Latest from Geek Dad
Geek Dad
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Click That Brick! The LEGO Icons Sherlock Holmes: Book Nook
LEGO has recently introduced a new line of sets: Book Nooks, which unfold to present scenes from the novels they are based on. The first of these is based on Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes books, and gives us a scene from Baker Street. What Is the LEGO Icons Sherlock Holmes: Book Nook? The LEGO Icons Sherlock Holmes: Book Nook, set #10351, is a 1,359-piece LEGO set that includes 5 Minifigures. When opened, the set is over 8 in. high, 14.5 in. wide and 2.5 in. deep. Of course, like other book nooks it can be displayed on your bookshelf closed. The set retails for $129.99, and can be purchased at LEGO stores or off of the LEGO webstore. There are 10 bags of bricks total, as well as an additional base piece, sticker sheet, and instruction book. Given the smaller size of the set compared to what I usually build, there's a correspondingly smaller instruction book. However, it is still full of information on how the set was developed: This slideshow requires JavaScript. There are some bricks that were screen printed specifically for this set, but nevertheless, there are also some stickers that you will end up applying in the build. LEGO Icons Sherlock Holmes: Book Nook – Minifigures There are some iconic characters, including Sherlock Holmes himself, Dr. Watson, and Moriarty. I appreciated that LEGO added a bit of diversity by making Irene Adler a black woman. As usual, the assembly of the Minifigures is spread out through the build. This slideshow requires JavaScript. In a nod to The Hound of the Baskervilles, Doctor Watson even carries a clue in his briefcase: LEGO Icons Sherlock Holmes: Book Nook – Assembly As there's only 10 bags to put together, we'll just look at all the stages at once: This slideshow requires JavaScript. Here's the finished set, fully open: And here's what it looks like when it's closed and acting as a book nook: As you can see, you can arrange the Minifigures so that they fit with each other whether the book nook is in its opened or closed position. While these won't show if you have the nook nestled between books on your shelf, there are even book covers that you build for the outside of the nook. The back cover is fairly plain: But as you can see, the front cover for the book nook is another story: Besides a plethora of Sherlock Holmes Easter eggs throughout the build, there are also a couple of hidden features. Turning one of the chimneys raises a secret door, revealing Moriarty! Opening one of the upstairs balconies reveals Sherlock Holmes' study, complete with his Stradivarius violin. LEGO Icons Sherlock Holmes: Book Nook – Final Thoughts As the first of their new book nooks, LEGO really hit it out of the park with Sherlock Holmes. It manages to pack in a ton of details while still roughly maintaining the same size and shape as popular craft book nook kits. And as opposed to those kits, this LEGO set can open up into a display form so that you can enjoy the interactive features! That said, like many other Icons sets, the Sherlock Holmes: Book Nook is more suited for display than for play. Of course, the 18+ rating already tends to suggest that. The build was a lot of fun, especially discovering the hidden features during the build. The engineering of the set works very well, as it's effortless to operate those features. The nook itself opens and closes with ease. And with 10 bags, this is definitely a set that you can accomplish in a long, lazy afternoon, or spread it out over a few days if you want to take your time. After building the LEGO Icons Sherlock Holmes: Book Nook, I'm definitely excited for future book nook sets. This one was so thematic and dynamic, LEGO has already set themselves a high bar. But I'm confident they can rise to the challenge. Click That Brick! Click That Brick! is a look at LEGO building sets that appeal to the geek in all of us. I'll be bringing you previews and reviews of various LEGO sets, such as the LEGO Ideas Botanical Gardens. So be sure to keep your eyeballs peeled for more great LEGO content here on GeekDad. Disclosure: LEGO sent me a set for evaluation, but had no input into this review. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Geek Dad
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Find Familiar Spirits Debuts ‘Quests End NPC' Whiskey
Find Familiar Spirits, the premium gaming spirits company founded by actor and entrepreneur Matthew Lillard and screenwriter Justin Ware, has just announced the launch of a new line of premium whiskey: Quest's End NPC. This is an accessible new way to invite more adventurers to the gaming and spirits table. Says Matthew Lillard: We've always thought gaming and whiskey are best enjoyed with other people. NPC is our way to invite more fans to join the party and experience the incredible community we've been building. And while sharing a drink, we figured, why not give them dice and a fun game to play? NPC: Master of the Thieves Guild is a 90-proof bourbon priced at $54.99 and comes bundled with a custom D20, a mini dice bag, and exclusive access to a new dice game. Brave or Knave is a brand-new fast-paced, rules-light dice game, co-created by Lillard and Ware, that's easy to learn and perfect for stirring up fun and chaos between friends! Crafted by Master Blender Molly Troupe, NPC: Master of the Thieves Guild has a tasting profile that delivers rich notes of toffee and vanilla, brightened by sweet mint and balanced with subtle hints of leather and spice. You can purchase NPC: Master of the Thieves Guild from the Find Familiar Spirits website. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Geek Dad
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Review – The Flash #22: Sins of the Fathers
The Flash #22 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: 'Bad Moon Rising' has been a compelling crossover so far, with Wally West combating Eclipso's takeover of the moon by splitting himself into hundreds of alternate selves – at the growing cost of his mental stability. But this issue throws a new wrinkle into things, as his kids start helping him – but not the same Wally. Jai winds up playing a key role in helping the Wally clone that resisted being reabsorbed last issue, seeing that his father is losing his mind and seeing this version as closer to the real thing. Iris, meanwhile, just wants to help – and when she joins her father in the fray, he's too busy splitting his attention to realize how far she's willing to go. This is all far more cosmic than Flash stories usually are, and Eclipso and his rogues are almost entirely off-panel for this issue. But this is one of the better stories the book has done in a while – and it completely wins me over with the surprise last-page cameo. The call. Via DC Comics. While this series has gone in some odd directions, it does feel like it's finding its groove again with a bigger focus on the Flash family. The characterization of Iris and Jai is feeling much more in line with the way Jeremy Adams wrote them, with both trying to help their father in their own way – but the tragedy of this might be that they're going to find themselves on opposite sides as a result. There are some interesting tie-ins coming up, and while this series hasn't gotten the hype of some of the other big books at DC right now, it does feel like it's finding its groove at the right time. Super-speed is one of those powers that can be really predictable – or really out there if you think about the bizarre ways it can affect someone. And the use of Barry Allen as an ex-speedster watching helplessly as his protege starts to slip away and become something new is a really good way to keep the character involved. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Geek Dad
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Review – Superman #27: Red With Rage
Superman #27 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: Superman and Lex Luthor's complex truce has been the focus of this series since the start, but that's all over now. Lex is in the wind, and Superman is ready to take the gloves off when it comes to his former friend. There's just one problem – he's not in his right mind due to red kryptonite poisoning, Lex's old rivals Pharm and Graft are on the loose, and Marilyn Moonlight thinks Superman is a threat to the city itself. All these players on their own are pretty interesting, but together this issue feels like pure chaos. Marilyn in particular has a very interesting story, possibly being tethered to the city by some kind of curse. Seeing Superman out of control is a unique experience, but he's able to maintain just enough of his sanity to reason with her and facilitate a team-up – and once the extent of Lex's manipulations are revealed, you really can't blame Superman for being so enraged. Depowered. Via DC Comics. There's also a pretty great subplot involving Lois as she struggles to cope with the loss of her Superwoman powers. Jimmy Olsen is on the road to recovery, but Siobahn is still pissed towards Superwoman – whoever that is. I find it funny that no one seems to know who Superwoman was, given that Lois is a fairly famous figure and Superwoman didn't use any disguise while in costume, but such is comics. Where this issue excels is in the quieter moments behind the scenes. The giant robot Pharm and Graft drop on the city is exciting, but it can't quite equal the tension when Lex shows up to give Mercy a very significant choice. There's also an amazing segment between Superman and Lois at the very end – and that's before we get to the epilogue, which sets up the next big threat for Superman and the DCU as a whole. Excellent issue, as the Superman books continue to go three for three. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Geek Dad
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Review – Green Lantern #24: Prison Blues
Green Lantern #24 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: This book continues to be wildly entertaining – even as it's essentially turned into two books in one as it heads towards the 'Starbreaker Supremacy' crossover event. This issue finds Hal Jordan on Earth, as he and Carol Ferris grow closer now that she's embraced being a superhero too. This is a similar story to the one being told with Superman and Lois over in Josh Williamson's book, but they have more than enough unique elements. Where this one excels is the banter – but there's also a really interesting action plot here, as a Coast City prison has undergone an odd transformation into a happy Stepford-like location – all thanks to a mysterious axolotl that might be tied to the emotional spectrum. There are some things even more creepy than a place where everyone is miserable, and a place where everyone is happy no matter what might just hit that sweet spot. Lockdown. Via DC Comics. Meanwhile, things are distinctly less sunny for the space crew, as Kyle Rayner leads his crew of Superboy, Odyssey, and new recruit Dan Garrett. But they're not in control of their ship anymore – it seems to be pulled toward a strange destination, one that's branded with the symbol of the Green Lantern Corps. This storyline has had an odd creepy edge to it, as this motley crew follows the trail of bizarre anomalies tied to the Starbreaker mythos and discovers some strange and horrific things. And that includes Manhunters this issue – the most infamous and destructive enemies in the history of the Green Lantern Corps. But there's a big twist in the final page of the issue, bringing in a character who I never expected to make their debut in the main comics but will be VERY welcome to Green Lantern fans. This is another book that shows DC's commitment right now to embracing its history in every way. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
