Heroes of Metru Nui - A Bionicle Artbook

Happy 810NICLEDay !
I'm so very proud to release my second Artbook - Heroes of Metru Nui!
You can get the Hardback of the Book now at: iconicstills.g...
And you download it for free here: iconicstills.g...
See the search for the Great Disks, taking down the Morbuzakh, conflict with the Vahki and the rise of the Makuta in a whole new way!
Featuring behind the scenes looks at the creation process of each poster and a peak into what will become the "Heroes of Metru Nui" short film project.
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This has been an absolute labour of love from myself and my incredible team, we have all worked so hard to get this trailer ready for the Bionicle community along with the Artbook and we couldn't be more proud!
This project goes out to the fans, you have all stuck by me for 2 years and supported me on every release. The Bionicle community is like no other and I am so humbled to be a part of it. I hope everyone enjoys this trailer and the book as much as we have had making them!
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Credits
Director/Producer/Lighting/Set Design/Video Editor/Compositor:
iconicstills / iconicstills
Animators:
frambo
No_The_Robot / @notherobot
Getothepoint / @imgetothepoint
RicBionicle / @ricbionicle
Gerardo Hernández / dibujamster
iconicstills
Writer/Performance Director:
Benjamin Prendergast
Composer/Sound Design:
Jamie Aspden www.jamieaspde...
/ @jamieaspdencreative
Dume Voice actor:
Andy Taylor
3D Modelling:
frambo
iconicstills
PMNR Team / @projectmatanuirising
BoxTurret / @boxturret
Rigging Artist:
frambo
#bionicle #810NICLEday #animation #artbook

[@CosmicCupidForges]

Feels like a metru nui tv show!

[@iconicstills]

;) You might be onto something there

[@icarusthearchangelofjustic6861]

​@iconicstills ah hell yeah, do it, man, with this excellent blender animation you are going places.

[@greggander5805]

@@iconicstills Will you be doing a re-run of Mata nui artbook?

[@iconicstills]

@@greggander5805 It's available now here -> iconicstills.gumroad.com/l/TheWorldOfMataNui_Print

[@oscarkageson-loe]

“Gathered friends. Listen again to our legends of the Bionicle. In the time before time, in the glorious city of Metru Nui, we believe that our sworn Toa would protect us. But one by one they fell, as relentless force sought endless sleep. So he could create a time, of dark order. And awaken the world. As their conqueror.” Vakama

[@iconicstills]

That film lives rent free in my head (clearly 😅)

[@MasterSanders]

I love the nod to the classic commercials here. I got into Bionicle around this time, and this brings back a lot of memories.

[@iconicstills]

Those commercials wholly inspired this entire project - it's a love letter back to those ads from Lego and Advance 🥰

[@gigatron4578]

Coming back to metru nui after 20 years.

[@iconicstills]

We never left ♥️

[@Taohe_Netrus]

It looks like a trailer for rebooted version of Legends of Metru Nui, with more set like character models. It's just too good for a fan project

[@iconicstills]

@@Taohe_Netrus I have high expectations, but we exceed them everytime 😎 I owe my team the biggest thanks ever for helping me make just this trailer alone a reality!

[@LemonyLepid]

PLEASE MORE PLEASE PLEASE I'M CRYING

[@iconicstills]

We're back to work and working hard 💪

[@sammykat2hb]

Watching this felt like being 10 again!!

[@iconicstills]

That's such a compliment! 🥰Even making this took me back to when I was younger :P

[@sammykat2hb]

Getting our little minds blown each time a new commercial dropped was a formative experience 😁

[@iconicstills]

@@sammykat2hb I would rush downstairs to watch it on the TV x)

[@gena6934]

Looks very cool

[@iconicstills]

Thanks!

[@makutakretta7516]

I love how Turaga Dume turned out to be the narrator. That was a perfect choice!

[@makutakretta7516]

Couldn’t be more excited to receive this book. You’re collected works are beautiful!

[@iconicstills]

That was an idea by my writer (Ben Prendergast) as we were developing this trailer, I asked him for some "cool trailer lines" to build up the hype of Metru Nui and he ran with it. He came back with this beautiful voiceover you hear now and suggested it might be best if it was Dume talking, as it would add more depth to the words - I was sold on the idea and once Ben and my composer (Jamie Aspden) secured the voice talent, the whole thing came together beautifully. Infact the Dume shots at the end weren't in the initial storyboards, but we're added in later after Ben's suggestion of having Dume narrate - I instantly knew what the shots would be and I animated those two all myself (though the Dume mask and rig was lovingly made by frambo!!!!)

[@makutakretta7516]

@@iconicstills Amazing, thanks for sharing! I can’t wait to see what you all come up with next 👍

[@PetitTasdeBoue]

I'll wait some years for inika and especially mahri generations, I hope it'll be a thing someday 🥲

[@iconicstills]

@@PetitTasdeBoue I don't think I'll do Inika and mahri art books :P maybe I'll make *something* but for now - my focus shifts to completing the Heroes of Metru Nui animated project, "Saviours" 😎

[@lordmawkish1286]

​​@@iconicstills I would dearly love to see an Ignition arc (2006-2009) artbook from you one distant day, as I think there are some exciting story moments and diverse scenery there. But - it's very true there first has to be a creative "spark" to one day justify it - and for now I shall excessively celebrate that we got another artbook, this time for the city of legends! Because 2004/5 is when I got into the comics and BIONICLE 2 is forever my favorite movie of the Miramax trilogy.

[@bioniclerevised6503]

This is beautiful. Excellent work!

[@iconicstills]

@@bioniclerevised6503 thankyou so much! 🥰

[@icarusthearchangelofjustic6861]

I think so too

[@maxsotomayor3674]

Our *Unity* makes us strong as the Toa. Honoring the BIONICLE Legends is our *Duty* Remembering the BIONICLE Legends is our *Destiny!* It shall forever pass on. Happy #810NICLE day

[@iconicstills]

Happy belated #810NICLEDay to you too :)

[@josuke4448]

The best Toa team to me, hands down. I'm late to this but good job, it looks incredible

[@azvdcrafts6147]

What an excellent job! Either this feels like a tv mini-series or like an upcoming game!

[@iconicstills]

It's definitely for something as well as the book ;)

[@lovice2535]

2:08 I get chills watching Dume

[@iconicstills]

That's actually my favourite bit! When I sent Jamie the revised cut off the trailer for the final mix he added that cinematic riser right at the end and it hits SO DAMN WELL 😮

[@jamieaspdencreative]

​@@iconicstillsit felt right with that camera punch in, looking forward to creating more fun moments!

[@lees_l822]

0:59 the money shot right there🔥🔥🔥

[@iconicstills]

@@lees_l822 we called it internally the "Hero" shot :P No_the_robot animated that shot and he did an impeccable job! I couldn't be happier with how it turned out 🥰

[@Blockistium]

holy production value

[@iconicstills]

Thanks man! We tried our very best 😎😎

[@MXL2107]

Thank you for the high quality art book.

[@iconicstills]

no problem! I'd love to know what your favourite part is! :D

[@Danimally]

OMG. This trailer looks wonderful. I love it.

[@iconicstills]

Thankyou 🥰

[@maxsotomayor3674]

I love Metru Nui. It's my favorite part of BIONICLE

[@iconicstills]

@@maxsotomayor3674 well then you'll LOVE this artbook 😉

[@maxsotomayor3674]

@@iconicstills I so want it! 😃

[@iconicstills]

​@@maxsotomayor3674 It's available here 😊 iconicstills.gumroad.com/l/HeroesofMetruNui

[@maxsotomayor3674]

@@iconicstills Thank you! 😀

[@maxsotomayor3674]

​@@iconicstills How do I get it with american dollars?

[@rexidexi7681]

Holy Gadunka. I am beyond speechless.

[@iconicstills]

Thankyou for the kind words 😊

[@ImGetothepoint]

Wow! those look great! Glad I was able to help! Turned out great!

[@iconicstills]

It was a pleasure having you on the project!!! :)

[@RobertAshbyMod]

Picking mine up in Septembers pay day. Need to have this sit next to my Mata Nui one

[@iconicstills]

Still mad that I've now made TWO books... And to think 2 years ago I hadn't even made one 😅

[@ElJorro]

I just might buy this!

[@iconicstills]

Thankyou for your support!! ❤

[@cpafol]

WOW! The production of this whole experience is next level! I can't look away from these animations 🤩. Huge props to the whole team behind this! May this community never stop 💯

[@iconicstills]

Thanks man! We all worked our asses off on this and we're so glad everyone's liking them!!!!

[@icarusthearchangelofjustic6861]

The scene, including ko-metru, is simply beautiful animations and the ko-metru animation part is my favorite the animation for bionicle has come a long way I'm so proud of this community and you as well as your animation team.

[@iconicstills]

Thankyou so much! We're all so very excited to have produced this trailer, Getothepoint worked on the Ko Metru shot with me and he did a cracking job! :)

[@YasonYou]

This is the coolest thing ever

[@iconicstills]

Thanks!!! We tried our very best with this! ^^

[@chutas]

Now this is a presentation!

[@lordmawkish1286]

This is amazing! It always feels like such a rare and special blessing, such a gift, to see such stellar visuals about a franchise that defined my childhood and is not officially marketed any longer :)

[@iconicstills]

If we don't do it, no one will 💪

[@charlottesimss9853]

This is freaking awesome. I love how the fans have really brought bionicle back to life the past few years. Cant wait to check it out!

[@iconicstills]

It's in the fans hands now :)

[@Mate397]

Gonna look through it soon :D

[@iconicstills]

@@Mate397 let me know your favourite part! I'd love to know 😎

[@lordlewa5608]

Ordered mine immediately 🙌 Hope you will do one for Phantoka/Mistika storyline in the future 💛

[@iconicstills]

Thankyou so much for your support ❤! Maybe one day I'll get round to them :) for now, I'm working on the animated Heroes of Metru Nui project :)

[@MatejBeranek]

genuinely one of the coolest things i seen from the bionicle fandom!

[@iconicstills]

That means a lot 🥹 I hope you enjoy the artbook!

[@UrBigFan]

This is incredible

[@edwardgrijalba744]

The soundtrack is so good!

[@iconicstills]

@@edwardgrijalba744 Jamie Aspden did a stellar job there, almost sounds like the 90's Spiderman theme at times, I love it 😁😁

[@edwardgrijalba744]

@@iconicstills is there a full release of this soundtrack?

[@jamieaspdencreative]

Glad you liked it Edward! We hope to get something out soon.

[@FraserChill33]

This is awesome. So cool 😁

[@iconicstills]

Glas you think so 🥰 we all worked super hard on this and it's so satisfying to pull it off!

[@FraserChill33]

@@iconicstills aw I can see you all worked hard on it ❤️. Really great work 🙏

[@ericschuller908]

Holy hell! This is one of the best videos featuring Metru Nui I've ever seen!

[@iconicstills]

@@ericschuller908 we really wanted it to be a look at the city that's not been done before, a glimpse into another world 😎

[@ericschuller908]

@@iconicstills the detail on that Ko-Metru observatory and telescope was easily my favorite of the setting pieces. It looked damn-near exactly as I imagined back when I was a kid. And the chutes in Le-Metru running through that central hub really made the city feel like the brain of a gigantic sapient robot, looking like a mix of a giant heart and the dendrites at the end of a neuron. And that blue visor over Vakama's eyes was nicely done, looking like the blue of the comics while still keeping his eyes set-accurate. I've been a fan of Bionicle since it first came out, so I can gush about it all damn day.

[@iconicstills]

@@ericschuller908 it's so great when someone notices all the little details that went into a project like this so thank you!! 🥰 The Ko Metru Observatory was modelled by frambo and Getothepoint, following the concept art from the film pretty closely! They did a cracking job and I'm so proud of them - infact Getothepoint went the extra mile and rigged it up so we got the shot we did 😮 I modelled the Le Metru hub, I wanted to really sell that this was a place of transport and technology, that Le Metru was like a series of train stations for chutes! The blue on Vakama's visor was something added much later on as I felt it needed a little something :P we also added a similar visor to Onewa but his is less glass but more of a mist :)

[@ericschuller908]

@@iconicstills it's moments like this that I'm grateful for my autism and my kinesthetic synesthesia. They allow me to take in detail easily and I get to experience great artwork like yours and your team's and really take time to appreciate it. I just got done reading the Metru Nui artbook in pdf format and I have to say, you really did the feel of Metru Nui justice. The aerial view of the island really felt alive and somewhat spongey, like the giant brain it functionally is. I can almost hear the sounds of the city when I look at it. Makuta Teridax's design hearkened perfectly back to the creepy and eerie feel that was simultaneously terrifying and mysterious from the Miramax films. Every still of him caused me to hear Lee Tockar's voice from the movies as the master of shadows and you managed to make his expressions absolutely terrifying. For characters who constantly wear masks, the importance of body language is paramount, conveying superb character acting and making each one feel distinct. You absolutely nailed Vakama's poses. I always likened him to fighting less like a warrior and more like a magician, using his wits and his varying ammo and his mask of concealment to outfox his opponents. And you captured that feeling with his confrontation against Makuta. He feels more fast than strong in his poses, a lightness to him that makes it clear that he is ready to act and do so with purpose. You really brought it all to life so well and you and your partners should be proud of how well this project of yours turned out.

[@antonioquintanilla2233]

Beautifull! Magnificent!! Sublime!!! And I don't what other words to say, AWESOME!!!!

[@iconicstills]

Thankyou so much!! I think this the best work I've ever done personally!

[@BuppyBabsTag]

OMG I love this so Much!! Imagine the bionicle movies remake actually looking like this thooo!!!! 😭😭😭 This is an automatic sub! Please make moorre!!😭❤️❤️❤️

[@iconicstills]

We're working hard on "Hereoes of Metru Nui - Saviours" as we speak 💪💪

[@yeahboy6807]

This is more golden than any mask.

[@iconicstills]

Best Bonk themed compliment ever - thankyou 💖

[@ioannes747]

Que preciosidad!!! dios mio! que hermoso trabajo!! felicidades!! :D

[@iconicstills]

Thankyou so much 🥰

[@trulyrandompersonage]

NoTheRobot dropping straight W's with the animation as usual 🔥🔥

[@juliegrine2875]

Happy 20th Anniversary.. metru nui.. the city of legends.. Happy b10nicle day to all Unity. Duty. Destiny.

[@iconicstills]

It took a WHOLE lot of unity to get this made 💪❤️ happy 810nicleday to you!!

[@P8H5]

far out this is amazing! great tribute to 20 years of Bionicle Legends of Metru Nui. So great to showcased more of the unseen elements that we never saw from the movie. Happy 810NICLE Day!

[@iconicstills]

@@P8H5 happy 810NICLEday to you too! 🥰 We tried really hard to show the Metru Nui we never got to see 😁

[@trevorgautereaux]

This goes so hard. The soundtrack is rad!

[@jamieaspdencreative]

Thanks Trevor, glad you liked it!

[@iconicstills]

Jamie absolutely killed it on the OST!

[@andrzejbudzko1993]

This is beautiful, congratulations for those accomplishments. And I also might be interested in buying also the first book as I totally missed it. Looking forward to any upcoming info!

[@iconicstills]

Thankyou so much :) And that's great to hear, if and when I launch the first book again, I will let everyone know :)

[@sergeantbanzai2462]

This is amazing, excellent work.

[@iconicstills]

Thankyou so much! Myself and the entire team are so proud to see the positive reactions to this 😎

[@mrlink206]

Nostalgia critical hit.

[@iconicstills]

I'm like an addict but my fix is Bionicle

[@ProjectMatanuiRising]

This is amazing I can’t wait to see more from your team !

[@iconicstills]

@@ProjectMatanuiRising we're working hard 💪 thankyou for all your support!!

[@Diamond4403]

This is way better that the animation in 2015.

[@ToaLegend]

So hyped. Everything looks so good!!

[@iconicstills]

@@ToaLegend thankyou!! It took a while but it was most definitely worth it 😎

[@Bionickpunk]

The animation looks so good!!!

[@iconicstills]

@@Bionickpunk thankyou! I hope you enjoy the book 🥰

[@theexurian1079]

Awesome video man, animations and art are stellar! Hope in the coming months the views skyrocket up.

[@iconicstills]

Thankyou so much! Here's hoping too 🤞

[@thefourthfrank8814]

Incredible trailer fantastic!

[@iconicstills]

Thanks man! I really hoped the community would like this :)

[@alessandroditerlizzi569]

this is so fucking cool, I need it badly too bad I just discovered about this, because i would have bought the first book too, is there any chance to buy that too? seriously interesting in getting both asap

[@iconicstills]

I might bring it back as there seems to be demand for it! But I'm not sure about offering a bundle in one package, I think the shipping gets mighty expensive when you cross 2kg for one package :O might be cheaper for people if they're shipped separately:)

[@TheNicopredator]

waiting for a reprint of the The World of Mata Nui

[@iconicstills]

If there's enough demand I might do that :)

[@WillsFilmz1]

This is so Good :O

[@iconicstills]

We tried our best ;)

[@puccanoodles]

this RULES

[@iconicstills]

Glad you think so 😎

[@pyeitme508]

Woww

[@iconicstills]

💪🥰

[@kierannicholson9983]

Can it ship to New Zealand? Also, make the posters into Displates. I’d buy them all haha

[@iconicstills]

I'll look into new Zealand shipping later today for you! 😎

[@rocioreyes6695]

Make Vakama love instead with nokama ❤️💙🔥💧

[@iconicstills]

This aint that kinda project ;)

[@Dantick09]

Digital edition when?

[@iconicstills]

@@Dantick09 it's available now here - iconicstills.gumroad.com/l/heroesofmetrunui_ebook :) I'll add it to the description tomorrow, it's 2:30 am here 😅

[@joesimmons1053]

Says its unavailable on guntree 🥺🥺

[@iconicstills]

Orders closed on the 21st :O If you're still interested, I over ordered so I'll have one spare to sell you - if you want, just pop me a DM on Instagram or Twitter or email me at [e-mail] and I can sort you out an order :)

[@92INSTIGATOR]

Any plans to re-release the book from last year?

[@iconicstills]

Maybe! Still working out the logistics! ❤️

[@92INSTIGATOR]

Awesome! I'll keep my eyes open this time

[@icarusthearchangelofjustic6861]

Sir, it me again. I ordered this book of yours in august 30th of this year and I used a US faster delivery service, and it said it will come for one week it is Friday of this week so care to explain why it hasn't come. I also I accidentally erased the email of the recipient of the purchase, and I have been trying to use royal mail to track it but because I cleaned my entire email, I can't find the recipient and it won't let me track it without the reference numbers so could you help me?

[@iconicstills]

@@icarusthearchangelofjustic6861 Hi there, So I think there's been a little bit of confusion here, the book is currently in the "order" phase. What this means is that I'm accepting orders until the 21st of September at 6pm, then I'll close orders and start manufacturing the books. Once all the books are made (this takes around a week usually) I then ship them out to everyone. As you got the fast shipping that means you would have it from a week from that date. This should all be listed in the description of the Gumroad page, if you couldn't see this please let me know. If you're unhappy with any of this or have any further questions, pop me a DM on twitter or Instagram so I can privately find your receipt and go from there :)

[@icarusthearchangelofjustic6861]

@iconicstills oh I'm sorry. I just must have misread the instructions on the website it not happen again. Thank you for clearing it up

[@iconicstills]

@@icarusthearchangelofjustic6861 that's quite alright! :) no stress at all, I'll be sending out emails via Gumroad closer to shipping to keep everyone up to date so you'll know what's going on :)

[@icarusthearchangelofjustic6861]

@@iconicstills thank you

[@Toa_Takhan]

Im a little confused with how buying this works 😅

[@iconicstills]

Sure! So when you're on the gumroad page for the book, you'll have 4 options: If you're in the UK or EU, just choose the top option, as that's for you :) If you're in the USA/Canada or Australia, you can choose the top option for economy deliver, it's the cheapest way to get the hardback but it has slower delivery time :) Otherwise, choose the options beneath that which has your country named to get faster delivery at a higher price. Gumroad don't let you choose your shipping options, so I've done it this way to give people a choice :) If you have any other questions do let me know!

[@AZUDOHN]

YEH MY LIKE IS NUMBER 666

[@b10productions24]

Considering my current definition for "Hero" is "asshole," you can NOT trust heroes.