There are many graphic novels produced by the Black Library (a section of the BL Publishing division of Games Workshop) for the fiction Warhammer 40,000 universe. Called Graphic Novels by the Black Library, they, as with the novels, are expansions on the background and history to the boardgame. They are intended as a companion for the Warhammer 40,000 miniatures, and are available through the either the Games Workshop Online Store[1], Black Library Homepage[2], or along side of the miniatures at individual hobbyshops or Games Workshop stores.
These graphic novels depicts the interactions of the Chaos Space Marines, Daemonhunters, Dark Eldar, Eldar, Imperial Guard, Necrons, Orks, Space Marines, Tau, Tyranids, Witch Hunters, and other organizations that operate around the Imperium of Man's empire in the 41st Millenium.
Most of these graphic novels are written by authors with experience writting novels, articles, and other fictional (and sometimes non-fictional gaming) works for Warhammer 40,000. Also, many of these graphic novels have their origins in the Warhammer Monthly before being published as stand alone works or larger, bound collections.
History and Background
editMost of graphic novels take place thousands of years after the fall of the Emperor of Mankind at the hands of his once loyal servant but turned by Chaos (Warhammer), Horus. Many millenium passed since then but the Empire is still at war with the old followers of Horus, along with many new enemies.
These graphic novels are written in the perspective of humans, primarily those of the Imperial Guard, the mechanics of the Adeptus Mechanicus, the female warriors of the Sisters of Battle, the holy Inquisition, and the super human Space Marines. They span the completely Warhammer 40,000 game with occassional expansions into the spin-off games, like Necromunda or Inquisitor, or use vehicles and equipment only found in Epic or Battlefleet Gothic.
Bloodquest
edit
Bloodquest: Eye of Terror Trilogy[3], by Gordon Rennie and Colin MacNeil, is a collection of three works titled Bloodquest[4], Bloodquest: Into the Eye of Terror[5], and Bloodquest: The Daemon's Mark[6]. The trilogy involves the founding Space Marines chapter, the Blood Angels, as they struggle first against the vicious Orks and then against the armies of ancient foes, Chaos and the Chaos Space Marines.
Plot Synopsis
Captain of the Blood Angels, Leonatos, was giving a weapon called "Encarmine," the "Sword of Belarius," as a prize for his prowess as a warrior and for the accomplishments of him and his men on the battlefield. However, Garshul the Destroyer, an Ork, manages to capture the weapon. This is a sign of great dishonour to the Blood Angels, and they banish Leonatos with his men.
He wanders across the galaxy with his fellow soldiers as they attempt to regain their lost honor by hunting down the Ork and their precious sword. This quest takes them to the world of Eidolon, where the sword has been sent. On Eidolon, they battle the forces of Chaos that control the planet as they hunt down the location of their treasured weapon. By destroying the forces of their enemy and risking their lives for the sword, they redeem their dishonor so they could be welcomed back once again amongst their brethren[3].
Critical Review
Bloodquest was winner of the 2004 "Eagle Award" for Favourite British Comic while running as a strip for Warhammer Monthly[7].
Daemonifuge
edit
Daemonifuge, originally published in Warhammer Monthly, is a series of graphic novels about the life of Ephrael Stern, a member of the Adepta Sororitas, and is collected as Daemonifuge: Heretic Saint[8]. The two books of the series are Daemonifuge, by Kev Walker and Jim Campbell[9], and Daemonifuge: The Lord of Damnation, by Kev Walker, Gordon Rennie, and Karl Richardson[10].
In addition to the original series, a smaller series was released called Daemonifuge: The Screaming Cage. This series was produced in three parts, and reproduces the original series with additional pages added/edited into the original plot.
Plot Synopsis
Ephrael Stern was a Seraphim ranked Sister for the Order of Our Martyred Lady. Mysteriously, she was the sole survivor out of 12,000 that was sent to the planet Parnis. Inquisitor Silas Hand originally was sent to identify if she was tainted by Chaos. This lead to no conclusion, and Hand was forced to return with her to the planet Parnis. During the return, their vessel's navigator was possessed by Chaos destroyed their ship the "Hammer of Thor." Escaping, both Hand and Stern were able to land upon the surface. However, they soon confronted the Demon Q'tlahsi'issho'akshami. Only Stern managed to live through the battle, and she is now hunted by the Ordo Malleus to be brought in for questioning[8].
Critical Review
Daemonifuge was nominated for the 1999 "Eagle Award" for Favourite British Comic while running as a strip for Warhammer Monthly[7].
Deathwatch
editDeathwatch, by Jim Alexander, tells the story of the Ordo Xenos military division, Deathwatch, and their battle against an alien infestation. [11]
Plot Synopsis
A group of Deathwatch, commanded by Ultramarine Jerron, is sent to battle against the alien enemies of the Imperium of Man on the planet of Pavia. Unlike other invasions by aliens, this invasion had the ability to appear as humans and infiltrate the Pavian society.
Inquisitor Ascendant
editInquisitor Ascendant, by Dan Abnett, about the Imperial Inquisition's struggle against the fources of Chaos was produced in two parts. His first collaboration was with Simon Coleby, and his second was with Jim Brady[12].
Plot Synopsis
Inquisitor Ascendant follows the story Inquisitor Defay and his apprentice, Gravier on the planet of Nicodemus. They are sent to battle Chaos infestations and are aided by an Ecclesiarchy cardinal named Sarthos. Their investigation and cleansing of the Chaos infestation leads them through many battles and even close experience of the taint first hand. The second part follows a future Gravier, now an Interrogator, and his experience with his previous mentor.
Lone Wolves
edit
Lone Wolves is a graphic novel by Dan Abnett and Karl Richardson[13] which describes the interactions of Imperial Guard variant and the Space Marines' chapter, the Space Wolves, when fighting the Tyranids. The story is broken into seven parts, "The Miracle," "Eaters of the Slain" Part 1 and 2, "Payback" Part 1 and 2, and "Bloodgeld" Part 1 and 2. Prefaced to the story are short essays produced by editor, Christian Dunn, about the nature of heroes and following the story is the ending original created by Dan Abnett[13].
Plot Synopsis
The Imperial Guard's division titled the "10th Slavok Regiment" are abandoned on the ice-planet Shadrac, which is currently controlled by a Tyranid invasion. Sergeant Poul Marlin narrates the travels of the remaining squads of soldiers as they struggle against hunger, the elements, and the aliens who want to devour them. Joined by the Space Wolves lead by Skold Greypelt, the Slavok 10th are able to stand against constant attacks and perform deeds of heroism[13].
Titan
edit
Titan is a series of works by Dan Abnett that details the history of a Titan and its crew. Titan: God-Machine[14] collects and continues the original three works, Titan I[15], II[16] and III[17]. The work describes the actions of the Adeptus Mechanicus and their Titan Legion.
Plot Synopsis
The "Imperius Dictatio", a Warlord Class Titan, is a massive warmachine used by the forces of the Imperium of Mankind and its Adeptus Mechanicus to battle aliens, heretics, and anyone who stands in the way of conquest. The commander of the Titan dies during a training mission, and before a new commander could be implaced, the nearby planet Vivaprius comes under attack. Cadet Princeps Ervin Hekate is forced to take command and joins the Imperial Guard defenders against invading aliens, the Tyranids. As they arrive, they discover that the Imperial Guard have been destroyed by the invaders. After battling against this menance, the crew of the "Imperius Dictatio" are sent to the planet Artemis to battle the forces of Chaos, where they must protect the planet against this menace[14].
Critical Review
In 2005, Nathan Brazil, of the Science Fiction and Fantasy website reviewed the Titan: God-Machine series. While praising Dan Abnett as being "one of the better writers of action oriented SF," he claims that the Titan series "allows him so little room for development that he struggles to inject anything that might be described as a more than one dimensional", emphasizing the use of gore and violence in Titan, claiming "just as this sequence is showing promise, it is abruptly cut short with another example of uber violence" ref name="SF Site Review">"The SF Site Feature Review: Titan: God-Machine". Eagle Awards. Retrieved 2007-05-27.</ref>.
Other Collections
editFlames of Damnation
editPublished in 2005 and written by primarily Andy Jones and Marc Gascoigne, Flames of Damnation is a collection of smaller works that revolve around the actions of the Imperial Guard and the Space Marines against the forces of Chaos, Orks, Eldar, and many other aliens that seek to battle the Imperium of Man[18].
Critical Review
According to Black Library, Comics International reviewed the book and stated: "Gritty sci-fi… with lashings of action and a bit of something for everybody"[19].
Imperial Gothic
editPublished in 2006 and writen primarily by Dan Abnett, Imperial Gothic is a collection of Lone Wolf, Inquisitor Ascendent, and other, smaller works[20].
References
edit- ^ "UK Online Store". Games Workshop. Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ "UK Online Store". Games Workshop. Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ a b Rennie, Gordon (2005). Bloodquest: Eye of Terror Trilogy (1st ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84416-146-3.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Rennie, Gordon (1999). Bloodquest (1st ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84154-108-7.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Rennie, Gordon (2000). loodquest: Into the Eye of Terror (1st ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84154-125-7.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Rennie, Gordon (2003). Bloodquest: The Daemon's Mark (1st ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84416-146-3.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "The Eagle Awards". Eagle Awards. Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ a b Walker, Kev (2005). Daemonifuge: Heretic Saint (1st ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84154-251-6.
- ^ Walker, Kev (1999). Daemonifuge (1st ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84154-117-6.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Walker, Kev (2003). Daemonifuge: The Lord of Damnation (1st ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84154-240-7.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Alexander, Jim (2004). Deathwatch (1st ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. ISBN 1-84416-100-5.
- ^ Abnett, Dan (2001). Inquisitor Ascendant (1st ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. ISBN 1-84154-143-5.
- ^ a b c Abnett, Dan (2003). Daemonifuge: The Lord of Damnation (1st ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84154-056-4.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Abnett, Dan (2004). Titan: God-Machine (1st ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84416-123-4.
- ^ Abnett, Dan (1999). Titan I (1st ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84154-109-5.
- ^ Abnett, Dan (2001). Titan II (1st ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84154-144-3.
- ^ Abnett, Dan (1999). Titan II (1st ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84154-242-3.
- ^ Jones, Andy (2005). Flames of Damnation (1st ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84416-253-2.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ "Flames and Damnation". Eagle Awards. Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ Abnett, Dan (2006). Imperial Gothic (1st ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84416-330-X.