Monday, December 24, 2012
Starting With Scyrah
Alright. Though it's been a year since I've made a post, I've certainly not been idle. Over the summer vacation I managed to get some decent work in on my Blood Ravens 40k army. The most exciting thing I've done recently however, is getting into Warmachine. I started last July with the Cygnar box. My good friend Brock purchased the Khador box at the same time and we were off and running. We got a few beginner games in. Since then, I've moved on from Cygnar to the Retribution of Scyrah. I'm in the midst of painting my battlegroup right now. Teaching has been very busy this semester though, and my work has been limited. I'll post later about which models I've tried and my experiences on the table top. In the meantime, here is a WIP pic of Epic Eiryss I'm kind of excited about as I believe it is some of my best painting to date. I hope that my skill level has come a long way since attempting that first Raven Guard force.
I hope everybody has a Merry Christmas with lots of time for Wargaming!!!
-Gavin
Friday, December 23, 2011
The Best 40K Book I read this year...
#1
Battle of the Fang By Chris Wraight (June 2011)
Echoes of the past and hints of the future… That is why I love Battle of the Fang so much. That, and the book gives a sense of closure to some of the events that started in A Thousand Sons, in fact it’s hard not to call A Thousand Sons, Prospero Burns, and Battle of the Fang a trilogy and the best thing about it is; you realize that the story doesn’t stop here. You finish this book and it becomes apparent that these warriors are destined to fight on, down through the millennia, eternally engaged in a struggle in which neither side can actually win. I know this is a tagline for the Warhammer 40k Universe but, I’ve never seen it more vividly described than in this book. It is the existence of humanity in the year 40,000 put into the microcosm of the conflict between the Thousand Sons and the Vlka Fenryka aka The Rout, more infamously known as the Space Wolves. Just like the rest of the known universe, circumstances of the heresy have doomed both chapters into becoming “stillborn and unrealized” shadows of what they once were and could have been. There is tragedy here, sure as shit, and bravo to Mr. Wraight for capturing it so vividly. The destruction of Prospero, the breaking of Magnus, the departure of Russ, the Wolf Brothers… it all comes to a head in this novel. Something that took me by surprise in this book was the amount of Easter eggs and teases Wraight crammed into it. It literally left me drooling for more. For me, Chris Wraight is the most exciting new Black Library author to come along since Aaron Dembski Bowden and there were some great new authors who released 40k stuff this year. I’m really hoping he writes an entire Heresy novel sometime soon and there was a bit at the end of Battle of the Fang where he seems to be setting up some further Space Wolf stuff. Please tell me Chris Wraight is going to write more on the Space Wolves!!!
Battle of the Fang By Chris Wraight (June 2011)
Echoes of the past and hints of the future… That is why I love Battle of the Fang so much. That, and the book gives a sense of closure to some of the events that started in A Thousand Sons, in fact it’s hard not to call A Thousand Sons, Prospero Burns, and Battle of the Fang a trilogy and the best thing about it is; you realize that the story doesn’t stop here. You finish this book and it becomes apparent that these warriors are destined to fight on, down through the millennia, eternally engaged in a struggle in which neither side can actually win. I know this is a tagline for the Warhammer 40k Universe but, I’ve never seen it more vividly described than in this book. It is the existence of humanity in the year 40,000 put into the microcosm of the conflict between the Thousand Sons and the Vlka Fenryka aka The Rout, more infamously known as the Space Wolves. Just like the rest of the known universe, circumstances of the heresy have doomed both chapters into becoming “stillborn and unrealized” shadows of what they once were and could have been. There is tragedy here, sure as shit, and bravo to Mr. Wraight for capturing it so vividly. The destruction of Prospero, the breaking of Magnus, the departure of Russ, the Wolf Brothers… it all comes to a head in this novel. Something that took me by surprise in this book was the amount of Easter eggs and teases Wraight crammed into it. It literally left me drooling for more. For me, Chris Wraight is the most exciting new Black Library author to come along since Aaron Dembski Bowden and there were some great new authors who released 40k stuff this year. I’m really hoping he writes an entire Heresy novel sometime soon and there was a bit at the end of Battle of the Fang where he seems to be setting up some further Space Wolf stuff. Please tell me Chris Wraight is going to write more on the Space Wolves!!!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Books I read in 2011 #2
#2
Prospero Burns By Dan Abnett (January 2011)
Meeting Dan Abnett is on my bucket list. Even if it is just a quick signature and a handshake as he signs one of my books. I’ve never been to Games Day, or any of the cons he’s been at, but someday I’ll go, and I’ll probably go into a rant similar to the Scorsese rant in Reservoir Dogs. That is how much I love DNA’s work. When I see a new book by Dan show up on the Black Library’s release schedule, I am one of those girls screaming as they hear the Beatles live for the first time. Life, in this economy, in this job market, in this weather, whatever the reason, is hard. When I’m reading one of Dan’s books I forget all of that and become totally immersed in the pleasure of reading. Good books are treasures and each one of his books gives me the feeling that I am in fourth grade all over again discovering the great works of science fiction. Anyway, on to the book…
For my buck, it was a great read. I enjoyed meeting the Space Wolves through the main protagonist, “Kaspar’s” eyes and his relationship with the Wolves of Fenris, specifically “Bear” the Marine who is given the duty of rescuing Kaspar after inadvertently causing Kaspar’s crash landing on Fenris. I felt as if I was right next to Kaspar in his high speed flight across the frozen wastes of Fenris all the way to the plot twists at the end of the book which I won’t give away but suffice it to say, there are many. I also truly enjoyed the portrayal of Leman Russ as a calculating and thoughtful primarch and his long standing feud with Magnus the Red as a cold war with each primarch moving pieces across the board. Even as I post this, it’s hard not to pick this story as my favorite for the year. I hesitate to mention this but, if you would have been sitting on the couch with me one late night as I finished the book you might have noticed a lone tear streaming down my face. Until next winter indeed.
Prospero Burns By Dan Abnett (January 2011)
Meeting Dan Abnett is on my bucket list. Even if it is just a quick signature and a handshake as he signs one of my books. I’ve never been to Games Day, or any of the cons he’s been at, but someday I’ll go, and I’ll probably go into a rant similar to the Scorsese rant in Reservoir Dogs. That is how much I love DNA’s work. When I see a new book by Dan show up on the Black Library’s release schedule, I am one of those girls screaming as they hear the Beatles live for the first time. Life, in this economy, in this job market, in this weather, whatever the reason, is hard. When I’m reading one of Dan’s books I forget all of that and become totally immersed in the pleasure of reading. Good books are treasures and each one of his books gives me the feeling that I am in fourth grade all over again discovering the great works of science fiction. Anyway, on to the book…
For my buck, it was a great read. I enjoyed meeting the Space Wolves through the main protagonist, “Kaspar’s” eyes and his relationship with the Wolves of Fenris, specifically “Bear” the Marine who is given the duty of rescuing Kaspar after inadvertently causing Kaspar’s crash landing on Fenris. I felt as if I was right next to Kaspar in his high speed flight across the frozen wastes of Fenris all the way to the plot twists at the end of the book which I won’t give away but suffice it to say, there are many. I also truly enjoyed the portrayal of Leman Russ as a calculating and thoughtful primarch and his long standing feud with Magnus the Red as a cold war with each primarch moving pieces across the board. Even as I post this, it’s hard not to pick this story as my favorite for the year. I hesitate to mention this but, if you would have been sitting on the couch with me one late night as I finished the book you might have noticed a lone tear streaming down my face. Until next winter indeed.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
5 Books I read in 2011
#3
Aurelian By Aaron Dembski Bowden (October 2011)
I hesitated to put a special edition short story on my list of favorites for the year, but the story contained in Aaron Dembski Bowden’s Aurelian was simply so good I couldn’t stand to keep it off the list. Despite an epic fail on the part of the Black Library to release this short story on time, when it did come out, it was well worth the wait.
The story picks up on threads from The First Heretic and explains what happened to Lorgar when he entered the Eye of Terror, something that was left out of The First Heritic. I can’t believe how many cool moments ADB managed to cram into this thing. From a meeting featuring all of the Primarch’s (alright so it might not have been Alpharius in the hologram…) to a knockdown-drag-out fight between Lorgar and a greater demon of Khorne to a mysterious visit by Kairos Faitweaver who has some interesting tidings for Lorgar concerning the fate of himself, his legion, and the rebellion itself. On a personal note, I was very excited that the book put to rest some troubling continuity conflicts, specifically Lorgar’s behavior as portrayed at the battle for Shrike in Graham McNeill’s A Thousand Suns. If you missed this bad baby, do yourself a favor and pick up the Silver Edition on Ebay for $25.00. It is easily the most satisfying $25 you will ever spend on a Black Library book.
I hesitated to put a special edition short story on my list of favorites for the year, but the story contained in Aaron Dembski Bowden’s Aurelian was simply so good I couldn’t stand to keep it off the list. Despite an epic fail on the part of the Black Library to release this short story on time, when it did come out, it was well worth the wait.
The story picks up on threads from The First Heretic and explains what happened to Lorgar when he entered the Eye of Terror, something that was left out of The First Heritic. I can’t believe how many cool moments ADB managed to cram into this thing. From a meeting featuring all of the Primarch’s (alright so it might not have been Alpharius in the hologram…) to a knockdown-drag-out fight between Lorgar and a greater demon of Khorne to a mysterious visit by Kairos Faitweaver who has some interesting tidings for Lorgar concerning the fate of himself, his legion, and the rebellion itself. On a personal note, I was very excited that the book put to rest some troubling continuity conflicts, specifically Lorgar’s behavior as portrayed at the battle for Shrike in Graham McNeill’s A Thousand Suns. If you missed this bad baby, do yourself a favor and pick up the Silver Edition on Ebay for $25.00. It is easily the most satisfying $25 you will ever spend on a Black Library book.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
#4
It wasn't perfect. In fact there are a couple of major continuity flaws in the book that I can't even begin to write about lest my brain get stuck in an infinite loop of madness. But... it was interesting. When I first saw The Outcast Dead turn up on The Black Library’s website, I have to admit I was less than impressed. They had just gone out of their way to hype the whole “Age of Darkness” thing and I was really looking forward to stories set in this new undiscovered era of the heresy. Then I saw this and it seemed like a side story. Well it kind of is, however, it is also so much more.
What makes this book interesting is that it gives the reader some much needed perspective on the heresy itself and addresses some long standing questions about timelines and continuity—more on that later. Kai was a very relatable character, more than any other human character in the heresy for me. Mostly, becuase he is scared shitless. We've seen amazing acts of courage and heroism but apart from this story and Jim Swallow's, Liar's Due in Age of Darkness, we haven't seen the response by either your average citizen or in this case, your not-so-average psychic mutant... For me, this is what ultimately made this book enjoyable and interesting despite it's large flaws in continuity.
In addition it shed some light on some issues that previously caused my brain to enter into infinite loops of madness. For example it is finally revealed that Konrad Curze has been away from his legion after he destroyed Nostramo in the Dark King and it was a mistake to issue the whole legion marching orders to Istvaan because the Emperor and Dorn didn't trust them. I mean come on, you want to talk heresy, this guy killed a bunch of Templar and Phoenix Guard years before Isstvaan... and he savored it like a drug! Yet you want to invite him to the party, hey let me know how that turns out! Anyway, I digress...
Between The Outcast Dead and Aurelian, the Black Library seems to be trying to write it's way through some of the troubling continuity points in the first part of the series, it's just to bad this one creates a few more. However, It’s nice to see the response to the Heresy as seen through the eyes of mortals er well, mutants… Anyway, the book suits me perfecty as an excellent closure to the first segment of the heresy and an introduction to the Age of Darkness. By the way, what the hell are those Thunder Warriors going to do now that they are cured and where the hell did that rogue Luna Wolf go?????
Monday, December 19, 2011
5 Books I read in 2011
As the new year approaches I find I am feeling a bit reflective. Despite some relative slow painting, I did get a lot of reading done this year. I thought it would be fun to pick out the five most awesome Warhammer 40k books released this year that I read. The plan is to post one book per day from now until Christmas. We'll see if I can do it. Oh yeah, and one disclaimer: I haven't read Salvation's Reach yet. I still have some catching up to do in the Gaunt's Ghosts series. Anywho, away we go...
Number 5 Age of Darkness Edited By Christian Dunn (May 2011)
Last winter, shortly after the release of Prospero Burns, word came from Black Library that the Horus Heresy would be shifting gears away from books focusing on the treachery at Istvaan and moving into a new thematic arc that would be focusing on the events that transpired in the 7 years between the Istvaan massacre and the Battle for Terra; The Age of Darkness. Despite some early misgivings about The Age of Darkness simply being a ploy to milk more cash by prolonging the heresy, I couldn’t help but get excited as word began to leak on some of the online forums regarding the stories and their authors. Early on, it was confirmed that Dan Abnett, ADB, Jim Swallow and Graham Macneil as well as Gav Thrope would all be contributing to this anthology. Black Library released a trailer for the book that contained short interviews with the authors involved as well as shots from a secret retreat in which the top Heresy authors got together and planned this whole phase out ala Marvel Comics. That was it, not only was I sold on the concept but I was absolutely foaming at the mouth to get my hands on the Age of Darkness Anthology.
Overall, the book delivered. Abnett’s “Little Horus” story was particularly chilling while ADB’s Savage Weapons gave the Dark Angels a much needed injection of interesting while at the same time delivering on some standard Night Lords baddassery. When ADB introduced a character named Sevatar as the first captain of the Night Lords in The First Heretic, some fans felt cheated that Zso Sahaal had been robbed of an appearance. This short story however, leaves no doubt as to the shear awesomeness of Sevatar and I for one, can't wait for more from him. James Swallow's Liar's Due was a particularly strong offering as well, providing some much needed perspective to the Heresy from the point of view of the common man. The story gives context to the fact that the galaxy really has been flipped on its side and people are panicking. What was really great about Age of Darkness though, was some particularly good showings by less known Black Library authors such as John French, Chris Wraight, and Rob Sanders. Sanders story on the Iron Warriors particularly stands out and Chris Wraight's linked the enigmatic Blood Ravens Chapter to the fall of The Thousand Sons which answered the age old speculation that the Blood Ravens really were left over from the Thousand Sons.
Black Library anthologies usually don’t get me very excited however, this little baby managed to raise a lively debate as to the character of Roboute Guilliman (see any online forum regarding Rules of Engagement or Iron Within), provided the origin for the Blood Ravens chapter, and seemingly redeemed Lion El’ Johnson. Not too shabby for a book of short stories.
Number 5 Age of Darkness Edited By Christian Dunn (May 2011)
Last winter, shortly after the release of Prospero Burns, word came from Black Library that the Horus Heresy would be shifting gears away from books focusing on the treachery at Istvaan and moving into a new thematic arc that would be focusing on the events that transpired in the 7 years between the Istvaan massacre and the Battle for Terra; The Age of Darkness. Despite some early misgivings about The Age of Darkness simply being a ploy to milk more cash by prolonging the heresy, I couldn’t help but get excited as word began to leak on some of the online forums regarding the stories and their authors. Early on, it was confirmed that Dan Abnett, ADB, Jim Swallow and Graham Macneil as well as Gav Thrope would all be contributing to this anthology. Black Library released a trailer for the book that contained short interviews with the authors involved as well as shots from a secret retreat in which the top Heresy authors got together and planned this whole phase out ala Marvel Comics. That was it, not only was I sold on the concept but I was absolutely foaming at the mouth to get my hands on the Age of Darkness Anthology.
Overall, the book delivered. Abnett’s “Little Horus” story was particularly chilling while ADB’s Savage Weapons gave the Dark Angels a much needed injection of interesting while at the same time delivering on some standard Night Lords baddassery. When ADB introduced a character named Sevatar as the first captain of the Night Lords in The First Heretic, some fans felt cheated that Zso Sahaal had been robbed of an appearance. This short story however, leaves no doubt as to the shear awesomeness of Sevatar and I for one, can't wait for more from him. James Swallow's Liar's Due was a particularly strong offering as well, providing some much needed perspective to the Heresy from the point of view of the common man. The story gives context to the fact that the galaxy really has been flipped on its side and people are panicking. What was really great about Age of Darkness though, was some particularly good showings by less known Black Library authors such as John French, Chris Wraight, and Rob Sanders. Sanders story on the Iron Warriors particularly stands out and Chris Wraight's linked the enigmatic Blood Ravens Chapter to the fall of The Thousand Sons which answered the age old speculation that the Blood Ravens really were left over from the Thousand Sons.
Black Library anthologies usually don’t get me very excited however, this little baby managed to raise a lively debate as to the character of Roboute Guilliman (see any online forum regarding Rules of Engagement or Iron Within), provided the origin for the Blood Ravens chapter, and seemingly redeemed Lion El’ Johnson. Not too shabby for a book of short stories.
Monday, December 5, 2011
If you check out one Warhammer blog on a semi-regular basis let Ead Brown be it...
http://daedeluskraetyr.blogspot.com/
So, after a particularly bad day at work I came home, drank a couple of beers, and started rifiling through the copy of Badab War that I bought at the beginning of last summer for some vacation reading and inspiration before Erin and I went up to Holden Beach NC. I was reading about the Minotaur's Chaplain Ivanus Enkomi which inspired me to get on my computer and check out painted Minotaur armies. As per usual, the most awesome picture that came up was the games workshop photo of Ead Brown (from forgeworld's) Mino army.
Anyway, the pic is extremely frustrating because you can't really make out any details. So, I did a little digging and came across his blog where he houses some awesome pics of his army. The site is: http://daedeluskraetyr.blogspot.com/ I recommend checking it out. His conversions are pretty amazing.
So, after a particularly bad day at work I came home, drank a couple of beers, and started rifiling through the copy of Badab War that I bought at the beginning of last summer for some vacation reading and inspiration before Erin and I went up to Holden Beach NC. I was reading about the Minotaur's Chaplain Ivanus Enkomi which inspired me to get on my computer and check out painted Minotaur armies. As per usual, the most awesome picture that came up was the games workshop photo of Ead Brown (from forgeworld's) Mino army.
Anyway, the pic is extremely frustrating because you can't really make out any details. So, I did a little digging and came across his blog where he houses some awesome pics of his army. The site is: http://daedeluskraetyr.blogspot.com/ I recommend checking it out. His conversions are pretty amazing.
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