Frodo FranchiseKristin Thompson is going to be available to sign her book “The Frodo Franchise” during Comic-Con. “I’ve come up with three one-hour time-slots when I’ll be at the booth to sign your copies of The Frodo Franchise. (If you’ve got others of my books you want signed, feel free to bring ‘em along.) I imagine I’ll have time to chat, too, if you just want to drop by. And don’t forget to buy one or two of the T-shirts designed by Weta Workshop’s Daniel Falconer. All profits from the shirts and books go to support TORN, so it’s all in a good cause. Here are the times when I’ll be at the booth:

Thursday 1:30 to 2:30
Friday 11:30 to 12:30 (That’s shortly after the TORN panel)
Sunday 1:00 to 2:00.”

Copies of “The Frodo Franchise” will be available for purchase at the Slave Boy booth (booth #5424) where TORn will be located. If you’re going to Comic-Con, be sure and take this opportunity to visit with Kristin and have your copy of “The Frodo Franchise” signed! Read More

Lake Town Volunteer Fire DepartmentWe reported earlier this week that we would be featuring a brand new TORn and Weta t-shirt at Comic-Con. [Comic-Con Shirt] It should be noted however, that the Comic-Con shirt was not the only design TORn has been working on the last few months. So without further delay, we are proud to premiere our ‘Lake Town Volunteer Fire Department‘ shirt! The shirt, pictured on the right, is deep red with the TORn logo on the front and the LTFD logo on the back. We only have a limited amount of these shirts printed at this time, so if the demand is there, we will print another run in various sizes and styles. In fact, if you want a specific style, please email me directly at calisuri@theonering.net and I will keep a running list. While I wont’ be able to reply to all emails, I will keep them handy when deciding on our next printing. In the meantime, check out our latest shirt! [Lake Town Fire Department Shirt] [Comic-Con Shirt]

Ian McKellenDid you miss Ian McKellen in last year’s King Lear performances?

Theater Mania reports:

The RSC’s recent production of William Shakespeare’s King Lear, directed by Trevor Nunn and with Ian McKellen in the title role, is being filmed for HD TV. It will be broadcast on England’s BBC Channel 4 in December, as well as being broadcast on PBS in the autumn and a number of other TV stations internationally, including NHK Japan. Plans are also in the works to make the tape available on worldwide DVD. [Theater Mania]

1900
June – Mabel Suffield Tolkien converts to Catholicism, which shocks both the Unitarian Suffields and the Baptist Tolkiens. Despite being familially estranged and financially cut off due to this decision, she remains undeterred and begins her sons’ instruction in the Catholic faith, one that becomes especially deep-rooted in Ronald for his entire life.

1915
June 29 – At his army physical, Tolkien declares that he has never suffered from any serious illness or injury. Continue reading “June 29th-July 1st Flashback!”

Music of LOTR Movies bookDoug Adams has offered fans a sneak peek of his upcoming book, “The Music of the Lord of the Rings Film”. This is a visual assembly of Adams’ own mock up layout of the book. It’s not the final edit nor design but it does supply tantalizing hints at the basic structure of the material.

After meeting with the publishers last week, Adams’ was able to report that they are looking at a finished book length of 200 or fewer pages combined with a double sided DVD containing multimedia content. The book is on schedule for a fourth quarter 2008 release. [Doug Adams]

Dark Counsel VideoSideshow collectibles has posted a Backstage Pass video of the latest LOTR diorama, ‘Dark Counsel,’ featuring Grima Wormtongue and Theoden. To view the video follow the link below. Other Sideshow Collectible LOTR headlines: The Aragorn Premium Format figure page has been updated with production imagery (Image of the final piece as it will ship to customers); The Moria Orc Premium Format Figure exclusive is sold out, but you can get the regular edition here; The Sam and Frodo 12-inch figure exclusives are still instock and available for shipping. [Dark Counsel Video] [Aragorn Pics] [Moria Orc] [Sam and Frodo Figures]