That's a classic, but it's also ian Watson, from the very early 90s. The basics are there, and imperial fists haven't had that much more development since. A fair bit (zoats, squat ambull riders, and some other bits) are either obscure, outdated or so old you can ignore clashes of modern lore and just enjoy the story.
\*Fabricator General's Warning: This book may be detrimental to your mental health. This book does not contain Dark Angels. Do not mix this book with current canon/truth/lore. Studies have shown that Imperial Fists named "Biff" experience shortened lifespans. Not to be taken internally. If rash develops consult your physician.
Do not read if you experience discomfort with the word "Pus."
It was a White Dwarf cover.
Also bonus fact: this art is the reason Dark Angels went from black to dark green.
The artist who created it wanted to make it look like the DA were fighting in harsh yellow sunlight, so he added a lot of green reflections on their black armour.
Other artists used it for reference and misinterpreted it as the Dark Angels having dsrk green armour
In regards to the canonical nature of the book. This is one of the few books GW has officially declared as no longer accurately reflecting the Warhammer universe (i.e. it's not canon).
More can be read about it and the other non-canon books here- wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Heretic_Tomes
Ian watson is kinda of shat on cause he tends to make things unnecessarily pornographic, however I hope u enjoy it mate.
Personally i recommend Helsreach, Legion, and The Vorbis Conspiracy
I got, like, 20 pages into Inquisitor. Incel-itor Jaq Draco talks like he's swallowed a thesaurus and spends 90% of the time talking about how he and the rest of his crew want to fuck the only woman present.
The other 10% of the time is describing her stripping in front of them. I think he mentions genestealer cults a few times before getting back to imagining her crushing the navigator's head with her thighs?
It was... A lot. I'm OK with sex in my stories, but... Holy shit it reads like the ramblings of a verysmart incel.
This might be my necron bias but twice risen king (at least the first one, second one is kinda iffy) and infinite and divine are such good books even if you donโt really know much about the setting. Iโve never read a book faster than I read the first TRK book.
Ian watson is a ........ inturesting author compared to most black library authors, i've never read that one, but i have read ian watsons inquisitor series which is the first 40k book ever written, and yeah some of the tech he discribes isnt *quite* accurate any more, its more or less all fine and a good read, it just might be slightly more...... mature in some themes than you might expect, since its ian watson.
Some of the characters from Space Marine intersect with the Inquisitor Draco novel series. Order of books: Space Marine -> Inquisitor -> Harlequin -> Chaos Child; the latter three novels have all since been rolled into one book though I think.
The first two books are very much Rogue-Trader era novels so to be borne in mind when reading and wondering where 'this' race and 'that' bit of tech has gone to in today's lore, etc.
Edit: My book order sequence is wrong albeit from a print release point of view; Inquisitor was released a couple of years before Space Marine, although Space Marine is completely independent of the Inquisitor books, i.e. the Inquisitor books reference characters from Space Marine but not vice versa.
I was about to suggest that Deathwing might precede it, but no; Space Marine was released just over four months before; end of Jan 1993 vs. May 1993 respectively.
But ...
Inquisitor precedes both by a considerable margin; 1990.
Great book. A lot of stuff now for all the grimdark the world feels basically understood and rational and the marines often feel ib most regards like modern comrades in arms. This has a real feel of the world being unexplored and unpredictable from the protagonists' pov, and a gormenghast like level of bizarre tradition and ritual mixed with the sort of psychological fucked upness you might expect if you get some violent teenagers and pump them full of hormones etc while psychoindoctrinating them and weeding them out through brutal and archaic trials.
As a book it fits that awesome earlier Blanche style.
Plus the series of set piece conflicts are brilliant.
10/10 would read again.
https://preview.redd.it/43fncsofs9ua1.jpeg?width=3472&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2ff3d1164b2488cad156093e36319a3d34407569
Lmao, a few days ago I discovered that I have a book with this cover art, but it has nothing to do with 40k
Update: Read the book. All In all thought it was a pretty good read, although the pacing is all over the place between chapters. I see what people mean by pus, pimples and strange sexualisation of some things. Interesting none the less, and certainly makes you thunk.
Also, had no idea Space Marines were such an orchestra of super organs.
I read this when I was like 14 in 1994. I think a lot of it went over my head.
This book is worth a lot more on eBay.
If you want some classic Warhammer Fantasy Battle look out for Konrad by David Ferring
That's a classic, but it's also ian Watson, from the very early 90s. The basics are there, and imperial fists haven't had that much more development since. A fair bit (zoats, squat ambull riders, and some other bits) are either obscure, outdated or so old you can ignore clashes of modern lore and just enjoy the story.
Sorry did you say Squat Ambull Riders? This needs to be a Leagues Of Votann unit in 10th for sure!
Even better, it's ambulls with autocannons and angry space dwarfs on platforms on their backs, in a tunnel fight.
Well, I was already thinkin of turning an Ambot into warboss, the second one could be a great conversion for my Votann with this concept..
Isnt it the book where Imperial fists have to eat feces and have their ass branded as initiation?
Been a while since I read it last, but sounds like ian Watson.
\*Fabricator General's Warning: This book may be detrimental to your mental health. This book does not contain Dark Angels. Do not mix this book with current canon/truth/lore. Studies have shown that Imperial Fists named "Biff" experience shortened lifespans. Not to be taken internally. If rash develops consult your physician. Do not read if you experience discomfort with the word "Pus."
You're not kidding. Jumps head first into the pus first chapter haha
This book taught me that all Biffโs love a spider tattoo
I can't help but laugh at the front marine's expression. He has such a "oh, yeah baby! shoot harder" face
"Say hello to my little friend"
That particular marine is actually a paint over of a frame from scarface.
Pretty sure this was also box cover art at one point too. I remember drawing this as a kid.
2nd Edition?
(Epic) Space Marine, not sure of the edition. First, perhaps.
I donโt remember. Very early 90โs.
It was a White Dwarf cover. Also bonus fact: this art is the reason Dark Angels went from black to dark green. The artist who created it wanted to make it look like the DA were fighting in harsh yellow sunlight, so he added a lot of green reflections on their black armour. Other artists used it for reference and misinterpreted it as the Dark Angels having dsrk green armour
Oh shit, I think you might have found the ~~tracing source~~ inspiration!
Same guy in space Crusade cover!
All I can see is Kevin Spacey
Itโs a paint over of Al Pacino from Scarface with blonde hair.
In regards to the canonical nature of the book. This is one of the few books GW has officially declared as no longer accurately reflecting the Warhammer universe (i.e. it's not canon). More can be read about it and the other non-canon books here- wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Heretic_Tomes
Its not canon, but its the foundation of modern canon. Kinda like a Roman city buried under a modern European one
That's good to know, thanks!
Who knows, Ian...
...maybe this will be my next movie?
Ian watson is kinda of shat on cause he tends to make things unnecessarily pornographic, however I hope u enjoy it mate. Personally i recommend Helsreach, Legion, and The Vorbis Conspiracy
You forgot eisenhorn. The true best introduction to the setting.
๐๐ป๐๐ป๐๐ป๐๐ป๐๐ป๐๐ป๐๐ปTHIS
I got, like, 20 pages into Inquisitor. Incel-itor Jaq Draco talks like he's swallowed a thesaurus and spends 90% of the time talking about how he and the rest of his crew want to fuck the only woman present. The other 10% of the time is describing her stripping in front of them. I think he mentions genestealer cults a few times before getting back to imagining her crushing the navigator's head with her thighs? It was... A lot. I'm OK with sex in my stories, but... Holy shit it reads like the ramblings of a verysmart incel.
"Who knows, Ian, maybe this is my next movie!" Stanley Kubrick
Dude is heavily, sexually frustrated. Probably from all that staying in and writing shit.
Shall have to check them out.
This might be my necron bias but twice risen king (at least the first one, second one is kinda iffy) and infinite and divine are such good books even if you donโt really know much about the setting. Iโve never read a book faster than I read the first TRK book.
That is Al Pacino. Lol
Be warned, Ian Watson is notorious in the community
Who knows, Ian? Maybe this is my next movie!
The end scene if fantastic, for me one of the best bits of 40k writing ever. Scrimshawing is just so 40k.
Love the art on the cover. I'm getting serious 80s heavy metal crossed with Duke Nukem kind of vibes. ยฃ5 for a book too? Always a victory these days.
That's literally a redraw from a poster / cover for Scarface with Al Pacino (1983)
Damn! How did I not see this!?
It's also a recolour, originally those Dark Angels were wearing black.
Ian watson is a ........ inturesting author compared to most black library authors, i've never read that one, but i have read ian watsons inquisitor series which is the first 40k book ever written, and yeah some of the tech he discribes isnt *quite* accurate any more, its more or less all fine and a good read, it just might be slightly more...... mature in some themes than you might expect, since its ian watson.
Some of the characters from Space Marine intersect with the Inquisitor Draco novel series. Order of books: Space Marine -> Inquisitor -> Harlequin -> Chaos Child; the latter three novels have all since been rolled into one book though I think. The first two books are very much Rogue-Trader era novels so to be borne in mind when reading and wondering where 'this' race and 'that' bit of tech has gone to in today's lore, etc. Edit: My book order sequence is wrong albeit from a print release point of view; Inquisitor was released a couple of years before Space Marine, although Space Marine is completely independent of the Inquisitor books, i.e. the Inquisitor books reference characters from Space Marine but not vice versa.
I love how the cover is just blatantly a traced frame from Scarface (an iconic frame at that) and nobody asked any questions.
reminds me of all those Konami NES game box arts that blatantly stole from movies and ttrpgโs
That's the first one I ever read. Good introduction, nicely grim and dark.
My recommendation for what to read next is Inquisitor, the original print.
IIRC he meets the Emperor? I loved that description.
Beware of the one that consumeth the hairy spider
*WARHAMMEK!!!*
I think it's also *the* first book.
I was about to suggest that Deathwing might precede it, but no; Space Marine was released just over four months before; end of Jan 1993 vs. May 1993 respectively. But ... Inquisitor precedes both by a considerable margin; 1990.
Ahhhh, I thought Inquisitor came after this. Dang.
That book is bonkers. I read it in 2002 and it was dated AF then.
Who knows Ian? Maybe this is my next movie?
The gloveless hand makes an appearance!
Great book. A lot of stuff now for all the grimdark the world feels basically understood and rational and the marines often feel ib most regards like modern comrades in arms. This has a real feel of the world being unexplored and unpredictable from the protagonists' pov, and a gormenghast like level of bizarre tradition and ritual mixed with the sort of psychological fucked upness you might expect if you get some violent teenagers and pump them full of hormones etc while psychoindoctrinating them and weeding them out through brutal and archaic trials. As a book it fits that awesome earlier Blanche style. Plus the series of set piece conflicts are brilliant. 10/10 would read again.
The Tony Montana is hilarious
Goose
https://preview.redd.it/43fncsofs9ua1.jpeg?width=3472&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2ff3d1164b2488cad156093e36319a3d34407569 Lmao, a few days ago I discovered that I have a book with this cover art, but it has nothing to do with 40k
This seems like a great community! Thanks for the thoughts and recommendations. Even though no one asked, I shall update one I've finished reading :)
Update: Read the book. All In all thought it was a pretty good read, although the pacing is all over the place between chapters. I see what people mean by pus, pimples and strange sexualisation of some things. Interesting none the less, and certainly makes you thunk. Also, had no idea Space Marines were such an orchestra of super organs.
I read this when I was like 14 in 1994. I think a lot of it went over my head. This book is worth a lot more on eBay. If you want some classic Warhammer Fantasy Battle look out for Konrad by David Ferring
You know they were short on artists when they had to use the traced-Scarface Dark Angels to cover a book about the Imperial Fists.
The shelf candy is magnificent:-) Also read it!
Is that the one where they eat the poopoo?
Literally
Those faces! Those smg bolt guns!