Middle-earth Toys

Middle-earth Toys was a line of action figures released by Toy Vault in 1998.^[1] A total of nine figures were ultimately released.^[2] The eventual discontinuation of the line has been attributed to the success Toy Biz would see with their movie-based action figures in 2001.^[3]^[4]

According to the website, the backside of the packaging used fonts by Dan Smith.^[5] One of the package backgrounds used for the first few series, presumably the one for good characters, was illustrated by John Howe.^[4]

Series

Each figure came in various variants. According to Toy Vault, exclusive variants made the line more appealing to distributors. These were generally based on different moments of the book, though they admitted that for the Balrog they inferred the variants based on a statement in the Silmarillion.^[6]

Figures which were announced but not released include Boromir (art by Roger Robinson and Arnie Swekel), Elrond (art by Todd Lockwood), Hill Troll (art by Todd Lockwood), King Théoden (art by Liam Sharp), Tom Bombadil (art by Arnie Swekel), Aragorn (art by Todd Lockwood), Samwise (art by Todd Lockwood), and Legolas (art by Arnie Swekel). Barsom Manashian was mentioned as having sculpted Éowyn, while Sam Greenwell had sculpted Elrond.^[2]

Series 1 (September 1998)

Balrog

The Balrog was designed and sculpted by Daniel Horne. All Balrogs came with removable wings, a whip and a sword.^[7]

Photo	Description
	Earth Balrog This was the standard variant of the first series. It presented a hypothetical Balrog who lives in the sort of caves trolls lived in.^[7]
	Forest Balrog This variant was sold through the Toy Club. Only 2000 were made. ^[7]
	Fire Balrog Later re-issued for the mass-market series.^[7]
	Shadow Balrog Initially exclusively distributed by Voyager Toys, then still known as The Portal.^[7]
	Balrog of Khazad-dûm This was the Balrog encountered in the story. He came with two hexagonal stands, and had a light-up feature.^[7]

Gandalf

Gandalf was designed and sculpted by Daniel Horne. All Gandalfs came with staff and Glamdring.^[8]

Photo	Description
	Gandalf The Grey Exclusively sold through Diamond Comics. His staff lights up.^[8]
	Gandalf in Hobbiton Exclusively sold through the Toy Club, this Gandalf is similar to Gandalf the Grey, sharing a head sculpt and staff, though his staff doesn't light up.^[8]
	Gandalf The White This Gandalf's head sculpt is slightly different, since it lacks the hole for the pipe the previous models had. His staff is different as well. It was the standard variant.^[8]
	Gandalf in Fangorn This is Gandalf the White before he revealed himself, it was sold exclusively through White's Guide To Collecting Figures.^[8]
	Gandalf the Wizard The mass-market version, which was similar to Gandalf the Grey.^[8]

Series 2 (February 1999)

Frodo

Frodo was designed by Daniel Horne and Matt Innis, and sculpted by Daniel Horne. Frodo came either bare-chested or with a mithril shirt.^[9]

Photo	Description
	Frodo in Lórien Frodo, as he appeared in Lórien, was the standard variant.^[9]
	Frodo of the Shire Exclusively sold through the Toy Club.^[9]
	Frodo in the Barrow Downs Exclusively sold through Diamond Comics, clad in white.^[9]
	Frodo the Hobbit The mass-market version.^[9]

Uglúk

Uglúk was designed and sculpted by Daniel Horne. ^[10]

Photo	Description
	Uglúk on the Hunt The standard variant.^[10]
	Uglúk at War Exclusively sold through Diamond Comics. His shield bears the White Hand.^[10]
	Uglúk in his Cave Exclusively sold through the Toy Club. His armour is bronze.^[10]
	Uglúk The Orc The mass-market version.^[10]

Mass market series

As noted before, the mass market series consisted of a single variant of each line. This gallery shows the redesigned packaging of a later release.

Fire Balrog
Gandalf the Wizard
Frodo the Hobbit
Uglúk The Orc

Series 3 (September 1999)

Gimli

Gimli was designed by Daniel Horne and Glenn Angus, and sculpted by Daniel Horne.^[11]

Photo	Description
	Gimli in Battle The standard variant.^[11]
	Gimli in Lórien Exclusively sold through the Toy Club.^[11]
	Gimli of the Fellowship Exclusively sold through Diamond Comics.^[11]
	Gimli The Dwarf The mass-market version.^[11]

Gollum

Gollum was designed and sculpted by Daniel Horne.^[12]

Photo	Description
	Gollum AKA Sméagol The standard variant.^[12]
	Gollum with his Precious Exclusively sold through the Toy Club.^[12]
	Gollum the Fisherman Exclusively sold through Diamond Comics.^[12]
	Gollum the Evil Hobbit The mass-market version.^[12]

Deluxe figures (March 2000)

This was planned as far back as Series 1, but was delayed due to design issues.^[3]

Lord of the Nazgûl
Lord of the Nazgûl: Black Captain
Lord of the Nazgûl: Black Rider

Series 3 (September 2000)

The unreleased Elrond figure was initially meant to take Galadriel's place.^[3]

Galadriel

Galadriel was designed by Arnie Swekel and sculpted by Karl Sanders.^[13]

Photo	Description
	Galadriel an Elven Queen The standard variant.^[13]
	Galadriel The White Lady Exclusively sold through the Toy Club.^[13]
	Galadriel Lady of the Wood Exclusively sold through Diamond Comics.^[13]
	Galadriel The mass-market version.^[13]

Barrow-wight

The Barrow-wight was designed by Todd Lockwood and sculpted by Matt Innis.^[14]

Photo	Description
	Evil Spirit of Angmar The standard variant.^[14]
	The Barrow-wight Exclusively sold through the Toy Club.^[14]
	The Nocturnal Barrow-wight Exclusively sold through Diamond Comics.^[14]
	The Wight The mass-market version.^[14]