The BIONICLE theme is series of sets based on modified TECHNIC pieces and ball-and-socket joints to create larger figures. Bionicles coincided with a series of comic books and graphic novels released during the set's run from 2001 to 2016. The theme was introduced in 2001 and originally discontinued in 2010, being succeeded by Hero Factory but additional sets were also released up until 2016 after it's break in 2010 to 2014. BIONICLE sets were tied together by an elaborate original storyline within the comic books and other multimedia that centered around bio-mechanical characters which are generally large, powerful beings that usually serve for good. The name BIONICLE is short for BIOlogical ChroNICLE.
2007 LEGO Sets
For collectors, 2007 proved to be an important milestone for with the release of the Modular Buildings theme which initially included Café Corner (10182-1) and Market Street (10190-1). Also, the Star Wars license with LucasFilms was originally planned to end that year, but is renewed. To celebrate Star Wars' 30th anniversary, LEGO released a free, 14-carat gold C-3PO minifigure. 2007 also saw the discontinuation of a number of themes including Aqua Raiders and Knights' Kingdom II but also so the introduction of the Thomas and Friends theme.