Our good friend and world famous artist Colleen Doran sends this in: Thought your readers might be interested in this. A graphic novel I helped illustrate and for which I used Jed Brophy as model, has won The International Horror Guild Award for Best Illustrated Narrative. Visit adistantsoil.com for more.

Or a Few Words From Someone Else About Dragons

Forging Dragons will be out towards the end of the month. Here’s the preface, with the kind permission of the editor, so you won’t need to read it on the way to the checkout.

“SVNT DRACONES”

In the original draft of “Pan’s Labyrinth” – and all the way into production – the centerpiece of the fairy tale told by Ophelia (the film’s main character) to her unborn brother was a striking image: A Black, horned Dragon, fused with a flint stone mountain, surrounded with thorns. And, at the peak of the mountain, a delicate blue rose that concedes immortality to whomever would dare pluck it.

But so fierce was the Dragon (whom I called “Varanium Silex”) that men preferred to avoid pain than to gain eternal life. The fable was pertinent to the very core of the film’s message but, instrumental as it was, the Dragon had to be dropped out of the sequence. Money, resources and lack of time conspired to seal that fate… John Howe’s Journal: FORGING (MORE) DRAGONS

We have just received news from Houghton Mifflin that the Alan Lee Book Tour, to promote THE CHILDREN OF HURIN paperback (national release date: October 14) and the brand-new TALES FROM THE PERILOUS REALM, has been canceled. Out of respect for Alan’s privacy, we can only say that he is dealing with a loss in the family. Our condolences to Alan and his family at this time.

Good friend, good actor and good man Bruce Hopkins has checked in with some news regarding a financial settlement with New Line. In an exclusive he gives us the lowdown. Here it in his own words:

“Gidday,

I trust you are well amidst the heady brew of global financial markets and looming elections!

I wish to inform you that 16 mths after a lawsuit was filed in the Superior Court of Los Angeles, against New Line Cinema, on behalf of 15 NZ actors who played various featured roles in the Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, the action has been settled out of court. Continue reading “New Zealand actors settle out of court with New Line”

The world is excited.  I feel it in the water.  I smell it in the air.  For much that once was, is rereleased…

As the world of Tolkien fandom eagerly prepares for the coming of The Hobbit movie(s), the BBC is helping us to fill in our time by re-releasing its fabulous radio dramatization of The Lord of the Rings.

Originally broadcast in 1981, this production is almost as classic as the books themselves.  It is THE quintessential radio dramatization.  Brilliantly acted, with atmospheric music and clever sound effects, this series has not dated at all.  Brian Sibley expertly adapted Tolkien’s writing into a script; narration is kept to a minimum and pacing is maintained through active dialogue, but at the same time as much as possible of Tolkien’s original text is included.  Book fans will love hearing cherished, familiar lines, and movie fans will enjoy spotting dialogue which made it into both Peter Jackson’s movies and this dramatization. Continue reading “Review: Re-Release of the BBC The Lord of the Rings”