It’s been 25 years since the first LEGO® Star Wars sets were released alongside The Phantom Menace. The theme has seen hundreds of sets released since then and is credited with reversing the fortunes of the LEGO Group and expanding the LEGO fan base. There are many ways in which this milestone is being celebrated including the release of an updated edition of DK Books’ LEGO Star Wars Visual Dictionary. This new book takes a visual look back at the history of the LEGO Star Wars sets and minifigures, along with a behind-the-scenes chat with the LEGO Star Wars Design Team. Plus the new book contains an exclusive minifigure. Here’s a brief look at the LEGO Star Wars Visual Dictionary Updated Edition.
Product Details
Book Title: LEGO Star Wars Visual Dictionary Updated Edition | Publisher: DK Books | Pages: 160 | RRP: £19.99/$24.99 | ISBN: 9780241651339
LEGO Elements: Darth Maul 25th Anniversary Minifigure | Availability: Available Now
DK Books has been crafting visual dictionary-style books for several years. This tried and tested format is a particularly great way to chart the history of LEGO themes. The first LEGO Star Wars Visual Dictionary was published in 2009 and elements of that version of the book are still present in this updated edition. One of the main differences from past editions is how the book charts the set’s categorization. Sets and minifigures fall into three main chapters – The Fall of the Republic, The Galactic Civil Wars and The Rise of the First Order. In essence, these reference the Prequel Trilogy, the Original Trilogy and the ‘Disney’ Trilogy but have scope to feature sets based on spin-off material set within those eras. Regardless of chapter, sets and characters are grouped in various ways such as the Jedi or Clone Troopers. Similar vehicles or ships and focus on one particular set.
Some pages include box out known as Brick Facts which offer insightful snippets of behind-the-scenes information about certain sets. This is expanded upon in the book’s final chapter, which features an interview with members of the LEGO Star Wars Design Team. It would be great if DK Books would publish a book purely focused on this sort of material similar to their excellent ‘Making of’ LEGO Movie books. The creation of LEGO sets is a lengthy and interesting process and something which is vastly more involved than can be conveyed in just a couple of pages.
Towards the end of the book, the fourth chapter features some of the more unusual sets. These include the popular Ultimate Collector Series sets, the odd Technic Star Wars builds and other collectable sets such as Micro Fighters, Planets and polybags. It’s interesting to see these similar sets grouped together, particularly the Micro Fighters. I also like the page featuring sets dubbed ‘LEGO Creations’. These are sets and characters created for various LEGO Star Wars animations such as the Freemaker Chronicles.
For many, the biggest draw of DK’s LEGO titles is the inclusion of an exclusive physical LEGO item. Past editions have included ‘Celebration’ Luke, Classic Luke and Bacta Suit Finn. This edition of the book continues the tradition of featuring an exclusive minifigure with a special version of Darth Maul. Admittedly, it’s not super exciting but does include a unique torso which features the 25th Anniversary logo printed on the back. Unfortunately, this is then hidden beneath Maul’s cloak. I think it needed a stand similar to the anniversary minifigures featured in the special sets.
Overall, it’s fun a look back over LEGO Star Wars’ 25-year history. It does feature a lot of content from previous versions, but there is more than enough additional content to warrant a new edition. I would have liked a little more behind-the-scenes content and I’m not entirely sure the exclusive Maul minifigure is the best character to encapsulate 25 years of LEGO Star Wars. The LEGO Star Wars Visual Dictionary: Updated Edition is available now from Amazon and selected book retailers.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks