Greetings, Ringers! New York Comic Con 2024 is in full swing, and TheOneRing.net is excited to be part of the Middle-earth magic once again. With the revitalized interest in our favorite author’s legendarium, this year’s convention is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience for Tolkien fans – and we’ve got a lot to share!
First, if you are at NYCC, get yourself to Geek Orthodox, Booth 1570. You won’t want to miss the incredible stained glass art and t-shirts on sale there. AND that’s where you can pick up TheOneRing.net’s Gollum/Smeagol 2024 T-shirt. This original TORn design features everyone’s favorite dual-natured (former) Hobbit, with the slogan: “We Wantsss Your Vote, Precious”. It’s the perfect tongue-in-cheek nod to this year’s presidential race – show your allegiance! And here’s the thing: this shirt is leaving now and never coming back… That’s right— NYCC is your last chance to get your hands on it! Once the convention ends, this exclusive edition disappears forever. (Sorry, we are not selling the shirt online).
Beyond the merch, we’re excited for everyone to experience Warner Brothers’ showcase of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, the epic animated movie releasing in the US on December 13th. The good news is that the Friday 11 am panel will will be live-streamed! Make sure to tune into YouTube and official channels to watch along.
And speaking of The War of the Rohirrim, our party celebrating the movie is sold out! We can’t wait to see those lucky Ringers who snagged a ticket for tonight. We’ve got some great swag for attendees, and some exclusive opportunities to walk away with great stuff from MetalBird, Oscha, Syzyrgy Forge, Shire Post Mint, Sideshow, and The Lord of the Rings in Concert.
Whether you’re at the convention or following along online, keep an eye out for all the LOTR fun. And don’t forget to stop by Booth 1570 to grab your exclusive shirt—you’ll wantsss it!
McFarlane Toys is set to bring Rohirrim figures soon to major retailers. The news comes via toy figure site 118archive which yesterday revealed images for figures for Helm Hammerhand, his daughter Héra, and the anime’s antagonist, Wulf.
Each figure will also, apparently, include includes one of four pieces that when combined with the rest will assemble a Snow Troll (which seems to have been accorded the name, Shank).
Reports indicate that the figures will be priced at $19.99 USD apiece. Some 118archive commentors reported that they had seen images of the figures on Walmart, but a search by TheOneRing.net was unable to turn up anything so they may have been subsequently removed.
HELM HAMMERHAND
HERA
WULF
Weapons can be swapped from one hand to the other.
According to the product blurb, the “detailed 4” scale figure based on The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim feature 6 points of articulation for maximum play value.” Some commenters seem to indicate that six points of articulation is not maximum play value, but others said that the headsculpt looks good.
We’ll keep you updated with any official announcements. The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim debuts in theatres in the USA on December 13 2024.
New York ComicCon reminders
Be sure to catch the official The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim panel at 11am on Friday October 18th, at the Javits Convention Center. Whet your appetite for this epic-anime feature (coming to theaters this December) at the panel, and then come celebrate with us (TORn) in the evening.
The War of the Rohirrim Panel
TheOneRing.netParty
It’s TheOneRing.net’s annual party at New York Comic Con; and this year we are thrilled to celebrate the upcoming movie The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim! Come eat, drink and party like a warrior of Rohan – just leave your horse at home…
We’ll be back at our favourite venue, the Joyce Public House (formerly Tir na Nog) in Times Square (W 39th St). The party will be on FRIDAY 18 October, 7.30-10.30pm. (All welcome – no NYCC pass required to attend.)
Thanks to our sponsor Warner Bros. Pictures, tickets are just $30, which includes your first drink, a buffet (including dessert later in the evening), three tickets for the raffle which will be drawn on the night, AND a special goodie bag!
Lots more Middle-earth on the way as new things are previewed and fans assemble on Bilbo & Frodo’s birthday this year.
Tales of the Shire preview & new release date
Weta Workshop & Private Division gave select fans and gamers a playable demo of Tales of the Shire, a console & PC game coming to all platforms – Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Playstation, PC, and mobile via Netflix Games. Developers also announced the release date has been pushed to March 25, 2025. We have a full writeup and video playthroughs in another article.
Game producer Calliope Ryder was at TwitchCon San Diego this weekend for a panel on Tales of the Shire, and posted a “fun facts” thread about shirefolk on X.
so lovely to chat all things cosy and Hobbity!! thank you @MerryKish and @itscozyk for looking after us so well 🙂
It was also revealed that the duck with a dwarven helmet is a featured character, and its name is Ladle (sp?)!
If my ears do not deceive me, the name of the armored duck in Tales of the Shire is Leidel?@talesoftheshire can probably correct me if am wrong… pic.twitter.com/OLtMDm0N9b
Richard Taylor and the team at Weta Workshop posted a 20-minute behind the scenes video of the game in progress.
War of the Rohirrim gets a poster & Warhammer tie-in
New Line Cinema’s feature anime film The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim debuted its theatrical poster for Hobbit Day!
Also announced, Warhammer is bringing Rohirrim into its Middle-earth™ Strategy Battle Game with TheLord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim™ – Battle of Edoras starter set. The 56 piece package includes a board map, some Edoras structures, and a ton of miniature painted figures that the Tabletop RPG is known for. Get all the details over at Warhammer website.
Official WB social accounts reawaken
The Hobbit Movie posted a charming little video to celebrate Hobbit Day.
Today of all days, don’t forget your second breakfast! Happy #HobbitDay. Don’t miss #LOTR The War Of The Rohirrim only in theaters this Christmas. pic.twitter.com/gzpAl3DfiJ
Fans spotted that an orchestra concert of ‘The music of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit’ is coming to Pasadena in March 2025, and tickets are now available at Ticketmaster. (Note this is not the full scores being played with the movie – stay tuned for news of The Return of the King with live orchestra coming to NYC early next year!)
Prime Video celebrates Sauron on Hobbit Day
Also posting on Bilbo’s birthday was official accounts for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, focusing on Sauron. This fan wants to know: is Harfoot Nori’s birthday also September 22?
While a lot of your favorite Tolkien influencers are being featured in official The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power marketing, including our own greendragon, more fans are getting into the TolkienTube game. The newest is Makers of Middle-earth from Anna María, who has previously joined us for SDCC panels and livestreams. Her first interview is with the legendary Jed Brophy!
Fans celebrate together worldwide for Hobbit Day 2024
New Zealand fans visited Hobbiton with Red Carpet Tours.
Header photo is from Diane in the TORN Discord, taken under the party tree at Hobbiton! We hope all our fellow fans had a happy, hobbity day of fun and festivity – and are enjoying the riches of this era in the Tolkien fandom.
Not too long ago, Games Workshop announced a new edition of Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game — their licensed tabletop miniature wargame that’s based on Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies.
Slipped into that annnouncement was a one-sentence tease that, as part of the update, GW would also release a series of figures based on the forthcoming anime feature the Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. (Sneaky!)
Now they’ve revealed the first of these: foot and mounted versions of Wulf, the Rohirrim lordling who seizes Meduseld (and the throne) from Helm Hammerhand.
Wulf mounted figure for the Middle-earth Battle Strategy Game.
GW Lead Design Manager told TheOnering.net that they “worked with Warner Bros. and the creative team behind the movie — including the absolutely wonderful Arty Papageorgiou and Philippa Boyens — to make sure our miniatures reflected the visuals of the film whilst sitting well alongside our existing range.”
Although I don’t play the game myself, I found the card that outlines Wulf’s special rule quite interesting.
To me, that first sentence suggests that GW will subsequently release figures for “the heirs and leaders of Rohan”. At a guess, I extrapolate that mean it’s reasonable to expect additional figures (in no particular order) for: Helm Hammerhand, Háma, Héra, Haleth, and Fréaláf Hildeson. Leaders could also include the mysterious Olwyn who features as a supporter or advisor to Héra in some of the scenes in the recently released Japanese trailer.
UPDATE
TORn Staffer Ostadan wrote to me to suggest that the new edition will very probably be rolled out with a new ‘Starter’ set (like the Battle for Osgiliath set of a few years ago). He said that “most of the game’s fans seem to think that this new starter will be between Rohan and Dunlending factions. This is not a certainty, but does seem likely.”
I certainly agree this makes a lot of sense. It would mean additional fiugures such as Freca (Helm’s father), the General Taarg, and the bald fellow whose name escapes me right now. Probably a mish-mash of Wulf’s folk, Dunlendings and Haradrim/Corsair (I’ve now seen the offical coloring book calling them Southrons) mercenaries. And perhaps a Mûmakil.
Wulf on foot. Courtesy: Games Workshop.Mounted Wulf. Courtesy: Games Workshop.
Plus even more War of the Rohirrim tie-in merch from Harper Collins
That’s not all!
In case you missed it, Harper Collins is also releasing three tie-in books that are now available for pre-order on both the HC site, and on Amazomg. (NB: at the time of writing, Amazon seems to have Falconer’s Art book on sale.)
The Art of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim By Daniel Falconer. 256pp. Releases February 25, 2025
A comprehensive, large-format hardcover offering unparalleled insight into the making of The War of the Rohirrim, and the complete creative journey from concept to finished film told by the artists and filmmakers themselves. Cover art not yet available.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Visual Companion By Chris Smith. 96pp. Releases November 5, 2024.
Set 183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy of films, “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” tells the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan. A sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg—a mighty fortress that will later come to be known as Helm’s Deep. Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Héra, the daughter of Helm, must summon the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on their total destruction.
With a cast of exciting and original characters, and a mix of locations both familiar and new, this dramatic new standalone story weaves another thread in the grand tapestry of Middle-earth. Lavishly illustrated with breathtaking art and imagery, The War of the Rohirrim: Official Visual Companion is the ultimate introduction to every character, creature and location you will encounter in this epic adventure from the official Lord of the Rings saga.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Official Coloring Book By Warner Bros. 80pp. Releases November 5, 2024.
Experience the valiant spirit of Rohan’s warriors defending their homeland against the forces of darkness as you color these breathtaking scenes featuring all the characters, creatures, and landscapes from the new Lord of the Rings movie. Return to Middle-earth and begin a brand-new coloring adventure, from the splendor of the Golden Hall atop Edoras, to the breathtaking landscapes of Rohan, and ancient fortress of the Hornburg.
As well as dramatic scenes from this exciting new installment in the Lord of the Rings movie saga, you can color all of its heroes and villains, including Rohan’s legendary king, Helm Hammerhand, his intrepid daughter, Héra, and her brothers Haleth and Háma, Lord Freca and his son, Wulf, the warlike Southrons and iconic creatures such as the monstrous mûmakil and the savage snow-troll.
Now that the trailer for The War Of The Rohirrim is out, and a wider audience has been able to see footage, the thoughts of some of us return to Stephen Gallagher’s score. And Galllagher has, in fact, been very busy while we’ve all been staring at animation and musing aobut character designs. TORn Discord moderator Lasswen is here with the low-down.
The Sounds Of The Rohirrim: Gallagher Concludes Scoring; Big Tip on End-song Vocalist?
by TORn Discord moderator Lasswen
Trailer 1 began with Howard Shore’s iconic theme for Rohan, but then merged into what seemed to be somewhat generic trailer music.
While it was quite awesome and not out of place, it seems we are yet to hear any new music for Rohan. In June, Staffer Demosthenes published this report on the scoring to that point in time.
Let’s take a look at what has been happening since.
Again, Instagram is our friend. We are very much appreciative of Gallagher and others who have posted about their work so we can follow the journey.
In the later part of June, Gallagher travelled to England. While there was no mention of recording sessions, he did state that there was more music to score and record. At the end of July there was another update: he was nearing the finishing line of the score.
August saw a lot more activity, starting with the final round of recording in New Zealand, with Stroma Ensemble.
That included at least harp (with a small and orchestra-sized harp) and the return of Tudor Consort for additional choral recording. The inclusion of a small harp has me curious about the potential for maybe an accompanied vocal song, or a poignant scene with a singular instrument for a different sort of emotional effect than a large orchestra.
The final run of recording saw Mark Willsher (music producer and mixer, pin3hot) joining remotely from England, but then the recording sessions swapped to London and it was Gallagher that was joining remotely from New Zealand.
The three days of London recording included brass, taiko, timpani, and more crumhorns and shawms. It’s interesting that the shawms worked from the trumpet score, and transposed on sight for this final session, perhaps indicating it was a late decision to try a different sound than originally conceptualised, or to add shawms on top of the trumpets.
Something that does not seem to have occurred (as yet) that was alluded to back in mid-June was more recording in/from Mexico, presumably for more hardanger fiddle from Karen Bentley Pollick.
Yet, that’s not quite the end of it!
In recent days I spotted a mysterious credit on IMDb for “London Voices … choir theme song”. So, if there’s a theme song who could be a soloist to sing on that theme song? It seems we may actually have an answer for that! Staffer Kellie from Happy Hobbitwas the first to make the connection: the theme song for War Of The Rohirrim may be sung by Paris Paloma, after the singer shared the trailer.
Paloma’s songs often convey powerful messages on women’s issues, and with Héra as its protagonist, she seems like a good fit for a War Of The Rohirrim theme song. For now, this is unconfirmed and speculation.
However, one notes that WOTR writer Arty Papageorgiou has been following Paloma for a few months now. Additionally, the singer seems to already have a fondness for anime with a scene from Howl’s Moving Castle providing some inspiration for another song, as well including an iconic John Howe Gandalf imagine in an picture dump at the start of the month.
Now that we have reached this point, just what do we know about the score for War Of The Rohirrim?
Orchestra instrumentation includes typical woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion
Some unusual medieval instruments such as crumhorns and shawms are also present
There will be a choral section (editor’s note: chorals seemed prevalent in the trailer, but maybe that’s just me)
The iconic sound of Rohan from the Jackson films returns with the hardanger fiddle
Japanese taiko drums and Tibetan singing bowls are being used
There may or may not be Éowyn playing cowbell (at least that’s what I keep saying about Gallagher’s Weta epic mini being in most of his Insta pics hehe)
It appears there will be a theme song, possibly sung by Paris Paloma
Gallagher posted on August 28 that scoring had wrapped, so now we await hearing the results of all the talented musicians in bringing this new imagining of the sounds of Rohan to life.
About the author: Lasswen is a former primary and classroom music teacher, who played bass clarinet in high school and community concert bands. As well as being a long-time player of Lord Of The Rings Online, Lasswen makes use of the game’s music system to arrange and perform music in virtual Middle-earth.
Greetings from Atlanta, fellow Bagginses and Boffins, Tooks and Brandybucks, wizards and elves, Rohirrim and Beornings, Men and Women of the West, Nazgúl and Uruks, and other glorious embodiments of the diverse denizens of Middle-earth! And Proudfoots! (‘Proudfeet!’) It’s Labor Day Weekend, which means Smaug is stirring in the form of the singular Con forged by fans for fans (why, just like TheOneRing!): it’s Dragon Con time!
Now in its 37th year, and much like the world of fantasy in general, Dragon Con has always leaned heavily into its Tolkienian roots, with Middle-earth inspired programming, cosplay, partying, and a global Fellowship serving to inspire many of the 70,000 or so fans who converge on downtown Atlanta every year. And the 2024 version will be no different! Here’s a quick rundown all the Tolkien goodness that will be happening this year, indeed when there seems to be an explosion of so much we can celebrate!
Movie Guests: The Hobbits Are Coming to Dragon Con!
It’s a long-expected celebration as we welcome three excellent and admirable hobbits back to our annual party! Billy Boyd and Elijah Wood have been here before, with 2023 serving as a Frodo first for the con. It’s great to have him back, along with an inaugural visit by Dominic Monaghan. We’ll enjoy reminiscences and revelry, past shenanigans and current updates from gentlemen who still bow to no one! Find them at various times across the weekend.
Alas they’re not bringing Orli with them to Atlanta…
Media Project Updates and an Event: So Much Happening!
International South, Hyatt, 7pm Thursday 29th – watch The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Prime Video was so courteous to schedule the opening of Season Two of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on the same day that Dragon Con kicks off! They were especially gracious to allow us to host a Release Day Watch Party in a large ballroom space in one of the host hotels where we’ll get to all three of the first episodes on a big screen with 400 or so of our closest friends. There will be swag!
L401-403, Marriott, 11.30am Monday 2nd – The Rings of Power panel
TheOneRing.net will also be hosting a panel on Monday offering an opportunity for reactions and speculations from a crackerjack panel, including our good friend Willie Jenkins aka KnewBettaDoBetta.
L601-602, Marriott, 1pm Friday 30th – The War of the Rohirrim panel
Just as exciting is the upcoming December release of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, the anime collaboration between the same team that brought us both the LotR and Hobbit movies, along with director Kenji Kamiyama. We’ll have a dedicated panel to discuss the recently released trailers, and special recorded interview with producer Jason DeMarco as he digs into some details with staffer greendragon. (Also look for swag…!)
Centennial One, Hyatt, 11.30am Saturday 31st – Middle-earth Updates with TORn
We’ll even do some speculating about the recently announced next movie release coming in 2026, the PJ-produced, Serkis-directed The Hunt for Gollum. That will happen as part of a general update from TheOneRing.net staffers at Dragon Con, along with some good friends, covering a vast smorgasbord of things we have to look forward to in the Tolkienverse.
Some Scholarly Conversations: Academics Can Party?
Tolkien fans are noteworthy for also loving to dive deeply into Tolkien lore, characters, themes, and discussions as part of their experience. We’ll be scratching that itch on a number of fronts:
L401-403, Marriott, 1pm Saturday 31st – Here at the end of All Things: Tolkien’s Apocalyptic Visions
Our good friend, professor, and author, Constance Wagner, was asked recently about contributing to an upcoming publication discussing apocalyptic themes in fantasy literature. The inquirer wasn’t sure there really was much in Tolkien’s legendarium that dealt with that kind of thing. After Constance calmed down, she recruited a couple of us to join her in road-testing just how apocalyptic Tolkien can be, and across all the Ages of Middle-earth starting with the Music of the Ainur. And what better place to do that than among Dragon Con friends! We may have to hand out cookies to lighten the mood a bit, though.
L401-403, Marriott, 11.30am Sunday 1st – On Fairy Stories
Tolkien’s On Fairy Stories serves as a fundamental apologetic for the importance, depth, and suitedness of these stories in their application to the human condition. Plus they’re good reads. We’re looking forward to engaging with other fans on these foundational ideas.
L401-403, Marriott, 4pm Sunday 1st – The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien
With the publication of the massive three-volume edition of The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien mere weeks away, we take an hour to focus on what we can expect from this monumental effort from scholars Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. And we’ll probably do a bit of group confession of how many of us skipped the poems during our first LotR reading or two. We may even listen to Tolkien himself reciting some of his verses.
Parades, Partying, Dancing and Singing: Always Trust an Elf! Or a Hobbit!
Grand Ballroom, Courtland Grand, 8.30pm Friday 30th – An Evening at Bree
Dragon Con (unlike many of those “CC” alternatives around the country), is especially knows for its literal 24-hour partying spirit, both informal and officially sponsored. One of those latter parties, indeed one of the longest standing parties across Dragon Con’s history, is our annual Evening at Bree. Always happening on the first full-day of the Con, this Friday evening festival combines live bands (since back in those the Emerald Rose glory days! – this year we’ll have Landloch’d, Beth Patterson, and the Brobdingnagian Bards playing), dancing that’ll bring joy to the most curmudgeonly hobbit, a costume contest showcasing jaw-dropping cosplay talent, and a mini-concert from Bree’s own Elf Choir who gather to rehearse and present iconic fantasy tunes all on the same day. It’s a great way to kick off the Con in a celebratory mood.
Elf Choir performing at Evening at Bree in a previous year – photo courtesy of Geek Behind the Lens
Grand Ballroom, Courtland Grand, 5.30pm Friday 30th – Sing with the Elf Choir
That Elf Choir, in addition to their larger contingent who perform at Bree, also has a dedicated group of master singers, garbed in elven cloaks and sporting ethereal lanterns, who make their way through the Dragon Con masses on their long and melodic journey into the West. Fortunately, the Grey Havens are proving elusive, and they’ll be back again this year.
Grand East, Hilton, 7pm Sunday 1st – Hobbit Drinking Songs
One of the most riotously reeling renditions of Shire shenanigans happens with the Brobdingnagian Bards’ annual concert (and excuse to dance spontaneously): Hobbit Drinking Songs. They’ve been at it long enough that many in the audience join in, at least on the choruses. And they have CDs!
Grand East, Hilton, 10pm Sunday 1st – High Fantasy Goblin Ball
One of the last parties we’ll be joining this weekend is one where staffer deej will be taking the lead: The High Fantasy Goblin Ball! We always like to pick a theme for these dance parties, usually picking a favorite decade where deej focuses her musical stylings. We’re back to the 80s this year, and using a Goblinesque orientation in whatever forms our attendees might choose. The mashup cosplay has gotten pretty hilarious in years past. The Eye of Sauron in shutter shades, anyone?
Home for this Tolkien-inspired programming, and for many of us Tolkien-addicted people, is one of Dragon Con’s 35 or so dedicated fan groups, or “tracks”: The High Fantasy Track. Home base is right in the center of all the action, on the lobby level of the Marriott Marquis (L401-403). Should you be attending Dragon Con this year, come by and say hi to fellow fans there!
Grab some merch – celebrate 25 years of TORn!
You should also, of course, visit staffers greendragon and deej at TheOneRing.net’s fan table in the Atlanta downtown Hyatt, down on the Exhibit Hall level just across from the Art Show (our usual spot). There you can get some fabulous merch – shirts, buttons, and more! Show your political allegiance by voting Gollum/Smeagol 2024; or show your love for TORn with our 25th anniversary shirt and mug.
We’re looking forward to seeing friends old and new! Now forgive us as we go finish up that last flourish on our cosplay!
