The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,as you all know, comes out in December 14, 2012. There is obvious build up to the movie ranging from the trailer, video blogs, the leaking of pictures, to random writings of what we think will happen, etc. Another aspect of the excitement for The Hobbit is collecting The Hobbit. This for me personally brings everything together, getting those awesome collectibles that tie my love for the book, movie, and the people I share that passion with together.

As of right now there are a few companies out there who have already announced products that tie into the movie or would fit within the movie. We know the folks at LEGO will be making those awesome sets for The Hobbit and have already showed some really great sets from The Lord of the Rings. Action figure collectors will have a chance to get the cast of characters from The Hobbit thanks to our friends at The Bridge Direct who have the license to create toys from the movie.  If you love plushies and bobble-heads then Funko will have you covered. If you visit their web page you can see a list of the products they will be selling but right now its just items of Gandalf, Bilbo, and Gollum.  We also hear that Warner Bros. Consumer Products have signed Ravensburger to create 2D and 3D puzzles and card games tied to the upcoming films, for distribution in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Continue reading “Collecting The Precious – Collecting ‘The Hobbit’”

Weta Workshop’s first helm in the relaunch of the 1:4 helm series is none other than the Uruk-hai General’s Helm. This is one of Weta Workshop’s helms, that if you have seen the Weta Collector’s Guide book, was under consideration before the line ended several years ago. Now, fans get a chance to get going again on collecting these awesome collectibles. Shipping for the Uruk-hai General’s Helm will not be until quarter three of this year allowing you time to make sure you have your fifty dollars ready. Make sure you order now though because at a 500 piece edition size this is sure to go fast. [Click Here]

“What’s this? A ranger caught off his guard?”

Arwen to Strider during The Fellowship of the Ring

The fifth statue in Sideshow Collectibles The Lord of the Rings line and the first female statue has arrived. Which of the amazing female characters got the nod from Sideshow? Well, it’s none other than Arwen Evenstar.

As Strider is out looking for Kingsfoil while Frodo lay stabbed by the Witch King he is snuck up on by a certain female elf. Arwen would lightly give Strider grief for catching a Ranger off his guard before helping ride to Rivendell with an injured Frodo all while being chased by Ringwraiths. This statue of Arwen depicts her wearing this outfit while we assume she is out looking for Strider and the Hobbits.

PACKAGING

The graphics on the box for Arwen follow the same path that most of the statues in this line have followed. You have the front and back panels, which are black/green with The Lord of the Rings and Arwen done in a black/green mix. While the sides of the box you get an image of the statue from two different angles. Inside the box of course you have the protective foam with multiple areas for the many pieces that this statue comes with.

Continue reading “Collecting The Precious – Sideshow Collectibles Arwen Evenstar Statue Review”

Time for another artist interview! This is one of my favorite sculptors creating items that I personally collect. The sculptor is none other than the massively talented Tim Miller of T.K. Miller Sculpting. This talent is one who folks most likely have an item or two within their The Lord of the Rings collections and for sure if they collect items from the MARVEL Universe. I wanted to take the time for you all to get to know a little more about this great talent, especially since he truly knows how to bring Middle-Earth to life.

As I said, you probably have items from sculpted by Mr. Miller within your collection of The Lord of the Rings. Tim has been responsible for bringing to life characters such as Gandalf the Grey, Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, and my personal favorite, dwarf Gimli, son of Gloin. These items range from Sideshow Collectibles 1:6th action figure line to the new statue line. The latest item from Mr. Miller is the Gimli, son of Gloin statue which we just reviewed recently and is a great example of Mr. Miller’s skill.

Continue reading “Collecting The Precious – Interview with Sculptor Tim Miller”

Saturday night via email Gentle Giant announced the first bust from The Hobbit if you sign up for their 2012 Premier Guild Memberships next week. The first character to be made into bust form will be the Dwarf Dwalin who joined Bilbo on the journey to the Lonely Mountain. The PGM program from Gentle Giant runs $60 and has many great things about it that allow collectors to get first cracks at must have items. So stay tuned to next week to get your PGM membership and a chance to add a Dwalin bust to your collection.

“Forty-two? Oh, that’s not bad for a pointy-eared elvish princeling. Hmph! I myself am sitting pretty on forty-THREE..”

-Gimli to Legolas just after The Battle for Helm’s Deep

The last of the three hunters has finally arrived from Sideshow Collectibles. Gimli, Son of Gloin is the fourth statue from Sideshow’s growing and spectacular The Lord of the Rings statue line. As with the other statues in this line we don’t get an exact screen capture but this moment reminds me of something that could have happened in Moria.

Before the Fellowship sets of from Rivendell Gimli is chosen to represent the race of Dwarves as the venture to destroy the One Ring. Gimli would prove to be very loyal to all involved in the Fellowship and especially so to what would become his friend the Elf Legolas Greenleaf. In the Dwarf would be a great addition to the Fellowship and why he’s one of my favorite characters from Middle-Earth.

Continue reading “Collecting The Precious – Sideshow Collectibles Gimli Statue Review”