stormcrow20 writes: I thought you guys might be interested in this cool tidbit. “Rings” figures make Toyfare magazine’s list of 100 best toys of the decade. Four LotR toys made the list:94. Minimates Gandalf the White47. Toy Biz Helm’s Deep Legolas14. NECA Epic Scale Balrog3. Toy Biz SauronLOTR Toys of the Decade
Category: Merchandise
Weta Publishing is pleased to announce its upcoming Weta Originals/Dark Horse Comics publication: Doctor Grordbort’s Contrapulatronic Dingus Directory.
The book is a thirty-two-page catalogue that chronicles the world of Doctor Grordbort. Inventor extraordinaire, Dr Grordbort has a gadget for everything, and in this meticulous catalogue of weaponry, he showcases a world where chivalry is not dead, advertising is beautiful, and rayguns look too pretty to be lethal.
Inside the book you will find the shiniest new bifurnilizers, metal manservants, and automated travel loungers. Also included for entertainment and scientific education is a compartmentalised picture story (some call them comics) of the world-famous naturalist, Lord Cockswain.
Lord Cockswain was the hit of this year’s Comic-Con International in San Diego, as convention-goers stopped agape at Weta’s hauntingly realistic, life-size memorial statue, celebrating Lord Cockswain and the Moon Mistress’ heroic endeavors on Venus.
Written and illustrated by Weta Workshop conceptual designer Greg Broadmore, Doctor Grordbort’s Contrapulatronic Dingus Directory showcases dozens of arcane inventions and contraptions. “As a kid I was massively inspired and awed by the black-and-white serials on Sunday afternoon TV, in particular the 1930s Flash Gordon and the many sci-fi movies of that era,” says Greg. “This book allowed me to pay homage to that world of science fiction and create something new at the same time. And it’s full of guns, did I mention guns? Rayguns actually, the best type.”
The stars of the show are, of course, Doctor Grordbort’s Infallible Aether Oscillators, the unique range of Rayguns available to purchase via www.wetanz.com/rayguns.
This hardcover book will be available in January 2008. Pre-ordering of the comic is now open to Weta VIP clients via www.wetanz.com/rayguns.
2. Journey To The Cross-roads
3. The Road To Isengard
4. The Foot Of Orthanc
5. Return To Edoras
6. The Chalice Passed
7. The Green Dragon [Featuring Billy Boyd]
8. Gollum’s Villainy
9. Éowyns Dream
10. The Palant’r
11. Flight From Edoras
12. The Grace Of Undómiel [Featuring Renée Fleming]
13. The Eyes Of The White Tower
14. A Coronal Of Silver And Gold
15. The Lighting Of The Beacons
16. Osgiliath Invaded [Featuring Ben Del Maestro]
17. The Stairs Of Cirith Ungol
18. Allegiance To Denethor
19. The Sacrifice Of Faramir [Featuring Ulrich Herkenhoff]
20. The Parting Of Sam And Frodo
21. Marshalling At Dunharrow
22. Andúril – Flame Of The West
23. The Passing Of The Grey Company
24. Dwimorberg – The Haunted Mountain
25. Master Meriadoc, Swordthain
26. The Paths Of The Dead
27. The Siege Of Gondor
28. Shelobs Lair
29. Merrys Simple Courage
30. Grond – The Hammer Of The Underworld
31. Shelob The Great
32. The Tomb Of The Stewards
33. The Battle Of The Pelennor Fields
34. The Pyre Of Denethor
35. The Mûmakil
36. Dernhelm In Battle
37. A Far Green Country
38. Shieldmaiden Of Rohan
39. The Passing Of Théoden
40. The Houses Of Healing [Featuring Liv Tyler]
41. The Tower Of Cirith Ungol
42. The Last Debate [Featuring Sissel] (this is probably Sissel’s Song from the ROTK EE Fan Credits restored for some previously intended scene. I’m not sure, at the moment, what scene this would be.)
43. The Land Of Shadow
44. The Mouth Of Sauron [Featuring Sir James Galway]
45. For Frodo [Featuring Ben Del Maestro]
46. Mount Doom [Featuring Renée Flemin g]
47. The Crack Of Doom
48. The Eagles [Featuring Renée Fleming]
49. The Fellowship Reunited [Featuring ??] (This must be a long track to include all that happens between the Eagles and the Grey Havens. I’m guessing the list would include James Galway, Renée Fleming, and Viggo Mortensen are in this track but there may be more.)
50. The Journey To The Grey Havens
51. Elanor [Featuring Sir James Galway ] (I have no idea what this is.)
52. Days Of The Ring [Featuring Annie Lennox] (but I don’t know if this contains Into the West or if Into the West would be in track 50 and this is something else. I could contain the song Use Well the Days. The track title might be a typo for “Days of the King”.)
53. Bilbos Song – (This is the final song heard on the ROTK EE Fan Credits. It is an Elvish translation of “I sit beside the fire and think” and is sung by a boy’s choir. It is exquisitely, almost painfully beautiful and was written just for this spot by Howard Shore as a thank you and goodbye to the fans.)
David writes: Didn’t see it posted on the site yet, but I noticed that amazon.com has the Return of the King: Complete recordings now available for pre-order. The CD comes out November 6th and is listed on Amazon.com for $59.99.
ROTK: Complete Recordings Available for Pre-Order NOW! Discuss
Kristin Thompson, author of The Frodo Franchise: The Lord of the Rings and Modern Hollywood, writes: On October 5 at 1:30 pm, I’ll be at the Intellectual Property bookstore in Austin for a brief presentation, Q&A, and signing. It’s located on the edge of the University of Texas campus at 24th and Guadalupe (Map).
Sometimes, I just love being me…This week Houghton Mifflin sent me a surprise package which to my delight contained ‘The History of the Hobbit’ part 1 and 2 by John Rateliff. Each volume is available now, while the 3 book set (which included The Hobbit) is available for pre-order on Amazon.com today. Be sure to pick up your copy today!!