Let's Play Warhammer 40K : Space Marine - Episode 1

 

We jump headlong into another 40K adventure with Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine. What is Space Marine? Well, here is the game fluff.


In Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine, you are Captain Titus, a Space Marine of the Ultramarines chapter and a seasoned veteran of countless battles.

A millions-strong Ork horde has invaded an Imperial Forge World, one of the planet-sized factories where the war machines for humanity’s never-ending battle for survival are created. Losing this planet is not an option and be aware of the far more evil threat lurking large in the shadows of this world.

DEVASTATING WEAPONRY

Experience 40,000 years of combat, evolved. Enhance your vast arsenal as you unlock new weapons, upgrades, armour & abilities through an accessible progression system. This devastating weaponry empowers players to deliver bone-crushing violence and dismemberment to their enemies.

BLOCKBUSTER ENTERTAINMENT

With an Imperial liberation fleet en route, the Ultramarines are sent to hold key locations until reinforcements arrive. Captain Titus and a squad of Ultramarine veterans use the bolter and chainsword to take the fight to the enemies of mankind.

BRUTAL 8 VS 8 ONLINE COMBAT

Form your own Space Marine squad or Chaos Space Marine Warband and face off in 8 vs 8 online matches. Gain experience and unlock new weapons and armour to customize the Devastator, Assault, and Tactical Marine classes.

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Book Review 209 // Missing in Action Dan Abnett

 


Back on the Dan Abnett train. For me, Abnett is 40k from a human viewpoint. He is very good at keeping us grounded in a galaxy of vengeful gods and superhuman soldiers. I hope this will kick off my reading once more, as I have been struggling on that front of late.

Title: Missing in Action (Eisenhorn #1.5)
Author: Dan Abnett
Blurb: Investigating a series of murders leads Inquisitor Eisenhorn into the clutches of a Chaos cult in this short story set between Xenos and Malleus, previously available in the Eisenhorn Omnibus.

Review

The refresher to get us from Xenos into Malleus. We join Inquisitor Gregor Eisenhorn as he recovers from injuries dealt out in Xenos. To get back to work, the Inquisitor and his team head to the planet of Sameter to deal with a low-threat, straightforward case. Which seems to go off without any issues. Unfortunately, that wasn't the only case on the planet, and soon he is involved in a ritual mutilation case that seems to be centred around a Chaos Cult.

Ultimately an Arbite (police) style adventure, we soon get some gun-blazing action as the Cult will have to be purged. Overall classic Abnett with Characters I love reading about. Highly recommend this!

Audio Review 101 // Eye of Terra: Stratagem by Nick Kyme

So as mentioned in the last review, this is the third title in the Aeonid Thiel series of shorts. I listened to this one before the Red-Marked but didn't wish to review them in that order. So let us dive in.

Title: Stratagem

Author: Nick Kyme

Narrator: Gareth Armstrong, Jonathan Keeble & Ian Brooker

Blurb: After returning from Calth and the Underworld War, Sergeant Aeonid Thiel is summoned before his primarch Roboute Guilliman. The fragile peace of Imperium Secundus is threatened by traitor warbands left behind by the Shadow Crusade, and a new order of battle must be written...

One of the great things about the Horus Heresy series is learning about the characters and events that shaped the 41st Millennium. Few heroes are more pivotal than these two: Sergeant Aeonid Thiel and Rouboute Guilliman, Primarch of the Ultramarines. As well as these iconic heroes, in this audio, we also see the beginnings of what will become one of the most essential books in the galaxy.

Performed by Gareth Armstrong, Ian Brooker and Jonathan Keeble

Sound design and music by Richard Fox and Lauren Yason

Running time: 21 minutes

Review

Okay, the third and final tale by Nick Kyme is about Thiel. As mentioned in previous reviews, I had listened to this before Red-Marked, which is a shame as it gave me spoilers for the last title. So this title follows on from Know No Fear: The Battle of Calth, Censure, The Unremembered Empire and Red-Marked. Stratagem follows Aeonid Thiel as he returns to Macragge and finally remeets his lord Roboute Guilliman to discuss his place within the Ultramarine legion.

It is a well-thought-out piece as it shows Guilliman's willingness to accept when he is wrong and allow himself to imagine unconventional methods of warfare. It also hints at the codex Guilliman is working on, along with the red helmet mark becoming one of rank rather than censure.

A nice final ttale for Thiel. But is it the end of this hero of the Imperium?

Blood Bowl 2 League 2 - Union Elves vs Halflings Gameplay

 

The fourth game in league 2, the Winter league. Today will be rough as I face off against a double-tree man halfling team. For more Blood Bowl action, click here: YouTube If you play, reach out; maybe we can have a match together? This was a scary match-up, as I had been overconfident in the last match, and I paid dearly for that win. Hopefully, the Halflings don't put me in the cooking pot! I hope you enjoy it and will smash the like and follow buttons. Cheers

Comic Review 215 // Avengers: The Avengers Initiative


Continuing my new series, it seems, of reading and reviewing my kid's comics. I've been struggling lately will multiple colds/flu/who knows what. It's been rough, and I have struggled to read for myself for about a month. Luckily the kids don't care (ha), and I am still reading some stories. Here is this week's offering.

Title: Marvel's The Avengers: The Avengers Initiative
Author: Fred Van Lente
Art: Ron Lim

Blurb: The perfect introduction to Marvel's The Avengers movie! All your favorite characters from the film packed into one digest! Meet the incredible cast of the Avengers Initiative: Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye! The perfect introduction to Marvel's The Avengers movie! All your favorite characters from the film packed into one digest! Meet the incredible cast of the Avengers Initiative: Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye! Collecting MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS: THE AVENGERS INITIATIVE, CAPTAIN AMERICA & THOR!: AVENGERS.

Format: 88 pages, Paperback (Buy via Kindle on Amazon)

Review

This was a hard one. The stories within the pages of this book are all set with the MCU but were seemingly written before most of the movies, as it is no longer canon. Luckily the kids have not seen the movies and most likely wouldn't care anyways, so for the curious collectors out there, maybe treat yourself or go buy something else.

The collection definitely has its faults. Somehow, we go from good artwork to pretty crap, which is so weird to see collected in this manner? Why Marvel you have so much money do your comics some justice. The book is three stories long, consisting of the title piece, which is a way to a quick intro to the characters (which we already know) and comes across as pure filler. Then a Captain America tale, followed by a Thor tale. Both of these were fine, but ultimately this is so middle of the road that it is dull. But this is also me as an adult reviewing it.

On the other hand, my sprogs enjoyed the adventures and pointing out the superheroes, so for their enjoyment, I would give it a 3 out of 5. As an adult, this is a 2 out of 5. I have warned you!

How to Paint Warlord Games & 2000 AD Slaine Skull Swords


Following on from the Slaine Starter set unboxing (Youtube) comes my quick and easy guide to painting the three Skulls Swords in the box. I use Army Painter Speed Paints over a white primer in this video. Interest in these paints? Follow this link to Amazon.

Skull Swords Background Skull Swords are characters from the 2000 AD strip Sláine. They are the personal soldiers of Lord Weird Slough Feg, Slough Throt and the other Drune Lords. In general, the job of a Skull Sword is to act as brute muscle, killing civilians, looting villages and bringing their master's sacrifices. They made their début in the first-ever episode of Sláine when they wanted to arrest Sláine and Ukko for the impious act of killing a time monster (a sort of enormous dinosaur). The pair foiled them by escaping into the sewers. Skull Swords were next seen taking a third of the healthy children from a village as 'tribute' so they could be fed to the Lord Weird Slough Feg. The desperate villagers were told that there would be more food to go around without their children. Drune Lords like to sacrifice 'criminals' to the worm god Crom-Cruach in a Wickerman. When there aren't enough criminals to fill the Wickerman, they make the numbers up with Skull Swords. During the 'Horned King' saga, many Skull Swords turned on their masters after Sláine informed them they would be killed once they had outlived their usefulness. A small number remained loyal but only ended up being killed by Sláine and his axe Brainbiter. Support the channel

Book Review 208 // War of the Orks Cavan Scottt

Continuing the youth adventure series Warhammer Adventures with War of the Orks. I'm slightly disappointed by using an "S" over a "Z."

Title: War of the Orks (Warped Galaxies #4)

Author: Cavan Scott

Blurb: The fourth book in the Warped Galaxies series. An exciting new series of sci-fi books for middle-grade readers from Black Library. Brave champions and the forces of the Imperium battle alien beasts and mechanical tyrants across the gulf of space.

Still searching for the Emperor’s Seat, Zelia, Talen, and Mekki arrive on the jungle planet of Weald. Accompanied by the ingenious Fleapit and the dashing Rogue Trader Amity, Zelia and her friends become embroiled in a war between two brutish tribes of green-skinned orks! Only by using their wits can they hope to survive this savage encounter…

Format: Paperback, 224 pages

Review

Having barely survived the Tau attack, the children fled with Rogue Trader Amity to continue their search for the Emperor's Seat. Turns out it might be located in a nearby Jungle world. The only problem is it is home to two warring tribes of Orks!

Probably the most comical book so far. The Orks are well played as a for-laughs foe. Scary in a way, a psycho is, one minute happy, the next moment killing those around them. It's a solid entry to the series and continues to push the story along at a good pace. I'm a little sad there are only two books left! I don't want it to end.

Audio Review 100 // Eye of Terra: Red-Marked by Nick Kyme

Back to quite possibly my favourite ever Ultramarine! We are being treated to a Sergeant Thiel short story. As he takes the fight to traitors. Or at least the cover image has me believing that is the case. Let's see what it is actually about.

Title: Red-Marked (The Horus Heresy #Audio Drama)

Author: Nick Kyme

Buy now on Amazon.ca

Blurb: A Horus Heresy audio drama

Sergeant Aeonid Thiel frustrates his superiors in the Ultramarines Legion once again by leading a handful of rogue veterans against the traitor warbands still at large in Ultramar.

Though the Word Bearers’ attack on Calth and the subsequent Shadow Crusade into Ultramar are but a memory, the borders of Imperium Secundus are far from secure. Sergeant Aeonid Thiel, stranded on the garrison world of Oran on his way back to Macragge, frustrates his superiors once again by pointing out the holes in their defence – traitor Warband activity is increasing, and a series of key listening posts have fallen silent. Leading a handful of rogue veterans and wearing the red mark of censure like a badge of honour, can Thiel uncover the truth behind the mysterious ‘Nightfane’?

It's another chapter in the tale of everyone's favourite maverick, Ultramarine. Last time, disobeying orders put him in the heart of the greatest battle the Ultramarines have ever faced. What will he end up part of now...?

Format: Running time 75 minutes. Performed by Gareth Armstrong, John Banks, Steve Conlin, Jonathan Keeble, Toby Longworth, Saul Reichlin & Luis Soto. 

Review

If you are new to the Horus Heresy series, I recommend reading Censure before this. If you are a vet like me, you will be surprised to learn this falls between Censure and Stratagem. Which is strange as both those tales have been out for a while. So this title seems a little late to be entered into the series.

So what is Red-Marked about? It is an origin story of sorts following Thiel and his elite squad. It has some incredible moments and even references the Furious Abyss. The story is mainly composed of action scenes full of incredible sound effects. Thiel is still a fantastic character which really brings up the story. He even gets his own Indy Jones scene as he blasts a traitor in the face rather than face down in combat (I love it).

Overall an enjoyable read. I would have been much more excited if I had read it in order; I don't understand why they released this one so late? What's your thought on it all?


Blood Bowl 2 League 2 - Union Elves vs Goblins Gameplay


The third game in league 2, the Winter league. Today is a brutal game as I face off against an illegal weapon-heavy goblin team. For more Blood Bowl action, click here: YouTube. This was a brutal match-up, with multiple injured players plus two deaths! Including my best catcher!!!!

I hope you enjoy it and if you play, reach out; maybe we can have a match together?

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Sony Alpha ZV-E10

Kofi

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Comic Review 214 // Batman Adventures: Riddle Me This by Scott Peterson

We are back with more comics that my kids picked! My youngest was on a Batman kick this week, so we had to pick up a Riddler-themed comic!

Title: Batman Adventures: Riddle Me This!

Author: Scott Peterson

 Art: Tim Levins

Blurb: Riddler continues to tease Batman's brain...and all of Gotham as he leaves his riddles behind...some of them even solving the crimes of other criminals! And when a copycat tries to steal the Riddler's style, who will find them first-Batman or the Riddler? (less)

Buy Now via Amazon.ca

Format: Paperback, 124 pages

Review

It's going to be a quick review this week. There is something to be said about a simple Batman comic. There are no overarching dramas, motives or the fear of death. It is just clean, fun Batman. Of course, this is because it is aimed at a younger audience, but I am here for that!

The artwork is simple and straightforward; it pops on the page, similar to a still image of an animated cartoon, and this plays well with the simplified themes of the adventures. We got a great bunch of Riddler stories, which kept my son amused and I engaged. Overall a fun evening read before bed; I highly recommend it if only for the joy of family time.

This, of course, does not stand up to a classic, but it shouldn't have to. It is fun, engaging and enjoyable. Give it a go!

Imperium Magazine Issue 6 - Fire Support

Imperium Magazine Issue 6 - Review & Battle Report - Fire Support is the next installment as I run all 80 Battle Reports from the Warhammer 40,000 Imperium collection from Hachette Partworks and Games Workshop. This will all be a part of the Imperium playlist. Also, smash the subscribe button while you are there.

For each issue, I will bring you a fully painted battle report. Using that issues figures and rules. As well as a quick overview of the magazine. Got any questions, please do ask!

Imperium Magazine Issue 6 - Review & Battle Report - Fire Support. We see the Executioners Space Marine Aggressors square off against three Necron Destroyers and the Royal Warden of the Novokh Dynasty. Will their fiery wrath defeat the alien menace?

My Equipment, if interested: Blue Yeti Nano / Sony Alpha ZV-E10 / Kofi

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Book Review 207 // Halloween Kills: The Official Movie Novelization by Tim Waggoner

Hot on the heels of Halloween comes Halloween Kills, and then next week, we have the release of Halloween Ends. So expect at least one more review in October on this series!

Title: Halloween Kills: The Official Movie Novelization

Author: Tim Waggoner

Buy via Kindle on Amazon.ca

Format: Kindle

Blurb: The official novelization of the highly anticipated sequel to 2018’s Halloween, starring Jamie Lee Curtis.

Minutes after Laurie Strode, her daughter Karen, and granddaughter Allyson left masked monster Michael Myers caged and burning in Laurie’s basement, Laurie is rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, believing she finally killed her lifelong tormentor.

But when Michael manages to free himself from Laurie’s trap, his ritual bloodbath resumes. As Laurie fights her pain and prepares to defend herself against him, she inspires all of Haddonfield to rise up against their unstoppable monster. But as a group of other survivors of Michael’s first rampage decide to take matters into their own hands, a vigilante mob forms that sets out to hunt Michael down. Evil dies tonight.

Review

I seem to be reading a lot of Tim Waggoner's works, and I have to say I am enjoying them. When it came to this title, it is, of course, based on a film, so Waggoner didn't have a lot to work with. It takes under 2 hours of film to make into a novel.

I am a fan of the Halloween franchise, including the comical mask film of the third. You know what is coming, but like a slow-motion car crash, you just can't look away. It is an actual slasher title that has you screaming at the characters as they make error after error. I like to believe I would survive an encounter, but to be honest, I most likely wouldn't. I also love that this giant of a man is quite possibly the faster walker and stealthiest man to ever exist!

What I enjoyed about the book was that Waggoner gets to expand the characters; we get more depth to them in the book than we ever see on the screen. We learn more about the victims and their lives, and it aids the reader in understanding why they keep making bad choices. This is also true of Myers as we once more climb inside his head to go along on the ride, giving him purpose and reason whilst not creating a cliche killer.

It is, for sure, a quick read but hugely enjoyable at this time of year and has me excited for the third title Halloween Ends. Due to the way it is being released, the chances are I will finish the book before seeing the film, so I am intrigued by how they compare to each other.

Who else here loves some Halloween movie goodness?

Audio Review 99 // Eye of Terra: Ironfire by Rob Sanders


We are getting their friends. These Eye of Terra shorts are starting to clock in fast now! This time sees us return to my original 2nd Edition Chaos Army - The Iron Warriors. I have had a soft spot in my heart for a while now for this legion, and luckily the Horus stories do them enough justice so far. Will it continue with this one? Read on.

Title: Ironfire

Author: Rob Sanders

Read the kindle version Amazon.ca

Blurb: His body broken by the fall of the Schadenhold, the Iron Warriors warsmith Idriss Krendl is nonetheless far from defeated. Now commanding two of the mighty siege guns stolen from the forge world of Diamat, he seeks to redeem himself in the eyes of his primarch by bringing down the Great Selenic palace on Euphorus, and gather invaluable tactical data for the eventual assault on Terra. His plan? To utilise a strategy of his own devising – the glorious Ironfire protocol.

Follow the continuing adventures of Iron Warriors Warsmith Idriss Krendl as he attempts to take down a giant palace with a pair of the enormous siege guns. We last met Krendl in the story The Iron Within, where he went head to head with the loyalist Dantioch. After that humiliation, he's trying to recover his reputation with an audacious plan.

Review

Well, this review fell conveniently as in Book Review 99, Horus Heresy: Age of Darkness, we last met the main character Idriss Krendl. Is this the gods lining up the 99s, or am I just going mad?

What I love best about these shorts is that we get to follow up stories and side quests of characters that play no fundamental part in the final outcome. Still, their adventures are essential in showcasing how a legion is falling or how they manage to reach the endpoint. This title is an excellent example of this, with Krendl going from being the antagonist to the protagonist. Having suffered at Schadenhold, Krendl has everything to prove now. With the mighty siege guns stolen from the forge world of Diamat, Krendl plans to test out a new strategy of his own devising. The only problem is he has to win the battle; otherwise, the traitor forces may fracture more.

Listening to the Iron Warriors wage brutal siege warfare against the Emperor's Children was worth the admission price. The all-out risk taken by Krendl and the follow-up to what had happened to the Siege Weapons were all very welcomed. 

A great listen, for sure!

Game Over Man - Alien Isolation Walkthrough Part 25


Game Over Man - Alien Isolation Walkthrough Part 25 is part of my ongoing series as I attempt to beat the Alien Isolation game. More jumps and scares this way: YouTube

And like that, it is all over...

Twenty-Five episodes later, Alien Isolation is completed at a medium level, with so many jumps, scares and technical issues. I have learned a lot from this, which has helped me grow and progress in my Youtube adventures.

I seriously appreciate all the support of late. Thank you for taking the time to become a subscriber. Smash the follow button if you haven't already.

I will be moving on to the Space Marine game next and hope you will all continue to follow along.

Thank you!

Comic Review 213 // DC Super Hero Girls: Weird Science

What happens when you let your 5-year-old daughter pick the comic. You have an enjoyable night reading something you may not have tried yourself! This title surprised me and I will be letting the little one pick the titles more often.

Title: DC Super Hero Girls: Weird Science (Collects issues #1-14)

Author: Amanda Deibert

Art: Yancey Labat

Blurb: DC Super Hero Girls: Weird Science continues to develop the relationships forged throughout the beloved DC Super Hero Girls series, this time through the magical lens of Zatanna!

It's science fair time at Metropolis High, and the DC Super Hero Girls are very excited--except for Zee Zatara. Magic is her life, and science seems so dull in comparison. When she tries to help her friends with their projects, things keep going wrong. Is her magic causing their science to go haywire?

Format: 168 pages, Paperback

Buy now on Amazon.ca

Review

This series takes place in Metropolis High, where our Super Heroes have to maintain their alter-egos, save the world and get an A+ in the chemistry test. Watching the characters hop back and forth without realizing who the others are is funny. The artwork is very well suited to a younger audience and I know for a fact my son and daughter really enjoyed it.

Another surprising factor for me was the story. It is a worthwhile piece and not just a throwaway. Over the 14 issues, we get to experience the different characters and their projects really well all seen from the view point of Zatanna, whilst having a building underlying threat. It even had a nice twist in the ending.

Great for young readers and proof to an old reader that I should branch out more!

Lore: Space Marine Aggressors

An Aggressor, who is usually a member of an Aggressor Squad, is an Astartes fire support specialist unique to formations of Primaris Space Marines.

Aggressors are tasked with close-range fire support and have been outfitted with modified Mark X Gravis Power Armour refitted suits to carry a shoulder-mounted Fragstorm Grenade Launcher.

They also wield Flamestorm Gauntlets that unleash blazing streams of promethium upon any foes that get in close -- or can be used to wade into the mobs of the enemy and unleash an inferno that burns them all to ash.

The Space Marines in a Chapter's fire support squads have a vital role, covering fire to their battle line and close support brethren. This could be in the form of the assassination of prime targets, counter-battery volleys, or the destruction of enemy armour. Their target selection, marksmanship, and timely application of firepower are countless battles won.

Clad in heavy Mark X Gravis battle-plate, Aggressor Squads advance upon the foe as walking fortresses of ceramite. Each member is equipped with a pair of Boltstorm Gauntlets, meaning an Aggressor Squad can lay down a hail of bolt fire.

Aided by back-mounted Grenade Launchers, an Aggressor Squad can wade into oncoming enemies, mowing a bloody path through even the most immense hordes. Should a foe have enough bodies to sacrifice so that living members can finally reach the source of the onslaught, they are met by Space Marines swinging paired Power Fists. Very few live to tell the tale.

More mobile than the heavily armoured Centurions due to their sophisticated Gravis armour, Aggressors are better able to negotiate rough ground. This makes them a more versatile troop type; while they are often employed in specific circumstances or on a particular terrain, Aggressor Squads are also used as reserves to plug breaches in gun lines or to spearhead an advance.

In dense environments, such as within a hive city or under the canopy of a forested area, Devastator Squads would find their long-ranged weapons of little value. Such terrain suits Aggressor Squads to a tee, as they are ideally suited to firing on the move. The range of their weaponry is not long, but when they get close enough to open fire, the result is a sweeping fusillade of large-calibre Bolter shells that can shatter enemy charges.

For incredibly dense terrain, or when facing foes that cover the ground in significant numbers, Aggressor Squads will wear paired Flamestorm Gauntlets. When equipped this way, their armour's raised shoulder guards protect against the inevitable flame backwash as they stride forward, their arms sending sweeping arcs of fire billowing out.

The fire flickers like a hellish wreath about their armour as the Aggressor Squad advances, their weapon barrels glowing like embers in the smoking gloom. Ork hordes and Tyranid swarms alike are incinerated, their brittle and blackened bones crackling to dust underneath the tread of the Aggressors as they march straight into where the fighting is thickest. Some have said the Aggressors live for such moments and dwell over-long upon them.

Since being introduced during the Ultima Founding and Roboute Guilliman's reworking of the Codex Astartes after his resurrection in 999.M41, the Aggressor Squads have proven themselves as a devastating force many times over.

Book Review 206 // Halloween: The Official Movie Novelization by John Passarella

The season is upon us! Halloween draws near, pumpkin spice lattes haunt my dreams, and a man in a pale mask seems to be hanging out in the yard between the laundry? It's time for Halloween!

Title: Halloween: The Official Movie Novelization

Author: John Passarella

Blurb: In 1978, Laurie Strode survived an encounter with Michael Myers, a masked figure who killed her friends and terrorized the town of Haddonfield, Illinois on Halloween night. Myers was later gunned down, apprehended and committed to Smith's Grove State Hospital.

For forty years, memories of that nightmarish ordeal have haunted Laurie and now Myers is back once again on Halloween, having escaped a routine transfer, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. This time, Laurie is prepared with years of survival training to protect herself, her daughter Karen and her granddaughter Allyson, a teenager, separated from her family and enjoying Halloween festivities.

Want to read: Amazon.ca  for the Kindle edition

Format: 376 pages, Kindle.

Review

Firstly the reason I am reading this is that I love movies. They are classic, stalkers, killers, horrors and that is what I enjoy most. I love the idea of the boogie man and being scared of what is around the corner. This book picks up on all this perfectly. It builds tension, dread, horror and action. So it delivered the movie in a written format perfectly.

A big boost to the novel and the true reason to read it is that it goes more in-depth. We get characters' internal voices; we get to read what they think and how they feel when they see him or their victims. We also get an insight into Myers's mind now and gain - which is epic.

John Passarella does a great job of recreating the story and the terror of the event. All the characters are well written, and no page space is wasted. I would love for the story to be longer, but I also understand that it couldn't be. It deserves to be more, but with a limited timeframe, and a known story, much of the surprise or shock is known going in. If I had read this first, I may have ranked it higher, but this is an above-average story.

Happy October everyone!

Audio Review 98 // Eye of Terra: Vorax by Matthew Farrer

Continuing our adventures into the collected short stories from the Eye of the Terra. This week's short has us joining the Dark Mechanicum! Ekk!

Title: Vorax

Author: Matthew Farrer

Blurb: The Ring of Iron encircles Mars like a broken halo, standing as the last contested outpost of the Dark Mechanicum inside the Imperial Fists’ blockade. But those rogue priests and adepts lurking in the depths will soon face a new enemy, and the hunters shall become the prey...

Review

That was short! The pacing was good, the story fun, and it is always fun to join the bad guys on an adventure. Matthew Farrer is an author I am starting to see more and more. I enjoyed his opening title for the Enforcer series, and I know I am in safe hands for a gripping tale.

Set within the Ring of Iron around Mars, we join a Dark Mechanicum adept as he attempts to set traps for the loyalist forces. Though not much has been written so far, this battle location was perhaps the second most important location during the war, beaten only by Terra itself.

With such a small amount of time given to this tale, Farrer does a great job at building up the panic, along with the crushing weight of the situation. As we watch the Dark Mechanicum stalked by the Vorax Battle-Automata, who will win?

I do highly recommend reading/listening to this one, but with it being so short I would only recommend picking it up as part of the anthology. As a side note...Black Library! Give Farrer more page space, please!

Fafnir Rann of the Imperial Fists. First High-Executioner of the Executioners.


It felt only fitting to recreate the gene-sire of the Executioners - I was torn between painting in the Fist scheme or the Executioners. I went with Fists, as you can easily see, but if I manage to get hold of another kit, I will definitely be doing the Executioner Scheme.

Here is fluff on this iconic leader and his path to creating my current favourite chapter.

Fafnir Rann

Fafnir Rann was a ruthless and bellicose captain of the Imperial Fists Legion during the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy. He would participate in many notable campaigns during the Heresy, including the Battle of Phall, the Battle of Pluto and the climactic Siege of Terra.

Following the end of the Horus Heresy and the defeat of the Arch-Traitor Horus, he also participated in the campaigns of the Great Scouring that drove the Traitor Legions from Imperial space.

He continued to serve as a member of the Imperial Fists until he was chosen by his Primarch to lead his own Space Marine Chapter created during the 3rd Founding.

Taking the title of "High Executioner," Fafnir Rann named his new Chapter the Executioners, as they came to believe that they were the headsmen of the Emperor who executed those who threatened His realm. Rann led his Chapter on a never-ending quest to seek out and execute Mankind's enemies.

This earned the Executioners a fell reputation as a bellicose and almost barbarous Chapter. Like their first Chapter Master, the Astartes of this Chapter came to disdain martial trappings and the ordered obedience of the more stalwart Codex Astartes-compliant Chapters such as the Ultramarines and their own genetic forebears, the Imperial Fists. The Executioners shared little in common with their progenitor's culture and traditions.

History

Fafnir was born on Inwit and, as an infant, was discovered at the bank of the River of Life. His mother was still clutching him, though she had died from starvation and a stabbing received while escaping from the House of Dorn.

It was reasoned by those who found him that his mother had fled the hold of the Dorn to protect the child, and he was subsequently taken in by a tribe known as the Rann.

He was raised by an adopted mother of the Rann tribe, who refused those who demanded Fafnir be returned to the Dorn to avoid the outbreak of a tribal war. He was raised to believe he was chosen to rise up and battle the Dorn one day.

When he transitioned to adulthood, he was chosen as the tribal chief of the Rann and waged war against the Dorn as he had expected. Yet not too long after the war began, the Primarch Rogal Dorn arrived from Terra, and everything on Inwit soon changed under his rule. After the Emperor made contact with Inwit and it was brought into the Imperium of Man, Rann was among those natives of Inwit chosen for induction into the Imperial Fists Legion.

By the opening days of the Heresy, Rann had risen to the esteemed rank of Lord Seneschal and commander of the Legion's first assault cadre. He was one of Rogal Dorn's most ruthless captains, preferring to wield a pair of Power Axes or a Power Axe and a large Storm Shield in battle.

When Dorn mustered the Retribution Fleet to be sent to assist the beleaguered Loyalists on Istvaan III, which initiated the Battle of Phall, Seneschal Rann's Chapter participated in the Blade of Perdition's hit-and-run action against the Iron Warriors' Heavy Cruiser Sire of Sabaktes, teleporting into the warship's central armoury and planting a Melta charge that, when it detonated, set off a chain reaction and destroyed the entire vessel and its crew.

By the time the survivors returned to the Blade of Perdition, Fleet Master Alexis Pollux had issued the order to withdraw, and it was characteristic of Seneschal Rann and his warriors that the Blade of Perdition was one of the very last to obey.

Fafnir Rann served alongside First Captain Sigismund in the First Sphere of defence designed for the Sol System by Rogal Dorn. They would be the first wall to confront the approaching Traitor forces moving to assault Terra under the command of the Warmaster Horus.

He later took part in the Battle of Pluto and fought Horus' forces, particularly the Alpha Legion, when they came to claim Terra's outer defences. When the Solar War reached its final phase, Rann was charged with commanding the Persephone, one of the "Three Sisters of Spite," a triumvirate of notable Imperial Fists' frigates, including the Lachrymae, Ophelia and the Persephone itself.

During the Siege of Terra, Rann was in charge of defending the Lion's Gate spaceport. He held the line for much of the battle but was overwhelmed by a massive Traitor attack led by Captain Kroeger of the Iron Warriors, First Captain Khârn of the World Eaters, and First Captain Ezekyle Abaddon of the Sons of Horus. During the battle, Rann duelled with Kroeger and was wounded, but ultimately was saved thanks to the intervention of First Captain Sigismund.

Rann would continue to serve in the Imperial Fists Chapter until the 3rd Founding of 001.M32. Rann was selected at that time to become the first High Executioner or Chapter Master of the newly founded Executioners Chapter.

Wargear

  • Power Armour
  • 2 Power Axes
  • Storm Shield (As replacement for 1 Power Axe)
Hope you enjoyed it. More soon!

Comic Review 212 // Slaine: Book of Invasions Vol.3 by Pat Mills

We made it, people! Sláine: The Books Of Invasions, Vol. 3 - Odracon and Carnival by Pat Mills, the concluding part of this story arc and the exciting ending of this tale. Let's no waste time and just dive in.

Title: Sláine: The Books Of Invasions, Vol. 3 - Odracon and Carnival
Author: Pat Mills
Illustrator: Clint Langley

Blurb: Tir Nan Og is the Land of the Young, deep in Celtic myth and legend. After years of wandering, Slaine united the tribes of the Earth Goddess and became the first High King of Ireland. After defending the Goddess in other eras, he has since returned to his own time and kingdom. Now, as the Fomorians besiege the city of Tara, Slaine comes back from the Otherworld to help.

Collects:

- The Books of Invasions V: Odacon (Progs #1436–#1442)

- Carnival (Progs 2006, #1469–#1475) (less)

Get your own kindle copy from Amazon.ca

Format: Hardcover, 128 pages

Review

Slaine is returned just in time to save Tara from the Fomorians. But not all the Fomorians are killed in the action, and soon a band of warriors led by Slaine are searching the lands for the last of them. The Fomorian in question is Odacon and with aid manages to dup a village into becoming hosts for its spawn. Soon Slaine and his band are striking out against the village before burning it and the foul spawn to the ground. Here ends the arc of the Invasion tales and the lands of Ireland are purged from the Fomorians. As the final pages come to an end Slaine is left to wander in search of his son Kai, whilst Gael is crowned High King of Ireland.

A nice ending for this series. Weirdly this could have been squeezed into the last book in my opinion. But with it being only half this title we can move on to the next piece.

Carnival of Night - Slaine whilst looking for his son Kai has arrived in Albion. As he travels the lands he discovers a travelling Carnival that declares to have a collection of monsters and marvels that can not be rivalled. Well as it turns out it is managed/owned by Slaine's Dwarf ally Ukko, who managed to also recruit Kai, Slaine's son. Kai has grown and become a man, along with finding a partner in Estella, the sleepless beauty. Of course, with Slaine on the scene, the story has to have some mystery/action and soon it is discovered that a murder stalks the grounds of the Carnival. Can Kai, Slaine and Ukko discover the truth or will the show be about to end?

A great return of Ukko and the story itself was engaging, this felt very much like old-school Slaine. It was actually the highlight of the book for me. But with the end of this tale, we have another Slaine story finished.

Let me know your thoughts on this tale. Also, any suggestions on what title to read next will greatly help.

How to Paint: Tabletop Ready Craftworld Aeldari Lugganath

 


How to Paint: Tabletop Ready Craftworld Aeldari Lugganath. If you enjoy all things Aeldari, check out my playlist here: YouTube Playlist

Lugganath is a minor Craftworld of the Aeldari. In the Aeldari Lexicon, their name translates as "Light of the Fallen Suns." The Lugganath world-rune, the "Black Sun," references the lost glory of the original Aeldari Empire's star systems.

If a viewer were to look far enough into the void, he would be able to perceive the last light of those dead stars -- as close to a metaphor for hope as the Aeldari of Lugganath knows.

Craftworld Lugganath is known to wander the western regions of the Segmentum Obscurus. Lugganath is the traditional home of the Fir Iolarion Aeldari Titan clan.

The Lugganath Aeldari have turned their backs upon the material realm, for they consider its worlds already lost. Perceived as little better than Corsairs by other Craftworlds, the Aeldari of Craftworld Lugganath is a society of renegades.

They seek to foster close ties with the Harlequins of the Laughing God, as the Lugganath Aeldari hope to abandon this galaxy, start civilization afresh, and claim the Webway as their realm, possibly reclaiming the Labyrinthine Dimension from the Drukhari as well.

It is their ultimate plan to secede from realspace entirely by finding a Webway gate large and stable enough to sail their Craftworld through and a hidden spar of the galactic labyrinth in which to create a new home and thus find salvation for the Aeldari within its twilight expanse.

Having cast off many rigid ways of Aeldari culture, the Craftworld has become a haven for outcasts of all kinds. They continually foster closer ties with the Harlequins, for their knowledge of the Webway is unrivalled.

Aeldari Corsair fleets cluster around the docking towers of the Craftworld, amongst them the notorious Sunblitz Brotherhood. Under the watchful gaze of their Farseers, the hard-eyed people of Lugganath mingle freely with these warriors of the fringe. When Lugganath gathers for war, its armies are an eclectic mix of standing and auxiliary forces, a riot of colour in a galaxy grey with age.

The Lugganath Craftworld is last known to have been active in the western quadrant of the Segmentum Obscurus in recent millennia. In 801.M41 forces from Lugganath attacked the stronghold of the Steel Hearts and destroyed this Chapter of Renegade Chaos Space Marines in its entirety. Later in 805.M41 forces from Lugganath aided in stymieing a daemonic incursion on Cathox Prime's world and suppressing an uprising by Chaos Cultists on the world of Cathox Gamma.

Hope you enjoyed it?



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