Hob_DVDContestToday, our friends at The Bridge Direct have a special contest to celebrate The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’s release on Blu-Ray and DVD on March 19. The contest, which runs through to March 26 at midnight PST has a fantastic grand prize pack plus six additional prizes for the runners-up.

So, what’s the grand prize? One Blu-ray™ Combo Pack with UltraViolet™* or HD Digital Download, Comic-Con 2012 Exclusive Bilbo, 1 Hero Pack, and 1 Beast pack. Consolation winners receive one of six Blu-ray™ Combo Pack with UltraViolet™* or HD Digital Download.

Enter the contest by following this link: The Bridge Direct The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Blu-Ray Contest

HoweLee_charityauctionpieceJohn Howe, legendary Tolkien artist and conceptual designer for THE HOBBIT and LOTR Trilogies, dropped us a note to remind us that today is the *final day* to bid on a very special piece of art that he and Alan Lee created in support of Robin’s Relief Fairy Tale Art Auction, a charity fundraiser where world-renowned fantasy artists have donated remarkable exclusive artworks to help raise hopes and raise funds for Robin Sullins’ new hands, new legs, and new life.

This artwork was created in New Zealand while the two artists were busy working on THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG, but they took time out of their work schedules to craft something special for this fundraiser.

The story takes us back to the recent holidays, where Robin’s family had gathered for a long, pleasant Christmas meal that brought everyone together — but afterward, a small bite from an over-excited family dog would have strange and tragic consequences. Robin became infected with the Capnocytophaga bacteria, commonly found in cats and dogs but very rarely ever transmitted as an infection to a human, yet the devastation through her body ultimately caused the loss of both her legs and hands. More details on her courageous battle can be found here on the Robin’s Relief Fairy Tale Art Auction page.

Now, in an effort to bring light and hope to her medical struggle, world-famous fantasy artists such as Wendy Froud, Michael Parkes, Alan Lee & John Howe, Kinuko Craft and many others have donated EXCLUSIVE new artworks that will be offered on eBay through the month of March. All proceeds go directly to a Chase Bank account setup for Robin’s Relief Fund.

Unfortunately, eBay has been pursuing a policy of NOT ALLOWING the mention of a charity fundraiser anywhere on these auctions, and recently this amazing Lee/Howe original drawing of one of Tolkien’s elves discovering the most unlikely creature imaginable (at least in terms of Middle-earth) was taken down off the auction site and all the bids were lost! None to be restored… so now they have replaced the live auction and the artist greatly desires to bring some Ringers’ attention to it before it concludes later today. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY — the current bids are not as significant as they were before being taken down — SO PLEASE BID NOW — They are in the final hours of bidding on this item and every little bit helps.

Be sure to check out and bid on the auction here and find out more details on Robin’s brave struggle on their charity info site here.  You can also follow updates on her surgeries and recovery on her Facebook page here. Thank you so much.

Frodo LEGO Teaser Via Ringer LegoLotR: The Pocket Gamer Awards celebrate the very best mobile and handheld games. For the 2013 edition, Lego Lord of the Rings has snared a nomination for Best Adventure/RPG Game of 2012. If you’d like to add your support, voting is open to all until 12PM (midday) GMT on March 18.

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Hobbit_RADAGAST_6_TheBridgeDirectTonight, The Bridge Direct sent us a couple of really great images of two figures you will see this fall in their line of 6″ figures for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The two figures we get the special look at are Radagast the Brown and Yazneg. Radagast the Brown comes looking spot on to what we saw in the film mis-matched shoes and all. The other figure is Yazneg who previously had only been released in Europe as an exclusive. Both figures will be priced at $14.99 and are due to arrive in the fall of 2013.

UC2953-Fili-Sword-on-PlaqueOur friends at United Cutlery have a brand new awesome sword that you saw in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The newest item from UC is the Sword of Fili. The sword measures 25 1/2″ long with 3/8″ thick blade and hilt of solid metal. Flili’s sword is up for Pre-Order now to collectors for the price of $275. No word on a release date as of this posting. You can check this sword out and all the other great items from UC at their site BUDK.com!

hobbitbomburalrg2The Comic-Con six are now complete. At last years Comic-Con Weta Workshop had displayed six statues for what is wave 1 of statues for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Last but certainly not least of the six and the first statue of the regular line to be numbered is Bombur. Bombur is limited to just 1000 pieces world wide, priced at $250, and in-stock. Also, if you order Bombur soon you can save $50 on the Bilbo Baggins statue at the time of purchase. That’s not the only surprise Weta had worked for today! Fans for not much longer can order a signed Dwalin statue by actor Graham McTavish! There is only 10 of this statue left and he comes with a price tag of $259.