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The Imperium of Man is a fictional universe built around the futuristic version of the Milky Way for the Games Workshop miniatures base games of Warhammer 40,000. The Black Library (a section of the BL Publishing division of Games Workshop) published a series of novels in order to expand on background and storyline for existing aspects of the Imperium and the Warhammer 40,000 .

The authors of these novels worked to create original storylines and characters that are playable, or are based on playable armies, in the main Warhammer 40,000 game and its many spin-offs. Along with these novels are contributions of stories, plot synopses, and rules in the White Dwarf magazine and at the Official Games Workshop website. These publications fuse tabletop gaming with science fiction writing, allowing for the reader to experience both novels and gaming in a new way.

Background

A series of comics for Warhammer 40,000 were first created for the Games Workshop magazine, Warhammer Monthly as short background filler. In 1999, the first miniature and game tie in was released as a join project of Warhammer Monthly and the Black Library. This model was the bounty hunter Kal Jerico of the "Specialist Game" Necromunda.

Including rules and a certificate of authenticity, the Black Library created many more limited edition miniatures and expanded the small comics into larger collections under their heading of Graphic Novels. These Graphic Novels are accompanied by cross-promotional articles that connect the characters from the novels to the 'Warhammer 40,000 miniatures game.

While Warhammer Monthly was discontinued in 2004, the Black Library still continues to produce graphic novels and collections that further the expansion of the tabletop game into the realm of fiction.

Gaming

The works produced by the Black Library detail the interactions of the Warhammer 40,000 armies: Chaos Space Marines, Daemonhunters, Dark Eldar, Eldar, Imperial Guard, Necrons, Orks, Space Marines, Tau, Tyranids, and the Witch Hunters. They are collaborated efforts between the authors of the Warhammer 40,000 game rules and the writers of the background.

These works are intended to expand on the storylines, characters, armies, and organizations discussed in the Codexes. Combined with contributions to White Dwarf magazine of articles, stories, and rules, and miniature lines produced by both Games Workshop and Forge World, these works are an expansion of the original Warhammer 40,000 game and its other companion games.

The column "Chapter Approved" of White Dwarf is a forum for collaborations between authors, model makers, and the rulemakers, allowing for the characters to have their own place amongst Warhammer 40,000 battles.

Fiction

Most of stories 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 stories 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 occasional expansions into the spin-off games, like Necromunda or Inquisitor, or use vehicles and equipment only found in Epic or Battlefleet Gothic.

Bloodquest

Bloodquest: Eye of Terror Trilogy, by Gordon Rennie and Colin MacNeil, is a collection of three works titled Bloodquest, Bloodquest: Into the Eye of Terror, and Bloodquest: The Daemon's Mark. The trilogy involves the founding Space Marines chapter, the Blood Angels, as they struggle first against the Orks and then against the armies of Chaos.

In 2000, Exile Films began production on a CGI movie version of the characters of Bloodquest. By the end of 2001, all production had ceased since the studio disbanded. The trailer is available online and is all that is left of the original production that is available to the public.

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 his men on the battlefield. However, Garshul the Destroyer, an Ork, manages to capture the weapon, causing Leonatos to be dishonored and then exiled. He wanders with his fellow soldiers as they try to regain their honor by hunting down the sword.

This takes them to the world of Eidolon, but they crash land on the wrong side. They are forced to battle the forces of Chaos that control the planet. They must battle against the armies of each Chaos god that control a separate continent in their path so they can finally regain their treasured weapon and their honor so they could be welcomed back once again amongst their brethren.

Critical review

Bloodquest was winner of the 2004 "Eagle Award" for Favourite British Comic while running as a strip for Warhammer Monthly.

In 2002, Joe Kushner reviewed Bloodquest II: Into the Eye of Terror, and in part the original Bloodquest, for RPGnet. He says that the "art by Colin MacNeil is top notch but does suffer in some places", "writing by Gordon Rennie is perfect for the serial format", and "My only wish is that the graphic novels added more information."

Warhammer 40,000 gaming

The GamesDay Golden Daemon Award model of 2001 was a "Captain Leonatos" of Bloodquest, painted by Bobby Wong. Previously, Captain Leonatos was produced as a miniature in 1999 as "Blood Angel Captain Leonatos, Commander of the Exile". This was in a limited quantity of only 1,000 models sculpted by Mike McVey. Cloten and Lysander, Captain Leonatos's troops, were also produced the same year and titled "The Exiles." They came together and were produced in a limited quantity of 500 miniatures sculpted by Mark Bedford.

In the Warhammer 40,000 game, Captain Leonatos is a Captain of the Space Marine's army, the Blood Angels. While he, and his men, no longer have "canon" rules, they can be used as their generic equivalents. Their original rules accompanied the production models.

In the Warhammer 40,000 RPG, Warhammer Warriors, the gaming book Warhammer Warriors #2 was created for Captain Leonatos. He equipped with many Blood Angels based weapons, such as a chainsword, bolt pistol and a flamer, but also has new weapons designed for Warhammer Warriors, like Photon Flares and a Bolt Pistol Hotshot. He deals extra damage and has a strong defense based on his Space Marine power armour.

Daemonifuge

Daemonifuge, originally published in Warhammer Monthly, is a series of Trade Paperbacks about the life of Ephrael Stern, a member of the Adepta Sororitas, and is collected as Daemonifuge: Heretic Saint. The two books of the series are Daemonifuge, by Kev Walker and Jim Campbell, and Daemonifuge: The Lord of Damnation, by Kev Walker, Gordon Rennie, and Karl Richardson.

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 in order to battle a daemonic infestation. Inquisitor Silas Hand originally was sent to identify if she was tainted by Chaos and if that was the reason for her survival. While being locked up and awaiting the Inquisitor's arrival, Stern was attacked by possessed individuals. She removed the demons from the individuals, and these actions combined with Silas Hand's investigation's inability to psychically look through her mind and detect traces of daemonic taint upon her lead to no conclusion. Hand was forced to return with her to the planet Parnis in order to figure out her role in the destruction of her Sisters.

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, but they were the sole survivors. Shortly after landing upon the planet, they were soon confronted the Daemon 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. Only Stern knows what happened to Silas Hand, what happened to the Daemon, and what the forces of Chaos were doing on the planet.

Critical review

Daemonifuge was nominated for the 1999 "Eagle Award" for Favourite British Comic while running as a strip for Warhammer Monthly.

Daemonifuge did win the 2003 Graphic Novel of the Year (UK) by Borders.

Daemonifuge: The Screaming Cage was reviewed by Frank Sronce for RPGnet in 2002. Sronce describes the work as "very nicely illustrated" and "with my very peripheral knowledge of Warhammer 40,000, I had no trouble following the plot." His follow up review of The Lord of Damnation for RPGnet claims that "the book ends up being similar to the first, and yet different." Describing why, Sronce claims "art is an almost-but-not-quite-the-same style and while it's obviously continuing the original plotline, the dialogue has a new tone and the pacing is different." The work, according to Sronce is not as good as the first one, has some "cheesy" dialogue, but "overall it's good."

Warhammer 40,000 gaming

A limited produced of only 1,000 miniatures was released for Daemonifuge. These miniatures were sculpted by Juan Diaz, Mark Harrison & Alex Hedstrom in 2004 and are no longer in production. Portraying Ephrael Stern and Silas Hand on a diorama base and entering into combat against the Daemons of Chaos.

In the Warhammer 40,000 game, Ephrael Stern is a Seraphim of the Witch Hunters and Silas Hand is an Inquisitor for the Daemonhunters army. While they no longer have "canon" rules, they can be used as their generic equivalents. Their original rules accompanied the production models. Ephrael Stern was armed with a standard bolter, a blessed sword (wounded daemons easily, negated invulnerable saves, and destroyed enemy leadership), a jump pack, general bonuses against daemons and is not allowed to recieve "faith" based bonuses standard for the Sisters of Battle. She could not join any army with her fellow Sisters or with any Inquisitor besides Silas Hand (with Silas, she counted as a "henchman". Silas Hand was armed with a bolter (using "Psycannon bolts", psychically charged weapons used against daemons) and an force field for defense. He could only include Ephrael Stern in his retinue.

In the Warhammer 40,000 RPG, Warhammer Warriors, the gaming book Warhammer Warriors #3 was created for Ephrael Stern. She equipped with many Sisters of Battle based weapons, such as a powersword, bolter and a flamer, but also has new weapons designed for Warhammer Warriors, like Photon Flares and a Bolt Pistol Hotshot.

Ephrael Stern and Silas Hand are also used as part of an introductory article explaining the background of the Witch Hunters army list, called "Villainy & Infamy." The article is "report" produced by an "unknown" source which describes the history of Silas Hand's investigation from an in-universe perspective.

Deathwatch

Deathwatch, by Jim Alexander, tells the story of the Ordo Xenos military division, Deathwatch, and their battle against an alien infestation.

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

Inquisitor 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.

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.

Critical review

In 2002, Joe Kushner reviewed 'Inquisitor Ascendent. Reviewing primarily the second part, he says "One of the great things about the Warhammer 40K universe is that it can be grim and evil without going all politically correct on you at the last second." The format lets "the action comes fast and furious with characterization reinforced through action rather than long dialog" and "The art in the book is solid and the writing has more to build up the character of Gravier." Over all, the work "is a well illustrated hunt and destroy story with some twists and turns along the way to keep it interesting enough to see the reunion of teacher and student on a world poised on the brink of destruction."

Lone Wolves

Lone Wolves is a graphic novel by Dan Abnett and Karl Richardson 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.

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.

Warhammer 40,000 gaming

Sergeant Poul Marlin, Skold Greypelt, an unidentified Space Wolf and a wounded Slavok soldier were produced as a miniature in 2003 as "Lone Wolves." This was in a limited quantity of only 500 models sculpted by Martin Footitt and Adam Clarke.

Titan

Titan is a series of works by Dan Abnett that details the history of a Titan and its crew. Titan: God-Machine collects and continues the original three works, Titan I, II, and III. 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.

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".

Other collections

Flames of Damnation

Published 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.

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".

Imperial Gothic

Published in 2006 and writen primarily by Dan Abnett, Imperial Gothic is a collection of Lone Wolf, Inquisitor Ascendent, and other, smaller works.

References

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6. ^ Rennie, Gordon (2005). Bloodquest: Eye of Terror Trilogy (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84416-146-3. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
7. Rennie, Gordon (1999). Bloodquest (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84154-108-7. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
8. Rennie, Gordon (2000). Bloodquest: Into the Eye of Terror (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84154-125-7. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
9. Rennie, Gordon (2003). Bloodquest: The Daemon's Mark (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84416-146-3. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
10. ^ "Comics to Film:Bloodquest (Warhammer 40,000)". Comics to Film. Retrieved 2007-05-27. Cite error: The named reference "Bloodquest Film" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
11. ^ "The Eagle Awards". Eagle Awards. Retrieved 2007-05-27. Cite error: The named reference "The Eagle Awards" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
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14. ^ "Stuff of Legends". Stuff of Legends. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
15. ^ Priestley, Rick (1999). Warhammer Warriors #2 (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Games Workshop. 6010-0299-003. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help) Cite error: The named reference "Warhammer Warriors #3" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
16. ^ Walker, Kev (2005). Daemonifuge: Heretic Saint (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84154-251-6. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)
17. Walker, Kev (1999). Daemonifuge (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84154-117-6. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
18. Walker, Kev (2003). Daemonifuge: The Lord of Damnation (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84154-240-7. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
19. "RPGnet: The Inside Scope". RPGnet. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
20. "RPGnet: The Inside Scope". RPGnet. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
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23. Alexander, Jim (2004). Deathwatch (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Text "1-84416-100-5" ignored (help)
24. ^ Abnett, Dan (2001). Inquisitor Ascendant (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Text "1-84154-143-5" ignored (help) Cite error: The named reference "Inquisitor Ascendant" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
25. ^ Abnett, Dan (2003). Daemonifuge: The Lord of Damnation (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84154-056-4. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
26. ^ Abnett, Dan (2004). Titan: God-Machine (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84416-123-4. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)
27. Abnett, Dan (1999). Titan I (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84154-109-5. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)
28. Abnett, Dan (2001). Titan II (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84154-144-3. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)
29. Abnett, Dan (1999). Titan II (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84154-242-3. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)
30. "The SF Site Feature Review: Titan: God-Machine". SF Site. Retrieved 2007-05-27.
31. Jones, Andy (2005). Flames of Damnation (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84416-253-2. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
32. "Flames and Damnation". Eagle Awards. Retrieved 2007-05-27.
33. Abnett, Dan (2006). Imperial Gothic (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Black Library. 1-84416-330-X. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)

Category:Warhammer 40,000 Category:Warhammer 40,000 authors Category:Warhammer 40,000 characters