Blocks issue three out today
Posted by Huw,
Head on down to your local newsagents today to pick up the latest copy of Blocks. Mine has just landed on my doormat and it looks like the best issue yet.
Some of the highlights are:
- A comprehensive look at The Hobbit sets and minifigures written by Chris/CapnRex101 which includes a gallery of every single Hobbit minifig photographed by yours truly.
- Interview with Warwick Davis.
- Lighting your layout.
- Inside Firestar Toys.
- Plus, news, reviews, MOCs, PaB challenge, and much more...
Here are some spreads to whet your appetite:
Mark, editor of Blocks, recently announced another addition to the editorial team:
"Ever wondered how to create that curve, build a sweeping landscape or even construct the perfect tree? Well fear not – Blocks magazine has appointed another master builder in the form of Simon Pickard. Every month Simon will take you through specific techniques and building methods to help you solve those commonly asked build questions. Whether it’s structural or aesthetics, Simon will show you how you can achieve the desired result.
"Simon has a healthy pedigree in the LEGO world. Not only is he the man responsible for the Battle of Thermopylae (more commonly known as 300) layout featured in the pilot issue of Blocks, but he’s also a key member of the Brick To The Past team. He’s a life-long LEGO fan and one of a handful of enthusiasts that can brag to never having a dark age – LEGO has always been at the forefront of his interests. Raised on an envious diet of Blacktron and Classic Castle, it’s not hard to see why his interest has never wavered.
"His latest project was unveiled at Great Western Brick Show earlier this year, where his train station build was part of the Victorian London layout seen on the cover of Blocks issue 2.
"Constantly looking for different ways to build, Simon is the perfect addition to the growing Blocks family. He has an outstanding track record on the AFOL circuit and an extensive knowledge of techniques that he’s forever growing. His how to’s inform and offer multiple solutions to those design issues. ‘I couldn’t be happier having Simon part of the team,’ said Blocks editor Mark Guest."
The magazine is going from strength to strength!
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27 comments on this article
Was pleasantly surprised to see that the magazine is available in certain larger newsagents here in Sweden, albeit at an eye watering 50% higher price per issue than the cost of international subscription.
Should definitely print more copies, those that arrived here in Singapore were all sold out almost immediately at the major bookshops!
As of now issues 1 & 2 not even available at blocksmag.com?
A few days after arriving in England I found a copy of the previous issue. I was inside every WH smith shop i found. But at last i found it in the Kids section. If i had not found it, The last resort had been Brick 2014 or even order it again online again.
I've seen it in with the Computer Mags, the kids' comics, and the Hobby Modeller magazines. Where will they put it this time?
^richselby
I was checking every where. All most.
I may go for subscription at one point. Order it again online today
Still have to receive my copy of issue 2 and issue 3 is out... I really hope they will soon work on a digital version for iPad to have it earlier!
I've just jumped in for a single order of the new issue, i'm really tempted to get a subscription in the new year, unless Santas bring me one as present :)
Were can i get Blocks Magazine in Germany?
Being a fan of all LOTR and Hobbit stuff, I had to purchase this. Very expensive to get here in the States, though. I hope they consider another method (digital through Zinio perhaps?) of publishing. I'd love a subscription but can't really justify the nearly $160/yr!
This looks great, still need to pick up issue 2. Still can't seem to find them at any Barnes & Noble in the states, would love a digital copy option! I'm sure they'll get there eventually.
Looks good, from what I can see. Does Blocks need and more writers?
^ It's always on the lookout for new contributors. email office @blocksmag.com if you want to contribute.
Great News! I just picked up the first issue (the Batmobile one) at my local Barnes and Noble, in LA, California,
Thanks Huw for keeping us updated :-)
And whaddyaknow, it seems they've finally sorted the problem with my subscription. The two first issues didn't arrive as scheduled, but this one landed in my mailbox today, which means shipping is pleasingly quick to Norway!
The Hobbit section looks fantastic! But Thorin is missing from that great shot of the Company. :-/
I echo the comments for a digital subscription offer, price and shipping time to Australia doesnt make it attractive enough, but im certainly interested in the content.
I had been looking for Blocks in various Barnes & Noble stores for months, then finally found it in Illinois...for $17 US? I'm sorry, but that's just too much to pay for a magazine, regardless of how awesome it is.
Went to Yeovil Whsmiths today and when queried with the store as far as there computer system was aware it is not due in (or released until next Wednesday). The store did have plenty of copies of issue 2 although they were not easily to find. Looks like availability could be patchy as this Whsmiths has had the 1st 2 issues day 1 without any issues, It was also hard to argue the case that the mag was available with the back page of issue 2 clearly showing issue 3 available on Thursday the 22nd of December (A major misprint).
I only got my issue 2 today! That doesn't bode well for issue 3...
Finally managed to pick up a copy on Thursday - Issue 2, as it happens - but probably won't bother again. I don't really have a problem with the content, as obviously there are limitations with regards to the timeliness of news in print publications etc. (a horse beaten long dead), but the tone of the entire mag feels dull.
With a mainly (if not entirely) adult demographic, the prose could stand to have a little more flair. There's no need to simplify things for the kids here, right? At the moment it reads almost like Wikipedia in parts...
I know plenty of others have no issue with the writing style and that's fine; I just thought I'd voice a criticism I haven't heard mentioned before. Maybe after a few issues it'll find its groove and become a little more interesting to read.
If the content gets as increasingly mediocre as the covers do, I am glad I stop at the first issue. Layout and image editing still looks like that of my old high school news paper and for the price I would have to pay here, it's just not worth it. Although, I would be really curious about the interviews with Peter Brookdale and Warwick Davis.
I think some shops aren't putting them out, i haven't managed to get one yes since the shops i tried still have the existing issue out and it has incorrectly printed the next issue date as Thursday 22nd December... :-(
Well done!
Nice start for weeked, new number from Blocks.
I've been looking for Issue 3 for the past few days now, without success. Our local Tesco had the previous 2 issues but they still have a number of issue 2 left. I tried at least three or four different branches of WH Smith (some in Manchester, Preston and Chorley) but all had either Issue 2 or simply none at all. Not entirely sure whether they're just slow at putting out Issue 3 or if they haven't had them delivered yet.
I've been having the same problem - despite the Brickset article saying it was available last thursday I've yet to find a copy - I made the staff in my local (Hastings) branch of WHSmiths look for it as well - the phoned me back later to let me know it wouldn't be on the shelves 'til wednesday, and that there would only be 7 (!) copies. My friends & I love the mag but it's turning into a complete nightmare to get hold of. Does not bode well . . .
Still a no show in Yeovil , whsmiths still expecting new issue on Wednesday and plenty of issue 2 still on the shelves checked the local tesco who for the first time had issue 2 which according to member of staff had come in today.
@BrickCurve I got my issue 3 in the mail on 23rd Dec (just in time to read over the long weekend), so weird that in the same country, you've only just received issue 2. Do you have a subscription, or are you buying individually, issue by issue? I was lucky enough that my mum was in the UK when the pilot issue was released, so she picked it up for me to sample, then I bit the bullet and subscribed. (This also means that to a degree, I've forgotten just how much I'm really paying per issue, so can perhaps overlook the exorbitant O/S mark-up - at least until my current subscription expires).
I feel like issue 2 only just arrived 'last week' (probably really a month ago), and issue 3's here already! Need to pull my finger out and make the effort/time to read them as they arrive, which should be easier this issue, as I detest all things (Bored) of the Rings *runs and ducks for cover from LOTR enthusiasts*. ;-)
I have to agree with some others' sentiments that the mag still comes across as a bit amateur, which is a shame given the inflated price-point for international subscribers, but being 'old-skool', I'm generally enjoying the opportunity to read an A(FOL)-oriented printed publication dedicated to my fav hobby, rather than always relying on digital options (especially as I'm one of those rare 'don't drink the kool-aid' non-'A'/'i'-word users, lol), so to M.G., H.M., et al., please keep up the good work, whilst also striving for even more greatness.