Adventures in Chat GPT - Play Along Toys Dark Rider (on Horse)

The basis for this image came from Play Along Toys AOME Warriors and Battle Beasts series from 2003. The inspiration for the image came from Peter Jackson' LOTR trilogy, Part 1 'The Fellowship of The Ring'. I think a good title for this would be 'The Search For Frodo',

Ed

My 2010 photograph used for making the image

'The Search For Frodo'

Attack at Weathertop - Pt 2 Ringwraith

Today on Sci-Fi Saturday we bring you the second figure in the 'Attack at Weathertop' Soldiers and Scenes set from Play Along Toys. Ya know, I think of all the LOTR figures Play Along Toys released during the few years of its run, the Ringwraiths were my favorite. They may only be little plastic toys but OMG they look menacing! I love the sculpting, the action, the implied threat, and of course they remind me of the books. The plastic on the 'Attack at Weathertop' set is shiny which is an indication that this was an earlier release. Later LOTR Play Along Toys offerings were issued in more realistic flat colors. In any case, shiny vs. flat, they are terrific toys and collectibles!  I used to take an annual sojourn to Middle Earth for many years but after about 18 years I started to slow down. Truth be known, I haven't read the Hobbit and the LOTR trilogy since 2000. But that's OK cuz doin' this blog helps remind me of those blissful days lost in the pages of Tolkien. Enjoy!

Attack at Weathertop: Frodo, Sam & Ringwraith

Wave 1

Issued by: Play Along Toys

Assortment: 48100

Item Number: 48101

Issue Date: 25 Jul 2003

Issue Price: $8.99

AOME LOTR Ringwraith (Dark Rider #3)

Today on Sci-Fi and Fantasy Saturday we continue our look at Play Along Toys Armies of Middle Earth Warriors and Battle Beasts series (what a mouthful!). Featured is the third Dark Rider on horseback in this series. The first figure was actually labeled 'DarkRider', while the other two were both labeled 'Ringwraith'. Enjoy!

Ringwraith

Wave 3

Issued by: Art Asylum / Play Along Toys

Assortment: 48000

Item #: 48012

Issue Date: 25 Jul 2003

Issue Price: $7.99

Armies of Middle Earth Lord of The Rings 'Dark Rider'

Back in the 1970s I was in college when one day we got a reading assignment in freshman English, a reading assignment that would rock my world - 'J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit'!  I was entranced, enthralled, and just downright excited.  This book had a gripping fascination for me and was a step above the other science fiction and fantasy books I had been reading at the time.  I couldn't wait to dig in to 'The Lord of The Rings' trilogy.  It was awesome and I couldn't put the books down.  For many years afterward I would make an annual pilgrimage to the world of Middle Earth.  Then came the announcement that the books would be made into movies!  WOW.  At the time, the only thing 'Lord of The Rings' (LOTR) fans really had to hold on to was Ralph Bakshi's animated version.  The movie was OK and still fun to watch but we wanted more.  And Peter Jackson delivered, in such a stunning fashion that it will remain a landmark achievement.  But for us toy lovers it wasn't enough.   Now, understand that it's no new thing for toy makers to hang on to the coat tails of popular culture, and offer licensed products for popular television shows or movies.  The Louis Marx Company had been doing this since the 1950s.  And then of course there is the 'Star Wars' franchise.  But now it was OUR turn - we Tolkien fanatics could have our day in the sun!!  And what a day it was.  Beginning in 2003, Play Along Toys would release a  line of toys called 'Armies of Middle Earth Lord of The Rings' (aka AOME LOTR).  

The standing figures were basically just under 3" high and extraordinarily detailed and painted.  The sculpting was top notch and the painting was so good that only advanced hobbyists or professional model builders could have surpassed it - and these were just production line toys!!  The line had several series:

- Warriors and Battle Beasts.  One figure atop one beast (horse, warg, etc)
- Soldiers and Scenes.  A three-pack of figures
- Warriors and Weapons.  Figures with a large set-piece like a battering ram or catapult
- Figures with Environment.  Essentially a diorama in a box.  Figures in a diorama setting
- Lord of The Rings Deluxe Environment.  Same as above but  better and more details
- Super Deluxe Playset.  LOTR playset on steroids - a beautiful Helm's Deep set-up

For today's blog we present the first Dark Rider in the  'Warriors and Battle Beast' series released in 2003.  And of course there's plenty of photos.  When you have figures of this quality, they deserve  photographic character studies of this nature.  Hope you enjoy!

******  Additional Info added on 4 Dec 2010 ******

Dark Rider on Horseback

Wave 1

Issued by: Art Asylum / Play Along Toys

Assortment: 48000

Item #: 48001

Issue Date: 25 Jul 2003

Issue Price: $7.99