Going Back To The Future again with Lego

I'm progressing nicely with the build.

I'm amazed by how intricate it all is and as I put little round pieces into square pieces and then into other sometime same sized square pieces I can't but keep thinking about how on Earth someone created this design. It's mind boggling. Yes, they'll have CAD software to help, I'm sure, but blimey.

Thankfully the build is broken into sections in the booklet and each of these sections has its own bag of Lego pieces. 

So, all the pieces needed for section 3 are in Bag 3.

I did notice that there are always a few 'extras left when each section has been finished.

Initially I feared that this meant I'd not put something in at the right time, and was reminded of working with my Dad back in the 20th Century as he fixed our car (back when cars were almost completely mechanical, with not a computer in sight). We'd always end up with a washer left on the curb when he'd thought he'd put everything back together again.

The other worry about the extra pieces is that if they can add some by mistake, could they also not leave some out.

I had a momentary scare when it came to Section 4. Some of the pieces weren't in the bag. Checking the box I was released to find that or some reason there were two bags for Section 4. Disaster averted. Phew.

Daw - No. 4 - The Book of Van Vogt

I've had a hectic few months with family, work and comic things all going on.

This has reduced the amount of time I've had to spend chilling out with an old Sci Fi book.

The latest Daw Book is a collection of tales from A E Van Vogt, one of my childhood favourites. I remember really enjoying Slan, Voyage of the Space Beagle and The World of Null-A to name but a few.

This volume has a real mix of subject matter, from time travel twister, through Intergalactic Empire conquest to a brain in a jar.

I enjoyed them and the message behind the ones that had a message to deliver (or the message I took from them as I'm not entirely sure it was the one intended).

It all felt a bit dated but was easy to read and enjoyably readable throughout.

Going Back To The Future with Lego

So, the Christmas before last Christmas I got a Lego present from a couple of people who know me too well.

It's the DeLorean from Back To The Future.

It's 1872 pieces.

It's going to test me, for sure.

I've waited until now as I've finally got the dining room ready with some nice cabinets and this will look great in one of them.

Great Scott.

Wish me luck.

Glasgow's First Power Con

Nothing says Power more than the Incredible Hulk, and nothing annoys an Incredible Hulk more than a bloke from Birmingham criticising his attire.

Whilst it was the first Power Con, it was very much the successor of the very enjoyable ACME Cons of the past few years and so we knew exactly where to do and what to do.

We stayed in our usual hotel, situated close enough to the venue and surrounded by nice eateries and pubs. I was even tempted by the Haggis offered for breakfast.

As they say is Scotland, 'When in Scotland do what the Scots do'.

Not sure I'll try it again though.

Two days of seeing people collect signatures from voice actors of programs I've never even heard of (although one was Victor from Arcane (a great show and great character) and chatting to anybody who stopped long enough at our table. We had a pretty successful con all in all. 

Yes, there were long quiet periods.

Yes Celtic had a home game on Sunday. 

The weather, oddly for Glasgow, Wes dry and sunny (not that we saw much of that being oil the hall most of the daylight hours).

Mr Fudge did well 

helped as he was by the shortest StormTrooper I have ever seen.

And we parked our car next to the Scottish GhostBuster, just to be on the safe side.

Who are no feart fan nae Ghost 😄

Had a great Con, looking forward to the one in winter.

Judge Dredd - A Better World

So, whilst I love the idea of Judge Dredd and his world of Mega Cities and Cursed Earth I much prefer the character of Judge Anderson. Dredd is just a little too two dimensional for me. Everything for him seems to be too black and white whereas Anderson lives in a world of grey.

I'd heard a little buzz around this collection though, and love Classwar from its writer Rob Williams, so I thought I'd give it a go.

Wow.

What a great story.

It works on all the levels it plays with.

Having Dredd almost as a side character also makes for a much more interesting story.

I really enjoyed it.

And the art had echoes of Sienkiewicz in places, which I liked.

I will be getting some more of Rob's Dredd books in the near future. 

Nice to see no issues of Quantum 10 left in my local W H Smiths

 

... and I had a good look to make sure 😊

Issue 11 will be out in a week or so, and it's the John Higgins issue with new overall design by Andy Bloor.

It looks great.

WHSmiths in trouble?

As if things weren't challenging enough distributing comics, it looks like WHSmiths are also having difficulties making things work financially in the High Street.

wh-smith-to-sell

Let's hope it doesn't disappear.

Diamond Comic Distribution enter Chapter 11

Sad news in that the worldwide distributor of comics is in financial trouble.

The slightly better news is that I think our friends in the UK are OK in that their jobs seem to be safe. Let's hope that's the case as times are hard enough for everyone at the moment as it is.

Diamond have seen the likes of Marvel and DC move away in recent months and this no doubt contributed to their problems.

Not sure what it means to comic publishers in the UK as yet, time will tell I guess.