Quick Comic-Con post

Sorry it's been so long since I've regularly blogged. I just wanted to put up some real quick news regarding San Diego Comic Con. Those attending will have the opportunity to win exclusive giveaway minifigs each day, two comic-themed figs, one from the LEGO Movie, and, relevant to Tolkien LEGO fans, an exclusive Bard the Bowman. According to Ace at FBTB you'll have a chance to scan your badge at the LEGO booth once each day and will have a randomized chance at winning a fig. Also, according to the Hollywood Reporter, one of the large-scale LEGO sculptures on display will be of Smaug, built by Eric Varszegi.

More MELO round 1

I've been just horrible at this - I keep meaning to go through much of the 2013-2014 MELO, but I keep getting distracted, and have gone through long blogging hiatuses (hiati? Haiti?). Anyway, here are some additional selected MOCs from round 1, again, all based on riddles from the riddle game:

Zoltan went on to round 2 with wargs of the Misty Mountains for the Mountain riddle.


General Magma just missed advancing with Smeagol and Deagol's fishing trip for the Fish riddle.


Kyle Ransom built the Gates of Edoras for the Wind riddle, because, um, I guess the flags were flapping when Gandalf and the three hunters arrived in the movie version. Sketchy, but it's a great MOC and went on to round 2.


Eli Willsea advanced with his Mountain riddle entry, out of the mines.


LukeClarenceVan the Revanchist advanced with his Dark entry, There is no light, Wizard, that can defeat darkness based on the Desolation of Smaug movie.

Micro Middle Earth

Barton Thinks has done a whole series of Tolkien micros: Bag End, Helm's Deep and Minas Tirith.

Grey Havens

Mark McPeek built the Grey Havens.

Arwen

BrianTheLegoNut built this stunning mosaic of Arwen.

Samwise

Dave Ware made this Sam mosaic, and had it signed by Sean Astin.

More Melo round 1

More selected entries from MELO Round 1, again illustrating riddles from the Hobbit riddle game.

Matthew B's Bilbo Fishing illustrated the fish riddle, and brought him on to round 2.


David FNJ showed us wind, and went on to the next round.


Finn Tegotash advanced with Dark, showing Radagast's glimpse of the Necromancer.


Time all things devours, including, sadly Arwen. Stuart Lucas' Arwen's sepulchre was a lovely MOC, and also an alternate build of the Elrond's Council set, but sadly did not quite make the cut for round 2.

MELO Round 1, Dark and Mountain

Four more from round 1 of the MELO:

Legopard's Fire and Water was his way to illustrate 'dark'. He argues that Smaug's attack happened at night, and brought metaphoric darkness into the lives of Lake-Town. That's quite the stretch, but it's an awesome MOC and earned him a spot in Round 2.


Jacob Pennington took a more literal take on dark with the Mines of Moria. A great MOC, but it just missed the cut to go on to the next round.


Elliott Feldman's Mount Doom is his take on the mountain riddle. Another really nice MOc that went on to round 2.


Lee Muzzy also made a mountain for the Goblin Caves. He even includes Gollum's cave inside, and went on to round 2.

More MELO round 1

Continuing my look at selections from round 1 of the MELO. Remember, these are all based on riddles from Bilbo and Gollum.

Dodge illustrates wind.


Disco86 made a mountain.


KW Vauban illustrates time.


Josh Walter does a more literal take on the fish riddle.

MELO Round 1

Okay, I've been really remiss in not focusing much on the Middle Earth LEGO Olympics, or MELO, which started in late 2013 and led into the first part of this year. The first round was wide open, and anyone was invited to build creations based on the Riddles in the Dark. There were 68 initial entries, the top 32 went into a single-elimination tournament. I can't focus on all of the round 1 entries, so I'll pick out a few of my favorites over the next few days.

Alive without breath. David Alexander Smith brings his unique silhouette/woodcut style to Fish.


A box without hinges. Aaron L unfortunately did not advance with his scene of a young Smeagol teaching his grandmother to suck eggs, but I like his take on a hobbit-hole.


Grant Davis got one of the highest scores and easily advanced with his Lothlorien. He took a little bit of liberty with the egg riddle - his take is the golden wood is the golden treasure, and there's no lid on a forest. Whatever - it's an awesome MOC.


Finally for today, David Hensel had one of the other highest scores with his Dark of Mirkwood - Radagast's home as an interpretation of Dark.

The Lonely Mountain

David Hensel built the Lonely Mountain for MOCathalon 2014.

Lake-Town

Members of ArchLUG built a collaborative Lake-Town that they displayed recently at Emerald City Comic Con.

Fell Beast

Elliot Feldman made this amazing Fell Beast.

The dwarves of yore made mighty spells, While hammers fell like ringing bells

Grant Davis delved deep to come up with the Lonely Mountain forges.

Lake-town

Madoruk displayed this portion of Lake-town at the recent Bricks Cascade gathering.

Battle of Helm's Deep

Ivanstorm2 just emerged from his dark age, and his first MOC in fifteen years is this amazing expansion of Helm's Deep.

Thranduil's throne

Lisqr made this awesome rendition of Thranduil's throne.

Fabuland Hobbiton

Qi_tah built this amazing Fabuland Hobbiton.

Speak, friend, and enter

Lisqr built the West-gate of Moria.

Sauron

I have to apologize for my general blogging malaise for the past month. In the meantime, the Middle Earth LEGO Olympics has been inspiring tons of great builds, such as Legonardo Davidy's terrifying Sauron.