‘The Hobbit’ Movie Poster — Get Your First Look [VIDEO]

Aside from learning how to throw a changeup and turning a double play, the best thing my father ever introduced me to was Middle Earth. My dad could teach classes on J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit." Almost a decade after the showstopping "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy finished, we're at the dawn of "The Hobbit," and we're getting good teases of what is to come.

Director Peter Jackson last week announced on his Facebook page principal photography for "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" was complete, and just two days later, unveiled the first official poster for the movie. The poster is exclusive to Comic-Con, which is Thursday-Sunday in San Diego.

Here's the poster:

Beautiful, isn't it? It's the exact kind of image you conjure when you read "The Hobbit" and picture Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellan) strolling through the Shire.

One thing is for sure: Peter Jackson is going to do "The Hobbit" justice, just like "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. The first installment of "The Hobbit" is hitting theaters Dec. 14.

Here's the first trailer: