Hello, I'm a long term casual Lego-er who has been getting lured back into the brickworld, especially in terms of architecture and the newer modular sets. On top of this I recently found the work of Mihai Marius Mihu (the artist who portrayed the Nine Circles of Hell in Legos)--and as such I'm rather intrigued by the current nether-realms of Dark or Horror-themed MOCs.
Anyhow, there's an idea that has been brewing in my brainpan for sometime now, and that would be the creation of a mall not terribly unlike the one in George Romero's "Dawn of the Dead." Already I have some of the basic elements from a Grand Emporium purchase: the escalators, the storefronts, and the removable multiple levels. What I'm wondering though is whether I should expand on this plan using other modular sets (the Palace Cinema has similar colors and seems useful for a Mall set-up) or are there lesser sets I should be looking to cannibalize for parts? I'm sure I'll be needing these components:
1. Zombies/Undead (I've seen some people use Troll faces; but what about gray, white, or pale minifig heads, what would be a good source for those?)
2. Fountains
3. Skylights
4. Balconies or Plaza detailing
5. Storefront products and accessories
Also would certain colors present a difficulty? I've heard that white is fairly common, but to get the grays would I have to pilfer some castle sets? (I know there's the bulk ebay option; however, I tend more towards local Lego purchases and raiding individual sets.)
In any case, I understand that I won't find all the answers at once (or even all the pieces) since this is going to be a long-term project; but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask for some advice. I'm not too familiar with the newer Lego-lines.
Anyhow, there's an idea that has been brewing in my brainpan for sometime now, and that would be the creation of a mall not terribly unlike the one in George Romero's "Dawn of the Dead." Already I have some of the basic elements from a Grand Emporium purchase: the escalators, the storefronts, and the removable multiple levels. What I'm wondering though is whether I should expand on this plan using other modular sets (the Palace Cinema has similar colors and seems useful for a Mall set-up) or are there lesser sets I should be looking to cannibalize for parts? I'm sure I'll be needing these components:
1. Zombies/Undead (I've seen some people use Troll faces; but what about gray, white, or pale minifig heads, what would be a good source for those?)
2. Fountains
3. Skylights
4. Balconies or Plaza detailing
5. Storefront products and accessories
Also would certain colors present a difficulty? I've heard that white is fairly common, but to get the grays would I have to pilfer some castle sets? (I know there's the bulk ebay option; however, I tend more towards local Lego purchases and raiding individual sets.)
In any case, I understand that I won't find all the answers at once (or even all the pieces) since this is going to be a long-term project; but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask for some advice. I'm not too familiar with the newer Lego-lines.