!


I highly recommend picking up one of the LEGO video games if you haven’t yet given them a try, and for any one of the reasons listed above. They’re not perfect, but they’re accessible and fun. Even at full price, they’re cheaper than therapy. 

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The Punchlist: This Week’s News for Nerds https://nerdsonearth.com/2020/07/the-punchlist-this-weeks-news-for-nerds-11/ Wed, 08 Jul 2020 12:00:00 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=31831

Welcome to THE PUNCHLIST where Nerds on Earth rounds up this week's nerd news. The Mandalorian, LEGO, Transformers, D&D, and more!

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Welcome to this week’s PUNCHLIST, where we round up the biggest news in nerd culture. It might be from the MCU, board gaming, D&D, and more. But whatever the news is this week, you can bet it will eventually separate you from your money.

7. D&D Beyond Launches Mobile Character Sheet App

The official digital support site for Dungeons and Dragons released a brand new character sheet app for both iOS and Android. It is free to download and promises more features in the future.

+ More here: D&D Beyond Character Sheet App

6. Fallout TV Show in the Works

One of video gaming’s biggest franchises is getting a television series from the minds behind Westworld. Amazon Studios’s official twitter released a teaser announcement last week, and we can’t wait to see one of our favorite post-apocalyptic settings brought to life!

+ More here: Fallout TV Series on the Way from Amazon

5. Alien and Predator Rights Move to Marvel

There isn’t much more that needs to be said here, really. We could see our favorite Marvel characters pitted against a xenomorph or a Predator…or a xenomorph and a Predator…or xenomorphs and Predators! Even if the crossovers never happen (but really, they should), Marvel comics featuring either or both extraterrestrial is exciting.

+More Here: Alien and Predator Find a Home at Marvel Comics

4. A Series of Mandalorian Books are On the Way

The Mandalorian has a lineup of books ranging from art collections and children’s books to an original novel due out later this year. Marvel and IDW are also working on some comics! The more of The Mandalorian we get, the better. I have spoken.

+ More here: The Mandalorian Books

3. Stonemaier Games Announces Pendulum

Real, actual time is a resource in Stonemaier Games’s newly announced Pendulum. The 1-5 player game features simultaneous play and is “the highest-rated protoype in the history of the Stonemaier Games Design Day.” Which is saying a lot if you are familiar with their games!

+ More here: Stonemaier Games Announces Pendulum

2. LEGO Launches Buildable Posters That Come with Soundtracks

For $120, you can snag yourself sweet mosaic posters of Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe, The Beatles, different versions of the Iron Man suit, and a set of Sith portraits from Star Wars. Some assembly is required, of course, but each also comes with a unique 90 minute soundtrack to see you through the build. They’re due out in September.

+ More here: LEGO Art Posters

1. New Transformers Trilogy Heading to Netflix July 30th

Rooster Teeth is producing a brand new animated series set in the Transformers universe exclusively for Netflix. Entitled War for Cybertron, the first part, “Siege,” is due out on July 30th. The trilogy will focus on the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons, and looks to be a bit darker and grittier than what we’ve seen in the recent past. You can catch the official trailer below.


Check back next Wednesday for more news for nerds. Better yet, scroll down just a few more inches and sign up for our newsletter, The Cable.

Watch us discuss this week’s PUNCHLIST!

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How I Learned To Love (Or At Least Tolerate) The Quarantine https://nerdsonearth.com/2020/04/nerdy-things-to-do-under-quarantine/ Tue, 07 Apr 2020 12:00:00 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=30076

Read, watch, play, listen, and build your way through the COVID-19 shelter in place mandates with this list of nerdy hobbies and distractions.

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The coronavirus has hit the world like a ton of bricks. It brings with it a bevy of social distancing guidelines, nationwide school shutdowns, and a burgeoning load on healthcare systems around the world. We don’t even have baseball to distract us

But never fear. I’ve thought about a conversation between Gandalf and Frodo in The Fellowship of the Ring almost every day since the quarantine began. Frodo, wishing that the One Ring had never come to him, says,

“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. 

To which the wise wizard Gandalf replies,

“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

We can’t change the facts of the coronavirus or the dismaying impacts it has had on us all. This pandemic has removed a lot of freedom and choices from our lives. But not all freedoms, and not all choices. 

In the face of all this, what should we do while using best practices (hand washing, social distancing, avoiding unnecessary travel, etc.) to flatten the curve? Like Gandalf says, we have the power to choose what to do with our time. There are all kinds of ways to spend your time at home. 

Like reading! 

It might be time to crack open that book you’ve been meaning to get to, or power up your favorite reading app to devour some rad comics. I just polished off a story on Marvel Unlimited called The Superior Foes of Spider-Man written by Nick Young and drawn by Steve Lieber. It was a dang delight—hilarious, with just a smidge of heart, and plenty of action. Plus it ran for just 17 issues; for a relative newbie like me, that helped me from being overwhelmed by tie-ins, crossover events, and series reboots. Other ideas:

  • If you want more comics, ComiXology is running a 60-day free trial right now. Hop on and start binging!
  • Consider an audiobook service. Now you can say you’ve read the entire Wheel of Time series without having to gorge yourself on the approximately 273,000 pages of the books.
  • What about regular old books? I’m reading an amazing science fiction novel called Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie that’s bending my brain in all kinds of intriguing ways.
  • Other great comics to check out: The Immortal Hulk, Adventure Time, or Unbeatable Squirrel Girl!
  • I’ve written a lot about books for Nerds On Earth—Shadows of the Empire, E.K. Johnston’s amazing Ahsoka, Rebecca Kuang’s The Poppy War—and many, many, many, many, many, many more. Take a peep! 
  • Why not take a deep dive into the Nerds On Earth archives? We’ve got literally thousands of incredible articles across the spectrum of a nerdery.

Or watching cool stuff!

We live in the golden age of streaming services, which means you can watch just about anything you want. I’ve been using Disney+ to catch up on Star Wars Rebels and Netflix to recreate NBC’s loaded Thursday night comedy block from 2012 (Community, Parks and Rec, and The Office). But those are just tips of the iceberg! 

  • Try The Americans for a shot of adrenaline, spycraft, and history in one tasty package. It’s about two Russian spies operating deep undercover in the Washington suburbs during the Reagan years.
  • Moana might just be the best Disney film of the last decade, and its historical roots—the great Polynesian migrations that took place almost two thousand years ago—are just as interesting.
  • Great TV shows in which to immerse yourself: The Mandalorian, The Witcher, Downton Abbey, and Star Trek: Picard.

Or playing!

The quarantine is a great excuse to play things you usually don’t have time for, or to try something new. One of my favorite hobbies is building LEGO sets, but I usually don’t have the time (or money) to indulge myself.

But when my partner (who never got into LEGO, even as a kid) said it’d be fun to build one, we decided to treat ourselves to the LEGO Ideas Dinosaur Fossils and the Central Perk sets and have had a blast putting them together. My point is that you don’t have to sit around staring at your phone all day (but if that’s what you like to do, go nuts!).

More than anything, take care of yourself and your loved ones. Everything we can do to follow best practices (hand washing, social distancing, avoiding unnecessary travel, etc.) helps to flatten the curve. If you need something fun and nerdy to do, just bookmark this list and get to nerdin’!

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7 Nerdy Things You Need in Your Life: Sam’s Shelfie https://nerdsonearth.com/2018/11/7-nerdy-things-you-need-in-your-life-sams-shelfie/ Tue, 06 Nov 2018 13:00:24 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=20150

A look at the nerdy bookshelf of a Nerds on Earth writer. Odds are you'll find a recommendation that is right for you, whether it be board games, RPGS, or what have you.

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Since this is my first article (both ever and for Nerds on Earth) I figured I would start with that most popular of internet articles: the numbered list!  The amount of nerdy toys and games are to the point where no one nerd could possibly experience everything that catches their attention. So rather than focus on what’s new and cutting edge in nerddom, I chose to focus on some of my favorite out-of-print or otherwise venerable RPG institutions, with the exception of #1. Let’s begin!

7 Nerdy Things You Need in Your Life

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Ex Libris

What it is. A board game where you play as a gnomish book collector competing against each other to be named the Grand Librarian. You’ll send your assistants to collect various rare tomes from across the village or sabotage your competition in your quest to build the best alphabetized, stable library without stocking too many books from the banned category.

Why you might like it. It’s the perfect game for a family of bibliophiles. The game has both a basic and advanced rule set that, along with the lack of violence or scary imagery, make it a great game to play with young bookworms.

Where you can get your hands on it. Direct from the publisher, Renegade Game Studios, from Amazon, or better yet, from your FLGS like Games Unlimited if you happen to be in the Squirrel Hill area of Pittsburgh.

Dark Heresy (1st edition)

What it is. In the grimdark future of the 41st millenium, there is only war. Such is the state of our far future, humanity is beset on all sides by foes from without, like the berserker Orks, endlessly devouring Tyranid or the seeming good guys of the Tau supposedly working for the so-called greater good, and foes from within, Chaos tainted cults and their daemonic allies, greedy nobles, and seditious planets straying from the God-Emperor’s light.

You play as an acolyte cell of one of the Imperium of Man’s Inquisitors; largely disposable, deniable assets working to protect humanity from the aforementioned threats.

Why you might like it. It was the first RPG set in Games Workshop’s sci-fi Warhammer 40k universe, allowing you to explore the nasty, brutish and short lives of humanity outside of the battlefields found in the miniature wargame. Or you might want to play a game where you play as the slightly less evil of two options.

Where you can get your hands on it. Unfortunately the first edition (and second edition of Dark Heresy) of Warhammer 40k RPGs are out of print after Fantasy Flight Games and Games Workshop ended their partnership after 8 years. The games can be found in pdf form on Drive Thru RPG thanks to Ulisses Spiele, the makers of Wrath and Glory, a brand new RPG set in the 40k universe.

Punisher MAX

What it is. Garth Ennis’ definitive take on Marvel Comics’ most popular violent vigilante (unmasked division). This series use every bit of edginess that the MAX imprint allows between language, situation, and consistently over-the-top violence.

Ennis’ run is a semi-continuation of the Marvel Knights series from the early/mid-00s and sees Punisher’s list of foes expand beyond the mafia and street gangs to corporate boards, foreign armies, and the dreaded Barracuda.

Why you might like it. Mainly because you’re of an age where edginess is a big selling point, or want to return to that point in your youth. Or because the Punisher is your favorite comic book character despite his many, many, many flaws.

Where you can get your hands on them. All the usual places: Amazon, Marvel Unlimited, your FLCS.

Marvel Legendary

What it is. A deck-building game where you face off against one of Marvel Comics’ greatest villains using a team of 5 heroes from an ever-expanding pool of options. The game presents a nice mix of multiple versions of tent pole characters (Spider-Man, Captain America, etc) and deeper cuts (or characters new and frightening to those of us who don’t keep up with the comics).

Why you might like it. You need a good entry point into the world of gaming to entice your significant other who likes the Marvel movies but doesn’t play many games. Or you’re a really big fan of sorting and organizing (seriously, my collection spawns about three of the boxes with all of the expansions I’ve picked up). You might also like it if you’re looking for a game with near infinite replayability with the combinations of heroes and villians. (Our review of Marvel Legendary.)

Where you can get your hands on them. Amazon or, again, from you FLGS

Shadowrun

What it is. The peanut butter and chocolate combination of a William Gibson style dystopian cyberfuture mixed with magic and fantasy races in a fairly complex RPG. Around since the late 1980s, Shadowrun paints a world run by corporations, new political entities created by the events of the alternate timeline (biggest example, the USA is split into multiple countries; much of the Pacific Northwest is now an Elven nation.), and nearly everyone is sporting some form of cybernetic enhancement. Well, those that aren’t focused on casting spells are using cyberware. You play as a shadowrunner, a deniable asset for the corps or anyone else with the funds to hire you and your team.

Why you might like it. You want to clear out a room full of corporate security as a massive cybered-out troll or explore the depths of magical planes to uncover new mystical secrets. (Our primer on Shadowrun.)

Where you can get your hands on it. Drivethrurpg, Barnes & Nobles, your FLGS, or (all together now) Amazon!

Deadlands (1st edition)

What it is. An alternate history weird west RPG set in the the American Southwest. Magic returned to the world first at the Battle of Gettysburg causing the dead on both sides to rise from the dead. The Civil War has become a stalemate, leaving the country split in two more permanently.

At the same time, a new mineral is discovered in the earthquake-shattered remnants of California. Called Ghost Rock, this more powerful version of coal has lead to the creation of wild, steampunk inventions as well as a resource rush. Adventurers take a variety of roles both like the ones found in Western movies and more magical ones, like the huckster who plays poker against demons in order to cast his spells.

Why you might like them. You can recreate your favorite spaghetti westerns adding in magic and ghost rock driven inventions!

Where you can get your hands on it. It’s out of print, but pdfs can be found at the publishers website or Drive Thru RPG

Lego

What it is. You know them, you love them, you step on the pointiest bits barefoot in the middle of the night no matter how careful you are. (Here our some of our reviews of some Marvel and Star Wars Lego sets.)

Why you might like it. You have flat surfaces and a pile of bricks. In a few hours (or days, the sandcrawler is huge) you have a spaceship to display. Turn on cartoons on Netflix or Hulu and you have the making of an alright Saturday afternoon.

Where you can get your hands on them. Any department stores and (last time everyone) Amazon.

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There you go. If you want to be a nerd in my mold, then these are a few of my favorite things. Nerds on Earth is a website for nerds who love stuff, so I hope you enjoyed looking in on a few of the things I love. Share your loves over on our Facebook page.

The post 7 Nerdy Things You Need in Your Life: Sam’s Shelfie appeared first on Nerds on Earth.

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The Nerds On Earth Spoiler-Free Review of The LEGO Batman Movie https://nerdsonearth.com/2017/03/lego-batman-movie/ Wed, 01 Mar 2017 20:27:52 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=12324

Nerds on Earth has our spoiler free review of the Lego Batman movie.

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You should not see The LEGO Batman Movie.

Let me clarify. If you enjoyed Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, or if you think Frank Miller is the best Batman writer of all time, or if you’ve ever said, without irony, “Batman is about vengeance, not justice,” then you should not see The LEGO Batman Movie. You will not have a good time.

On the other hand, if none of those apply, and, furthermore, if you are a living, breathing human being with functioning eyes and a command of the English language, you should see The LEGO Batman Movie. Because it’s the best Batman movie since The Dark Knight. Want to hear about it?

[tw-divider]The LEGO Batman Movie: Everything Is Awesome[/tw-divider]

We can get a lot of the basic stuff out of the way:

  • Yes, this is the same character that appeared in The Lego Movie.
  • Yes, he’s still voiced by Will Arnett.
  • Yes, since this is an officially-licensed DC Comics film, Will Arnett is now and forever one of the people who have played Batman.
  • Yes, he’s better than Val Kilmer (no, he’s not as good as Kevin Conroy). Similarly, Galifinakis is a better Joker than Leto, but not better than Hamill.
  • Yes, this movie has a wickedly sharp sense of humor and a fabulous comedic timing.
  • Yes, it takes advantage not only of Batman’s deep rogue’s gallery, but Warner Bros’.
  • Yes, there is a Bed, Bath & Beyond joke (and many other fantastic gags besides).

But really, none of those are important in the face of the two key questions:

  1. Is this a good Batman movie?
  2. Is this a good movie?

Fortunately, the answer to both of those is also yes. Here’s why.

[tw-divider]This Is A Great Batman Movie[/tw-divider]

Contrary to what the majority of the nerd-dominated internet might imply, it isn’t hard to make a good Batman movie. It really isn’t that hard to make a great one either. I don’t want to get too deep into the weeds about Batman as a character, or as a narrative force, or anything like that—I’m not Glen Weldon, after all—but there are things I want to see in a Batman story that are as fundamental as anything Campbell wrote.

First, I’ve gotta have a scheme. Some brilliant villain simply has got to have a plot (bonus points if it’s dastardly). I usually prefer a deathtrap or two to be involved, but I’m more flexible about that. Obviously, Batman (who is the World’s Greatest Detective™) is going to get to the bottom of it, but the longer that takes, the better.

Second, I need to see Batman punch somebody. Anybody, really. This has nothing to do with any kind of cultural commentary—I just get a kick out of a rich man dressed like a bat punching people.

I have this saved on my hard drive as “Gonnataserpunchacrippledman.jpg.”

Third, and more seriously, I want to see Batman wrestle with who he is. Note that I’m not talking about any kind of morose, emotional naval-gazing, but every now and then, I want to see this character address his own complex motivations. So how does Lego Batman do?

[tw-divider]The Officially-Licensed NoE Batman Movie Scoring Rubric[/tw-divider]

I can definitely see myself using this picture later.

Yes, there’s a scheme.

Yes, there’s punching (Hoo boy, yes, there’s punching).

And yes, Batman actually has to address one of the fundamental driving forces of his crusade. I don’t want to say anything that could even be interpreted as a spoiler, but I will say this: Batman is a person who is driven by loss. There is an emptiness that propels him. And it is a legitimate question for the character to wonder whether or not that emptiness can be filled. This movie handles this with charm and good humor–and it takes pains to literalize the common idea of the “Bat Family.”

[tw-divider]It’s A Great Batman Movie[/tw-divider]

 

If that was all Lego Batman was, it would be great, and worth seeing. But it goes beyond the superficial aspects of the character. Lego Batman isn’t telling a story about a comic book hero, it’s telling a story about a lonely, sad man who has been lying to himself for years. It’s telling a story about a person trying to develop beyond their own selfishness. It’s telling a story with a fundamental message that challenges the audience to grow.

I’m not saying it’s pretentious—all I’m saying is, if this was a live-action movie with a French title, it would win a dozen Oscars next year.

It’s also got a bunch of really great jokes about romantic comedies and music.

Ross Hardy screeches about politics here. He wrote a comic book here and another one here. He wrote a book book here.

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Star Wars Legos: Review of Set 75093: The Death Star Duel https://nerdsonearth.com/2016/09/star-wars-lego-review-set-75093-the-death-star-duel/ Sun, 18 Sep 2016 12:33:15 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=9394

Star Wars Lego Set 75093, The Death Star Duel, is a hot item right now. But is it worth the high cost of the demand?

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Lego Star Wars set #75093, or as it more commonly known, The Death Star Final Dual, seems to be a hot item right now. I’ve owned my set for a while now, having scored it on an epic day at the thrift store. Yes, THE THRIFT STORE!!

lego-75093This of course is the Lego version of the scene from Return of the Jedi where Luke Skywalker is captured and confronted with the Emperor and Darth Vadar (Anakin Skywalker). Set #75093 depicts the harrowing battle of wills—and the force—between the Skywalkers and the Emperor.

Although this scene isn’t the final duel now that we have MORE MOVIES, the Death Star duel scene is still really, really awesome and has come a long way since the sets 7200 and 7201 were released. Yet this Lego set, like most, is not exactly to scale (though I would like to build my own custom Death Star around the Final duel scene now that I think about it!).

The set depicts the Emperor’s throne room and provides a long walkway to the Emperor’s trademark tall stairs that come up to his throne. This walkway can slide under the stairs, and the two platforms can swing in and attach securely to the rest of the set, making the set easier to store or display in a tighter space. Smart thinking by the Lego master builders!

Those other two platforms are the two other major parts to this scene. The catwalk that Darth Vadar cuts down as Luke tries to evade him also has some nice Lego engineering. There is an easy way to swing the pillar holding up the catwalk, so when Vadar throws his lightsaber, the pillar can be taken out with a swipe of the finger! The other platform is the shaft which Anakin Skywalker eventually throws the Emperor down. So, VERY plot crucial, in other words.

With the major parts of the epic scene accounted for, Lego spends more time on additional cool details for the set. From exploding stairs, to a catapult that propels Luke skywalker into action, to finally another catapult that ejects the Emperor’s lightsaber from its hiding place. Also, this set captures a lot of the ambiance of the throne room, with the circular glowing panels around the giant pillars in the room, computer consoles, and has sliding doors to the throne room where the Imperial guards are standing guard!

final-duel-vadar

OMG, I forgot to talk about MINI FIGS!!!  Set #75093 is a 724 piece set with 5 mini figures:

  1. Luke Skywalker,
  2. Darth Vadar (Anakin Skywalker),
  3. The Emperor,
  4. and 2 Imperial guards.

LegoThe newest version of this scene brought some very detailed outfits for the mini figures that is topped off with a cool new helmet combo for Vadar. This helmet also has a neck piece so that it covers all of Anakins face when completely put together.

Again, the great part about all Lego sets are the details, especially in regards to the franchises they have partnered with such as Star Wars.  I could go on and on about the cool little details, but you can see all those in the pictures.

This set also offers great playability with all the moving parts and whatnot.  It is currently running from $55 – $70 (new) depending on what site you are looking at, so at this price it is a nice set, that should be a focal point of your Lego Star Wars display!  This set gets a 9.1 out of 10 Nerds, but YOU MUST shop around until you score your set around the $55 mark!

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Star Wars Legos: Review of Set #7754, the Mon Calamari Cruiser https://nerdsonearth.com/2016/09/star-wars-legos-review-set-7754-mon-calamari-cruiser/ Sun, 04 Sep 2016 12:40:21 +0000 https://nerdsonearth.com/?p=9163

We review Star Wars Lego set #7754, the Mon Calamari Cruiser. Lando! Akbar! Mon Motha!

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Hello Lego fans! It has been a while since our last Lego review, but I have another one for you all today, and it’s a doozy!!  I recently landed Star Wars Lego set #7754, or the “Home One Mon Calamari Cruiser” set.  Also known as the, “IT’S A TRAP!” set.  This is a Lego exclusive offering and pretty hard to come by, and how I came about mine is none of your business. Just sit back and enjoy the review!

Star Wars Legos: Review of Set #7754, the Mon Calamari Cruiser

Star Wars Lego set #7754 is a 789 piece set with 6 very exclusive minifigures and LOTS of moving parts! The minifigures that come with the set are:

  1. A–Wing Pilot,
  2. Mon Calamar officer,
  3. Mon Motha,
  4. Captain Madine,
  5. Lando Calrissian
  6. and of course, Admiral Akbar!

The set itself is actually two sections of the cruiser that can be attached or detached for display purposes. You have the ship hanger where the A–Wing fighter can be stored and the war room from which the battle is commanded.  Really, the set should have been called “Home One Mon Calarmari Bridge and Hanger.” But hey, I don’t name the sets, I just review them.

War room Star Wars Lego set #7754

At first glance the ship hanger looks bare bones as a structure, but I assure you it is not lacking in playability! There are two floor compartments for storage (extra tools, guns, what have you), a hanging crane with nozzle to attach to said A–Wing for repair purposes, as well as some movable flaps and ladder pieces for effect.

However, the coolest feature of this hanger is the landing area for the A – Wing fighter ship. You actually place the ship onto a holding piece that can rotate with the twist of a nob. That same nob also slides the ship into place at bay in the hanger. It is a fine piece of Lego engineering to say the least.

As cool as the hanger is, it still may be out done by the war room area where we have the famed line “It’s a trap!” A classic Star Wars moment!

The war room has a circular design to it that is held together by interlocking elbow pieces. It also has at the center the Death Star schematic read out and plenty of space for additional minifigures to be placed. Above the war room is the command bridge where Admiral Akbar sits in a chair which rotates and slides JUST LIKE THE PIECE IN THE SHIP HANGER!!

I told you the bridge and war room were not to be out done. There are also two computer consoles at the right and left of Akbar to be manned by extra mini figures you might have lying around.

Hanger Star Wars Lego set #7754

Last but not least is the A–Wing fighter. It is a very sleek and speedily built ship with two flick fire torpedoes. It is just the right size to fit the hanger and make a full rotation on the spinning contraption.  It also has a detachable engine piece for repair action!

While this certainly takes a bit of a back seat to the amazing hanger and bridge war room portions, the A–Wing is really just the icing on the cake for this set, so you have to be pretty pleased with the ship as such!

Star Wars Lego set #7754: Final Thoughts

Overall this set is so fun to build, display, and play with. However, at the price you are going to pay—currently trending around $110 – $140 NEW—it is a bit pricey.  For the price, it probably could have used a few more minifigures (even just generic ones to man the computer consoles would have been nice), but all in all it is a terrific set.

Now I would not recommend this for anyone but the serious collector as they would be the types to truly appreciate it. So if you have a serious collector at home, and you want to surprise them, start looking now for Star Wars Lego set #7754!

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