I'm a comics snob - when it comes to writing. I'm not so particular about the art, though I've been known to be turned off by certain types of art. *cough*tennisballboobs*cough*

I think I've read about as much of The Silmarillion as you have... You could totally give The Hobbit another go, though, it's not bad. I think everybody agrees the Gollum scenes steal the show, even from the dragon and the big battle - though this may not be the case with the film version.