The annual Tolkien Calendar for 2001 contains thirteen illustrations by John Howe, one for each of the twelve months, plus a center-spread. It is priced at $14.99 (ISBN 0-06-105852-1)

Howe’s work will be familiar to Tolkien fans. Some of it has appeared in books, like Tolkien’s World: Paintings of Middle-earth (1992), as well as having appeared on the covers of Tolkien’s books in England.

All thirteen illustrations in this calendar are of scenes from The Lord of the Rings, and they appear to be recent. The lower cover of the calendar shows all thirteen, and I’ve scanned it in, but I have to say in fairness to the artist that these little versions don’t do justice to his talent.

January features a scene of the Black Riders in the Shire. February, July and November all have illustrations of Gandalf and his fight with the Balrog. People on the side of Balrogs-Have-Wings argument will be pleased to see Howe does draw wings on his Balrog. As a whole, however, his Balrog is a bit disappointing, because from the angles it is viewed, one doesn’t really get a good look at it.

March’s illustration is a flashback, when Glóin speaks at the Council of Elrond, and tells of the "Horseman in the Night"–when a messenger from Mordor came to Dáin. April is also a flashback scene, of Gollum fleeing the elves of Mirkwood.

May is one of the nicest illustrations in the calendar, Gandalf’s escape from Orthanc.

But June is really my favorite, "The Argonath."

August gives a picture of Legolas and Gimli, while September shows Shelob about to attack Frodo. October is entitled "The End of the Third Age," and it shows Frodo and Sam on Mount Doom being rescued by Gwaihir.

December shows a scene of "The Grey Havens". And the center-spread shows the assault on Minas Tirith.

In all, John Howe’s work is another fine entry into the long series of Tolkien calendars.

turgon@theonering.net