Photo Opp - "Sibling Rivalry"

"Screw you, Loki!, daddy likes me best!!"

Photo Opp - "Relaxing Hour"

Introducing a new segment on my blog, Photo Opp! One thing I like about my toys, including these knock-off LEGO I collect, is that I can always snap a silly shot of them whenever I get free time :P and so I thought, since I don't get longer free times to make a review, maybe I can post some of the best bits I've taken, one at the time. I hope you guys like it!

"A day not fighting knocked-off evil Mutants

is more relaxing with a cup of coffee"

[DECOOL] 0184-0189 Super Heroes - DC's Batman & MARVEL's X-Men [TBR]

TBR - THROWBACK REVIEW
This set of mini-figs is O-L-D. first came out like eons ago, and I had this a year now. This review was planned last year, but I only got the time to post it now. I bought this set for the Storm mini-fig, I'm a huge X-Men sucker. but if you are a fan of Batman series, this set is a great grab, it has 2 versions of Batman and a movie version of Catwoman.

DIFFERENT VERSIONS
So what else makes this set a great must have, besides being a cheap copy of original LEGO mini-figure, and the different versions base on different comic universes? ... I can't think of anything else really LOL they're great no matter what. Anyway, since most sets comes with different versions of the character (particularly the Iron Man and Spiderman mini-figs), I thought maybe we should try cracking the history of the mini-figs' version design.

*UPDATE* I included the images of the hero's version I believe the mini-fig design was based on.

0184 WOLVERINE (Marvel)

VERSION: With the yellow and brown sleeveless costume, I'm guessing this is base on the classic Wolverine from the 1980s Uncanny X-Men series. this mini fig is the Jim Lee design, the one that lacks the sharp claw-like motif on the costume. You know what I mean about the claw-like motif, the one with blue instead of brown color is more popular with those design.

THE FIG: The classic Wolverine mini-fig has a simpler design compared to the movie versions and the other ones I've been seeing all over the web. I like the print of the body, but the red belt isn't clean. also, there are miscoloration or scratches on the black of helmet was already there when I had it.

0185 MAGNETO (Marvel)

VERSION:  Ok, at first I have no idea which Magneto is this mini-fig was based on, but after further research, I finally get one universe closest to Magneto wearing red cape, instead of purple - Age of Apocalypse. he also wear red cape in Mutant X, but his helmet is purple in that one.

THE FIG: Nicely painted, unlike the Wolverine one. and it comes with a round piece and clear cylinder pieces, to make Magneto look like he is riding a metal plate and floating in the air, which is one of his iconic poses if you ask me.

0186 CATWOMAN (DC)

VERSION: This mini-fig is based on Selina Kyle from The Dark Knight Rises movie in 2012, played by Anne Hathway. I don't think she was ever referred to as "Catwoman" in the film, but Selina Kyle is the alter-ego of Catwoman in some universe.

THE FIG: I don't think this Catwoman has an original LEGO version, I can't find any pics on the internet to compare to this one. the box art though shows her having a whip, but instead it came with 2 guns. She does used guns in the movie, but I think it will look cooler with the whip.

0187 BATMAN (DC)

VERSION: This mini-fig is based on The Dark Knight film trilogy. I read *somewhere that the original LEGO of this mini-fig comes with the Tumbler, which is the Bat-mobile from the film trilogy. it's really nice that this Batman and the Catwoman on this set came from the same universe, and they are movie version, which adds more bars on the awesomeness. *My Brick Store

THE FIG: That little piece of plastic on top of the helmet is really bothering me. every time I look at it, it gives me itch. JUST LOOKING AT IT WHILE TYPING THIS, I can't help it.. like.. right after this post is done, I'm gonna go and get rid of it. oh and this mini-fig comes with one bat boomerang. I'm not sure what that is, I'm not really a fan of Batman, maybe it's a boomerang. And I'm pretty sure Batman's cape in the trilogy has no sharp lay designs like those.

0188 BATMAN (DC)

VERSION: According to Wikipedia, this Batman is the alien Tlano from Zur-En-Arrh. Also known as Batman of Zur-En-Arrh. the character first appeared in the story, Batman - The Superman of Planet X. Robin had wore this Batman suit, which attracts the attention of the enemies, differing to the emo Dark Knight, which attacks enemies in the dark.

THE FIG: The original LEGO fig of BATMAN of Zur-En-Arrh was a San Diego Comic Con exclusive, and it has flat cape, and no sharp details below, though some images of this Batman shows he does have spiky cape. It also has a baseball bat weapon, but this one comes with a silver Batman "boomerang". I like the color of this Batman, even though I'm not really familiar with it's history. when you find out it is a total opposite of the real Batman, it's even crazier.

0189 STORM (Marvel)

VERSION: This Storm is based on the Uncanny X-Men version. This costume of hers has many variants, with the abdomen part had been through many changes. One of my favorite female X-Men, and one of my fave X-Men universe. My top pick Storm version is the one she's wearing the white suit, from the animated series in the 90s. I think it is also a Jim Lee design.

THE FIG: The hair mold is similar to most female super hero mini-figs, but of course this one is white. her alternate face print is really funny, but since she is known for that iconic white eyes when using her powers, I chose to use it instead. The fig also comes with 2 transparent lightning shape pieces, in purple, which represents her weather control powers. and her cape is placed similar to how it is supposed to look like in the comics. The only thing missing is her headpiece.


LAST THOUGHTS
First of all, sorry I didn't have a picture of all six of them in one picture, I took these images over a year ago. As I said, I only bought this set for the X-Men figures, and maybe that what I thought "Batman in alternate color". but it turned out to be a really good catch. It came with 2 movie version figures, a Batman figure based on SDCC exclusive, and a Magneto with its face properly printed!! Yes, I got another Magneto from different set and its face was printed upside down! I'm telling you I was really furious when I found out. Anyway, if you are a X-Men fan, go a head and get this set, I think there are only few knocked-off sets that has this Storm mini fig, I think Sheng Yuan has it also. and again, if you are a Batman fan, then this set isn't that waste too.

There you go! I hope I redeemed myself even a little, for missing the blog for a year!! HAHA I promise I will post more. I'll try!

YEAR 1 - The Poor Collector

A YEAR OF SILENCE
It's been a year since my last post. That was really sad, I at least owe my viewers and readers an apology for that past year without hellos. I'm really, really, very sorry. You see, when I started this blog last year, I just graduated from college. I thought back then, I can finally do what I always wanted and start blogging about knock-off LEGO which I enjoy collecting. Unfortunately,(not really unfortunate) reality bite me in my sexy ass, and I became really busy with my adult life.

WHAT'S UP
This blog never left my mind, wanted to at least make a short review about other mini sets that I own, but I cant fix time to set-up a photog-session for the images. I still collect knock-off LEGO, not much was added to my collection, but everything is gold to me.

I still regularly visits My Brick Shop, so I can still be updated with the latest about my favorite brands, Sheng Yuan and DECOOL. I'm really surprised whenever I visit this blog of mine, a lot of readers from around the world still visits this. Maybe, when I find time, I can post again some reviews, I really wanna do this.

THE X-MEN LIST
Was really looking forward to do a X-MEN mini figures check list last year. obvi, I never get a chance to do it. So for my blog's anniversary + to mark my hopeful return, I decided to share my top 6 favorite X-Men figs from different brands, which I photographed last year..

I really love X-Men, since I first so the animated series back in the 90s. I'm a big fan of Marvel, more than of DC. and when it comes to knocked-off LEGO, Id rather have a huge collection of mini-figs from Marvel, particularly the X-Men. I like The Avengers too, but the huge amount of Iron Man mini-figs is really bugging me, I don't think I can collect them all. LOL plus, I think Pyro is now my official blog mascot, since he has appeared in more post than everyone else.

THANK YOU!!
So, thank you all, who has visited this blog for the past year, even though I only have few to offer. This year, maybe will be no difference, but I promise you I will post a new review. I'm not encouraging you to comeback, like regularly, but who knows? one day there will be new posts, and I'm sure you're gonna love it!

Cheap Mini Sets + Mini Figures Part 3: Girls! [ENLIGHTEN] [QIAOLETONG]

Knockoff LEGO companies does not just range from all these cool city, police, pirates, space, knights,super heroes themes that are obviously marketed for boys. These companies also produces mini sets and mini figures that are girls themed, or exclusive for girls, but can still be bought and enjoyed by both gender. So, in the spirit of diversity, I am reviewing 3 cheap mini sets which are marketed for girls.

"honey... where's your undies?"

I have these mini sets for some time now, and I finally got to make a review about them. even thought they came from different knock-off companies, they all have the same hair style, which is the ponytail for girls, it's different in color though. I think it is the default hair style for knock-off girl mini-figures.

[QIAOLETONG] TS20120 Entertainment Set
Comes with 31 pieces, I can't really tell what's the theme of this mini set, since it's all written in chinese, I believe that is chinese.. so let's call it Entertainment Set for now.

The back of the box shows few alternate builds, but the main build for this mini set, is a Living Room showcase, with a coach/sofa, a TV set with remote, and the lady minifigure. all for 38PHP or less than 1USD.

The TV screen and the remote prints are not actually printed on the bricks, but just stick-on shiny stickers. It's really up to you how you will interpret that tv show shown.

Here's Betty, I named her that, watching whatever that is shown. I don't like the print of the face, it's too high I guess, it makes Betty looks like she has humongous jaws and large chin. anyway I tried one of the alternate builds, even without instructions, so check it out:

is it a motorcycle? is it a donkey? is it a gym equipment?

Yeah, I can't really tell what it is either.. what do you think?

[QIAOLETONG] TS20120 Beach Set
Can't tell what this set is called either, but it contains 30 pieces. let's just say this mini set is called "beach set".. It also came from the same company as Entertainment Set, which is QIAOLETONG.

Several alternate builds shown at the back, still beach related though..

The mini set composed of a sun-bathing bed, a mini umbrella with standee, a cassette radio of some sort, a walkie talkie and a female minifigure who happens to have forgotten to wear her underwear.

The fact that this minifigure looks like she wears nothing down there bums alot, but hey, this mini-set is marketed for female buyers, so maybe they can put a little story about it, like she's some sort of beauty queen in vacation who does not like tan lines? nice print in the torso though, very spring looking.. but isn't beach suppose to be this popular only during summer? also check out that ugly sticker for the parasol.. the pillow, towel on the bench, and the 2 sided boombox are all stickers too, but not as fail looking as the umbrella.

[ENLIGHTEN] 1208 Girls Series
This simple build for girls theme from Enlighten is better than the first two on top. first, you can always trust Enlighten will give you quality, not that perfect, but still.

That's a huge foliage build, basically this mini set is about a lady with a book in an island, probably standed in it, but that tree is one huge build and it's like it is the main focus of the miniset. The back of the boxart also offers alternate builds, but mostly about how you can setup the foliage.

It came with a pink chair, a goblet (must be beer, or any sparkly drink which bubbles) that abnormal looking coconut/palm tree, a mini base, a female minifig I named Teresa, who has green sleeves instead of the white one promised in the box, and a book printed tile, I don't know what book it is, must be a quran. or any arabic literature, so this girl must be from middle east or just understands this letters.

nice torso print, but I really prefer it with white sleeves, but overall this mini-set is still outstanding, despite its cheap price, and it came from Enlighten, so the whole mini set is really nice and descent. check out the alternate builds:

"let me enjoy this toxic looking drink while resting beside this bamboo"

"my garden really needs some color, maybe if I planted flowers instead of grass"

By the way, I have this tanned skin girl mini-figure that I have used and featured in some images before, which I don't know really from what brand it came from. It was given to me by my younger cousin, all I know is that it was part of a bigger set of a house or doll house of some sort, but I have no idea which brand it is, so I cannot research it, so if someone can tell me, please post a comment. here she is once again:

"I got tanned too much by hanging out with Pyro so much."