New Lord of the Rings action figures for 2005

[Neurion]

Here they are:

Epic Trilogy series 1

The Two Towers wave 5

I can post some more if anyone's interested.

[Essex]

yes please. it's just for my 6 year old son's sake. (honest)

is that the 'shards of narsil' I see in council of elrond aragorn's hand?

they're pushing their luck a bit now, aren't they?

I think we should have a 'Merry with sword from the Barrow he kills the Witch King with' next

[Encaitare]

Ooh, I like them. I want "Possessed King Theoden" so I can have my Grima Lego-man crouch by his throne and hit on Eowyn from time to time.

It could appear that they take the flames running down the blade of the Witch-King quite literally...

Those are very nice, though; very realistic. Please post some more!

[Sett]

They look rather interesting. You can tell some detail has gone into them however i feel that they could be better expecially if they are going to be in comicbook collectors shelves as limited editions.

[Lalwendë]

Oooh, those are good, particularly the Frodo one as he looks happy for once. I can feel my bank cards bursting to get out and get at 'em. If I buy any more though I shall be having a shelving crisis (as if this ever stopped me).

Does anyone else think the Aragorn at the Council of Elrond figure looks like Ricky Gervais/David Brent with that beard?

[Neurion]

Originally Posted by Essex

yes please. it's just for my 6 year old son's sake. (honest)

Coming up...

Originally Posted by Essex

is that the 'shards of narsil' I see in council of elrond aragorn's hand?

Yep. He comes with the everything short of the statue the shards were displayed on.

Originally Posted by Essex

they're pushing their luck a bit now, aren't they?

Not really. Fans have been demanding most of these for years.

Originally Posted by Essex

I think we should have a 'Merry with sword from the Barrow he kills the Witch King with' next

Quite possibly. Aragorn, Boromir, Gandalf, Frodo and now Legolas have all been released in super-posable (SP) form, so Merry, Pippin and Gimli should be next.

[Neurion]

The Gondorian soldier (prototype head modeled after TB president Alan Fine).

Gondorian soldier view 1

Gondorian soldier view 2

Gondorian soldier view 3

Gondorian soldier view 4

Gondorian soldier view 5

Gondorian soldier view 6

Gondorian soldier view 7

Gondorian soldier view 8

[Elrian]

Morder Orc is really cool, I don't buy Orcs but him, I'll be looking out for. Thanks for the heads up on the figurines.

[Neurion]

Originally Posted by Elrian

Morder Orc is really cool, I don't buy Orcs but him, I'll be looking out for. Thanks for the heads up on the figurines.

You might be interested to know who supplied his voice...

Just for you

Don't stop there, have some more!

[Elrian]

I be interested in knowing who did his voice. And when they set a sales date for the figurines too if you ever come across the news of it.

[Neurion]

Originally Posted by Elrian

I be interested in knowing who did his voice. And when they set a sales date for the figurines too if you ever come across the news of it.

The figure's ETA is August.

Here's the actor who supplied the voice of "Skully"

Don't say I didn't warn you.........

[Encaitare]

Here's the actor who supplied the voice of "Skully"

Whoa! Who'da thunk?

[Neurion]

Originally Posted by Encaitare

Whoa! Who'da thunk?

Indeed. Here's another character he did voice-work for.....

[Faramir]

Neurion in your first post in the Epic Trilogy seris 1 link it has Gandalf wearing a cloak and it says hes the Gandalf in the gray heavens scene, is that right? . I don't remember him wearing a cloak at the heavens I only remember him wearing it to free Theoden.

[Neurion]

Originally Posted by Faramir

Neurion in your first post in the Epic Trilogy seris 1 link it has Gandalf wearing a cloak and it says hes the Gandalf in the gray heavens scene, is that right? . I don't remember him wearing a cloak at the heavens I only remember him wearing it to free Theoden.

No, he wears it in both scenes, so theoreticaly you could use him for either. Two scenes for the price of one!

[Lalwendë]

Hope this link works, but has anyone seen the Eye of Sauron 'action figure'? Hmmm, I'm not sure that making an action figure of a concept works...

[Neurion]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Hope this link works, but has anyone seen the Eye of Sauron 'action figure'? Hmmm, I'm not sure that making an action figure of a concept works...

I think it's probably meant to be in scale with Play-Along's Armies of Middle-earth series, like the 7" Treebeard, and Roto-Cast Fell Beast.

[Neurion]

Some more images.

Eowyn (SP)

Aragorn in Imladris

Hobbiton Frodo (FotR) w/ book

(SP) Legolas (new sculpt)

Gothmog

"Nuclear" Galadriel

Amon Sul Aragorn (light-up torch)

Council of Elrond Legolas

Haldir (Lothlorien boxed set exclusive)

Celeborn (Lothlorien boxed set exclusive)

Dark Galadriel (light-up effect)

Aragorn w/ Shards of Narsil and shield

Bridge of Khazad-Dum Gandalf

Uruk-Hai Pikeman

[Da Skorpion]

I don't know why you guys all love these action figures... maybe it's lack of seeing other's works *ducks under table waiting for the stone throwing to stop*, but I have seen much better work.

The paint job on these is flat and ugly which takes the realness out of them. I've seen much better handpainted LotR miniatures from Games-workshop painted by the members of my forum. And these are even much smaller than those action figures.

A few examples:
Gollum (extreme close up, remember how small it is)

Gimli

High Elves

Aragorn

Eowyn

Tree beard (Here you can see the size nicely)

Gandalf

See?

[Evisse the Blue]

I usually don't like figurines but I like the ones you posted, Da Skorpion.
The thing is these ones are a labour of love from fans that take a lot of time with detail while the official ones are merchendise sold en masse, which would explain the difference in quality. Not to mention that all action figures look alike...it's the Barbie phenomenon.

[Essex]

Da skorpion,

yes, very nice, but these are TOYS we're talking about here, not figures you would display and perhaps collect.

My six year old loves them. Especially the Mouth of Sauron set I got him the other day.

PS Now, to go against what I've just said (ie the toys as collectables) I saw a 'Hama' figure in woolworths at the weekend. I vaguely remember someone saying that he was pretty rare a few months back, so I picked him up for £5.99

If he's worth nothing, then my six year old has another toy to play with. If I'm right, then Ebay here I come!

PPS I got my bonus this week, so I treated myself to the sideshow statue of the Witch King with his mace. Now, THAT's what you call a detailed figurine! (But then it did cost me £160 compared to £5.99!!!!!!!!!!!)

[Da Skorpion]

The thing is these ones are a labour of love from fans that take a lot of time with detail while the official ones are merchendise sold en masse, which would explain the difference in quality.

That indeed is true, but I can point you to other mass produced, not too expencive, figures that are prepainted, but are actually awesome. Take for example these spawn dragons, they are prepainted, massive, around 15 dollar, and absolutely awesome painted. So, I'd say that's not too much of an argument for the company.

But, I was just posting this because all I read was great praisings of these figures, and I reaeaeaeally had to interrupt there to show that they actually aren't that great. These are fun for kids, but not as collectables and showcases. And even as toys, when you compare to other stuff (see up in this post), they still aren't that great.

[Neurion]

Originally Posted by Da Skorpion

But, I was just posting this because all I read was great praisings of these figures, and I reaeaeaeally had to interrupt there to show that they actually aren't that great. These are fun for kids, but not as collectables and showcases. And even as toys, when you compare to other stuff (see up in this post), they still aren't that great.

That, my friend, is entirely a matter of opinion.

[davem]

Originally Posted by Essex

PPS I got my bonus this week, so I treated myself to the sideshow statue of the Witch King with his mace. Now, THAT's what you call a detailed figurine! (But then it did cost me £160 compared to £5.99!!!!!!!!!!!)

As far as the Sideshow vs Toy Biz figures are concerned, personally I find them equally tacky, but at least the actionfigures are cheap in price as well as appearance. A collector of the action figures I know has commented that the Sideshow figures are just action figures for grown-ups anyway, & I can't help thinking that in a few years the Toy Biz figures will be fetching more than the Sideshow stuff.

[Beleg Cuthalion]

Originally Posted by Da Skorpion

That indeed is true, but I can point you to other mass produced, not too expencive, figures that are prepainted, but are actually awesome. Take for example these spawn dragons, they are prepainted, massive, around 15 dollar, and absolutely awesome painted. So, I'd say that's not too much of an argument for the company.

But, I was just posting this because all I read was great praisings of these figures, and I reaeaeaeally had to interrupt there to show that they actually aren't that great. These are fun for kids, but not as collectables and showcases. And even as toys, when you compare to other stuff (see up in this post), they still aren't that great.

First off, collectors are divided over whether Todd McFarlane's products are worth buying, or unarticulated crap not desrving the name "action figure".

Secondly, the quality and detail Toy Biz gets off in its figures is almost as great as anything McFarlane does, at half the cost and with an absolutely stunning amount of articulation.

Third, there's a reason why McFarlane didn't get the rights to produce LotR figures. The New Line execs wanted actual toys, not pricey plastic statues. Had McFarlane been given the licence, it's a given that only four or five figures, or perhaps eight at the most, would have been made, unlike the more than one hundred and three that TB has made so far, not counting the ones shown at Toy Fair.

Fourth, it's ill-mannered of you in the extreme to just waltz in here and start telling everybody that these toys that they've evinced an interest in are "actually not that great".

[Encaitare]

The ones skorpion showed are really great, but I still like the others, too. They're just for fun; some people collect them and would display them, and others just want to play with them... hey, I wouldn't mind a Gimpy Gothmog toy to whip out whenever I felt like giving fell orders.

[Da Skorpion]

Wow wow wow.... you guys are taking this too far......

That, my friend, is entirely a matter of opinion.

Yes, exactly. It is my opinion... And that is why I wanted to show you some other stuff, to support my opinion. I still stand behind my opinion, and I hope this board lets me give my opinion without a negative mark in the future. Because, we all know that opinions are never wrong. (bit disapointed about this actually , sorry )

Secondly, the quality and detail Toy Biz gets off in its figures is almost as great as anything McFarlane does, at half the cost and with an absolutely stunning amount of articulation.

I cant agree with this, as for example the skin is very flat without any shading. In my opinion again.

Fourth, it's ill-mannered of you in the extreme to just waltz in here and start telling everybody that these toys that they've evinced an interest in are "actually not that great".

Wow, in my opinion of course. I am not stating facts and am just telling that imo they are not that great, and wanted to show that there is other stuff around.
If it seemed like that, I must apologize, that was certainly not the intention.

[Boromir88]

To get things back on track here, neat thread Neurion. I love the descriptions "Eowyn with sword-slashing action," Gandalf "with electronic voice command." It's funny, just reminds me of an old thread I did.

Ooh, I like them. I want "Possessed King Theoden" so I can have my Grima Lego-man crouch by his throne and hit on Eowyn from time to time.

Why that? I would get the "Possessed King Theoden" to create an alternative plot in LOTR, "When Zombies attack Middle-earth." :clears throat: I...mean I'll get it for my nephew...ah um...to do that. (I know I'm a nerd ).

[Lalwendë]

Well, I like the action figures, and my vast collection (somewhere between 60 and 70 of them) proves this. I have always liked interesting toys and figures, that kind of thing, but the primary reason I collect them is because I collect LotR memorabilia, both film and non-film related (although this is harder to get hold of ). Anyone who strictly collects 'toys' or 'figures' may have a question about quality in comparison to other ranges, but I don't collect them as figures but as LotR items. I hasten to add, I don't collect everything, and I doubt I'd buy the Eye of Sauron 'figure' as it's not very good at all!

I have a few of the Sideshow items too, but they are very expensive and I can't justify spending too much on these. I can happily spend hours on ebay looking for bargains or rarities of all descriptions. Anyway, collecting the action figures is harmless, what's wrong with it? And my father likes to play with them. I'm sure a lot of 'Downers have collected stuff in the past, I collected Panini Football stickers when I was about 8, it kept me busy...

And I do display my action figures in a glass cabinet. Because, shock horror, I take them out of the boxes!

[Eruanna]

Mine are out of their boxes too
I'm also in dire need of some more shelf space, so I have had to be choosy as to which ones I display. My beloved Fellowship figures stand on a shelf above my pc, all in various poses, although my husband does try to annoy me by moving them about or by having them fight each other (gasp!) And Gimli doesn't seem to be as finely balanced as the others, he keeps diving off the shelf thanks to being rather top-heavy because of his helmet.
This latest set look very nice too. Thanks for the links, Neurion.

[Neurion]

Originally Posted by Eruanna

This latest set look very nice too. Thanks for the links, Neurion.

You're welcome.

[Essex]

Hang on Dave

I can't help thinking that in a few years the Toy Biz figures will be fetching more than the Sideshow stuff.

Are we talking about the same thing here? I mean the STATUES that Sideshow make, not action figures. And you think that the toybiz figures will be worth more than the statues in the future?

Woo Hoo!!!!!!! I'm going to be RICH, RICH, RICH if this is the case. Over £100 each for the toybiz figures. I'm raiding my boy's toy box at the moment and putting them in the loft!!!!!!

PS You say the sidehsow figures are tacky? you must then think all of the films are tacky as they are pretty much exact, detailed copies of the characters from the films. The 'Morgul Lord' is a superb piece of work (in my humble opinion of course and my wallet also testifies to this.....)

[davem]

Originally Posted by Essex

Are we talking about the same thing here? I mean the STATUES that Sideshow make, not action figures. And you think that the toybiz figures will be worth more than the statues in the future?

Yep - the 'statues' or figurines or busts or replicas or whatever. Action figures for grown ups - except they aren't articulated so you can't play with them properly. Lalwende has The Minas Tirith & Argonath from the DVD's & the Bilbo/Gandalf bookends & I've seen a whole bunch of the others close up on sale at Oxonmoot, as well as pictures. I'm just not impressed by any of them - sorry all you collectors.

The action figures, on the other hand, have a certain kitsch charm - if you like that kind of thing - & you can play with them without worrying about breaking them. The reason I think they'll be worth more than the Sideshow stuff in future is that they're toys, & there's always been a big market for toys, & for action figures generally - associations with childhood & all that. The statues are movie memorabilia only, & in a few years the LotR movies will be pretty much forgotten. Seriously, if I had £160 to invest in one or the other I'd go for the action figures.

PS You say the sidehsow figures are tacky? you must then think all of the films are tacky ...

Yep.

[Essex]

The statues are movie memorabilia only, & in a few years the LotR movies will be pretty much forgotten.

1977, I remember it well. The Queen's Jubilee, Elvis died, and this little known, well forgotten film about Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader came out.

What was it called? Oh I can't remember!!!!!!!

But I saw loads of collectable material for it in the same shop where I bought my Morgul Lord. It looks like they're still available and sought after....................

[Neurion]

Originally Posted by Essex

1977, I remember it well. The Queen's Jubilee, Elvis died, and this little known, well forgotten film about Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader came out.

What was it called? Oh I can't remember!!!!!!!

And now this little guy is worth more than $3,500 U.S. on his original card.

Originally Posted by davem

The action figures, on the other hand, have a certain kitsch charm - if you like that kind of thing.

KISS is kitsch, polyester pants, gold chains and open shirts are kitsch. Plaid suits are kitsch. Action figures are not kitsch.

[davem]

Originally Posted by Neurion

KISS is kitsch, polyester pants, gold chains and open shirts are kitsch. Plaid suits are kitsch. Action figures are not kitsch.

Well, I'd say anything that comes out of a kitsch movie is kitsch by definition. I did say they had a kitsch charm, though...

1977, I remember it well. The Queen's Jubilee, Elvis died, and this little known, well forgotten film about Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader came out.

What was it called? Oh I can't remember!!!!!!!

But I saw loads of collectable material for it in the same shop where I bought my Morgul Lord. It looks like they're still available and sought after....................

I wonder how well remembered the Star Wars (I think those are the movies you're trying to remember the titles of ) movies would be if Lucas hadn't redone the first three & put out a second trilogy. Anyway, I'm not sure the LotR movies will be taken to the public's heart in the same way. A nine days wonder, probably. I'm glad you get pleasure from your Morgul Lord, but I hope you didn't buy it as an investment.

[Neurion]

Originally Posted by davem

Well, I'd say anything that comes out of a kitsch movie is kitsch by definition. I did say they had a kitsch charm, though...

To be academic, action figures originally came out of the Korean War.

[davem]

To be pedantic I was talking about the LotR figures...

[Neurion]

Originally Posted by davem

To be pedantic I was talking about the LotR figures...

To reply, I would challenge your assertion that LotR is a kitsch movie, of all things.

[Tigerlily Gamgee]

I'm a little disappointed that the Eowyn figure is so much like the first Eowyn figure released. I mean, she wears so many costumes, and yet we get another brown and blue action figure. I think they should've made one of her in her white dress... but that's just me, I guess.
Ah well.