Guest writer Matthew Bossons brings us this fascinating look at how Tolkien fandom has made its way to China; and he reflects on whether Amazon’s upcoming Middle-earth series is likely to find fans there.
Panjiayuan is Beijing’s biggest and best-known antique market, regularly attracting orc-like hordes of tourists and locals alike to wander the warren of booths and stalls, both indoor and outside. All manner of old and made-to-look-old items are on offer here: jade carvings, stone Buddha statues, ancient coins, Chinese Communist Party pins and propaganda posters, replica Korean war medals and mounds of books.
On a brisk October day, while standing at a hawker stand specializing in old Chinese books – mostly Chairman Mao’s iconic ‘Little Red Book’ – I came across a curious title: The Art of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, in English-language and hardcover form. The book, a collection of sketches and maps made by Tolkien, was published in 2015 and compiled by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull – both well-known scholars of the ‘father of high fantasy.’
We’ve teamed up with our new friends at Numskull Designs to show off a couple of their very cool cosplaying ducks from TheLord of the Rings Trilogy. The subjects of this review are going to be the awesome-looking Aragorn and Sauron Cosplaying Ducks, as well as their very cool The Lord of the Rings pin sets.
You can get these two ducks for $12.99 each, and the pin sets for $7.99, from various collectibles stores on the net. However, we’re pleased to announce that starting tomorrow Friday 9th April, through Friday 30th April, if you follow TheOneRing.net AND Numskull Designs on Twitter, and like TORn’s tweet announcing the contest, you will be in with a chance to win a set of what you see in this review. (One lucky winner will be chosen at random, and contacted by Numskull Designs.) Good luck!
Welcome to The Great Hall of Poets, our regular monthly feature showcasing the talent of Middle-earth fans. Each month we will feature a small selection of the poems submitted, but we hope you will read all of the poems that we have received here in our Great Hall of Poets.
So come and join us by the hearth, and enjoy!
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
Hobbits, AWAKE!
by: David McGlinchey
AWAKE! FEAR! FIRE! FOES! AWAKE!
The Horn Cry of Buckland is waking the town. Ruffians are come to trouble the Shire, Banging on doors and breaking them down! Frightening the Women folk, enslaving the Men Stealing and looting again and again!
AWAKE! FEAR! FIRE! FOES! AWAKE!
The Shirriff’s are out at the sound of the cry Gathering their forces with feather in cap. Bounders from borders fleet footed they fly. With the Horn Cry of Buckland sounding out clear and loud, ‘Hobbits of the Shire, time now to stand proud!’
AWAKE! FEAR! FIRE! FOES! AWAKE!
A High Knight of Gondor, sent by the King. With an Esquire of Rohan, silver horn at his side Empowering the Shire folk in this ‘Battle of the Ring’ The Wars they have ended with the Dark Lord’s defeat Now this battle of Bywater will make victory complete.
AWAKE! FEAR! FIRE! FOES! AWAKE!
Sharkey the Boss man is not what he seems. Destroying our homeland, blotting the land. A shadow, a monster, invading our dreams! He’s hiding at Bag End with his Ruffians in tow. But the Hobbits are coming, he’s nowhere to go.
AWAKE! FEAR! FIRE! FOES! AWAKE!
Beware of this Sharkey, don’t be fooled by his voice. As up to Bag End marched the friends. “Come out from your lair. Make amends, make a choice. The Shire’s seen enough of war, trouble and fear. Leave now with your Ruffians, you are not wanted here!”
Awake Hobbits. .
AWAKE!
~~ * ~~
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net. One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
The awesome folks over at BudK have let us know that The Gauntlet of Sauron is now in-stock and ready for purchase. This thing is super cool looking; if you’re into prop replicas, this one will look amazing in your collection.
You can snag this right now for $349 from the BudK website.
Here is the full product description from United Cutlery:
A handmade, fully functional actor-scale reproduction of the gauntlet worn by the Dark Lord Sauron in The Fellowship of the Ring. Strictly limited to 1000 pieces worldwide, each one is presented with a wood wall display featuring a Sauron graphic motif. Crafted of genuine leather and iron, the gauntlet features more than 35 plate mail parts with an iron black finish and Intaglio surface engraving. Includes the One Ring with inscription, crafted in gold-plated metal.
Last year during Comic-Con at Home our friends at Weta Workshop launched the Classic Series. They’ve now added the first statue from The Hobbit Trilogy with a very requested version of this character. Who is the character? None other than Galadriel herself. This stunning version of Galadriel comes from the White Council sequence during The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Fans can pre-order Galadriel right now for $349, with her expected to ship sometime during September of this year.
Welcome to The Great Hall of Poets, our regular monthly feature showcasing the talent of Middle-earth fans. Each month we will feature a small selection of the poems submitted, but we hope you will read all of the poems that we have received here in our Great Hall of Poets.
So come and join us by the hearth, and enjoy!
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
Just deserts
By D. McGlinchey
You would have screamed in agony. As did your victims . You would have clawed off your skin. As you did to so many. You would have cursed at the fates. As the helpless cursed you. And you would have struck blindly out. As all doomed victims do. But here you all stand now. Forever enshrined. As hard as your hearts! And as cold as your mind. No more in the shadows, your terror to spread. No more will folk fear you, and quake in their bed. The dawn it has claimed you. Forfeit to those claimed. And the sun’s touch has sealed you, With your fury now tamed. Three hunters all trapped by the prey they had caught. And your screaming and writhing has aided you naught! This was your ending, the old tales were true, When the dawn took you all, and made statues of you!
~ * ~
Pernicious Palantir
By: Crystal Dawson
Eyes affixed to the orbed glass, Denethor kept scrolling as Sauron was trolling, poisoning his mind and twisting his heart with a herald so fantastic how could it be false?
The Dark lord reckoned an end for all men that was as evil as it was inevitable. Fear seeped through the steward’s bones bending his will and back. Hunched he remained wherever he sat and his eyes were oft a glaze.
Deep were his musings, cavernous and bleak until all ends ceased in bitter despair. Had his thoughts delved wider, he may have rekindled hope, from alliances afar but not unforgot.
“Flee flee for your lives” he vehemently declared, draining all hearts who heard, of hope: For what is the use? Accept your fate and die in whatever way seems best to you. For no change will come, no hope with dawn. Only fearsome foe surround.
Against such might who could stand up and fight? Best to give up your plight and fly. You fools that march are madder than I, rallying to your kin, waving your torn banners on high.
No rival races will unite. No prodigal sons return. I have seen your future, bleak it remains, empty and void of all light. No aid will appear from sea or sky; you will die in battle this night
The fallen Maia rose in power with each hopeful light put out. Further still the Shadow reached. No great king could stop his advance. What council could ally against his fearsome countless horde?
Atop his solitary tower the flame licked slit narrowed with a gleam and glower, renewed was its eternal blaze. For what power was left in Middle earth that could divert his piercing gaze.
Perhaps none… but the power of one, with one, with another and another, bound in friendship, bonded in love, blind to hate and bold in fear. Faith to see an age that can be united by love of the good in this world, that is worth fighting for.
~ * ~
Untitled
By: darkkrose
I pray thee, Tulkas, lend me strength and guide my sword with sharpness, My time has come to join the fray, I need my heart be dauntless. Don’t let me tire, falter, fail, don’t let my courage dwindle, If I’m about to give up hope, the flame of hope rekindle.
And if by chance the Waiting Halls would open wide before me, Great Námo, Keeper of my fate, have pity and restore me. Don’t let me dwell too long a time in solitude and sadness, Allow me walk under the Sun and feel again its warmness.
~ * ~
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net. One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
