Let's be honest, the minifigs in the LEGO Lord of the Rings line are pretty good, except maybe Gollum as far as I'm concerned.

But fortunately, the kings of custom are not impressed by the official production and JasBrick has some truly exceptional achievements at the moment.

The Rohan warrior is equipped with the Javelins available here and the dwarf is wearing a helmet from BrickForge available here and painted by JasBrick.

Dernhelm alias Éowyn disguised during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields is here equipped with a Viking helmet from Brick Forge that was painted.

The orc of Moria is equipped with a sword from BrickWarriors (See their offer) and the part that was originally silver has been repainted to give it that truly realistic look. The armor used is also from BrickWarriors. Note that you can get this armor at the little brick which distributes BrickWarriors products.

If you are a fan of JasBrick's work, go tell him on his flickr gallery. For those who do not yet know it, this will be the opportunity to discover many customs on very varied themes.

I paid little attention to this set when the first images were shown (photos are from FBTB) at the New York Toy Fair 2012. And after some thought, I came back to take a look at the images for try to see something other than a remake of the set 7104 Desert Skiff released in 2000. Because it is not a remake.

 Where in 2000 the Skiff was only delivered with 2 minifigs (Luke and Han Solo) and the machine integrated the set a few years later 6210 Jabba's Sail Barge as a complement when it was released in 2006, this new Desert Skiff is presented as a set that is self-sufficient, well endowed with almost stylish minifigs Original Trilogy (Luke Skywalker, Lando Calrissian, Boba Fett and Kithaba, the Klatooinien who also ends up in the Sarlacc Pit) and which allows to reproduce some scenes that have become cult of theEpisode VI Return of the Jedi.

The presence of the Sarlacc Pit which seems to be able to close itself completely on Boba Fett is obviously a big plus. And then, I am never resistant to a new version of Lando, who is presented here with his helmet finally endowed with colors faithful to the model of the film. The Skiff itself is nondescript, but it's a machine that doesn't really have any charisma anyway. the version presented at the Toy Fair will undoubtedly evolve a little further, especially in terms of colors, by the time the set is released.

Regarding Boba Fett and screen-printed leg syndrome, don't get too carried away. Unlike the unique minifigure in the set 10123 Cloud City released in 2003, this new minifigure is unlikely to become so rare and expensive. Indeed, the 9496 set is not an exclusive and relatively expensive playset like the 10123 was in its time (109.99 € at the time of its release). Plus, it's highly likely (or not, after all ...) that this version of Boba Fett will be featured in a later set.

4 minifigs, 213 pieces and a price in dollars of 24.99: If the price does not skyrocket too much when converting into euros, this set will be fine ... Until a new barge from Jabba, to go with it.

This creation of Brad Pike pleasantly surprised me. Difficult to say why but this Mini Acclamator-Class Assault Ship appeals to me with its massive and dense appearance. In general, I love mini ships ... Those of Christopher Deck LEGOstein aliases are among my favorites and even though the MOCpages gallery by Brad Pike does not present as many models as LEGOstein which offers more than 200 in the Star Wars universe alone, its achievements are also very neat.

Go take a look at his gallery MOCpages which already presents half a dozen creations, all very successful and highlighted from all angles. On the menu, a Mini Republic Medical Frigate, Mini Corellian Gunship or a Mini Tantive IV...

Come on, since we have seen almost everything for 2012 and we have learned that the Star Wars license will be renewed for 10 years, it is time to ask the fateful question: What can we expect in the 10 years coming in the LEGO Star Wars range?

First, a few benchmarks:

The Padawan Threat has been an undisputed television success, and one has to expect more animated short films of this type, including at least one in 2012.

The Clone Wars is scheduled to run for at least 100 episodes. Season 4 launched in September 2011 and features 22 episodes like the previous seasons (season 1 2008/2009, Season 2 2009/2010 et season 3 2010/2011). Let's say season 5 has 22 more and the planned total will be met and even surpassed in 2013.

The six films of the Star Wars saga will be shown in 3D at the cinema at the rate of one episode per year. It's not me who says it, it's Rick McCallum (in 2011): ... We're doing 3D versions of all six films, one a year, starting in February of next year. We start with [episode] one and go all the way through six, totally chronological. One a year, if they work. If they don't, then there will be just one [episode converted to 3D] ...

We will say that the first opus is not a flop and that the cycle will therefore continue until 2017. The ultimate peak will be reached with the 3D release of theEpisode IV: A New Hope in 2015. So far all is well. But the license is signed until around 2022.

TV series, Arlesian of the galaxy, will probably never see the light of day, unless Georges Lucas needs money, which could be the case around 2017.

What will LEGO be able to offer us during all these years? 

1. From The Clone Wars set shovel. LEGO will undoubtedly capitalize on the animated series for as long as possible, notably with the DVD / Blu-ray releases of seasons 4 and 5.

2. Remakes of remakes. Some collectors are a little jaded to see, even better, sets that have already been seen and reviewed. But we must think of the new generations of fans who are currently discovering the Star Wars universe thanks to Jar Jar or to Lux Bonteri and Cad Bane ...

3. Sets based on the game world The Old Republic, if the game works and lasts 2 years or even 3. Inevitably, we will be entitled to SWTOR II: A New Era or something like that. And why not SWTOR: The Animated Series, nothing is impossible. The universe of the game is already available in comics for the general public by specialists in the genre Dark Horse. The thing also exists online with webcomics Threat of Peace et Blood of the empire.

4. Something to satisfy AFOLs thirties with UCS like for example a C-3PO (at least a bust to go with R2-D2), Cloud City (because it's enough to wait), an AT-AT (it will eventually happen), a Slave I, etc .... And probably also some UCS to ruin the new AFOLs of the Clone Wars era with a nice UCS from Malevolence for example ...

What else ? I don't know, but I tell myself that LEGO and Georges Lucas will find something to make us spend our money ...

And you in 10 years, will you still want to spend your money on LEGO Star Wars?

Decidedly, Mexico is the homeland of super heroes ... He's still a Mexican (As was the case with DC Universe minifigs) which offers for sale the brand new official Captain America minifig which will be available very soon in the set 6865 Captain America's Avenging Cycle on eBay. We thus have the opportunity to discover in detail this highly anticipated minifigure, and in particular its shield.

Overall, I find this minifig very successful. it is sober, but sufficiently detailed. and I remain convinced that a screen print on the head is better than all the helmets in the world ...