FAQ: Where do I get clear stands for LEGO models?

I've identified a recurring viewer question about the "clear stands not included" that I occasionally use when displaying sets in reviews.  For the most part I just use regular LEGO parts that are available in sets.  From Bricklink's color list you can filter by trans-clear, though decorated and old frosted parts also show up, so the real list of good potential candidates is much smaller.  I've put together a quick video showing the easy-to-obtain, regular parts that I use most frequently, including more than shown above.

• Video: Transparent LEGO parts I use for stands (FAQ)

Update: Link fixed.

Custom LEGO alien figure series (unnamed)

Since New JANG City was established, my fledgling Planetary Defense Force has been moving a bit slow, a bit down on motivation I think, because they've had no real enemy.  I recently got around to starting the process of fixing that problem, as some you have already seen on Instagram.  Here's a closer look at what I came up with for figures/units so far, with some explanations.

• Video: Custom LEGO alien figure series (unnamed)

LEGO Star Wars Toys-R-Us Poe Dameron X-Wing mini-build

I saw a post on the LEGO Facebook page advertising this little Star Wars The Force Awakens mini-build coming up mid-November and thought I'd do a miniature preview-review of it because it looks kinda cool and is easy to make :)

• Video: LEGO Star Wars Toys-R-Us Poe Dameron X-Wing mini-build

LEGO Aquanauts Neptune Discovery Lab from 1995! set 6195 review

When it comes to deep sea exploration with LEGO, this is one of the grandest of all time!

• Video: LEGO Aquanauts Neptune Discovery Lab from 1995! set 6195 review

The more I look at this, even after the review, the more I like it.  I will integrate this into my underwater layout, but eventually I might have to take it and some other sets apart to make an even larger, custom deep sea base or scene!

LEGO 2015 Christmas Train promo set set 40138 review!

Happy Holidays for 2015!  It's not even November as of this writing, but the winter commerce season is in full swing, and LEGO is giving it a little push with a giveaway of this nice, decently sizable Christmas-themed giveaway.  In the US, this is being given away with orders over $99 for a limited time.

• Video: LEGO 2015 Christmas Train review! promotional set 40138

Long-rumored Mega Bloks Halo Last Man Standing II review

Well lookey here!  The myth has become reality after all; only a year late to the party and through secondary market channels, though.  The other two sets from this sub-sub-theme hit shelves in July 2014, but exclusive retailer Target never picked this one up.  There was a production run of the set, however, and thankfully they're finally starting to make their way onto the market.

• Video: Mega Bloks Halo Last Man Standing II review! Glow-In-The-Dark figure pack

Mega Bloks Call of Duty Desert Squad & Advanced Warfare Atlas Troopers reviews

I still haven't seen either of these in stores anywhere in my greater metropolitan area, but they're on Amazon and have long been spotted in the wild in patches elsewhere. Hopefully availability will ramp up soon, quite late though it already is.

Videos:

• Mega Bloks Call of Duty Desert Squad set review
• Mega Bloks Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Atlas Troopers review

Edit: Clipped upload fixed for the Atlas Troopers video.

LEGO Alpha Team Command Sub from 2002! set 4794 review

Here's another older yellow submarine from LEGO, but this time from the Mission Deep Sea sub-theme of Alpha Team.  The set far exceeds my expectations.

• Video: LEGO Alpha Team Command Sub from 2002! set 4794 review

LEGO Slizer / Throwbot Spark from 2000! rare set 8522 review

Here it is, the hardest Slizer/Throwbot to find, and the last one I needed to review!

• Video: LEGO Slizer / Throwbot Spark from 2000! rare set 8522 review

I've put all of the sets of this theme into a single Slizer / Throwbots playlist that's now live for hopefully long-term safekeeping & organization.

LEGO Slizer / Throwbot Electro / Energy from 1999! set 8507 review

Purple!  Another one of the more unique Slizers/Throwbots in terms of overall design.  I need to find a custom use for that unprinted visor.

• Video: LEGO Slizer / Throwbot Electro / Energy from 1999! set 8507 review

Mega Bloks Call of Duty Nuketown 2 review!

I got tired of searching for this set in my region while being pummeled by commenters chiding me for having no new MB:CoD reviews (because there are no new MB:CoD sets available to review!), and I bought this at the Amazon/eBay scalper price.  Funny thing is, on a per-part basis, said scalper price would be par for the course if it was a LEGO set.  Oh no, I went there! :)

• Video: Mega Bloks Call of Duty Nuketown 2 review!

I continue to constantly check online shops and numerous retailers within 30 miles of me for any new releases, as always.  Can't buy & review what's not available to buy in the first place :(  I can only do my best, nothing more!

LEGO UFO series V-Wing Fighter from 1997! set 6836 review

Only my second review from this oldish LEGO space series that was very retro even in its day.

• Video: LEGO UFO series V-Wing Fighter from 1997! set 6836 review

Mega Bloks Halo NMPD Pelican Air Base review

At long last (though at roughly the normal time), the Signature Series set of the year in the Mega Bloks Halo lineup has reached store shelves.

• Video: Mega Bloks Halo NMPD Pelican Air Base review! 2015 Signature Series

There was already quite a bit of fan dissent when this was first announced, as it did not appear to belong in the high-tier lineup that previously featured the Forward Unto Dawn and Scarab.  This Pelican is larger than its predecessors, but only by a smidge.  The sent ends up using over 1,700+ parts and requiring a massive box because it also includes a very large, elevated landing pad for display, and a small, but useful 2-level (3 if you count the roof) slice of NMPD HQ.

Whatcha think?

Cobi WWII British Cromwell Mk. VII A27M tank review!

My first Cobi Small Army series build & review was a pleasant surprise for me with good part quality and design.  Let's see if that was a fluke.

• Video: Cobi WWII British Cromwell Mk. VII A27M tank review!

LEGO Mars Mission MT-21 Mobile Mining Unit from 2008! set 7648

More Mars Mission for the fans!  I won't run out of these for awhile, and I don't even have the whole series.

• Video: LEGO Mars Mission MT-21 Mobile Mining Unit from 2008! set 7648

A look through a LEGO catalog from 1992

Some folks have liked these little trips down nostalgia lane in the past, so here's another :)

• Video: A look through a LEGO catalog from 1992

Mega Bloks Monster High buildable Fear Squad set review!

This is one of two newest Mega Bloks buildable sets that just showed up in stores from this very popular license.

• Video: Mega Bloks Monster High buildable Fear Squad set review!

LEGO Aquazone Aquanauts Crystal Crawler from 1996! set 6145

As seen in a recent Bricklink haul!

• Video: LEGO Aquazone Aquanauts Crystal Crawler from 1996! set 6145

More older under water themed sets to be reviewed over the coming month and beyond, for sure.

Introducing a new partnership with Brickset!

Happy news today! The following is a press release that just went live:

Brickset, the premier LEGO set database, and JANGBRiCKS, the leading producer of video reviews of LEGO products on YouTube, today announced a partnership that will introduce new audiences to both resources and benefit the entire LEGO community.
From now on Brickset will be embedding JANGBRiCKS video reviews into its set reviews, enabling readers to quickly and easily gain multiple perspectives on the set being reviewed. Meanwhile, JANGBRiCKS will be using Brickset as its primary source of set information, which will be displayed during video reviews. 

"Brickset is my favorite source for LEGO set info and news and the first place I go to research products for all of my LEGO reviews", said Bamidele 'JANG' Shangobunmi. "I also use Brickset's collection management features to track upcoming releases as well as the over 1,000 sets I've reviewed in the past. I'm more than happy to be able to use Brickset data directly in my videos and to help introduce this fantastic resource to my viewers. 

“JANGBRiCKS has a huge following on YouTube so I'm pleased that Brickset will feature prominently in his videos." said Huw Millington, Brickset.com’s operator, “Augmenting our written reviews with JANGBRiCKS’ videos will allow our viewers to experience the best of both worlds on a single website.”

I've mentioned my regular use of and respect for Brickset a number of times in the past, and being able to now cooperate directly with them like this both an honor and a pleasure.  Most importantly, the core goal of this partnership is to offer more content that viewers of both resources may find valuable.

The humble first fruits of this labor are already visible.  Check out the first installment of Brickset's summer Bionicle reviews with my video reviews embedded, and my just-uploaded Ninjago Kai Drifter polybag review with Brickset data embedded, including spots for always-asked-for set pricing information, though this particular set happened to be a free promotional giveaway :)

JANGBRiCKS Bionicle Self-MOC update - Golden Lorne

Instagram followers have seen a few teasers over the past few days, now blog viewers get the full reveal the day before it goes public on YouTube :)  This is my latest update to my large action figure self-MOC series that started all the way back in 2010.  This is also a completely new build, and the first time I've deviated from the original color scheme, making it somewhat of a "special edition" version, you might say.

• Video: JANGBRiCKS Bionicle Self-MOC - Golden Lorne

It ain't perfect, and this one is way down on articulation from the last couple due to the surprising use of a single prefab torso, but this has arguably more fine detailing than any of the previous incarnations.

Whatever the specifics, I enjoyed the build and am satisfied with the result for now, but I'll surely redo it all again in the future!

LEGO Star Wars ARC-170 Fighter from 2005! set 7259 review

Here's LEGO's first figure-scaled rendition of one of the better-appreciated elements of the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

• Video: LEGO Star Wars ARC-170 Fighter from 2005! set 7259 review

LEGO Slizer / Throwbot Flare from 2000 - set 8521

In the countdown to completion of this theme, the number remaining is getting really low now! Only The Purples remain.

• Video: LEGO Slizer / Throwbot Flare from 2000 - set 8521

LEGO Star Wars Limited Edition 2010 white Boba Fett review

Only after I checked out the 2015 white Boba Fett did I learn of the existence of this earlier, (somewhat) limited production piece.

• Video: LEGO Star Wars Limited Edition 2010 white Boba Fett & 2015 comparison!

LEGO Exo-Force Claw Crusher from 2007! set 8101 review

One more for the Exo-Force fans, with still more yet to come!  Seems this is a bit of an orange-themed end to the week, eh?

• Video: LEGO Exo-Force Claw Crusher from 2007! set 8101 review

LEGO Mars Mission MT-61 Crystal Reaper from 2008! set 7645

Just when you thought I was done with Mars Mission, it's back!  I still have a bunch of these to review and they seem to make a lot of viewers happy :)

• Video: LEGO Mars Mission MT-61 Crystal Reaper from 2008! set 7645

Another Bricklink haul with sets to review

I haven't posted my Bricklink hauls on the blog for awhile, because they usually come in waves, and the waves are sometimes pretty long, though not particularly exciting.  This is one of the somewhat bigger ones here, though, with a whole bunch of sets to review across a number of themes, plus a small number of interesting loose parts.

• Video: #iHazAbox - LEGO haul from Bricklink Oct. 14, 2015

LEGO Slizer / Throwbot Scuba / Sub from 1999! set 8503

Here's another Slizer/Throwbot throwback, this one having a color scheme that I found quite unexpectedly pleasing.  Nice parts selection, even if the figure on the whole isn't a real standout in the line.

• Video: LEGO Slizer / Throwbot Scuba / Sub from 1999! set 8503

How it Works: LEGO Dimensions minifigs, bases, & builds!

A lot of viewers have asked me a lot of good, fundamental questions about how LEGO Dimensions really operates such as whether you can remove the figures from their bases & still play the game, how upgrades work, and whether you can play with custom builds.  I've put together a video that tries to answer all of these in the most straightforward ways, with examples showing the toy pad in use and what happens in-game.  I hope this is helpful!

• Video - How it Works: LEGO Dimensions minifigs, bases, & builds!

Mega Bloks Halo series Charlie full case opening tally!

I've previously shared the live openings of a full sealed box of these figures in four parts, now here's the results show.

• Video: Mega Bloks Halo series Charlie full case opening tally!

Remixed! LEGO Scooby-Doo Mystery Plane alt. build!

Another one!  No alien this time, though, and the thing actually has an okay color scheme, thanks to the selection of parts I had to work with.

• Video: JANGBRiCKS Remix! LEGO Scooby-Doo Mystery Plane alt. build!

Remixed! LEGO Scooby-Doo Haunted Lighthouse alt. build!

Another funky LEGO Scooby-Doo rebuild with an alien in it!

• Video: JANGBRiCKS Remix! LEGO Scooby-Doo Haunted Lighthouse alt. build!

LEGO Slizer / Throwbot City / Turbo from 1999 - set 8502

Still more from the line that led to the line that led to Bionicle :)  Four more of these to go.

• Video: LEGO Slizer / Throwbot City / Turbo from 1999 - set 8502

Remix! LEGO Scooby-Doo Mummy Museum Mystery alt. build

I found it somewhere between extremely difficult & completely impossible to build something nice & sensible looking out of the parts of this set without ending up with just a minor variation on the original design. So, I made this.

• Video: JANGBRiCKS Remix! LEGO Scooby-Doo Mummy Museum Mystery alt. build

LEGO vs. Hasbro! Star Wars Force Awakens Rey's Speeder comparison

Continuing the "LEGO vs."theme, here's the smallest set from the first wave of Star Wars: The Force Awakens sets contrasted against the rather larger Hasbro 3.75" scale version of the same.

• Video: LEGO vs. Hasbro! Star Wars Force Awakens Rey's Speeder comparison

After this there's only one more Star Wars: TFA comparo of this sort I'm planning, the big Millennium Falcon, and I believe Hasbro's one is due out in November.

I'm more looking forward to another non-brick-based toy manufacturer to put up against the big 'L' :)

LEGO 2015 Thanksgiving Feast vignette set review! 40123

Here's this year's Autumn seasonal set, purchasable from LEGO stores & online.

• Video: LEGO 2015 Thanksgiving Feast vignette set review! 40123

JANGBRiCKS Remix! LEGO Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine alternate build

When I got the big Mystery Builder box of LEGO Scooby-Doo sets I promised to do something fun with the bounty (since reviews would be done on sets I bought at full price as usual).  Here's the first bit of the result, something I've had hiding under my city for weeks now, waiting for the right time to unveil it :)

• Video: JANGBRiCKS Remix! LEGO Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine alternate build

Everything LEGO Mixels series 6 reviewed!

While I've been pumping out tons of LEGO Dimensions content since that's new & hot and there's so much of it to cover, I've continued releasing videos on other topics as well, including the latest series 6 Mixels featuring two new tribes and a revisit of another.

• LEGO Mixels Series 6 Munchos review! Vaka-Waka, Snax & Berp!
• LEGO Mixels series 6 Weldos review! Forx, Kramm & Wuzzo!
• LEGO Mixels series 6 Glorp Corp review! Gurggle, Slusho, Dribbal!
• LEGO Mixels series 6 MAXes! Munchos, Glorp Corp, Weldos