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Review: Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #5

Games Workshop‘s world of Warhammer 40,000 comes to Marvel comics! Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #5 has the Sisters of Battle knowing what needs to be done… purge the heretic!

Story: Torunn Grønbekk
Art: Edgar Salazar
Color: Arif Prianto
Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

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Review: Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #4

Games Workshop’s world of Warhammer 40,000 comes to Marvel comics! Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #4 has the Sisters of Battle come face to face with the Inquisitor’s Acolyte they’ve been looking for.

Story: Torunn Grønbekk
Art: Edgar Salazar
Color: Arif Prianto
Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

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Kindle
Zeus Comics
TFAW


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Review: Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #4

Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #4

Veridyan and her squad of Sisters of Battle learn the story and fate of the Inquisitorial Acolyte, but this doesn’t necessarily equal mission accomplished. Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #4 ups the action and scale of the story as the mission heads towards completion and the assault on Siscia begins!

Torunn Grønbekk has put together quite an issue with Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #4. The first three have done a solid job building up to this point where most of the cards are laid out on the table and we get an idea of the threat and scale of what’s ahead of the squad. There’s some solid action film tropes thrown in the comic but each moment makes the squad more and more badass as they attempt to complete their mission.

Grønbekk has done a fantastic job of balancing the details of the Sisters of Battle with making the comic accessible to new readers. This issue keeps the highlights on the faith in the Emperor that drives the Sisters of Battle and how this isn’t an issue about any one character. Many of them get their moments and throughout they whispers their prayers as their bolter shells fly. It’s this focus on details that create the solid atmosphere of the comic and really captures the spirit of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. We also get a bit of classic horror as well once it’s revealed as to where the “big bad” is, leading to expectations to come as the assault on the planet really begins and things ramp up (or down with Repentia).

The art by Edgar Salazar is the best it’s been in the series. There’s some fantastic panels and pages where the detailed nature of the Sister’s armor stands out. The forces the face are also littered with small details that give each character so much personality. Every visual detail adds to the world and enhances the story. Salazar is joined by Arif Prianto on color who does a solid job of balancing the grimdark and Clayton Cowles lettering gives such personality to the characters and moments. The prayers of the Sisters are handled so well as an example.

Story: Torunn Grønbekk Art: Edgar Salazar
Color: Arif Prianto Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.15 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.3 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review


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Exclusive Preview: Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #4 (of 5)

Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #4 (of 5)

(W) Torunn Gronbekk (A) Edgar Salazar (CA) Dave Wilkins (VCA) Games Workshop
PARENTAL ADVISORY
In Shops: Dec 01, 2021
SRP: $4.99

VOYAGE OF THE ACOLYTE!
• The Sisters learn the story and fate of the Inquisitorial Acolyte, but this doesn’t necessarily equal mission accomplished…
• And: a discovery of the nature of SISCIA will require a drastic battleplan that will change the face of the planet forever!
• Chaos runs deep!

Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #4 (of 5)

Exclusive: Torunn Grønbekk Discusses Faith and Sisterhood in Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle. Plus a Preview of Issue 4

Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #4

The world of Games Workshop‘s Warhammer 40,000 has come to Marvel Comics! The second series, written by Torunn Grønbekk with art by Edgar Salazar, finds a squad of Adepta Sororitas, aka Sisters of Battle, on a mission and surrounded by the corruption of Chaos.

I got to ask Torunn about her own history with Warhammer 40,000 and what it’s like to work with Games Workshop and write for the Sisters of Battle.

Graphic Policy: What was your experience with Games Workshop before working on Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle? Have you played any of their games?

Torunn Grønbekk: I got into Warhammer back in the Fantasy days (…20 years ago!) It took me a while to discover the glory of Warhammer 40,000, but after reading up on the lore before painting some Warhammer 40,000 minis for a friend, I was hooked.

– Nowadays, I tend to paint more than I play, but I’ve still got my Sisters of Battle army.

GP: The first edition rulebook of Warhammer 40,000 is almost 35 years old, and there’s so much rich history of the world. Is it overwhelming diving into a project like this?

TG: I’d say it’s more inspirational than overwhelming. There’s, of course, a massive amount of lore to get lost in, but I had a fairly good understanding of the universe when I came on board this project. More often than not, taking a deep dive into researching very specific details would spark new ideas, so I wouldn’t have wanted to be without those side quests for sure.

GP: What type of research goes into a project like this?

TG: The extensive kind. Once I had the general idea in place, I needed to make sure if and how what I had in mind would work. Even the smallest detail needed to be researched and considered. For example, one of the characters is a Sister Dialogus who is on the mission specifically to record and translate ancient symbols carved into the walls of the underground city. Now, I knew they have pict-recorders, but are they readily available? Would they actually be used for something like this? Would it perhaps be built into a cherub that silently and creepily followed the squad, recording everything? (The latter being my favorite option, but it would also mean explaining it, drawing more attention to this specific plot point than was necessary — and of course, it would be one more element for Edgar to draw on almost every page) In the end, and after a ton of research, I opted to equip Sister Heda with plenty of war gear, haughty righteousness, and a notebook instead.

Another important thing was to verify the things I thought I knew to make sure my subjective understanding of the universe was both objectively correct and up-to-date. Like for most people, my knowledge of the lore comes from a mishmash of sources: what I read and play, my friends, the codexes, Black Library books etc. An excellent foundation, but not all sources are created equal, and I needed to make sure I got everything right. That meant a lot of re-reading of the codexes, checking sources online, and if all else failed: asking Games Workshop directly.

GP: What has stood out to you about this force and their history?

TG: Pipe organ tank!!! (I joke, but not really.)

Despite being a staunch atheist, it was this idea of faith I first found truly fascinating about the Sisterhood. And, let’s face it, they are just so damn cool. They are well-considered in every possible way, and I find the miniatures utterly delightful. The first time I saw an Exorcist, I squealed.

GP: Something that has stood out to me is the focus of the squad with this series. The previous series was very much about Marneus and his history. Canoness Veridyan is part of the story, but it comes off as she’s a part of a squad, not the center of attention. Was the shift to pulling the focus away from an individual on purpose?

TG: Very much so. I wanted to write a story that rang true to people familiar with The Sisters and the lore, but also one that works as an introduction to The Sisters for those who aren’t. Focusing on the sisterhood, following one squad, and how they worked together seemed more appropriate than singling out one specific Sister. Canoness Veridyan is a great character in her own right, but she is first and foremost a commander in The Order Militant. If you want to get to know her, I believe the best approach is to see how she leads and puts her trust in her squad.

GP: There’s also a very interesting change in that the previous series was very open in its settings while this is very claustrophobic in tunnels underground. Was that intentional?

TG: Absolutely! The tunnels serve a practical function, too: I wanted the squad cut off from the rest of the army, which meant sending them somewhere the Sister’s Vox just couldn’t reach.

It also lends itself well to worldbuilding. Civilian life in Warhammer 40,000 is always interesting (if, y’know, dire), and though we focus mostly on the Sisters and the cult, my goal was to make the underground city a place that felt lived in. I spent a lot of time figuring out how the population would spend its days, what kind of work they do, what they eat, how they worship, and it all began with the architecture of the underground city. (Not all of that makes it into the comic, of course, but some things do, like the giant mirror relay system that transports light from the surface down throughout the city. The idea was that this population that rarely, if ever, sees daylight would find the blinding Emperor’s light transporting – much more a religious experience than, say, a sermon. That fact that we could use it to blind some heretics before killing them was just the icing on the cake.)

GP: Chaos has corrupted the planet Siscia. Was there ever a discussion about another enemy or was it always Chaos? Genestealer Cults feel like they’d work well with this story as well.

TG: Certainly! Genestealer cults were actually very much on the table (so to speak), but as I worked through how I wanted things to play out, how much space we had available to tell the story etc, Chaos ended up as a better choice.

GP: There’s been a lot about the Sister’s faith in the Emperor. It’s absolutely something that makes them stand out from other forces of the Imperium. Was that something you really wanted to highlight through the story?

TG: Definitely. The Sister’s faith is such an integral part of their characters and history, it wouldn’t have been possible to do a story focused around them without prominently featuring their faith. There are no doubting sisters, no agnostics, no “I’m more spiritual than religious” sisters. Their faith is their most prized possession. This fanaticism is partly what I think makes them great, and in some ways, believable. I’ve tried to lean into it as much as possible, as it explains both their tactics and their behavior on the battlefield. I’ve also tried to feature and touch on things like The Repentia, faith healing, and other of the more quirky yet powerful sides of their faith.

GP: What’s it like working with the Games Workshop team? What’s their input on the comic series?

TG: It’s been great! They’ve been extremely helpful during the entire process, from finding correct references to going over the scripts and pages to make sure everything holds up. 

GP: What has surprised you the most while working on this series?

TG: I’m not sure surprised is the correct word, but more… continually amazed by the wealth and depth of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. I’ve always been struck by the imagination and delight that’s gone into the miniatures and the level of detail you find in both the characters and the lore. (It’s one of my favorite things about painting minis – figuring out what all the little details are, who the character is and what that mean-looking weapon does.) I quickly found that same attention to detail in all the other aspects of the universe, too. Nothing is easy or straightforward in Warhammer 40,000, but that’s in part what makes it work so well. Take something like time; it would be impossible to make a universal time system that would work for all the star systems and worlds across the universe and still feel authentic, so they didn’t. Instead, we get the opportunity to make a time system that would make sense locally, which, though difficult, adds to the worldbuilding.

T’au Pathfinders Battle Novitiate Sisters in Kill Team: Chalnath

At Gen Con 2021, Games Workshop revealed the first expansion for the new edition of Kill Team, Kill Team: Chalnath. The expansion leaves the Octarius Sector for another corner of Imperium Nihilus.

The box set is full of “new” including a new unit for the Sisters of Battle as well as new miniatures for T’au.

Novitiate Sisters are Sisters of Battle in training looking to prove themselves and advance. Lighter armed, the aspirants carry holy relics into battle. The new kit features a flexible loadout and posing.

T’au are what they’ll be going up against bringing specialized Pathfinders to the battle. Excellent at infiltration and reconnaissance, they carry high-powered weapons to spring ambushes while drones provide support. This is a new updated kit for T’au Pathfinders and includes an upgrade sprue to add options to the flexible squad. It includes new heads, weapons, upgrades, and all of the high-tech gadgets you’ll need.

Both units are great for Kill Team as well as your games of Warhammer 40,000.

Kill Team: Chalnath will also come with a full Killzone of Imperial ruins to do battle. The box set includes a Rules Manual featuring nine new missions, expanded rules for both squads, Strategic Ploys, Battle Honors, and more.

Review: Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #1

Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #1

In Marvel‘s debut comic series based on Games Workshop‘s Warhammer 40,000 universe, major revelations were dropped. This wasn’t just some generic army force going to battle, the series rewrote what we knew about one of the major characters in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #1 kicks off the second series to debut under Marvel and it’s clear in this first issue, we’re in store for a shift in focus.

The Sisters of Battle are an army but one focused on religion and prayer. Its focus is to lead the charge against those that stand against the Emperor, the living corpse that is revered in god-like ways. Torunn Grønbekk takes us into this world with a new story that gives us something similar, but different enough, from the first volume by Marvel. While the comic does have a “named” character in Canoness Veridyan, it’s not Veridyan’s story. So far, this isn’t some earth-shaking revelation about the character. Instead, its most interesting aspect is the Sisters surrounding her.

Sent to a planet in the middle of an uprising, the Sisters of Battle must figure out what’s going on while retrieving an asset. We’re given hints as to the evil behind everything but overall, the first issue is a general mystery. What we do know is the corruption is everywhere. The squad is up against numbers they weren’t expecting. We get reactions from the average Sister. We experience their fear and their faith. You get the sisterhood between them and the sadness when one is lost.

Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #1 also delivers some interesting thematic aspects that reflect the real world. We’re seeing the masses fall under the spell of something. It could be the leader. It could be something else. But, these are individuals turning on their fellow citizens corrupted by a force. To say it doesn’t hit home a bit would be a lie.

Edgar Salazar‘s art is solid. The issue has a lot of detail, something the Sisters of Battle are known for. Instead of smooth armor repeated over and over in the Space Marines, the Sisters have rather intricate looks in the armor including small rivets, skulls, and more. It’s a more ornate look and Salazar nails it. Arif Prianto handles the color while Clayton Cowles does the lettering and the color and lettering help nail down the feel of the world and issue. There’s a “dirtiness” about it. The world features browns and dark colors. The Sister’s ship is blues and whites.

Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #1 might lean a bit more towards fans of Games Workshop but the issue should be accessible for those who know nothing about the world. It delivers solid hints in the details as to what the Sisters of Battle are about and the world of Warhammer 40,000. It gives us the next chapter for that world in the hands of Marvel comics and shows they’re willing to shake up the formula a bit with each new series.

Story: Torunn Grønbekk Art: Edgar Salazar
Color: Arif Prianto Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review


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Warhammer 40K’s Sisters of Battle Come to Marvel in a New Series

After the success of last year’s Warhammer 40,000 Marneus Calgar comic book series, Marvel and Games Workshop’s exciting collaboration will continue this August with Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #1! Written by Torunn Grønbekk with art by Edgar Salazar, this latest team-up will delight those familiar with the popular tabletop game phenomenon and serve as a perfect introduction for newcomers to the grim future of the 41st millennium that has captured the imagination of millions of fans around the world! The new series will tell an all-new action-packed adventure of the sisterhood of warriors known as the Adepta Sororitas.

A squad of Adepta Sororitas, led by Canoness Veridyan arrive on planet Siscia to retrieve a lost Inquisitorial acolyte and put down a heretical uprising. As Novitiate Ghita’s first mission with her Order gets underway, what should be an easy mission turns into something much worse, as an unknown force deep within the subterranean city of the planet rears its ugly head! It’s no-holds-barred action, mystery, and daemons galore as the all-female fighting force lets bolters blaze and flamers scorch in this all-new saga!

Show your faith and fervor to the Emperor by joining Marvel Comics for the start of the next phase of Warhammer comics when Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #1 hits stands on August 18th!  Check out the cover by Dave Wilkins.

Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #1

Warhammer Fest 2021: The Adepta Sororitas are coming

The Adepta Sororitas are coming and Games Workshop kicked off their Warhammer 40,000 portion of Warhammer Fest 2021 showing off a lot of the new toys.

Morvenn Vahl, Abbess Sanctorum of the Adepta Sororitas is the supreme commander of the Adepta Sororitas as well as a High Lord of Terra. Unlike many leaders, she likes to be in the battle leading from the front line.

Morvenn Vahl, Abbess Sanctorum of the Adepta Sororitas wears Purgator Mirabilis, a Paragon Warsuit and superior quality. The Adeptus Custodes have also allowed her to wield the legendary blade the Lance of Illumination. With her mentioned in the second book of the “War of Charadon”, expect Morvenn Vahl to be a big player to come.

Aestred Thurga and Agathae Dolan are the bearers of the banner known as the Auto-Tapestry of the Emperor’s Judgement. The standard can help turn the tide of battle.

Aestred Thurga and Agathae Dolan

Dogmata is the judge, jury, and executioner of the Orders Militant and ready to swing her mace. Great at melee combat, she also helps Sisters redouble their efforts when performing actions or holding objectives.

Dogmata

Palatine came in the “Piety and Pain” battlebox but will soon be available on her own.

Palatine

Celestian Sacresants have been teased but now we get a look at the entire squad. Featuring halberds, maces, and large shields, they’re bodyguards without peer.

Paragon Warsuits have already been revealed but we get a bit more information on them. The Paragon Warsuits are perfect for advancing through thick enemy fire and engaging in hand-to-hand combat. They feature firepower to rival a Dreadnought having a heavy bolter, heavy flamer, or multi-melta. Then there’s a shoulder-mounted secondary weapon system like a grenade launcher or storm bolters. Then they also have a large war blade for melee combat. There are three in the unit (and upcoming box).

The Castigator brings some fire support the Sisters. Much like a Predator, it has a turret-mounted main weapon and sponson-mounted heavy bolters. You can choose between a twin-barreled autocannon or battle cannon as the main turret weapon.

You’ll also want to get Codex: Adepta Sororitas to get all of the rules for these new weapons to cleanse the galaxy of the impure. The codex is 128 pages that updates their lore, has 35 datasheets, Crusade rules, and more.

It introduces Hymms of Battle, verses sung by the Domata that venerate the God-Emperor, and Minoris convictions to help represent an Order Militant of your own creation.

Codex: Adepta Sororitas

Games Workshop is Back for Pre-Orders Next Week with Necromunda, Blood Bowl, Warhammer Underworlds: Direchasm, and More

After a few weeks of no new pre-orders, Games Workshop is back with a pretty packed week of new releases. You’ll be able to pre-order all of the below starting next Saturday!

Necromunda gets a new boxed set with Necromunda: Hive War. The new set has everything you need to play and a perfect way for new players to get into the game. The set comes with two gangs, Escher and Delaque with 10 plastic miniatures for each gang and a variety of weapons to arm them.

Also included is a 10-page softback rulebook which includes everything you need to play from how to generate gangs, to the rules, scenarios, and more.

There’s also modular scenary with which you can use to do battle as well as a double-sided gaming mat, dice, tokens, cards, and templates.

Also coming is a Necromunda Underhive Propaganda Transfer Sheet that features 499 decals that you can use to help make your scenery unique and add finishing touches to your own Underhive.

Necromunda Underhive Propaganda Transfer Sheet

You’ll need to upgrade your gangs which means the need for new weapons. The Weapons & Upgrades Sets has you covered with over 60 alternative components to make your gang even more unique. Two will be released, one for Escher and one for the Goliaths. They include different heads, weapons, and more.

Blood Bowl is getting some love with new releases as well for the Chaos Chosen.

You can get a set of pitch and dugouts for the Chaos Chosen so you can play Blood Bowl honoring the Dark Gods.

Blood Bowl Chaos Chosen Pitch and Dugouts

You’ll be able to better keep track of your team with the Chaos Chosen Card Pack which is a handy reference. It also includes 20 blank cards to keep track of your team as it develops as well as Special Play cards exclusive to Chaos Chosen teams.

Chaos Chosen Card Pack

Finally, show your allegiance to the Chaos Gods with the Chaos Chosen Team Dice Pack.

Chaos Chosen Team Dice Pack

Warhammer Underworlds gets two releases to expand your games with.

Hedkrakka’s Madmob is a new warband of four feral Orruks led by a mask-wearing Shaman. They’re an aggressive warband sure to mix games up and deliver new elements to the Underworlds.

Hedkrakka’s Madmob

Warhammer Underworlds: Silent Menace Universal Deck is an expansion perfect for every warband. It offers new card options and a greater variety of deckbuilding combos. The release features 32 cards – 12 objectives, 10 gambits, and 10 upgrades. They’re all themed around the treasures and tactics of Beastgrave’s Silent People. The set doesn’t include any spells meaning you don’t need a wizard to get everything out of it.

Warhammer Underworlds: Silent Menace Universal Deck

Black Library has a bunch of releases coming too.

Warriors and Warlords is available in paperback and is a collection of short stories set in the world of Warhammer 40,000. It includes stories by Rachel Harrison, Graham McNeill, and Chris Wraight.

Warriors and Warlords

The Sisters of Battle Collection brings together works by James Swallow. It includes his full collection of novels and short stories focused on the Sisters of Battle in a limited edition release that features two hardbacks. It includes five tales – Faith & Fire, Hammer & Anvil, Red & Black, and Heart & Soul, as well as a brand new story, Iron & Bone.

Sisters of Battle Collection

Sisters of Battle: The Book of Martyrs has more adventures focused on the Adepta Sororitas. It has three action-packed stories by Danie Ware, Alec Worley, and Phil Kelly.

Sisters of Battle: The Book of Martyrs

Dive into the world of Necromunda with Fire Made Flesh by Denny Flowers. Danger is afoot as Tempes Sol of the Guild of Light seeks the dark secrets that lurk in the Fallen Dome of Periculus.

Fire Made Flesh

Sons of Sanguinius: A Blood Angels Omnibus features 20 short stories and novellas from Dan Abnett, James Swallow, and Gav Thorpe. It’s the ultimate book for fans of the Blood Angels and their successor Chapters!

Sons of Sanguinius: A Blood Angels Omnibus

Ultramarines: Dead Sky, Black Sun is out as an MP3 audiobook. Graham McNeill tells the tale of Uriel Ventris’ daring attack on the Iron Warriors home world, deep in the Eye of Terror itself.

Ultramarines: Dead Sky, Black Sun
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