Tolkien afficionados will remember that besides Gandalf, Saruman and Radagast, there were two more wizards, Alatar and Pallando, known as the Ithryn Luin or Blue Wizards. I don't think that Andy was such a Tolkien devotee that he knew about them, but the colour scheme that he chose for this figure, which may well have been designed with a nod to Gandalf (note the sword at his belt) fits the notion of the Blue Wizards to a tee.
It's difficult to see the features clearly, what with the beard and the wide-brimmed hat, but the impression you get from looking at the figure is "You don't mess with me."
Massively powerful wizards are a staple of fantasy fiction from Gandalf the Grey to Bayaz, First of the Magi (although there is a world of difference morally between those two). There's something about the concept of an old man keeping his power cloaked until the time comes for him to unveil himself and really kick ass. The power is all the more awesome for having been kept veiled for so long.
Very cool...people almost never talk about Alatar and Pallendo. Of course, the Professor bearly talked about them too...
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the old man keeping power under wraps until he has to thing. I remember back in the day people tried to figure out what level Gandalf the Gray would be and I believe even something in Dragon magazine said something like him being Level 12. I always would argue with these folks, because I thought it ridiculous. Gandalf is not even human and has been around since the creation of Arda. People do not realize that just because you CAN do something, doesn't always mean that you SHOULD.
Excellent painting job on the mini. I agree with you on the Tolkein-style of a wizard keeping their power cloaked/veiled until it is time to kick some ass. It is one of the five things that keep me from making my approach to things Tolkein-Free. Though I've been tempted. I find it odd that Tolkein did not mention a Green, Yellow or Red wizard...just gray, white, brown and two blue...
ReplyDelete