Tolkien's works in popular media/Comics
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Tolkien's works in popular media include a multitide of illustrations in the style of comics or cartoons. This article lists notable comics based on, or including references to, Middle-earth and/or J.R.R. Tolkien.
Early comics/cartoons
The first known published illustration in the comical vein is a single frame cartoon appearing in the 29 November 1954 edition of Newsweek (following the release of The Fellowship of the Ring). The cartoon portrays the Orcs of Moria as hairy creatures with large heads featuring bird-like beaks. Gandalf wears a robe adorned with what appears to be magical symbols.[1]
Licensed comics
Comics licensed by the Middle-earth Enterprises or the Tolkien Estate
References in popular comics
DC Comics
- In the 2006 Blue Beetle series, the eponymous hero's "hideout" is called Hobbiton. His minor enemy, the Diviner, summons Ents.
- In Secret Origins #20, Barbara Gordon reads The Lord of the Rings on the plane from Chicago to Gotham.
- The Legion of Super-Heroes villain Tseln has a "Mithril silver" knife.
- Sasha Bordeaux mentions Legolas in Checkmate #4
- The story in Amethyst (1985) #4 is called "There and Back Again".
- In Plastic Man (2004) #12, FBI Agent Morgan tracks down an illegal downloader and notices The Lord of the Rings, which she heard was good.
- Kyle Rayner carries a copy of The Lord of the Rings in Green Lantern (1990) #97
- Brainiac 5 mentions the One Ring in Legion of Super-Heroes (2010) #1
- Changeling calls burrowing aliens Hobbits in DC Special: The Return of Donna Troy #2
- Justice League of America #43 (2010): Josiah Power quotes Numbers 20:18, and Doctor Impossible is surprised it's from the Bible and not Gandalf (You shall not pass)
MAD
Marvel
- Marvel's got characters named Sauron, Numenor and Aragorn (a winged horse). Sauron actually named himself after the character.
- Spidey calls his pals the Fellowship in White Tiger #6
- Billy Kaplan's bedroom door has "Speak Friend and Enter", in Young Avengers Presents #1
- A boxing match between Slammer Sauron and Freddy Frodo in Avengers #43
- Captain America is reading a "chapter of Tolkien" in Avengers #46 (1967)[2]
Other
References
- ↑ "Newsweek, 1954 - Fellowship cartoon", Tolkien Collector's Guide (accessed 19 February 2017)
- ↑ "Post in the private group 'Tolkien's Middle-Earth'" dated 19 November 2016, Facebook (accessed 19 February 2017)