TORN @ Comic Con 2002!

Welcome to the wonderful sights, sounds and sometimes smells of the San Diego Comic-Con International. We join our heroes around 1:00pm on Wednesday, leaning upon a box Vapors and I spy up and down Harbor Drive in beautiful downtown San Diego. After a time Vapors and I spy a charming man strolling up the sidewalk, being none other than Green Books’ own Tookish. We exchange our hellos, not having seen eachother since TheOneRing.net’s Oscar Party this past March, and head into the convention center.

Together we track down Tookish’s badge and take a walk into the massive hall that seems to stretch on for over a mile. We work our way over to the circular Lord of the Rings banner hanging high above the giant LOTR pavillion. Meeting and greeting with Tim Huckleburry from Games Workshop and the infamous Heath from SideShow, we walked up to what will haunt my dreams for years to come: a true to life towering Cave Troll with the logo of our sponsor SideShow/WETA plastered to the side.kill

The day progressed and slowly crews from SideShow/WETA, Decipher, Games Workshop, New Line, Universal, Houghton Mifflin, and Electronic Arts piled into the grand Lord of the Rings Pavillion. We were honored to find that Richard Taylor himself, fresh off the plane from New Zealand, was on hand to supervise the compilation of the WETA station. Accompanying Taylor was a slew of his highly skilled WETA Workshop Crew to assist. Throughout the day Vapors was chaporoned by Sala Baker and Lawrence Makoare, none other than Sauron and Lurtz from Peter Jackson’s Fellowship of the Ring.

As the day wound into night TheOneRing.net bookmarks evaporated from our booth and fans from all over the world checked in and headed on to other attractions in the LOTR pavillion. It was a sight to see the fans show their appreciation to Richard, Sala, Lawrence and the rest of the WETA crew. Overall an excellent way to launch an excellent convention.

See you tomorrow.

War of the Ring is currently hosting the extended DVD screener and another sample from the DVD — a profile of Legolas. If you haven’t been able to get hold of the footage yet, try these links. [More] [More]

Both of these are Real Video format. You will require Real Player — Dem.

Jaimie writes that Tolkien-illustrator Alan Lee will be making an appearance at V-Con (held in Vancouver) in October. [More]

Apparently David Jones (in Australia) is offering of a “limited edition” book with a purchase of the DVD. Baralier rang a Melbourne store and confirmed that with every purchase of the DVD, the buyer will receive a copy of the Official Movie Guide (hardcover). Neato!

Artimus and Samwise also wrote in to add that Future Shop in Canada is also offering a freebie book with the DVD on their website. But you must order before August 5. [More]

TBHL (The Bastards have Landed), home of the Official Peter Jackson Fanclub, has undergone a massive update. And before you say: ‘I bet they just updated the news.’ (which is true) look closer. Because *DRUM ROLL* … you can now become a TBHL member!

Soon you’ll be able to sign-up and join Peter Jackson’s very own OFFICIAL fanclub, where you’ll receive lots of fine stuff the TBHL guys are dreaming up right now! [More]

A survery reports that the number of British parents reading to their children has more than doubled in the last two years, owing to the success of books such as Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings. Thanks to Kimberly for the link. [More]