Book Review 232 // The Tower of the Elephant by Robert E. Howard

We are back with another fantastic Conan adventure! I am getting into the flow of these, and they pair well with my Slaine adventures. I am excited about this tale as we enter the city of thieves, which is the title of my favourite Chose your own Adventure book, which I can only assume was inspired by Conan. But enough waffling on from me. Let's dive in!

Title: The Tower of the Elephant (Conan, #3)

Author: Robert E. Howard

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Blurb: Conan infiltrates a perilous tower in the City of Thieves in order to steal a fabled gem from an evil sorcerer. A classic of Conan lore, often cited as one of Howard's best tales.

Format: E-book 48 pages

Review

During Conan's early phase, Howard has already found his style for Conan's adventures. With rumours of a rather tempting gemstone reaching his ears, our Barbarian heads off to "retrieve" the Heart of the Elephant locked away in the Elephant Tower. The only problem is the tower's owner happens to be a dangerous Sorcerer, and of course, there have to be traps and dangers at every turn.

It is a significant expansion into the world of Conan, giving us dark magic, Cosmic Horrors and dare I say Eldritch beasts from beyond. It was a surprisingly dark tale toward the end, and it really got me pumped to read more. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a good run of stories and not the peak of his writing. Time will tell.

Ultimately you know what you are getting with a Conan adventure, but damn was this fun and entertaining. I am genuinely excited to get into the next story!

Audio Review 127 // The Trials of Azrael by C Z Dunn

Today's review contains two of my favourite characters! Up first is the Bloodthirsty Kharn. I loved his backstory in the 2nd edition of Warhammer 40k, but he became a favourite during the reading of the Horus Heresy. Then facing off against him is Azrael of the Dark Angels. The Dark Angels are among my top five Space Marine chapters. I love their more knightly appearance of them, with their dark secrets and real anti-heroes vibes. I have fond memories of the 2nd edition linked to them. But enough of that, let's get into the review.

Title: The Trials of Azrael 

Author: C Z Dunn

Performed by: Gareth Armstrong, Tim Bentinck, Claire Corbett, Chris Fairbank, Luke Thompson

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Blurb: As war rages in the Pandorax System, the Imperial battleship Revenge comes under attack by the dread forces of Chaos. As warriors of the Black Legion rampage through the venerable craft, Supreme Grand Master Azrael leads the First Company of the Dark Angels — the elite Deathwing — onto the vessel to eliminate the enemy. Separated from his men, Azrael finds himself trapped in the lower decks with only a tech-priest for company and one of the galaxy's most fearsome warriors hunting him: the infamous Khârn the Betrayer.

Review

Finally, an audio short with some meat. At 75 minutes long, we have a solid adventure and some growth within the story. It did not disappoint, with a magnitude of surprises throughout that kept me engaged the entire time. The action comes thick and fast, like most Black Library stories and this one even has a sprinkling of humour thrown in for good measure. On one side, we have a bloodthirsty killer and on the other, a noble knight. Both hope to outsmart their counterparts whilst thwarting their opponent's plans. I sat and blasted through this in one sitting, once I started I didn't want to stop.

Like nearly all the Black Library audio dramas, the performances are amazing and, for me, at least transported me to those characters. A well-written and thoroughly enjoyable listen.

Imperium Magazine Issue 19 - War in the Factorum - Review & Battle Report

Imperium Magazine Issue 19 - War in the Factorum 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. Hit the subscribe button! to not miss out.

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

Imperium Magazine Issue 19 - Includes the third and final Crate/barrel terrain set. Which completes issue 1-20 moon map and has us fighting not one but three battles for the Factorum. Using the provided rules, we created the Fabricus Munitoria, which specializes in producing Laser Focusing Crystals. Its three key locations of the Promethium Refinery, Shipping Depot and Ammunition Storage Yard will form the battlegrounds. We will use the Royal Warden and 10 Necron Warriors to face the Primaris Captain and his 5 Assault Intercessor Marines.

Who will win? The series is currently at 13-7 to the Necrons.

Hope you enjoy it and will follow. Cheers!

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Comic Review 239 // The Amazing Adventures of Batman: Reptile Raid by Laurie S. Sutton

Okay, it happened! I managed to get my hands on all eight of the Amazing Adventures of Batman. You just got to love the library. Now from what I can tell, the series is split in two by the authors who are writing but are in no way connected, so I am letting my son choose the order we enjoy these in. Today's choice goes to Killer Croc, my son's favourite villain - mine being Mr. Freeze and collectively with both like Bane, haha.

Title: Reptile Raid

Author: Laurie S. Sutton

Illustrator: Darío Brizuela

Blurb:

Killer Croc climbs out of the sewers . . . with an army of reptile warriors! Batman and Robin are hot on their lizard-like tails. Can the Dynamic Duo stop their reptile raid, or will these slimy supervillains give the heroes the slip? Find out in this action-packed early chapter book for the youngest of readers.

Buy now on Amazon

Review

A classic tale. Batman and his sidekick Robin are having a slow night of crime fighting when suddenly the sewer ahead bursts open with Killer Croc, and a horde of mutant reptiles burst forth to take over Gotham. Completely surrounded, the crime-fighting duo takes to the rooftops to plan to defeat this menace. Using gas, they subdue the creatures leaving Batman and Croc to fight it.

A super simple, straightforward adventure, but my son loved it! No real moral to the story in this one, just straightforward, simple action. I enjoyed reading it and recommend it to little ones who want a Batman story.

How to Paint a Primaris Space Marine with Speed Paint - Novamarine Tutorial

How to paint Primaris Spaces Marine Novamarines with speed painting.

Here's a quick, straightforward how-to paint video showing how I painted a Novamarine Primaris Space Marines. The technique is pretty straightforward, and a big pro for me is its quickness. This is not technical; this is designed to get paint on models and looks good from 3FT. Please be warned that it is white, and my camera hated looking at it for so long.

More Badab Paint Schemes here: YouTube Playlist

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Novamarine Lore

The Novamarines is a Loyalist Space Marine Chapter and Second Founding successor of the Ultramarines Legion. An ancient and proud Chapter, the Novamarines are hard-line adherents of the Codex Astartes who consider the writ of this sacred text, penned by their blessed Primarch Roboute Guilliman, to be divinely ordained law. In the past, they have been known to draw blood against those who would stray too far from the Codex.

The Novamarines' virtue and honour are such that they have been held up as an example to other Chapters of what it means to be of the Adeptus Astartes, much like their parent Chapter.

They have no known Successor Chapters, at least not officially, but they are believed to have had the honour of their brethren being selected to provide a portion of the gene-seed used in the Founding of several Ultramarines Successor Chapters in the past, notably the Dark Sons and the Angels of Fury.

While the Angels of Fury are officially counted as an Ultramarines Successor, they were aided and trained from their inception by the Novamarines.

The Novamarines is one of the proud Primogenitor Chapters, the Firstborn Successor Chapters sired by the Ultramarines Legion during the Second Founding.

The Chapter's homeworld of Honourum is to be found in the galactic north of the Ultima Segmentum, a great distance from the Ultramarines' Realm of Ultramar. The region is sparsely populated and its proximity to the Halo Stars means that the Chapter's sphere of influence and area of operations are large indeed.

The Halo Stars, as well as the vast tracts of unexplored Wilderness Space around Honourum, are host to all manner of ancient threats, nascent alien empires and as-yet undiscovered lost Human colony worlds from the Age of Strife.

As a consequence, the Novamarines have seen action against a wide range of enemies, from terrible xenos monstrosities to isolationist Human realms that refuse to bow to the rule of the Emperor of Mankind.

Perhaps partly because the Novamarines operated across such a wide area, the Chapter has very rarely gathered all 10 of its companies in one place. As far as can be ascertained, this has not occurred since the 37th Millennium, so active and far-flung are its companies' operations.

As a Primogenitor Chapter of the Ultramarines, the Novamarines maintain close links to the present-day Ultramarines and their other Successor Chapters. The great distance between Honourum and Macragge means that the Chapter is unable to send representatives to the court of Marneus Calgar as often as its brother Chapters, but every Novamarine aspires to make a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Primarch on Macragge at least once in his lifetime.

Those that have done so traditionally mark the fact by adorning their battle helms with a laurel wreath, a mark of honour that the Chapter's Scout Marines behold with awe and dream of one day earning for themselves.

The Novamarines contributed a large force to the continuing battle against the expansion of the T'au Empire during the Damocles Gulf Crusade in the mid-8th century of the 41st Millennium, based far to the galactic south of the Ultima Segmentum.

This deployment surpassed the demands of normal operations on the Chapter and took on the dimensions of a full Imperial Crusade, scouring the upstart aliens from several star systems in and around the Lithesh Sector and earning many glorious battle honours in the process.

When the crusade force was ordered by the Inquisitor Lord Kryptman to redirect to Macragge to face the onslaught of the Tyranids' Hive Fleet Behemoth, the Novamarines sped to the side of their Progenitors. In the aftermath of the Battle of Macragge, the Novamarines' contingent remained in the region for several solar months, rearming and refitting before making for the Jericho Reach.

The Chapter's first battles in the Reach were fought exclusively against the T'au of the Velk'han Sept, which included a series of fleet engagements rimward of the Black Reef.

The Novamarines have recently taken losses from which they are rebuilding following a series of less-than-successful assaults on the traitorous Human warlords of the world of Iphigenia.

The bit I care about

The Badab War (901-908.M41) - Delayed by numerous conflicts the Chapter was already engaged in, a Novamarines contingent finally arrived in the Badab warzone in 906.M41 in response to the first calls for aid from the Inquisition. The Novamarines responded primarily because of their revulsion to the Astral Claws' Renegade Chapter Master Lufgt Huron and the rebel forces' presumption and arrogance at defying the Imperium. The Novamarines were quick to apply themselves to saving their Loyalist allies against the barbarous Executioners Chapter. At the request of the Loyalists' High Commander Carab Culln of the Red Scorpions Chapter, the Novamarines remained in several smaller, highly mobile taskforces for the remainder of the war, guarding Imperial shipping and fighting small-scale and intense battles on several Frontier Worlds. The Novamarines withdrew their forces in 908.M41 to defend their homeworld against the impending threat of a growing Ork WAAAGH!, amongst many other problems plaguing the Ultima Segmentum.

Hope you enjoyed you see you again soon!

Book Review 231 // The Scarlet Citadel by Robert E. Howard

With my Slaine adventures closing for now, these Conan adventures keep me engaged with Sword and Sorcery's worlds. With this sparking my interest, for now, we dive into the next title by Robert E. Howard.

Title: The Scarlet Citadel

Author: Robert E. Howard

Blurb: Robert Ervin Howard (1906-1936) was an American pulp writer of fantasy, horror, historical adventure, boxing, western, and detective fiction. He is well known for having created the character Conan the Cimmerian, a literary icon whose pop-culture imprint can be compared to such icons as Tarzan of the Apes, Sherlock Holmes, and James Bond. Voracious reading, along with a natural talent for prose writing and the encouragement of teachers, conspired to create in Howard an interest in becoming a professional writer. One by one he discovered the authors that would influence his later work: Jack London and Rudyard Kipling. It's clear from Howard's earliest writings and the recollections of his friends that he suffered from severe depression from an early age. Friends recall him defending the act of suicide as a valid alternative as early as eighteen years old, while many of his stories and poems have a suicidal gloom and intensity that seem prescient in hindsight, describing such an end not as a tragedy but as a release from hell on earth.

Format: E-book

Buy now off Amazon.

Review

In this short story, Conan is king, and as part of his kingly duties, he rallies his forces and marches forth to aid allies' call for help. Unfortunately for Conan and his forces, it was a trap. Soon, Conan's troops are dead, dying or fleeing the battlefield. With no force to protect him, Conan is captured and placed in the Dungeons of Tsotha. Tsotha is a villainous classical wizard with the goal of world domination.

It is a tremendous feeling of adventure, leaning heavily into the fantastical worlds of Sword and Sorcery vibes as it should. This is the type of story I needed, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Audio Review 126 // The Stromark Massacre by Andy Smillie and C Z Dunn

I didn't stay away from the Flesh Tearers for long. Drawn once more into another audio adventure but this time with a little twist. These two short stories are set in the same system following two different chapters formed from the same Bloodline. How will they differ, what is the theme of the tale, will I get answers?

Title: The Stromark Massacre: Space Marine Battles

Buy on Amazon for Audible

Authors: From The Blood by Andy Smillie and Terror Nihil by Christian Z. Dunn

Performers: Sean Barrett, Tim Bentinck, Jane Collingwood, Jonathan Keeble and Saul Reichlin

Blurb:

++We are fury! We are wrath! We are death!++

++Chaplain Appollus, Flesh Tearers++

++We are the Angels Encarmine. Every day is a day for death.++

++Castellan Zargo++

Two linked Space Marine Battles stories featuring the Flesh Tearers and the Angels Encarmine.  Produced by Black Library and Heavy Entertainment. Performed by Sean Barrett, Tim Bentinck, Jane Collingwood, Jonathan Keeble and Saul Reichlin. Running time approx 90 minutes.

“We make the World Eaters look like school kids” – love Gabriel.

Review

A nice 90-minute two-part tale linking two chapters from the Son of Sangiunius. Within the two tales, we follow the chapters as they wage war within the Stromark system, two worlds have turned their backs on the Imperium of man and now the wrath of Angels falls upon them.

One story follows the Flesh Tearers as they enact brutal vengeance on Stromark Prime, whilst on Stromark Secundus the Angels Encarmine, active a unit that has not seen action in a millennium!?

Tale one From the Blood is the stronger tale of the two and follows the Flesh Tearers as they plan the brutal takedown of the Governor's Palace. To lead the charge is Chaplain Appollus, your typical over-the-top Chaplain, full of righteous zeal and the spiritual leader of the ranks of Death Company. These bloodthirsty marines are no longer the heroes of the Imperium they are more akin to the bloodthirsty Khorne Berzerkers. This may have something to do with the flaw in all Blood Angels gene seed or could it be a hint of heresy? Overall a solid story, with good insight into the Death Company and it even finishes with a nice twist.

The second short from C Z Dunn is titled Terror Nihil. This excited me to start with as it is all about the Angel Encarmine, a chapter I know very little about. I've seen images and read small teasers about them but never had something like this. The planet itself Stromark Secundus is a toxic hellhole, it is basically a death world that would kill even a marine. This forces the chapter to use a unit they have not activated in over a millennium. At this point, I have to stop as spoilers would ruin the rest of the tale. Ultimately what we have here is the making of something special, unfortunately, the author failed to deliver it. The Characters aren't that interesting and it felt like it was just counting down the moments. A sad letdown, to be honest.

So The Stromark Massacre falls under an Okay review. Lots of missed opportunities within its 90 minutes. Could have been something special, instead, it becomes just something I need to hear as a completionist.

Have you listened to it? Am I missing something? Let me know.

Blood Bowl 2 League 4 - Summer Season - Game 3 Union Elves vs Kislev

Blood Bowl 2 League 4 - Summer Season - Game 3 Union Elves vs Kislev

Want more Blood Bowl? Follow me, and reach out if you are a player; we can have a match together. Also, let me know if you are interested in the miniatures game. If there is, I will start working out how to get some content made for that.

Back to back, Kislev teams. I would like a more exciting game this time around. The Kislev is a northern Human team who excels at a movement-based game. Lightly armoured, they still hit hard, and many team members have access to fantastic stills like a leap.

I hope you enjoy it and will smash the like and follow buttons. Cheers

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Comic Review 238 // The Amazing Adventures of Batman: Rain of Fear by Brandon T. Snider

I am really starting to enjoy these short kid-themed comics, I love a fun-filled Batman tale, and after completing the Bane Drain Adventure, I couldn't resist reserving the rest of the set. So expect to see a lot more of these adventures.

Title: Rain of Fear!

Author: Brandon T. Snider

Illustrations: Darío Brizuela

Blurb: When Scarecrow fires his fear cannon into the clouds, Batman and Robin find themselves awash in a . . . Rain of Fear! Will the heroes save the day? Find out in this action-packed chapter book for young readers.

Format: 32 pages, Hardcover

Buy now on Amazon and give a sweet kickback!

Review

Okay as mentioned I am personally enjoying these titles, but so is my three-year-old. It is the perfect way to spend a Tuesday night reading through one of these at bedtime. Like the rest of the titles, this is aimed at a younger audience and avoids a lot of the violence and fighting you would traditionally find in a Batman title.

Scarecrow is definitely a creepy ass villain, as he poisons Gotham and Batman with Fear Gas. It is up to young Robin to save the day and rescue his mentor. It is a classic teach-your-kid-a-lesson story, about not letting your fears control you and that you can achieve anything if you work hard enough. There are definitely some fun sections like Robin zipping around on the bike and getting to be the hero. Which my kid found hugely enjoyable. I wonder if Batman will have a different side kid in every book?

The artwork of Dario Brizuela is a perfect kid-friendly level. Bright, bold and clean. Not gritty, or dark here. Looks very similar to the early 2000s cartoon network shows. Perfectly fine for children but may not hold the interest of an adult! But hey it's not meant for you.

Ultimately a fun enough read, a great way to spend some time with the kids and have a good snuggle whilst reading.

Imperium Magazine Issue 18 - Destroy the Technomancer - Review & Battle Report

 Imperium Magazine Issue 18 - Destroy the Technomancer 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: YouTube Playlist. Hit the subscribe button! to not miss out.

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

Imperium Magazine Issue 18 - Includes the third Necron hero, the Technomancer. While for the Battle Report, we have three Skorpekh destroyers plus the Technomancer versus 3 Aggressors and the Lieutenant.

Who will win? The series is currently at 13-6 to the Necrons.

Hope you enjoy it and will follow. Cheers!

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#warhammer40k #spacemarine #necrons #battlereport #review #warhammer #imperiummagazine #executionerspacemarines #wargaming #tabletopgaming #technomancer #skorpekhdestroyers

Book Review 230 // Pear Shaped Man by George R.R. Martin

Got to be honest didn't expect a George R.R. Martin novel to drop in my reading list. Like many I attempted to read Game of Thrones but was ultimately bored by his writing style in those novels. I am hoping he does better in horror.

Title: The Pear Shaped Man

Author: George R.R. Martin

Blurb: Everyone knows a Pear-Shaped Man. Jessie meets hers when she and her friend Angela move into their new apartment--he lives in the rotten-smelling basement apartment--wet lips, whiny voice, eating Cheez Doodles with warm Coke. He's always waiting for her, inviting her down to his apartment ... he has 'things' to show her. When Jessie's obsession with this repulsive man turns to paranoia, it takes over more than just her life. 

Review

Okay, okay, okay. I'm creeped out! This was a delightful read (wrong term, but it was), and I am thoroughly creeped out and feeling a little gross in my soul.

This story hit home, I've lived in a few big cities throughout my years, London, Birmingham, and Ottawa, and I feel like I've met a Pear Shaped man multiple times, ignore the actual way they look, but the way they act and can make you feel uncomfortable is very telling. The character's habits and mannerisms make me super uncomfortable just reading them, and throughout the story, I am left willing the Jessie character to flee. This feeling of dread builds throughout the novel, and how this hasn't become a horror film, I will never understand. It hit me in the creep zone, and hung on throughout, which is an impressive feat.

The downside for me was the ending. It seemed rushed and poorly throughout, leaning into a supernatural-style finish rather than a killer/psycho. I feel a more classical killer ending would have finished my nerves off completely and had me fearing the darkness. But hey, what do I know?

Have any of you read this?

Audio Review 125 // Chosen of Khorne by Anthony Reynolds

Bouncing along nicely with these audio dramas. Today we catch up with one of my favourite Horus Heresy characters and check out how he survives in the 40k verse! I'm happy to see Anthony Reynolds taking control, and it promises to be good.

Title: Chosen of Khorne

Author: Anthony Reynolds

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Blurb: Kharn the Betrayer takes to the field of battle as the champion of his old comrade Argus Brond, but his own motives go far beyond the petty squabbling of rival Chaos warlords...Deep within the Eye of Terror, the followers of the blood god Khorne war amongst themselves to win their patron’s favour, and for the right to lead a new crusade against the Imperium in his name. Argus Brond, berserker champion of the old World Eaters Legion, has called upon his old comrade Kharn for assistance – surely, this legendary warrior will break the deadlock and secure victory for him? But Kharn, known with good reason as ‘the Betrayer’, is far more than just a crazed killer, and his own agenda will always come first...

Review

As mentioned, I really like Kharn in the 30k setting, I even think he has some iconic roles in the 40k verse, but damn, authors make him dull. Luckily for Anthony Reynolds isn't just your average writer.

Anthony Reynolds does a fantastic job of fleshing out this heroic but broken champion. I was first introduced to Kharn in the second edition, and he was a powerhouse killer then, just as likely to slaughter your own army as he was your opponents. But boy, could he carve his way through an Ork Mob! This unhinged style of character has returned in this tale. We can see and feel he is broken, you are always curious if he is in control of his rage, but ultimately there seems to be a goal in mind as he moves from battle to battle. But what is the plan? Only Khorne truly knows.

I recommend this tale; it's quick, bloody, and does a great job of making Kharn enjoyable.

How to Paint Tabletop Ready - Necron Novokh Technomancer - 40k

Time to dive into the world of the Cryptek.

Their main fields of study include dimensional dissonance, singularity manipulation, atomic transmutation, elemental transmogrification and countless other reason-defying technologies. They are masters of the scientific and technological, and in many ways, a Cryptek's powers mirror those employed by the psykers of different races, such as the Imperium and Eldar. However, they differ in that instead of using a mutant mind to channel Warp energies, the Cryptek employs arcane science to harness the universe's fundamental forces.

Crypteks operate in pan-galactic conclaves, many specializing in a particular technology field. Though they have no official rank in the political structure of a dynasty, they wield incredible influence. They often serve in the courts of Necron Overlords and Necron Lords as close confidants. The powers of Crypteks are highly sought after by Necron Overlords, who will meet whatever demands are made by the Crypteks in exchange for their services. Crypteks wear Essence-Tomes, tiles forged from whatever substance Cryptek is studying. As the Cryptek advances in his studies and mastery of his field, he adds additional tiles to the chain. Chronomancers have tiles made from time, while Voidmancers' essence-tomes are constructed from black holes and dimensionalists from the wounds created between dimensions.

Ultimately, the only thing that holds the ambition of a Cryptek in check is another of its kind. Should a retained Cryptek rise too far above his station, a Necron Overlord will attempt to replace him by luring a more tractable Cryptek away from his rival. Even though this has complications; for a while, no Cryptek will knowingly replace another of the same conclave, a rival from another conclave will happily do so. Once his services are acquired, a Cryptek’s duties stretch far beyond the tomb world. It is common for an Overlord to grant a Cryptek the first pickings of precious resources in exchange for his services on a campaign. Such a bargain serves both sides well; a tomb world’s resources are limited, and the Cryptek’s trade requires that he have a ready supply of raw materials.

Today's Cryptek is a Technomancer: These masters possess the power to augment and swiftly repair Necron units and Canoptek constructs upon the battlefield.

Hope you enjoy!

Comic Review 237 // Slaine: The Brutania Chronicles - Book 4

The penultimate graphic novel. As far as I know, there is only one more collection! How scary, no more Slaine tales. I will have to start painting the figures soon. But back to the review:

Title: Sláine: The Brutania Chronicles Book Four

Author: Pat Mills

Illustrator: Simon Davis

Blurb: Stone Killer! Albion. Celtic Warrior Sláine United the tribes of the Earth Goddess and became the first High King of Ireland, but is now a wanderer. Having journeyed to Monadh to rescue Sinead from the Drune Lords, Sláine has discovered that they have been experimenting on their own creations, much to the displeasure of the Cyths’ jailer, the Archon Yaldabaoth. Now, the Archon has awoken, and destruction will surely follow…

Format: 96 pages, Kindle Edition (Buy now via Amazon)

Review

Hmmm. There's so much I like about Sláine, but I am finding the story of his parentage to be dragging on a bit too much. The last collection dealt with his mother and set up the options of who could be Sláine's father and in this collection we finally get the answers. But boy did they drag it out!

We continue the overarcing themes of Folklore alongside the hatred of Christianity. It would seem unsurprisingly to Mills fans that he has issues with Patriarchal faiths (as we should), but it came across a bit to heavy in this title.

Overall the story wrapped up nicely and all the pieces are in place to leave Sláine  heading off into the wild. The real highlight of course is Simon Davis' artwork. It was beautiful, intriguing and had you searching out the details. The Stone Men, were brutal and I really hope we will see them in miniature form soon. Fingers crossed!

Now for a little break from Sláine before I read the final book. Maybe we should visit Judge Dredd for a bit? As always I appreciate you stopping in for the read and I hope you will consider supporting my blogging adventures by using the following links:

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Blood Bowl 2 League 4 - Summer Season - Game 2 Union Elves vs Kislev

Blood Bowl 2 League 4 - Summer Season - Game 2 Union Elves vs Kislev

Want more Blood Bowl? Follow me, and reach out if you are a player; we can have a match together. Also, let me know if you are interested in a miniature game. If there is, I will start working out how to get some content made for that.

Back to back, new to me, teams. The Kislev is a northern Human team who excels at a movement-based game. Lightly armoured, they still hit hard, and many team members have access to fantastic skills like leap. This promises to be an eye-opener.

I hope you enjoy it and will smash the like and follow buttons. Cheers

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Book Review 229 // The Phoenix on the Sword by Robert E. Howard

We have finally reached the age of Conan. As you may know, having read this blog, I am attempting to read a huge chunk of Robert E. Howard tales, and in an exciting turn of events we have finally reached the ages of Conan. Now as a product of the 90s, I have fond memories of the cartoon show Conan the Adventurer. So I am keen to see how these compare (I also remember Arnies version too).

Title: The Phoenix on the Sword

Author: Robert E. Howard

Blurb: Robert Ervin Howard (1906-1936) was an American pulp writer of fantasy, horror, historical adventure, boxing, western, and detective fiction. He is well known for having created the character Conan the Cimmerian, a literary icon whose pop-culture imprint can be compared to such icons as Tarzan of the Apes, Sherlock Holmes, and James Bond. Voracious reading, along with a natural talent for prose writing and the encouragement of teachers, conspired to create in Howard an interest in becoming a professional writer. One by one he discovered the authors that would influence his later work: Jack London and Rudyard Kipling. It's clear from Howard's earliest writings and the recollections of his friends that he suffered from severe depression from an early age. Friends recall him defending the act of suicide as a valid alternative as early as eighteen years old, while many of his stories and poems have a suicidal gloom and intensity that seem prescient in hindsight, describing such an end not as a tragedy but as a release from hell on earth.

Format: 48 pages, E-book (buy on Amazon using my sweet affiliate links)

Review

Okay, this is what I wanted, some classic hack-and-slash adventure! The strange thing about this tale is that Conan is an old man and already king. He has seemingly overthrown the old kingdoms' rulers and installed himself as king. Such a simple but effective story as Conan is visited in his dreams by a long-dead wizard called Epemitreus. This Wizard warns Conan of a plot to assassinate him and when he awakes he is beset by his foes. 

A great amount of fighting and bloodshed happens as Conan fights for his life and faces off against the leader of the conspirators and the monsters they summon. At no point did there feel like a dip in the action, great pacing, and the characters were intriguing. Ultimately a short, punchy, tale but by Crom an impressive first outing for Conan. I can't wait to read more.

Audio Review 124 // Perfection by Nick Kyme

I have ridden the Sons of Baal tales enough for now. Time to turn our gaze on to the sons of Fulgrim, the true perfectionist! 

Title: Perfection

Author: Nick Kyme

Publisher: Black Library

Buy now on Amazon

Blurb: Under siege from Chaos Space Marines of the Emperor's Children, survival for the world of Vardask looks bleak. Matters worsen with the arrival of the World Eaters of Khorne. Still, when the Champions of Slaanesh are slowly murdered in mysterious circumstances, the enmity of the rival warbands threatens to turn them on one another on a scale not seen since the aftermath of the Horus Heresy. Are there no depths to which the scions of Fulgrim will not stop in pursuit of true perfection?

Review

Well, that was an enjoyable listen for sure. It's always fun reading about the "villains" and when bad things happen to them it becomes even more enjoyable. The interesting twist to this tale is the murder mystery, hidden within a battle someone is slowly killing off the Emperor's Children and seems all too easy to blame the World Eater rivals who happened to turn up at the same time...

Now the main issue with this title is that I can't reveal too much without spoiling it. But I can confirm this title is well worth the listen to, so go treat yourself. If I have to sum it up for you I would say, action pack, mastering that is a fun listen. If you are looking for character-building lore, give it a miss. But if you are looking for a fun, commute to work tale this could be "perfection"!

Imperium Magazine Issue 17 - Secure the Dropsite - Review & Battle Report

Imperium Magazine Issue 17 - Secure the Dropsite 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: YouTube Playlist. Hit the subscribe button! to not miss out.

So for each issue, I will bring you a fully painted battle report. Using that issues figures (if they have some) and rules. As well as a quick overview of the magazine. Got any questions, please do ask!

Imperium Magazine Issue 17 - The second of three containers/crates/barrels are included, and for the Battle Report, we have an eight-Necron squad, and five Flayed Ones take on a lone Librarian. Who will win? The series is 12-6 to the Necrons, and with the marine outnumbered, will we get another win?

Hope you enjoy it and will follow. Cheers!

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Comic Review 236 // Marvel Action Spider-man: New Beginnings

You must love the library and all the great finds you can discover! This week's discovery is a Marvel Action Comic titled Spider-man: New Beginnings. Long a standing fan of the 90's cartoon, I have been trying to get into the new Spider-man series as my son loves them, so maybe the new beginning title will assist?

Title: Marvel Action: Spider-Man, Vol. 1: New Beginnings

Author: Delilah S. Dawson

Illustrator: Fico Ossio

Blurb:

A Marvelous new era begins here! Readers of all ages can get tangled up in these all new adventures of Spider-Man and his astonishing friends!

Peter Parker has thrown down with deadly villains and legendary heroes, but high school life might be his greatest challenge yet. Luckily, he has a shot at making the grade with a little help from his new friends... Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy!

Collects issues #1-3 of the comic series.

Format: 80 Pages (Buy via Amazon.ca)

Review

New beginnings were a great starting point for retraining my brain! It collects the first three issues of the series. It was also seemingly aimed at teens, so it wasn't overly simplified, which is nice. We join a Sixteen-year-old Peter Parker, who has secured an internship at 'Daily Bugle.' We discover that Peter wasn't the only one chosen, and with a room full of competition, Peter will have to bring his A-game to secure the Prize of interviewing Iron Man! After a rough introduction to the Bugle, Peter is teamed up with two other interns, Miles and Gwen. 

Now, of course, the city comes under threat, all three make reasons to leave, and soon a new Spidey team is forming! The story is rather good and enjoyable. With this being the beginning, the story is left open for me to find Volume 2. Though they seemingly found an excellent spot to stop at, you are left feeling fulfilled while needing more! I enjoy a less dark tale, and though it was aimed at teens, it was childish or brain-dulling.

Overall a terrific tale.

Warlord Games / 2000 AD: Judge Dredd Homer Blint paint guide

Warlord Games / 2000 AD: Judge Dredd Homer Blint paint guide. A quick and dirty paint scheme mainly using contrast or speed paints to get you gaming quicker! From my Youtube channel Adventures with Peps. It would be fantastic if you dropped me a free Sub!

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Homer Blint appears in the 2000AD and the Megazine world of Judge Dredd.

Homer assisted his wife, Oola Blint, a serial killer called 'The Angel of Mercy' (or sometimes 'The Euthanasia Killer'). Together they travelled between apartment blocks, poisoning the tenants and leaving their bodies for the Judges to find (in the pose of final rest, holding a red rose). Judge Dredd eventually tracked the couple down, and they are currently serving life in an ISO Cube for their crimes.

This kit can be bought through Amazon: Affiliate Link (Thank you for using it).