The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (II)

​Topps second release of Topps’ The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring trading cards took a more sinister path as it focused on the dark forces of Mordor.  Although it includes scenes of our heroes, there was an emphasis on Sauron’s growing power.  I tried to limit my favorite cards to the top 5, but found that too difficult of a task.
 
Most collector’s are not fond of checklists, however, Card #91 also illustrates a movie poster.  All nine members of the Fellowship along with Arwen, Lady Galadriel and the Dark Riders are included!
 
Forged in Fire, Card #94, shows the might of Sauron.  A goliath of a figure, he is the pinnacle of evil in Middle Earth.

​In Card #97, The Invincible One, Sauron leads his Orcs into battle against both Men and Elves.  He nearly wins if it weren’t for King Isildur who cut the ring from his finger.

​You can view a close-up of the ring on Card #105, The New Ringbearer.  The weight of the ring is just not physical, for it carries a burden to any who wears it other than Sauron himself!

​The Dark Riders are caught in both the physical world and afterlife.  The Wraith’s True Form, Card #117, shows their wickedness as wraiths were transformed from once noble kings.

​There is another evil that exists on Middle Earth, the Balrog that lives in the deepest caverns in the mines of Moria.  The demonic beast confronts the Fellowship for which Gandalf takes a stand and battles the foul creature.  Both are lost in battle as illustrated in Card #143, The Fall of Gandalf.  However, we later learn that this leads the wizard into becoming even more powerful as Gandalf, The White.

​Even the purest of heart can be tempted by the Ring.  Galadriel’s Temptation, Card #145, shows what may become of the fair lady elf should she take the ring.  Wise in her years, she passes on Frodo’s offer to become the Ring-bearer.

​Card #151, Against the Uruk-Hai, shows the brute strength of Saruman’s foot soldiers that hunt down the Fellowship.

​The Lord of the Rings surpasses Star Wars as my favorite movie series of all time, and the next installment, The Two Towers, tops my list.  Trading cards from this movie will be presented in a future article.