Black Library News & Rumours Thread III, that awkward third title.

Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:

No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.

If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

**BrookM**

Makes me wish mine would arrive already!

**Harriticus**

Malika2 wrote:
Well, this is a growing trend. The Games Day anthology also had that story about Abaddon in it, and ADB will be writing a Abaddon trilogy so I guess we'll be seeing more is this early post heresy stuff!

ADB doing Abaddon killing the Horus Clone/fighting Emp's Children/forming the Black Legion is a wetdream made reality.

He deals with CSM best in a desperate and seeking to regain lost glory kind of setting, exactly the crisis the Sons of Horus were going through immediately after their banishment to the EoT. It's the perfect storm for ADB to shine.

**BrookM**

I wonder though, will he do another Astartes type like Talos, Argal Tal, Grimaldus and that protagonist from that Grey Knights novel?

**1hadhq**

BL sneek peek: With Baited Breath

........a Raven Guard Audio drama.

Is it really necessary to use the Ravens as Legio audio dramaticus ??
Why no

dead tree product ?

**Malika2**

BrookM wrote:
I wonder though, will he do another Astartes type like Talos, Argal Tal, Grimaldus and that protagonist from that Grey Knights novel?

Wouldn't surprise me. It's the type of character the readers could relate to (to a certain extend)

**BrookM**

Malika2 wrote:
BrookM wrote:
I wonder though, will he do another Astartes type like Talos, Argal Tal, Grimaldus and that protagonist from that Grey Knights novel?

Wouldn't surprise me. It's the type of character the readers could relate to (to a certain extend)

It's the only character he writes about in most cases.

**Compel**

I felt that Grimaldus was nothing like Talos or Argal Tal. (Haven't read the grey knights book).

Grimaldus in Helsreach was utterly alien to all the humans he fought with, and they were to him. He felt the same about the Salamanders as well.

**reds8n**

news from around the place from the BL weekender..

Horus Heresy Audio

Lots to report here. It seems as though Black Library will be releasing at least one audio drama per month in 2013, with 4 of these planned for the Horus Heresy. However, I have got details of more than 4, so these may run into 2014.

Honour to the Dead by Gav Thorpe – this is the audio version of the short story released in German for the German Games Day chapbook. It will be released to coincide with the Mark of Calth anthology, a collection of short stories following on from Know No Fear. This contains three threads; one covering a human (as opposed to Astartes) interest story; the second focusing on Ultramarines trying to get to a rally point after the Word Bearers ambush; and the third detailing a titan battle (yes, you read that right, a TITAN BATTLE!!).

Vengeance by John French – this will focus on First Captain Sigismund of the Imperial Fists, as he has to deal with a group of Word Bearers stranded in the Sol system (the system that Terra is in). Apparently, this will be the first time Sigismund has to fight and kill other Astartes – *spoiler alert* something that he becomes rather good at!

Thief of Revelation by Graham McNeill – this will follow on from the novel A Thousand Sons and covers the choices that Magnus, Primarch of the Thousand Sons, faces and what drives his decision to join Horus’ rebellion.

Wolf Hunt by Graham McNeill – this follows on from the novel The Outcast Dead, and covers the hunt for the surviving Luna Wolf, Sevarion (I think) by the assassin, Nagasena (again I think).

The Sigillite by Chris Wraight – not many details about this, but it will form part of the story arc known as The Secret War (more of this in a later blog).

Sentia by Nick Kyme – not sure of the spelling, and I have no details at all on this.

Limited Edition Novellas

Again, lots to report here. It looks as though there are 4 limited edition novellas planned for 2013. The really good news is that these will be available on limited time release like the previous novella, Brotherhood of the Storm.

Scorched Earth by Nick Kyme – set on Istvaan V after the dropsite massacre, and after the traitor fleets have moved onto other campaigns, this focuses on a group of loyalist survivors and specifically a pair of Salamander marines searching for their Primarch Vulkan, who is missing and assumed dead following the massacre.

Tallarn by John French – this covers the massive tank battle mentioned in Bill King’s short story (covered in one of my earlier blog posts) on the planet Tallarn. Apparently, and the author was very explicit in this, the battle involves 10,000,000 tanks. Yes, ten million!

Corax by Gav Thorpe – a follow on to Deliverance Lost, this will feature the Raven Guard assaulting an Adeptus Mechanicus forge world under traitor control.

Cybernetica by Rob Sanders – a story about loyalist resistance to the Dark Mechanicum forces controlling Mars.

Novels

Even more goodies here! The Black Library intend a schedule of 4 full novels per year, and again I have more than 4, so it’s possible some of these may fall into 2014.

Betrayer by Aaron Dembski-Bowden – another follow up, this time to the audio drama Butcher’s Nails. This novel features both the World Eaters and Word Bearers assaulting the Ultramarines on their homeworld of Macragge. It will heavily feature Kharn, hence the title, but also expect lots of Angron and Lorgar (Primarchs of the World Eaters and Word Bearers respectively).

The Mark of Calth anthology by various authors – this follows up on Know No Fear with a number of short stories set both during and after the battle for Calth. Includes;
- Calth that Was by Graham McNeill
- Athame by John French
- The Shards of Erebus by Guy Haley
- The Underworld War by Aaron Dembski-Bowden
- Unmarked by Dan Abnett

Shattered Legions anthology by various authors – this focuses on the three legions shattered during the dropsite massacre – the Salamanders, Iron Hands and Raven Guard – and their response and actions after the incident on Istvaan V.

The Silent War anthology by various authors – this covers the war in the shadows, and may involve the Sigillite, assassins, and the psychological warfare aspect. No real details, but I expect to see the Alpha Legion feature heavily for the traitors.

Vulkan Lives by Nick Kyme – this will follow on from the aforementioned novella, Scorched Earth, and (if the title is to be believed) covers the finding and subsequent actions of Vulkan, Primarch of the Salamanders legion.

Unremembered Empire by Dan Abnett – of all the forthcoming titles, I believe this will be the most significant and it’s definitely the one I am most looking forward to. This follows on from a number of stories, specifically Know No Fear, Butcher’s Nails and the Mark of Calth anthology, but also ties together a number of loose ends that have been deliberately plotted in various books, such as Fear to Tread. This will mark the start of the Imperium Secundus story arc (again something I intend to cover in a future blog). I don’t want to give too much away, but the artwork for this novel is stunning in it’s depiction, and brilliantly shows a number of different emotions from the various loyalist participants.

A scrpit book of the audio dramas is to be released, somewhat old news but nice to know it's still coming. "epic" cover, apparently....

" Its another Corax Cover, He's leading a host of Raven Guard through a misty pass surrounded by mountains. In the back ground (back cover of the book) there's a lot of white mist with marine silhouettes some with armour lights shining, a few jump marines in the distance. Corax is on the front cover lighting claw crackling with power in one fist aimed at the viewer. The other is raised high behind him holding his power whip (all electrified and awesome). The whip curls from the top left hand side across to the right, down to the bottom of the page then back to bottom left corner where it splits into barbed heads. "

http://baddice.co.uk/black-library-weekender-2012-day-1-update/

Even more goodies here! The Black Library intend a schedule of 4 full novels per year, and again I have more than 4, so it’s possible some of these may fall into 2014.

Betrayer by Aaron Dembski-Bowden – another follow up, this time to the audio drama Butcher’s Nails. This novel features both the World Eaters and Word Bearers assaulting the Ultramarines on their homeworld of Macragge. It will heavily feature Kharn, hence the title, but also expect lots of Angron and Lorgar (Primarchs of the World Eaters and Word Bearers respectively).

The Mark of Calth anthology by various authors – this follows up on Know No Fear with a number of short stories set both during and after the battle for Calth. Includes;
- Calth that Was by Graham McNeill
- Athame by John French
- The Shards of Erebus by Guy Haley
- The Underworld War by Aaron Dembski-Bowden
- Unmarked by Dan Abnett

Shattered Legions anthology by various authors – this focuses on the three legions shattered during the dropsite massacre – the Salamanders, Iron Hands and Raven Guard – and their response and actions after the incident on Istvaan V.

The Silent War anthology by various authors – this covers the war in the shadows, and may involve the Sigillite, assassins, and the psychological warfare aspect. No real details, but I expect to see the Alpha Legion feature heavily for the traitors.

Vulkan Lives by Nick Kyme – this will follow on from the aforementioned novella, Scorched Earth, and (if the title is to be believed) covers the finding and subsequent actions of Vulkan, Primarch of the Salamanders legion.

Unremembered Empire by Dan Abnett – of all the forthcoming titles, I believe this will be the most significant and it’s definitely the one I am most looking forward to. This follows on from a number of stories, specifically Know No Fear, Butcher’s Nails and the Mark of Calth anthology, but also ties together a number of loose ends that have been deliberately plotted in various books, such as Fear to Tread. This will mark the start of the Imperium Secundus story arc (again something I intend to cover in a future blog). I don’t want to give too much away, but the artwork for this novel is stunning in it’s depiction, and brilliantly shows a number of different emotions from the various loyalist participants.

**Eiríkr**

I don't understand the purpose in releasing sequels in a different format to the prequel. I have absolutely no interest in an audiobook yet some of these releases sound excellent. Do you think they'll eventually make it to paperback? :(

**reds8n**

Yes, they have so far.

**1hadhq**

Like the news from the weekender...

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/1320/427644.page#4943753
except... so many audios and limited editions..

Can we save Corax from thorpe?

OtoH..Tallarn.

Tanks. Just the right dose of them...

**Pacific**

BrookM wrote:
The old novels had glimpses of this, I think the Jaq Draco novels even took it a bit too far by having an Imperial governor having little boys around his court, though I could be misremembering that one.

Yes that's very true. Read an interview actually with Ian Watson where GW had asked him to remove the 'buttock branding' bit in Space Marine (for those who haven't read the book - the Imperial Fist trainees had to walk through a 'pain tunnel' and get to the end, where their nerves are traumatised directly - any trainee who completes it gets a special mark branded on their ass!) Ian Watson agreed to this, but then for whatever reason the sequence actually ended up in the final printed version.

I still find the most bizarre of BL's editings to be the removal of Grimm the squat from the Inquisition War trilogy, replaced by some admech dude. It's kind of ... well, creepy is the only word I can really think of it! Just a bit weird. Aside from the fact that it really damaged the character/narrative balance in the book.

More recently, I read that ADB had to remove a 'romance' thread of narrative from one of his earlier novels, although the one in the NL trilogy (which I actually thought was one of the most endearing parts of the book) was allowed to remain.

**Alpharius**

1hadhq wrote:

Can we save Corax from thorpe?

Sadly, I don't think we can.

I think he's been 'given' the Raven Guard, unfortunately.

I just hope we can save the Alpha Legion from him!

**BrookM**

Pacific wrote:
BrookM wrote:
The old novels had glimpses of this, I think the Jaq Draco novels even took it a bit too far by having an Imperial governor having little boys around his court, though I could be misremembering that one.

Yes that's very true. Read an interview actually with Ian Watson where GW had asked him to remove the 'buttock branding' bit in Space Marine (for those who haven't read the book - the Imperial Fist trainees had to walk through a 'pain tunnel' and get to the end, where their nerves are traumatised directly - any trainee who completes it gets a special mark branded on their ass!) Ian Watson agreed to this, but then for whatever reason the sequence actually ended up in the final printed version.

I still find the most bizarre of BL's editings to be the removal of Grimm the squat from the Inquisition War trilogy, replaced by some admech dude. It's kind of ... well, creepy is the only word I can really think of it! Just a bit weird. Aside from the fact that it really damaged the character/narrative balance in the book.

More recently, I read that ADB had to remove a 'romance' thread of narrative from one of his earlier novels, although the one in the NL trilogy (which I actually thought was one of the most endearing parts of the book) was allowed to remain.

Yes, the reprint of the Space Marine book, has this bit in, along with a severe amount of fart jokes for some reason.

And I remember the short stories of Draco all too well, having read two versions of the same story, one with Grimm, the other with a weedy adept.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, while at the FLGS I had a quick look at the last pages of the Emperor's Might, those are indeed never-seen-before art pieces of Dark Angels and what are either successors or.. Fallen Angels? Still waiting for mine to arrive though, so review is still off, but from what I've seen, a fething nice compilation of art done by GW and the artists FFG uses for DW.

**Just Dave**

Liking all the upcoming stuff for the HH, but can they not simply use more novels? Less novellas, anthologies (which I don't mind much) and audiobooks, but more actual novels?

Wondering where they'll go with Vulkan, but I'm not a fan of Nick Kyme's writing style, so that could be a pain. Particularly as that's a novel and I've been getting all non-limited edition novels so far...

**Pacific**

JustDave I feel the same way, I did get a couple of the audio books to begin with but now I've kind of lost track/missed a couple of them and feel a bit left behind.

BrookM wrote:
Yes, the reprint of the Space Marine book, has this bit in, along with a severe amount of fart jokes for some reason.

And I remember the short stories of Draco all too well, having read two versions of the same story, one with Grimm, the other with a weedy adept.

I remember Ian Watson commented on those very things - the attempts at humour, even Grimm the Squat himself, were all a bit of light relief in books that would otherwise be overwhelmingly dark and depressing to read.

Both Abnett and ADB do the same thing from time to time - you get the odd bit of joviality, even if it's sometimes just laughing at the appalling situation a character is in. I believe ADB actually commented on such a thing on his 'about 40k' articles he wrote some time ago, that this is the essence of what makes 40k what it is. It isn't so much the dark, unbelievably depressing future, with the light at the end of the tunnel snuffed out, but the moments of brilliance (perhaps beauty, the lighter side of life) that happen within that black hole.

**Abadabadoobaddon**

reds8n wrote:
Vengeance by John French – this will focus on First Captain Sigismund of the Imperial Fists, as he has to deal with a group of Word Bearers stranded in the Sol system (the system that Terra is in). Apparently, this will be the first time Sigismund has to fight and kill other Astartes – *spoiler alert* something that he becomes rather good at!

This is Sor Talgron, no? It's kind of hinted that

Spoiler:

Or maybe I'm reading too much into things. Anyhow I hope John French carries through with this idea.

**Harriticus**

Just Dave wrote:
Liking all the upcoming stuff for the HH, but can they not simply use more novels? Less novellas, anthologies (which I don't mind much) and audiobooks, but more actual novels?

Wondering where they'll go with Vulkan, but I'm not a fan of Nick Kyme's writing style, so that could be a pain. Particularly as that's a novel and I've been getting all non-limited edition novels so far...

Fortunately GW seems to be coming out with 4 actual novels this year (Betrayer, Shattered Legion, Vulkan Lives, Unremembered Empire) plus 2 anthologies (Mark of Calth, Silent War).

But yes I agree they're milking the series too much by this point with the limited edition novella/audio book/hardcover anniversary blah blah/anthology nonsense. The big problem is GW is so obsessed with the "collecting" aspect of the "hobby" (see the recent WD editorial) that they've now transformed the HH novel series into a "collect them all!" type of nonsense.

**reds8n**

@ Mr. Abadabadoobaddon
....

.. that does sound plausible and right, well remembered !

I expect we'll see a few things like this, Angel Extarminatus features/has cameos from several of the characters from Mr. McNeill's IW books.

..

Spoiler:

From Facebook...

Announcing... 100-page Horus Heresy hard-back graphic novel written by Dan Abnett, art by Neil Roberts - announced for November 2013 (interviews on SFX site this week)

I am all over that.... gonna be a long year possibly eh ?

I'll try and get some pictures of those DA pictures up on the site this week. just gotta sort a camera out.

**BrookM**

I do hope that the comic won't be done by Boom Comics.

**Just Dave**

reds8n wrote:

From Facebook...

Announcing... 100-page Horus Heresy hard-back graphic novel written by Dan Abnett, art by Neil Roberts - announced for November 2013 (interviews on SFX site this week)

I am all over that.... gonna be a long year possibly eh ?

I'll try and get some pictures of those DA pictures up on the site this week. just gotta sort a camera out.

That sounds awesome.

And probably expensive

**reds8n**

I think it's being released by BL themselves.

**BrookM**

reds8n wrote:
I think it's being released by BL themselves.

That is a relief, as the Boom! Comics attempts were rather horrible.

**gianlucafiorentini123**

It's going to be an expensive year.

**reds8n**

http://baddice.co.uk/horus-heresy-graphic-novel-announced/

Black Library Weekend has finished and the big announcement to close the show was that they are producing a Horus Heresy Graphic Novel.

This will be a 100 page Graphic Novel written by Dan Abnett and illustrated by Neil Roberts.

The story will follow on from Know No Fear, and be the story of Kor Phaeron being chased by Marius Gage after fleeing the Calth system.

The Horus Heresy Graphic Novel will initially be a limited release that will later be converted into a staple of the range and will match the format of the Horus Heresy Hardbacks

The Graphic novels will be all new content. No revisit of current books, there will however be the possibility to revisit and take another look at old battles, for example, a future release will be a return to the battle for Prospero from the perspective of the Space Wolves written by Gav Thorpe and illustrated by Karl Richardson.

Like a 500 Million Dollar Hollywood movie in your hands. - Neil Roberts

Here are some photos I took at the announcement from my phone so not the best quality but you get an idea of the buzz around the announcement.

**gianlucafiorentini123**

It's going to be an expensive year.

**reds8n**

More news from the weekend, thanks to Mr. Narrativium...

The Bequin trilogy titles: Pariah, Penitent, Pandemonium. Ultimately featuring every Inquisition character from that series who isn't dead yet.

Portents is the current working title for Sarah Cawkwell's next Silver Skulls novel.

Mortarion's Heart will be an audio by L J Goulding. Yes, it's about that.

.. well..... guess the last one will set the proverbial cat amongst the sky rats eh ?!

**Harriticus**

ugh, why does the GK vs Mortarion story need to be audio?

**Just Dave**

Guess it could be interesting to see if they can salvage that horrible piece of fluff...

**SickBunny**

Ummm... not sure if I've just completely missed this somehow... but what is this...?

Obviously Exodites vs. Some Heresy-era Astartes... From Neil Roberts' website...