Comic Book Review: Warhammer 40000: Dawn Of War
Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War is not only a series of videogames but also a comic book that I recently read, but also a 4-issues comic that ties in between the second and third installment of the mentioned games.
New to the scene Sergeant Olivarr and returning from the previous Dawn of war games, sergeant Tarkus, a fan favourite. Tasked with locating their chapter master, Gabriel Angelos, after he goes missing from a battle against the xenos threat of the ork greenskins. But with the Eldar also on the scene its not going to be easy as they make their journey to him, paved in bolter shell and blood.
Set after the events of Dawn of War 2, we learn that Gabriel Angelos has dissapeared while fighting with orks, and two sargeants are searching for him, Tarkus and Olivarr (a new character created for the comics). While trying to find him, problems will arise not only with the greenskins but also with the Eldar, setting everything up (more or less) for the third videogame. Other characters from the game series appear, and and there are glimpses of some of the units that the latest DoW features, but not as much as the cover images would imply.
The drawing and coloring is great, in all issues except for the third one, which is more plain and simpler than the others. There is action but the plot is quite simple and without any impressive twists.
Not a bad comic but neither impressive, even if you fancy the videogames it really doesn't adds much.
Art Book Review: Inquis Exterminatus
Inquis Exterminatus is an art book compiled by John Blanche for The Black Library, and first published in 2000 (my edition is from 2011) and which, at the time of writing this blog post, is sadly out of print. It contains around 140 pages full of artwork from all way back to Rogue Trader until late nineties, and from many artists, not only John. Also there are some companion texts and "motivational sentences", always related with the pictures they appear along to.
The contents are separated by armies/factions, containing one for imperials and heretics, another for chaos space marines/traitor legions, and then xenos races. The last pages contain some beautiful sketches that I wish there were more of them.
It is a nice art book, and one I'll keep, but my only and big complain is that some of the pictures are in black & white despite the original being in color. They are still great but having seen the coloured ones it is a pity that the book contains the B&W alternative. There are some color drawings so I don't get the reason why all that should aren't coloured. But even with that is a great compilation.
Tags: Books Warhammer 40000
Book Review: Angels of Caliban
I continue my reading of Horus Heresy series in disorder, but focusing mainly on Dark Angels-themed books (being my favourite chapter). My latest read, Angels of Caliban, has been a pleasant surprise.
In this volume we get to learn with lots of details mostly two plot lines: How began Caliban conversion to chaos, and how (and why) the Imperium Secundus and Triumvirate dissapeared. On one side, new details about Caliban hidden forces, about the origins of The Order, about how Luther slowly turns to rebellion after being banished to Caliban by the Lion. On the other, how the Triumvirate worked, with Sanguinius and Guilliman and the Lion who goes hunting for Curze with drastic measures. We also get to see more of the character of the Dark Angels primarch and some decisions that might have consequences...
There are also nice links with previous books, like the Tchulcha device the angels have, but also with future events, like mentioning Luther befriends Typhon (who is already tainted by Nurgle but keeps it in secret), of the old formations the chapter had (especially the Dreadwing), and we get to learn some "motivations" we can say of some of the will-be first Fallen Angels.
As a Dark Angels fan, can't but recommend reading it. There are some chapters who feel a bit long (e.g. a certain Luther speech...) but overall quite enjoyable.
Tags: Books Warhammer 40000
Comic Book Review: Warhammer 40,000 Revelations
After the events of Will of Iron, Revelations covers the second volume of the series. This time the story and pacing does increase, maybe opening too many branches. Why I think that? Well, because we have as foes now Chaos Space Marines, Chaos human cultists, Traitor space marines, The Fallen, Eldar Harlequins and even Necrons! And inquisitor Sabbathiel arrives and seeks the Dark Angels...
The drawings are once again spectacular, so well done the comics seem worth even only for them. Fantastic coloring, great use of lights... is a pleasure for the eyes. One thing that I liked is that we get to see more imperial interiors than usual: an inquisitor dorm "room", Space Marine penitence areas and other places you don't usually see many images of.
With its ~90 pages feels short again (and of course we're left with some cliffhangers) but I liked it more than the first volume. If you get it alongside the first volume or already own that one, go for this volume 2.
Tags: Comic Book Warhammer 40000
Book Review: The Primarchs
Small review of the 20th book of Horus Heresy series, The Primarchs. On it we find four stories regarding primarchs in the Heresy era, and get a deeper view into how they think and act. The novellas included are:
- The Reflection Crack'd by Graham McNeill: Is Fulgrim possesed and corrupted by a daemon?
- Feat of Iron by Nick Kyme: Where and why did Ferrus Manus dissapeared?
- The Lion by Gav Thorpe: Is The Lion trully loyal? (I read and reviewed it in the past)
- The Serpent Beneath by Rob Sanders: Is really Omegon going to attack an Alpha Legion base on an asteroid and kill its own brothers?
An interesting read, with some twists and surprises. I like the concept of different stories as they don't share scenarios (nor writers), each one being fresh and different. It is hard to not spoil the contents so I'll just say that I enjoyed them.
Tags: Books Warhammer 40000
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