I’m not sure who was more excited to find the little blue box from Brick Loot on the doorstep last week: me or my 4 year old son. We were only more excited when we opened it up to find that the theme for this month was superheroes!

Brick Loot is a subscription box program, along the same lines as Loot Crate or BarkBox, that sends you a box full of LEGO-brand and LEGO-compatible building sets and accessories once a month ($25/month+ shipping with a 3 month subscription); every month there’s a new theme that ties everything in the box together.

The cool thing about Brick Loot is that everything you get is totally unique–nothing you’d be able to pick up at Target, Toys R Us or even Amazon. Most of the items that come in the box are custom builds that were designed specifically for Brick Loot, rather than existing LEGO products. Here’s a rundown of what was in our superhero-themed box:

1. The Dark Knight Custom Kit

It’s Batman, therefore it’s awesome. Kind of cool that it’s a Brick Loot exclusive (designed by an independent “LEGO Artist”), but it actually comes with authentic LEGO brand bricks. It’s not a great piece to play with once built, but it’s a great collectible to show off on a shelf.

2. Demon Star Vehicle and Minifigure

Another Brick Loot exclusive set, but this one includes LEGO-compatible (off-brand) bricks. A pretty easy build for kids and a fun new villain to add to your existing superhero sets.

3. Comic Book Tile Pack

Cute little collectible tiles, though I’m not totally sure what you’re supposed to do with them.

4. Brick Popper

A tool made to help you pop LEGO bricks apart. Worked pretty well at breaking apart some pieces we definitely thought were permanently stuck together.

5. Red Archer Custom Minifigure

Another example of an authentic LEGO brand product that they’ve turned into something new and unique–this little guy comes from United Bricks, a company that uses UV printing to make custom LEGO items.

As far as skill level required to enjoy this box, I would say Brick Loot is definitely aimed more at kids/beginners than adults. My four year old was able to build most of the sets himself with some assistance. An adult with any LEGO experience could easily put everything together in just a few minutes.

Overall, I thought our Brick Loot box was a lot of fun! One thing to keep in mind is that a lot of what you are paying for here is the novelty and surprise factor. Pricing out everything we got in our box individually, it would probably add up to about the same price (or a little bit less) than what the monthly subscription costs. So you’re not really getting a “deal” on LEGO products; you’re paying for the opportunity to check out some unique items that you’d probably never come across on your own.

For anyone interested in trying Brick Loot for yourself, they’ve sent us a 10% off code: bens10, good on either the 1-month or 3-month subscription plans. Next month’s theme is Race at the Brickyard, and boxes ship April 11th.

Check out Brick Loot Here

Brick Loot Subscription Box Review

Back in the 1990s, LEGO was the struggling toy brick company that adults looked back on nostalgically, but couldn’t make a buck.

Until 1999, when LEGO started to license the brick out of it.

Then things started rocking, and 15 years later, LEGO has produced a dizzying array of licensed sets from a number of A-list pop culture properties including Star Wars (one of the first), Harry Potter, Batman, The Lord of the Rings,  The Hobbit, The Simpsons and even Back to the Future. The list goes on.

This year saw the introduction of The LEGO Movie licensed sets, which was kind of like, whoa, dude, it’s like turning in on itself!

But LEGO is not all about the licensed toys. There’s still the classic and long-running LEGO City, LEGO Space, LEGO Castle and LEGO Technic themes, as well as more recent popular themes like LEGO Architecture, LEGO Creator, LEGO Mindstorms, LEGO Ninjago, LEGO Legends of Chima and the girl-friendly LEGO Friends. LEGO Pirates are also coming back in 2015 after a 6-year hiatus.

There’s even LEGO Ideas (formerly known as CUUSOO) which is a program that produces fan-submitted ideas through a Kickstarter-like process. That’s how the LEGO Minecraft and Back to the Future sets were born.

We are truly now in the Golden Age of LEGO, and everything is awesome! Let’s take a look at 20 incredibly awesome official LEGO sets from the past 10 years. (Hey, we had to limit this somehow. Otherwise, this list would be huge!)

Special thanks to Brickset for their awesome LEGO site and passionate users!

17. LEGO Movie Metal Beard’s Sea Cow (70810)

Taken from this year’s big hit The LEGO Movie, Metal Beard’s Sea Cow is an over-the-top mishmash numbering over 2,700 pieces. It’s the largest set from the series and is already considered one of the best ships ever produced by LEGO.

It also includes the all-important double-decker couch.

Release year: 2014  |  Price: $250 – Amazon

16. LEGO Star Wars Super Star Destroyer (10221)

Released in 2011, this Ultimate Collector Series Star Wars set contains over 3,000 pieces and is no longer in production. eBay is your only hope to find it now.

Release year: 2011  |  Price: varies (not in production) – eBay

15. LEGO Back to the Future The DeLorean Time Machine (21103)

Born out of the LEGO CUUSOO site (now known as LEGO Ideas), the iconic BTTF DeLorean Time Machine is a fan-submitted design that became an official retail set. Numbering 401 pieces, the set features the famous gull-wing doors, the flux capacitor, Marty McFly and his skateboard and of course Doc Brown.

This is a great time to be a LEGO fan!

Release year: 2013  |  Price: $35 – Amazon

14. LEGO Creator Palace Cinema (10232)

A treat for movie buffs, this 2,196-piece Expert set is inspired by movie palaces of yesteryear. It’s part of the Modular Buildings series where you can piece together different sets to form a city block.

Release year: 2013  |  Price: $150 – Amazon

13. LEGO Indiana Jones Temple Escape (7623)

Indiana Jones and LEGOs: awesome! This fun 554-piece set recreates the iconic boulder scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark and contains a minifigure for Jock, Indy’s pilot as well as one for the unfortunate Satipo who famously implores Indy to “throw me the idol, I throw you the whip!”

Yeah, that didn’t end well.

Release year: 2007  |  Price: varies (not in production) – eBay

12. LEGO The Hobbit An Unexpected Gathering (79003)

Since its release in late 2012 to coincide with the release of The Hobbit, the 652-piece Unexpected Gathering set has won praise from LEGO and Tolkien fans alike. It’s as detailed as the movie scene it recreates is long. Which is to say, it’s very detailed.

Release year: 2012  |  Price: $63 – Amazon

11. LEGO Creator Expert Sydney Opera House (10234)

Containing nearly 3,000 pieces and priced over $300, the Sydney Opera Set is a faithful rendering of the landmark structure, aimed squarely at adult fans of LEGOs, aka AFOLs. Standing nearly a foot tall, the set doesn’t have minifigures and the instruction booklet contains text and illustrations about the history and construction of the opera house.

Release year: 2013  |  Price: $320 – Amazon

10. LEGO Star Wars Ewok Village (10236)

Just a year after it was introduced, the Ewok Village, with its near 2,000-piece count, is already in the firmament of greatest Star Wars LEGO sets ever made.

Say what you will about the cinematic worthiness of Ewoks, but they make very entertaining toys. Thanks, George.

Release year: 2013  |  Price: $250 – Amazon

9. LEGO Architecture Studio (21050)

With no specific instructions and over 1,200 white and transparent pieces, the Architecture Studio is aimed at the builder who likes to use their own inspiration to create memorable LEGO sets. You get 73 different types of building bricks and a thick book that teaches you about architectural concepts.

This is a long way from Star Wars LEGOs!

Release year: 2013  |  Price: $160 – Walmart

8. LEGO Pirates Black Seas Barracuda (10040)

Containing 865 pieces and 8 minifigures, the classic Black Seas Barracuda set is so good that it got re-released in 2002, 13 years after it was first introduced, and thus makes it eligible to appear on our list! Har!

Release year: 2002  |  Price: varies (not in production) – Amazon Marketplace

7. LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector’s Imperial Shuttle (10212)

Another Star Wars set, another Ultimate Collector Series toy, 2,500 pieces of pure awesome.

Release year: 2010  |  Price: varies (not in production) – eBay

6. LEGO Monster Fighters Haunted House (10228)

It has just recently gone out of production, but the 2064-piece Haunted House is destined to become a sought-after commodity among LEGO builders. It’s been praised for the attention to detail, creativity, unique minifigures and the way it opens like a dollhouse.

Release year: 2012  |  Price: varies (not in production) – eBay

5. LEGO Castle Medieval Market Village (10193)

Consisting of over 1,000 pieces, the Medieval Market Village is a tavern, blacksmith’s workshop and open market with various animal figures, including two cows and a rat. For Castle fans, this is considered the best of the modern sets.

Release year: 2009  |  Price: varies (not in production) – Amazon Marketplace

5. LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector’s Millennium Falcon (10179)

This set boasts a mind-blowing 5,195 pieces, giving it the second-highest piece count after the Taj Mahal (#3 on our list). It’s also the largest sized model (33″ x 22″ x 8.3″) and most expensive set ($500 retail) ever made commercially available by LEGO.

Release year: 2007  |  Price: varies (not in production) – eBay

4. LEGO Lord of the Rings Tower of Orthanc (10237)

As featured last year right here on The Checkout, the Tower of Orthanc is a ridiculously awesome set featuring six floors containing over 2,300 pieces and Treebeard the Ent among many other delights.

It’s an amazing-looking LEGO set.

Release year: 2013  |  Price: $250 – Amazon 

3. LEGO Creator Taj Mahal (10189)

With the highest piece count of any LEGO set ever at a jaw-dropping 5,922 bricks in all, the Taj Mahal had to be on this list. The amazingly detailed and realistic set is a challenge for even the most seasoned builders.

Even if you’re not a fan of LEGOs or even toys, this is one you just have to see for yourself.

Release year: 2008  |  Price: varies (not in production) – eBay

2. LEGO Creator Grand Carousel (10196)

This Advanced Model LEGO set actually moves and plays music like a real carousel and has over 3,000 pieces. A real crowd-pleaser with great use of color, an intricate design and long-lasting playability that’s aimed not just at Star Wars fans.

Release year: 2008  |  Price: varies (not in production) – eBay

1. LEGO Star Wars Death Star (10188)

The LEGO Death Star—containing 3,803 pieces and an impressive 24 minifigs—is oft cited as the greatest set ever created. So be it… Jedi.

Six years after release, it’s still in production, a testament to its staying power.

Release year: 2008  |  Price: $400  – Amazon

Check Out Part Two: The 10 Awesomest Unofficial Lego Sets

Everything is Awesome: The 17 Awesomest Official LEGO Sets