Time Magazine featuring The Two Towers A...

2002 was a huge year for The Lord of the Rings, with The Two Towers released in theaters, and a lot of new merchandise in the theaters. Time Magazine featured a nine page cover story on the movie, and the whole Lord of the Rings phenomenon on December 2. I was collecting The Lord of the Rings at the time, and picked up the issue. I took it with me to the 2003 San Diego comic-con the following July, hoping to meet some of the cast, or crew, to get an autograph or two. The Two Towers had a huge presence at the show and some had a huge booth setup, with costumes, props, and...

Greg and Tim Hildebrandt Autographed Cap...

Greg and Tim Hildebrandt are one of my favorite artists working in the comic book industry. I had a chance to meet them at the 2001 San Diego Comic-Con, where they were marketing their then-upcoming book release, Greg and Tim Hildebradt, The Tolkien Years, showcasing their best work, and behind the scenes process, from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit inspired calendar art. I used to collect printouts of their fantasy-inspired art with dragons, knights, etc. Then picked up a few of their Star Wars pieces (they also painted the first bi-lingual Star Wars film poster)....

Sala Baker and Lawrence Makaore from The...

Sala Baker and Lawrence Makaore were special guests at the 2002 San Diego Comic-Con. They stopped by the Sideshow Weta Collectibles booth to talk to do some interviews for the media and talk to fans. The booth was also staffed by the artists, designers, and employees of Weta Workshop. Sala Baker, from Wellington, New Zealand, is a stunt actor who played Sauron in Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring and The Return of the King, the Ork Lugdush in Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and the Ork Murgash in Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. He also performed...