Once upon a time, Black Library used to be a thing. You know, something that was special, deluxe sort of prestigious place. They held the lore and the continuation of the universe we all love. But over time things have changed, and this hallowed enterprise has seemingly become an afterthought, pumping out pulpy novels and republishing quality stories from the past - but not breaking new ground, and falling by the wayside. In fact - here's a prediction for you - we're running with a theory that Black Library will disappear, or be subsumed by the larger Games Workshop. Why? Well it's seemed to be on a steady downward slide over the past couple of years. The big promotions have ended, GW are now publishing the Horus Heresy tomes rather than the beautiful Black Books we once had, the quality of writing has decreased markedly, and with the Siege of Terra ending, it seems like this might be the end of it all. Black Library hasn't had any attention to their awful website for a very long time; the ordering system is something from 2002, it's not integrated with any other platforms or an app (which would compete with Audible) - it's just been left to rot on the vine! IS this the last Black Library Celebration? If so it's sad to see it go out with a whimper and not a bang!
++ Delivery Fulfillment on the Week-of 24/02/24 ++
So if this is going to be the end, let's have a look at what they're giving us! Our Black Library Celebration 2024 miniature is Ufthak Blackhawk, an awesome name for a bit of a tired looking mini. In fact it's interesting to see that Community members given one to paint up also obviously didn't find it that inspiring either, with these tired looking paint jobs. I feel bad seeing their talent and then them having to polish a turd - it must really be a challenge!
Black Library is all about books though, so lets see what's on offer! First up is Da Big Dakka, bringing you more of the tales of Ufthak Blackhawk. Now this was supposed to come in the standard Hardback and then a Collector's Edition, but that version has been delayed, so hold your horses on that one. More Orky goodness abounds with the Paperback release of Ghazghkull Thraka: Prophet of the Waaagh! (broken link).
The classic Blood Angels novel Deus Encarmine is getting a 20th Anniversary Edition, telling the tale of division and faith amongst Sanguinius' sons.
Speaking of Space Marines and brother against brother style action, their is yet another updated version of The Art of the Horus Heresy. This seems like an almost annual event now, but with the Siege of Terra ending the narrative of the Horus Heresy, it seems now is the time to add the covers. Each time this is published we get new art, and the older art gets pushed out, so not entirely sure if we will ever have a definitive version.
Age of $igmar gets some love this round, with The Ghosts of Barak-Minoz, the sequel to The Arkanaut’s Oath. Steampunk Dwarves, swashbuckling and daring-do. It's all here in probably the most under utilized and poorly envisioned faction in Age of $igmar - the Kharadron Overlords. They have so much potential, and like Black Library's website, just sit and stagnate. Fantastic cover though!
The two Reader's Choice re-releases this year are Dan Abnett's Riders of the Dead and the Inquisitor vs Night Lords in Lord of the Night. (Neither of these books has a link on the webstore...)
As with each year, the Black Library Celebration Anthology 2024 will be available for free from Warhammer stores, and (for the first time) as an ePub when you order anything from the Warhammer webstore.
Black Library is all about books though, so lets see what's on offer! First up is Da Big Dakka, bringing you more of the tales of Ufthak Blackhawk. Now this was supposed to come in the standard Hardback and then a Collector's Edition, but that version has been delayed, so hold your horses on that one. More Orky goodness abounds with the Paperback release of Ghazghkull Thraka: Prophet of the Waaagh! (broken link).
The classic Blood Angels novel Deus Encarmine is getting a 20th Anniversary Edition, telling the tale of division and faith amongst Sanguinius' sons.
Speaking of Space Marines and brother against brother style action, their is yet another updated version of The Art of the Horus Heresy. This seems like an almost annual event now, but with the Siege of Terra ending the narrative of the Horus Heresy, it seems now is the time to add the covers. Each time this is published we get new art, and the older art gets pushed out, so not entirely sure if we will ever have a definitive version.
Age of $igmar gets some love this round, with The Ghosts of Barak-Minoz, the sequel to The Arkanaut’s Oath. Steampunk Dwarves, swashbuckling and daring-do. It's all here in probably the most under utilized and poorly envisioned faction in Age of $igmar - the Kharadron Overlords. They have so much potential, and like Black Library's website, just sit and stagnate. Fantastic cover though!
The two Reader's Choice re-releases this year are Dan Abnett's Riders of the Dead and the Inquisitor vs Night Lords in Lord of the Night. (Neither of these books has a link on the webstore...)
As with each year, the Black Library Celebration Anthology 2024 will be available for free from Warhammer stores, and (for the first time) as an ePub when you order anything from the Warhammer webstore.
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