In Episode 14 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) sits down with acclaimed comic artist Paul Lee, whose work spans giants like DC Comics, Marvel Comics, and LEGO’s own storytelling universe.

From illustrating iconic characters to becoming one of the go-to artists for LEGO comics, Paul shares his unexpected journey—from chasing a career in traditional comics to finding a new creative path through LEGO. What started as a childhood passion came full circle, leading him to work on LEGO Club Magazine, Ninjago comics, and even contributing designs to The Lego Batman Movie.

The conversation dives deep into the realities of the comic industry, why it became unsustainable, and how that turning point led Paul to reinvent his career. Along the way, he reveals behind-the-scenes stories from working with LEGO, including how AFOL knowledge gave him an edge, the surprising lack of rigid creative rules, and the techniques he used to make his artwork stand out.

Paul also shares incredible insights into the intersection of art and LEGO—from using 3D tools like BrickLink Studio to speed up production, to the subtle details that separate good LEGO art from great LEGO art. Plus, stories from Comic-Con, honoring fellow builders in his work, and what it really means to turn a creative passion into a lasting career.

Until next time… play well.

In Episode 13 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) sits down with Daniel Siskind, the visionary founder of Brickmania, a company that transformed a passion for building into one of the most recognizable brands in the custom LEGO space.

From receiving one of the earliest LEGO sets as a child to building an empire of high-end, military-inspired kits, Daniel shares how his obsession with parts, creativity, and community led to the creation of Brickmania. What started as small, handmade runs of custom sets quickly evolved into a full-scale operation, complete with in-house printing, design, and production.

The conversation dives into the early days of sourcing bricks before BrickLink existed, the hustle of turning eBay sales into startup capital, and how customer demand unexpectedly pushed Brickmania into the military niche it’s known for today. Daniel also opens up about scaling from solo builder to running a full team, the realities of balancing business with community, and what it takes to stay innovative in a rapidly evolving hobby.

From basement builds to industrial printers, this episode is a deep dive into what happens when passion meets persistence—and how one builder helped shape an entire corner of the LEGO world.

📍 Find Daniel Siskind/BrickMania: • brickmania.com • Instagram: @brickmania_toys

To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app

Until next time… play well.

In Episode 12 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) sits down with Corey Samuels - LEGO Masters champion, STEM educator, and the most dapper LEGO Masters contestant. He shares his journey from a kid in New Jersey building freestyle creations to becoming a standout contestant on LEGO Masters, and eventually taking home the trophy. Along the way, he dives into how LEGO became more than just a hobby, transforming into a career rooted in education, storytelling, and inspiring the next generation of builders.

The conversation explores behind-the-scenes moments from LEGO Masters, the hustle of turning pandemic-era uncertainty into a thriving STEM business, and how Corey built his own path teaching kids through creativity and hands-on learning. From viral builds to building a brand, Corey’s story is all about betting on yourself and building something bigger than bricks.

📍 Find Corey Samuels: • Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: @samzbrego

Until next time… play well.