"Lego Plight"
Back then it was hard to believe Legos could be more popular than they already were. They are, arguably, the greatest toy ever created and beloved all over the world. But a few years back some genius at the Lego company came up with an idea to create sets based on famous properties. It started with Lego Star Wars, then came Lego Batman, followed by Harry Potter. Of course kids loved them but what was surprising is the fact their parents and grown-ups even without kids were going crazy over them too! Virtually overnight Lego found themselves on another golden egg and the public was hungry for more. Immediately more sets based on other properties started appearing on the toy shelves, some going for up to $120 a box, and the amazing thing was they were selling! Within a few years it seemed like every well known properties was being converted into fun brick form with no slow down in sight.
Which brings us to this illustration which was suggested and inspired by my Lego loving nephew. He was doodling on his kitchen table one day when he wondered what a Lego Plight would look like. I joked and said if he really wanted to know, he could try illustrating one himself. Which he penciled within minutes with the specific instructions I was to bring it home that night, ink it, and 'make it look killer' on Photoshop. Now maybe I'm a push-over but when I get an order like that, there's no possible way to turn it down.
I thought the end result came out great and when I proudly showed it off to Lucas, he gave me a huge high-five, told me I was awesome, and then without missing a beat, replied "Okay, now it's your turn to draw Lego Erik!" Of course he didn't have to bother; at this point I was so eager to give it a shot myself that I think I might have started working on this picture before he requested it.
Hopefully the joy I got from illustrating this shows because this really was a great project; one that I'm honored to dedicate to my nephew. :) -Jake