Top Hat Sasquatch

In 1978, the first example of an expanded universe Star Wars novel was published by author Alan Dean Foster. Foster had previously written the novelization to Star Wars, and his contract required him to write a book that could serve as a low-budget sequel in the chance the film was not a huge success. He couldn’t use Han Solo, but was told to reuse props and keep the scenery to a minimum, and out of this direction came Splinter of the Mind’s Eye. Tim, Tommy, and Rob discuss the book, what it would have been like as a film, and whether or not it’s a good read for modern Star Wars fans.

It seems a hobby becomes a full-on obsession when you start to attend conventions based on your interest. My fascination with all things Lego crossed this threshold over the weekend when I attended the annual Brickworld convention in Indianapolis. The two-day event featured a showcase of Lego creations and activities for all ages.

The crown jewel of the exhibits was the replica of Lucas Oil Stadium built for Super Bowl XLVI last month. It was difficult to get an up-close of the intensely detailed model with all the people clamoring for a glimpse. The jumbo display featured motorized roof panels, lights, and a working video screen. The top had since been autographed by various NFL players.

More details and a big photo gallery after the jump.
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We’ve been talking an awful lot about new and upcoming LEGO sets lately on Top Hat Sasquatch, but today I wanted to take a trip down memory lane and write the first post in a new series called Toys I Had. We’re going to be taking a look at the LEGO Town set 6350: Pizza to Go.

The year was 1994 and I was a 9 year-old kid who’s Dad happened to own a pizza restaurant when this set came out. Add the fact that I loved LEGO and it was inevitable that I would get this and build it in to my gradually expanding plastic city. Finally, the policemen, firemen, convicts, and fashionable 90’s city minifigs would have a place to eat, courtesy of the new local Pizzeria. They wouldn’t even have to leave their multi-colored, open-roofed houses to get it, because 6350 not only included the Pizzeria, but also a delivery truck. Awesome.

I’ve always had a soft-spot for LEGO city, mainly because there were no licensed sets when I was at my prime brick-buying age and I ended up with police stations, fire stations, space shuttles, and of course…a pizzeria.
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Wow…just wow. Director Kyle Roberts used the NECA Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures, hand-drawn backgrounds, and a lot of talent to recreate the 80s TMNT cartoon intro in stop motion. The animation is smooth and the whole thing is very impressive, maybe minus the cover of the theme song. This looks a lot better than the TMNT stop motion I posted a few years ago.

Also make sure to check out their making of video. As awesome as this is, I wonder if they wished they would have waited for the new TMNT Classics action figures. That would have looked amazing.

Via Topless Robot

Our Geeky Art board on Pinterest is constantly making me aware of new artists, and today I discovered Dean Trippe thanks to Tim’s pin of his awesome Avengers illustration. I love the style here and how everyone is posed around the massive (and cute) Hulk. I would watch an Avengers cartoon done in this style.

Dean submitted his work to the folks at Mighty Fine tees, and you can vote for it here to become an actual licensed Marvel tee. Please do, because I’d love to have this as a shirt.

Check out the illustration on Dean’s Tumblr.