Though we are likely still several months away from LEGO officially announcing the 71009 LEGO Simpsons Series 2 Minifigures collection, we already confirmed the existence of this series via prototypes discovered overseas. While the sellers putting almost unquestionably-stolen items up for sale on Taobao are absolutely to be condemned, the prototype photos that they’ve uploaded are a good source of information, as now we know an additional five minifigures that will be part of the LEGO The Simpsons Minifigures Series 2, including LEGO Comic Book Guy, Smithers and Professor Frink!

Earlier this month we got our first glimpse at several of the LEGO The Simpsons Minifigures Series 2 figures: Dr. Hibbert and Groundskeeper Willie (along with the Santa’s Little Helper dog accessory). With some of the prototypes sneaking out of the factories overseas, I figured it was just a matter of time until more of the series was revealed–and now we can confirm another five characters in LEGO 71009 thanks to individuals selling items of questionable legal origins on the Asian market site, Taobao.

First up, we’ve got a character I thought was an absolute lock for the series, along with one I wasn’t expecting: LEGO Snake and Comic Book Guy minifigures. Snake is a criminal who doesn’t even appear in the LEGO Simpsons episode (“Brick Like Me”), so I didn’t give him a strong chance of getting the minifigure treatment.

However, the Simpsons Comic Book Guy is one of the most recognizable and beloved secondary characters from the show, so he was about as close to a sure thing as we were going to get in this series.

But a character who was far from a sure thing was Mr. Burns’ assistant, Waylon Smithers. I had my doubts about a LEGO Smithers minifigure, as Smithers is a sometimes-controversial character that hasn’t gotten much merchandise over the years, but clearly LEGO wasn’t afraid to give Smithers his day in the plastic sun!

We can see the prototype Smithers hair in the photo above, though I can’t positively identify the hair prototypes next to it. Could that be the prototype for LEGO Sherri & Terri…?

The last two LEGO Simpsons prototypes to appear online in the past few days belong to Marge Simpson’s sister, Patty Bouvier, as well as the wacky inventory, LEGO Professor Frink! Professor Frink is one of my favorite off-the-wall side characters in the Simpsons, so I’m thrilled to see he’ll be making an appearance in LEGO Simpsons Series 2 71009. I can’t imagine that we’d get a LEGO Patty minifigure without her twin sister Selma, so presumably we’ll be seeing Selma soon as well.

We now officially know seven of the sixteen LEGO Minifigures Simpsons Series 2 characters:

1. Groundskeeper Willie
2. Doctor Hibbert
3. Comic Book Guy
4. Waylon Smithers
5. Patty
6. Snake
7. Professor Frink
8. ??? (with Santa’s Little Helper)

I know there is a lot of fan demand for a LEGO Moe Skyslak minifigure, but I think the chances of getting a Moe figure (at least in his traditional outfit) are a longshot.  LEGO traditionally shies away from promoting bartenders, so Moe being included is dubious despite his popularity. A LEGO Bumblebee Guy minifigure may also be another longshot if LEGO considers that character to be a negative racial stereotype. We’ll have to wait and see.

I’ll post updates here and to the Bricks and Bloks Facebook Page as more of the 2015 LEGO Simpsons Minifigures Series 2 set is revealed, so keep your eyes and ears alert for more information as we get into winter. Could we see the LEGO Sideshow Bob minifigure I’ve been pining away soon? I sure hope so…

Now that we know almost half the series, how do you think LEGO Simpsons Series 2 71009 is shaping up, LEGO fans? Who are your picks to round out this Simpsons Minifigure series?