There are certain benefits to living in New York City: World-class entertainment, fine dining, and the constant interaction with people of all different shapes and sizes. And then, once every so often, something really cool happens....
Fresh from the trench run
In order to promote the upcoming The Yoda Chronicles this week, the good people over at the Cartoon Network commissioned a full-scale, LEGO X-wing and landed it right in the middle of Times Square.
Made up of 5,335,200 bricks, this snubfighter has engines that glow and roar, making it seem as if it can take on the Empire all by itself. 11-feet tall and 43 feet long, with a 44-foot wingspan, the X-wing was the principle fighters used by the Rebellion in their long struggle to defeat the Empire and restore peace and justice to the galaxy. Built over 4 months at the LEGO Model Shop in Kladno, Czech Republic, this gigantic beauty of a model would make Wedge Antilles and the pilots of Rogue Squadron proud.
Oh, and you can sit in the cockpit.
I can't shake 'em!
Linc 5, standing by!
There were also some wonderful LEGO sculptures stationed around the island between 7th Ave and Broadway, including Boba Fett, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and even Porkins!
The dynamic duo
Ooh, shiny this is!
And Skippy, the Jedi Droid!
The baddest bricks in the galaxy
Well, at least they made him thin.
The farmboy and his droid
With classic music sounding over the speakers (including the main theme, the Throne Room theme, the Cantina song, and the Clone Wars intro theme) and sneak-peak trailers playing over the monitors, there was a lot to see and do on one tiny slab of concrete at the crossroads of the world. There were also stations to build your own mini-model X-wing, or just free-form it and show the world your own creations.
You will never find a more awesome tent of fun and creativity
No amount of rain could dampen the spirits a full-size LEGO X-wing can bring about. Kids of all ages (including your humble blogger) were delighted to be able to see and touch a model of creativity, engineering, and nostalgia. Check out the featured article by Gizmodo for some more great pictures and videos. The Yoda Chronicles premieres May 29th at 8:00 PM EST on Cartoon Network.
Here's hoping we don't see a giant LEGO Death Star orbiting overhead anytime soon!
And a frigid morning to you all! Apparently Earth hasn't paid its heating bill for the East Coast. But that doesn't mean that there aren't some great reasons to huddle around the warm glow of your computer screen:
1. Dark Horse to Adapt Original Draft of Star Wars
It'll never catch on.
Update: "The Star Wars" will hit stands September 2013. Eight issues are planned.
At this year's WonderCon, Dark Horse Comics revealed that they will be adapting George Lucas' original draft of The Star Wars into comic book form. Pictures reveal characters like Jedi Bendu apprentice Annikin Starkiller, bearded General Luke Skywalker, and an unmasked Imperial officer named Darth Vader. It will be written by Jonathan Rinzler and the art will be provided by Mike Mayhew. I've read through the original script several times and it's really amazing how the concepts and characters evolved into what we know today. Here are some pictures from Wondercon:
Annikin Starkiller
Darth Vader. Note how the Imperial Officers of the Legacy comics wear a similar uniform.
General Luke Skywalker....The Most Interesting Man in the Galaxy
First Page
2. Zygons to Appear in Doctor Who 50th and other Whovian Goodies
Yesterday, the BBC announced that the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special will feature the classic alien villains known as the Zygons.
Ladies?
The Zygons first appeared in the 1975 Tom Baker serial "Terror of the Zygons" but have also been seen and mentioned throughout Who history (as well as in The Sarah Jane Adventures spinoff.) They use bio-engineered technology, have a deep fear of fire, and if you throw them at a wall they will stick there (I'll have to check my sources on that one. As for what part they'll play in the 50th, we'll just have to stick around (....get it?)
Looking to turn your attention back to more Earthly matters? Then head on over tomorrow to rbooks.co.uk to purchase the in-universe book "Summer Falls" by none other than the Doctor's former companion, Amy Pond (now Amelia Williams).
"We're not 'her boys'" "Yeah ,we are." "Yeahhh we are..."
The book follows the adventures of young Kate, who befriends a lonely boy and a museum curator while trying to solve the mystery of an old painting. Kate's life will take an unexpected turn and she will know the true meaning of the phrase "When summer falls, the Lord of Winter will arise..." You can read the first chapter over at the Radio Times.
Feel more like exterminating than reading? Check out this awesome Eyestalk app and see life through the lens of a Dalek. With seven different filters from the entirety of the series, your friends will cower in fear in under ten krells! Only available right now for the iFamily of products.
You will buy the app! Obey! Obey!
3. Netflix and Cartoon Network Team Up...In Other News No Work Was Done By Anyone Ever Anymore
Oh, hi. We're you're childhood.
Now that Netflix and Cartoon Network have joined forces, you can once again enter Dexter's Lab, fly with the Powerpuff Girls, and smooth-talk the ladies with Johnny Bravo. They will also be offering their newer shows like Adventure Time, Chowder, and Regular Shows as well as their [adult swim] lineup including Robot Chicken, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and Venture Bros. They've even added some awesome WB shows like Justice League and Batman Beyond. No word yet on the Batman: The Animated Series though.
So far it's just the first season of each, but we expect many many more hours of nostalgic hilarity to come.
4. I Want to Live Like a Princess: Take a Tour of Cinderella's Castle
One day....one day.
Ever wanted to spend the night in Cinderella's Castle in Walt Disney World? Well.....you can't! Not unless you're a celebrity or a charity. The world's most exclusive hotel room cannot be bought and is offered as an amenity only to select guests, as a promotional giveaway, or for charities. Originally intended to be Walt's apartment, he died before construction of WDW was completed. Check out the video and pictures below for the grand tour of the place you'll need a lot of help from your fairy godmother to get into.
