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I've never read any Eisenhorn. I was planning to start soon but now I'm not sure I should. Usually when I watch an adaptation of something I've read, I can't help but compare it constantly to the original material, and with very few exceptions, the adaptation is usually found wanting. So do you reckon I should hold off and just watch the show without any preconceptions?
wouldn't worry, you'v gotta remember they are adapting the 40k universe on top of all that... you are probably more likly to say 'hmm a lasgun does not look like that'
Not surprised. Any 40K live action TV adaptation would almost certainly have to be focused around an Inquisitor or perhaps a ship captain like a Rogue Trader, or something more than bolter porn. The life of the average Space Marine is actually pretty repetitive and restrictive, and also 40K big battle scenes would consume huge amounts of money, rendering them prohibitively expensive. Game of Thrones did not have any big battles on screen with their first season because they couldn't afford it.
Ratius wrote: Not up to speed on the series at all tbh. What makes it good/exciting?
Eisenhorn starts out as a bit of an 'everyman' character. He's an Inquisitor, and considers himself a puritan, but isn't over-the-top about it so still feels like a regular bloke trying to do good in a crappy universe. Over the course of the series, he finds himself doing gradually more and more horrible things because they seem like the best choice at the time, but he never loses that drive to do the right thing, however hard it is, and he's got something of a John McClane thing going on, in that he just keeps on slogging away through whatever the universe throws at him.
Abnett writes good characters, and Eisenhorn surrounds himself with a cool assortment of variously skilled individuals who all play important parts in the evolving story, so there's plenty to like. Although you do have to deal with Abnett's propensity for killing off your favourite supporting character with no warning...
Ginjitzu wrote: I've never read any Eisenhorn. I was planning to start soon but now I'm not sure I should. Usually when I watch an adaptation of something I've read, I can't help but compare it constantly to the original material, and with very few exceptions, the adaptation is usually found wanting. So do you reckon I should hold off and just watch the show without any preconceptions?
That would sort of depend on whether the series winds up being an adaption of the books, or a new storyline. If the former, I'd hold off and watch it first, and then read the books to catch whatever they left out. If it's a new story, then reading the books first might be worthwhile so that you have a grounding in the character.
Unlike most 40K books, I devoured the Eisenhorn trilogy (still need to get to Ravenor). So much of the feeling from the books went into the Dark Heresy RPG. It's saturated by that style and look.
H.B.M.C. wrote: Unlike most 40K books, I devoured the Eisenhorn trilogy (still need to get to Ravenor). So much of the feeling from the books went into the Dark Heresy RPG. It's saturated by that style and look.
I would recommend the series to anyone.
don't forget pariah eisenhorn vs ravenor, still waiting for the sequel
The thing is, if they can nail the feel of Xenos, then they are golden. This series is near and dear to my heart, hence my reluctance. Funnily enough I was reluctant to read it back then, having read a lot of Gaunt's Ghosts and thinking this would be more of the same until my best friend told me that if I wasn't hooked by the last line of the first chapter ("Come and let me show you how I killed Eyclone." HNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNG!), she'd refund the omnibus for me. Wound up never happening.
H.B.M.C. wrote: Unlike most 40K books, I devoured the Eisenhorn trilogy (still need to get to Ravenor). So much of the feeling from the books went into the Dark Heresy RPG. It's saturated by that style and look.
I would recommend the series to anyone.
don't forget pariah eisenhorn vs ravenor, still waiting for the sequel
Penitent is (hopefully) coming next year, Dan has finally started working on it again and the hints he has dropped during his interview makes me want to read it now more than ever.
Until then, one can always re-read everything in chronological order, thanks to the Magos.
BrookM wrote: The thing is, if they can nail the feel of Xenos, then they are golden. This series is near and dear to my heart, hence my reluctance. Funnily enough I was reluctant to read it back then, having read a lot of Gaunt's Ghosts and thinking this would be more of the same until my best friend told me that if I wasn't hooked by the last line of the first chapter ("Come and let me show you how I killed Eyclone." HNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNG!), she'd refund the omnibus for me. Wound up never happening.
H.B.M.C. wrote: Unlike most 40K books, I devoured the Eisenhorn trilogy (still need to get to Ravenor). So much of the feeling from the books went into the Dark Heresy RPG. It's saturated by that style and look.
I would recommend the series to anyone.
don't forget pariah eisenhorn vs ravenor, still waiting for the sequel
Penitent is (hopefully) coming next year, Dan has finally started working on it again and the hints he has dropped during his interview makes me want to read it now more than ever.
Until then, one can always re-read everything in chronological order, thanks to the Magos.
Thanks to the magos, I've also got all sort stories in print(got the limited edition)
Iracundus wrote: Not surprised. Any 40K live action TV adaptation would almost certainly have to be focused around an Inquisitor or perhaps a ship captain like a Rogue Trader, or something more than bolter porn. The life of the average Space Marine is actually pretty repetitive and restrictive, and also 40K big battle scenes would consume huge amounts of money, rendering them prohibitively expensive. Game of Thrones did not have any big battles on screen with their first season because they couldn't afford it.
I get what you're saying but bad analogy, GoT didn't have any big battles in the first season because there weren't any in the book, the civil war didn't kick off until the second book, and the first couple of seasons followed the books pretty closely. However, CGI is pretty expensive regardless of what it's being used for and to do 40K cities and alien worlds properly your going to need a lot of it.
I get what you're saying but bad analogy, GoT didn't have any big battles in the first season because there weren't any in the book, the civil war didn't kick off until the second book, and the first couple of seasons followed the books pretty closely. However, CGI is pretty expensive regardless of what it's being used for and to do 40K cities and alien worlds properly your going to need a lot of it.
That is not entirely true. They skipped the fight with Tyrion and his mercs due to money constraints in the first season by having Tyrion get knocked out before the battle. Admittedly, skipping that was not a huge deal, but I was disappointed we did not get to see Tyrion gore a horse with his helm as in the book.
Horst wrote: Honestly, if they were going to do ANY 40k property as a TV show, Eisenhorn is probably the best one to pick. Has a small-ish cast of recurring characters, and is at least somewhat familiar to audiences who aren't into 40k. The procedural cop drama format would work pretty well with him. Would be a hell of a lot more accessible than something about Space Marines or something.
Nope, by far the best would be Cain. Not only the comedic undertones fit the TV much better than grimdumb, Cain is far more down to earth character. With inquisitiors, you need to explain how 'magic' and other stuff works and delve into things that might make good horror show, but isn't really suited to mainstream TV. Cain, on the other hand, war movies sell well, protagonist is much more relatable (and fun), and all you need to explain about the setting is that there's evil magic and Jurgen is good at stopping it, without needing to deal with why or how. Cain also has simple supporting cast of four recurring humans, not weird freaks from inquisitorial band, that can be shown on TV in much simpler and more relatable way.
Good thing is "Mainstream television" isn't what it used to be. Streaming services make sure a niche show can find its audience without being constrained to timeslots etc. I can't imagine a show like Chernobyl would've had the immense impact it's had thirty years ago.
"I like my coffee like I like my nights. Dark, endless and impossible to sleep through."
I get what you're saying but bad analogy, GoT didn't have any big battles in the first season because there weren't any in the book, the civil war didn't kick off until the second book, and the first couple of seasons followed the books pretty closely. However, CGI is pretty expensive regardless of what it's being used for and to do 40K cities and alien worlds properly your going to need a lot of it.
That is not entirely true. They skipped the fight with Tyrion and his mercs due to money constraints in the first season by having Tyrion get knocked out before the battle. Admittedly, skipping that was not a huge deal, but I was disappointed we did not get to see Tyrion gore a horse with his helm as in the book.
That fight was exactly what I was referring to. Also another example from a later season, the initial civil war battle where Robb Stark won was essentially off camera, for both time and money constraints.
I doubt any early season of any 40K show is going to have the budget to blow on a massive battle scene.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2019/07/18 13:03:31
So is there any information on how this will accessed? Will it be on Netflix, Amazon, HBO, something else? Hopefully not HBO, I don't have any desire to pay for/have HBO.
Now I really need to get to reading the books.
GoT forced me to stop reading the books beacause it became embarrasing to go in to a book store and buy the hyped TV show books (as they also put a large badge on the books proclaiming its relation to the TV show).
Now I have time to read these books, so I can say I read them well before the big tv hype (if it become a success).
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2019/07/18 13:46:49
Only if the series starts with the arch falling on him.
Bender wrote:* Realise that despite the way people talk, this is not a professional sport played by demi gods, but rather a game of toy soldiers played by tired, inebriated human beings.
Actually, even better if it happens towards the end of the first season. Gives time to see him in action as an interrogator and to become a fan favorite, just to be taken down towards the end of the season!
oni wrote: So is there any information on how this will accessed? Will it be on Netflix, Amazon, HBO, something else? Hopefully not HBO, I don't have any desire to pay for/have HBO.
Kind of hope either Netflix or HBO. Don't want to touch Amazon services with a 10 foot pole and give Bezos more money.
Horst wrote: Honestly, if they were going to do ANY 40k property as a TV show, Eisenhorn is probably the best one to pick. Has a small-ish cast of recurring characters, and is at least somewhat familiar to audiences who aren't into 40k. The procedural cop drama format would work pretty well with him. Would be a hell of a lot more accessible than something about Space Marines or something.
Nope, by far the best would be Cain. Not only the comedic undertones fit the TV much better than grimdumb, Cain is far more down to earth character. With inquisitiors, you need to explain how 'magic' and other stuff works and delve into things that might make good horror show, but isn't really suited to mainstream TV. Cain, on the other hand, war movies sell well, protagonist is much more relatable (and fun), and all you need to explain about the setting is that there's evil magic and Jurgen is good at stopping it, without needing to deal with why or how. Cain also has simple supporting cast of four recurring humans, not weird freaks from inquisitorial band, that can be shown on TV in much simpler and more relatable way.
Good thing is "Mainstream television" isn't what it used to be. Streaming services make sure a niche show can find its audience without being constrained to timeslots etc. I can't imagine a show like Chernobyl would've had the immense impact it's had thirty years ago.
Heh, I know it’s not what you meant, but the tv miniseries Chernobyl would have had a WAAAAAAYYYYY bigger effect if it aired 30 years ago. Because it happened 33 years ago and the USSR was still a thing in 1989.
Horst wrote: Honestly, if they were going to do ANY 40k property as a TV show, Eisenhorn is probably the best one to pick. Has a small-ish cast of recurring characters, and is at least somewhat familiar to audiences who aren't into 40k. The procedural cop drama format would work pretty well with him. Would be a hell of a lot more accessible than something about Space Marines or something.
Nope, by far the best would be Cain. Not only the comedic undertones fit the TV much better than grimdumb, Cain is far more down to earth character. With inquisitiors, you need to explain how 'magic' and other stuff works and delve into things that might make good horror show, but isn't really suited to mainstream TV. Cain, on the other hand, war movies sell well, protagonist is much more relatable (and fun), and all you need to explain about the setting is that there's evil magic and Jurgen is good at stopping it, without needing to deal with why or how. Cain also has simple supporting cast of four recurring humans, not weird freaks from inquisitorial band, that can be shown on TV in much simpler and more relatable way.
Good thing is "Mainstream television" isn't what it used to be. Streaming services make sure a niche show can find its audience without being constrained to timeslots etc. I can't imagine a show like Chernobyl would've had the immense impact it's had thirty years ago.
Heh, I know it’s not what you meant, but the tv miniseries Chernobyl would have had a WAAAAAAYYYYY bigger effect if it aired 30 years ago. Because it happened 33 years ago and the USSR was still a thing in 1989.
Of course it couldn't have happened 30 years ago because the pertinent information was unavailable to us in the west to actually make the show.
Self-proclaimed evil Cat-person. Dues Ex Felines
Cato Sicarius, after force feeding Captain Ventris a copy of the Codex Astartes for having the audacity to play Deathwatch, chokes to death on his own D-baggery after finding Calgar assembling his new Eldar army.
Horst wrote: Honestly, if they were going to do ANY 40k property as a TV show, Eisenhorn is probably the best one to pick. Has a small-ish cast of recurring characters, and is at least somewhat familiar to audiences who aren't into 40k. The procedural cop drama format would work pretty well with him. Would be a hell of a lot more accessible than something about Space Marines or something.
Nope, by far the best would be Cain. Not only the comedic undertones fit the TV much better than grimdumb, Cain is far more down to earth character. With inquisitiors, you need to explain how 'magic' and other stuff works and delve into things that might make good horror show, but isn't really suited to mainstream TV. Cain, on the other hand, war movies sell well, protagonist is much more relatable (and fun), and all you need to explain about the setting is that there's evil magic and Jurgen is good at stopping it, without needing to deal with why or how. Cain also has simple supporting cast of four recurring humans, not weird freaks from inquisitorial band, that can be shown on TV in much simpler and more relatable way.
Chernobyl..immense impact..thirty years ago.
Err..?
We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't. - Frank Howard Clark
The wise man doubts often, and changes his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubts not; he knows all things but his own ignorance.
The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!” Professor Brian Cox
Horst wrote: Honestly, if they were going to do ANY 40k property as a TV show, Eisenhorn is probably the best one to pick. Has a small-ish cast of recurring characters, and is at least somewhat familiar to audiences who aren't into 40k. The procedural cop drama format would work pretty well with him. Would be a hell of a lot more accessible than something about Space Marines or something.
Nope, by far the best would be Cain. Not only the comedic undertones fit the TV much better than grimdumb, Cain is far more down to earth character. With inquisitiors, you need to explain how 'magic' and other stuff works and delve into things that might make good horror show, but isn't really suited to mainstream TV. Cain, on the other hand, war movies sell well, protagonist is much more relatable (and fun), and all you need to explain about the setting is that there's evil magic and Jurgen is good at stopping it, without needing to deal with why or how. Cain also has simple supporting cast of four recurring humans, not weird freaks from inquisitorial band, that can be shown on TV in much simpler and more relatable way.
Chernobyl..immense impact..thirty years ago.
Err..?
LIKE Chernobyl, LIKE Chernobyl, not litterally Chernobyl! As in a tight 5-episode high profile drama about a real event with a clearly defined start and end point would probably have a real hard time getting picked up by a network in the 90's and even harder time reaching out to as widespread an audience.
"I like my coffee like I like my nights. Dark, endless and impossible to sleep through."
Nope, by far the best would be Cain. Not only the comedic undertones fit the TV much better than grimdumb, Cain is far more down to earth character. With inquisitiors, you need to explain how 'magic' and other stuff works and delve into things that might make good horror show, but isn't really suited to mainstream TV. Cain, on the other hand, war movies sell well, protagonist is much more relatable (and fun), and all you need to explain about the setting is that there's evil magic and Jurgen is good at stopping it, without needing to deal with why or how. Cain also has simple supporting cast of four recurring humans, not weird freaks from inquisitorial band, that can be shown on TV in much simpler and more relatable way.
Caine would not be good. If you're dumping into a war show, you need to explain the war itself. They'd have to explain the Imperial guard, the current campaign, etc... those are much bigger concepts that need more detailed explanations. Plus Caine is not really indicative of the setting as a whole. His books are written almost as satire of the setting itself, which would be a little confusing for anybody not already familiar with the setting. Caine is a series of inside jokes. It wouldn't be funny for people who aren't in on the setting.
Eisenhorn on the other hand is perfect. It can open with a simple crawl.
"It is the 41st millenium. The Imperium of Man, the mightiest empire ever seen, stretches across the galaxy. The God Emperor is interred on his Golden Throne, mortally wounded, he is kept alive only by sheer will and the unknowable technology within its gilded machinery. His immense psychic might is entirely focused on guiding the Astronomicon, a beacon without which interstellar travel would not be possible. He cannot devote attention to the minutia of ruling his empire. An empire beset upon all sides by foul aliens and traitors alike. But that is not the only threat, for the Dark Gods turn their eyes upon the mortal realm as well. Heresy spreads within the Imperium like a cancer.
It is left to Inquisitors to root out these heretics and traitors wherever they hide. They are empowered with ultimate authority. N one are above suspicion. None are beyond their reach."
Self-proclaimed evil Cat-person. Dues Ex Felines
Cato Sicarius, after force feeding Captain Ventris a copy of the Codex Astartes for having the audacity to play Deathwatch, chokes to death on his own D-baggery after finding Calgar assembling his new Eldar army.
MonkeyBallistic wrote: I see this thread is following the usual script for these things.
Lots of people excited. Calls for the casting of Patrick Stewart, Karl Urban and/or Vin Diesel (because they are the only actors in the world apparently). Then the thread will die down as no more information will be coming for a very long time. A TV show being in development means it’ll be coming some time between a couple of years and never.
If it does actually get made, I’m bracing myself for the inevitable wailing and gnashing of teeth that will ensue because it doesn’t meet some people’s ideas of how a 40k TV show should look or feel.
Sure, the announcement is interesting, maybe even good news, but no more than that for now. Nothing more to see.
Yes yes yes, such things are inevitable, captain gloomy pants, but folks can have a bit of fun wish listing first
