The Rings of Power: Petition launched to stop latest ‘The Lord Of The Rings’ covers sale - here’s why

Fans of The Lord of the Rings launched a petition to stop Harper Collins, Amazon, and The Tolkien Estate from selling the book series with the latest covers.

They are disappointed that the publishing company, online streaming service, and The Tolkien Estate have updated the book covers with images from the latest spin-off show - The Rings of Power.

The showrunners of The Rings of Power broadcasted the latest trailer at the San Diego Comic-Con International in July and the video has almost 11 million views already.

However, fans of the series objected use of the spin-off to sell the books since the new show is not a creation of the famed Birmingham-based author - J.R.R Tolkein.

The petition accused Harper Collins, Amazon, and The Tolkien Estate of “unjustly” co-opting the latest covers for improving sales.

“This show is not an adaptation, rather, Amazon is making something new within a pre-established framework designed by Tolkien which Amazon is using creative license with. Mostly, this show contains vastly more content from modern showrunners, writers, producers, and corporate executives.

“For example, many of the show’s characters, Disa, Halbrand, Arondir, Bronwyn, Theo, Eleanor Brandyfoot, Sadoc Burrows, Poppy Proudfellow, Adar, and more, are entirely original Amazon creations involved in their own originally embellished stories,” according to the petition.

The fans want the Amazon series to not be included in the universe created by Tolkein. The author and scholar has left a vast legacy that includes The Hobbit and The Silmarillion.

“It would be a tragedy to have his works scrubbed and colored over like a palimpsest, conflating and confusing them with Amazon’s upcoming original series,” the fans added in the petition.

One Twitter user said: “Reasonable request they are trying to ride the coattails of successful work to help promote there fan fiction.”

However, the show has created a real buzz online and some fans are looking forward to the new addition to The Lord of the Rings universe.

Tolkein moved to the West Midlands from South Africa in the 1890s with his mother and brother after his father died, according to The Tolkein Society.

The Birmingham he knew was a dark and industrial one and yet he was inspired by the architecture and the natural beauty spots. For instance, the Moseley bog inspired him to create the Old Forest through which some of his characters travel in the fantasy series. His First World War experience shaped the fantasy series he went on to write later.

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