Health Upgraders

It seems a time-honored tradition in Tolkien readership that people inevitably ask, “Did the Balrog of Moria have wings?” No question seems to cause more division within the rarely-peaceful circles of Tolkien fandom more than this one. The correct answer has been well-established in numerous essays: yes, but the wings were simply extensions of the dark emanation with which the Balrog surrounded itself. Nonetheless, some people have to have it their way, and they launch unjustified personal attacks on anyone who disagrees with them.

The truth about Balrogs is that people like to argue about what is really a very minor character in one of the most popular books in history. Fewer than 25 pages of text out of a 1200-page story even mention or describe the Balrog. So why do people become so defensive and angry when their unorthodox ideas are challenged? Numerous surveys and polls show that an overwhelming majority of readers (in excess of 75% in most cases) believe the Balrog has some sort of wings.

Two people who recently decided to resurrect the debate, posting under the screen names Halfir and Elenhir, supplemented their flawed arguments by attacking the credibility of writer Michael Martinez. Martinez more than any other Tolkien scholar has shown repeatedly that the truth about Balrogs wings’ debates is that the anti-wingers don’t play fair. And they did not play fair in attacking Martinez again on this occasion.

It was brought to Martinez’ attention that David Gransby, posting as Halfir, recently launched a series of verbal personal attacks on him. In the lies that pervade Tolkien fandom Martinez explained in plain language why people like David Gransby (and his pseudonymous friend Elenhir) cannot be taken seriously. What Martinez did not show is that in their attacks on him, Gransby and Elenhir deliberately refrain from linking to Martinez’ essays, which being citation-rich and well-reasoned, would reveal that the false claims Gransby and Elenhir make are just that: false.

This is not the first time someone has tried to make a name for himself by attacking the credibility of a well-established “bigger name” in an industry. It won’t be the last. But about all Gransby and Elenhir have proven is that they lack the credibility they need to be taken seriously. One of Gransby’s oft-repeated claims is that Martinez does not back up what he says with citations — and yet even the briefest perusal of a random Martinez essay shows he is quite meticulous and detailed in his research.

In this latest round of the Balrog Wings War, it looks like the anti-wing activists have struck out once again.