Thor's Day Hero: Rankin Bass Bilbo Baggins

I had to be specific in my title, today's Thor's Day Hero isn't just any ole Bilbo Baggins. No, today's inductee is the one you see above, the Rankin Bass 1977 Bilbo. Sure, I saw Star Wars in '77 but it wasn't until a few years later I was into it thanks to the toys. My first geek introduction though, pretty much ever in my life, goes to my Lord of the Rings storybook record sets. Yes, records, played on my Fisher-Price turntable. Of those Bilbo and the tale of the Hobbit took center stage, we even named a litter of puppies at the time after Hobbit characters. Good, moving memories. Welcome aboard Bilbo!

LEGO Thursday: LEGOLotR

Not the freshest announcement by the time this has rolled around, but still, how exciting is this? Of course if you're not into LEGO, and/or not a big fan of Lord of the Rings then the announcement that LEGO has picked up the LotR franchise probably doesn't mean too terribly much to you. But then again if you're not a fan of either one of those...how did you find this place? Due out next summer, start saving those shekels.