Lord of the Rings: The Land of Shadows Portfolio

There’s something about the end of year holiday season that always draws me back to Middle Earth, like a warm cozy blanket.

Probably in no small part due to the inordinate excitement etched into my soul from the past yearly succession of Peter Jackson’s December-released trilogy of movies.

In fact, this very month marks 20 years since his last Lord of the Rings installment, The Return of the King, hit movie theaters.

Now, I don’t know about you, but it definitely doesn’t feel like that long!

Going back in time further still, there have been hundreds, if not thousands, of artistic interpretations of Tolkien’s seminal work.

I’m always amazed and thrilled at the creativity and sheer imagination of so many of these when discovered.

So much so, that I HAD to share with you an incredibly large, colorful, evocative (and somewhat cozy) illustration portfolio featuring Hobbits, Wizards, and Monsters from 1978 by Frank Cirocco - famed comics artist and video game designer.

Are you ready?

Then speak “Friend” and enter . . .

This portfolio is HUGE! 19” folder with the 6 illustration plates clocking over 18” wide.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Cirocco

There were only 1,000 of these portfolios made - each one signed and numbered by Frank.

Such luxuriant foot-hair! I wonder what kind of product he uses?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Oliff

And here’s the 6th and final illustration from this portfolio.

They look incredible for being 45 years old, and I just love their style, composition & coloring. Great job Frank & Steve!

Other News from The Realms

The first page of a holograph manuscript of JRR Tolkien’s The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, circa 1962. Photograph: The Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford © The Tolkien Estate Limited 2023

• Tolkien and CS Lewis manuscripts are among the treasures made available to the public in 2023

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  Théoden (Bernard Hill) appears in Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002). Photo: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) - Helm's Deep Scene | Movieclips YouTube

• The Two Tower’s battle of Helm’s Deep was so miserable to film, they gave out funny t-shirts!

“I survived a brutal orc assault on my castle and all I got was this lousy T-shirt.”

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• Interesting article from The Los Angeles Times: How The Lord of the Rings changed New Zealand 20 years later

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• And for some LOTR fun - check out this brand new Leslie Nielsen + Middle Earth mashup, complements of Your_Kryptonite7!

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And that’s another week, Rediscovered Realms Fellowship! I’m wishing you a grand & safe holiday. It can be crazy out there - which is why I’m looking to stay put as much as possible & cozy-up with my blanket and some Tolkien right here within the Shire of my imagination.

“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door," he [Bilbo] used to say. "You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.” -J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

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Do you love heroic fantasy gamebooks like me? Consider signing up to be informed when I launch my very 1st one!

(Featuring artwork from Clyde Caldwell & Luke Eidenschink!)

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