For Tanith...

'A warrior's faith in his commander is his best armour and his strongest weapon' - Tactica Imperium

My latest work of art from the Warhammer 40,000 universe is now finished, another attempt at the Tanith First and Only insignia:

For this one I dropped the idea of it being a pin badge and just went for a straight-up insignia. To save arguments, like the last time (and because it looks way cooler with the single dagger), I've gone for the single dagger variation of the insignia.

I'm megga-happy with how this one came out, the whole thing for me has just fallen together nicely and I think it looks really cool. So-much-so, the next time you see me at a comic convention or art expo, expect to see me in this t-shirt:

More 40K art coming soon...

Artwork © Simon Breeze 2013 / Warhammer 40,000 © Games Workshop

"Never Forget, Never Forgive! The Fallen Must Repent!" — Deathwing Catechism

I haven't painted a 'full' painting in a while, and by that I mean a rendering of a scene with a character and a background with a bit of a story to it. Recently I've been working on a lot of logos, pin-ups and other fun stuff. So here it is, Dark Angel:

I had so much fun painting this, it is an image I've had kicking about my brain for a few months now and just needed to sit down and get on with it. I think this is my best Space Marine to date, I'm really now starting to get to grips with the look and 'feel' of the Warhammer 40,000 universe and how things should go together. Which is odd when I say it out loud like that as I've been reading the books and playing the games since the 80's when it all began!

Next I have some more art from the dark, grim future of the 41st millennium. However it is back to the smaller art for now in the shape of some insignia.

Artwork ©Simon Breeze 2013 Dark Angel ©Games Workshop

The Uncanny X-Men The Dark Phoenix Saga

I'm in the process of catching up with some classic X-Men and decided to kick off with one of the 'classic-classics': The Dark Phoenix Saga. Here is the splash:

'Gathered together by Professor Charles Xavier to protect a world that fears and hates them, the X-Men had fought many battles, been on adventures that spanned galaxies, grappled enemies of limitless might, but none of this could prepare them for the most shocking struggle they would ever face. One of their own members, Jean Grey, has gained power beyond all comprehension, and that power has corrupted her absolutely! Now they must decide if the life of the woman they cherish is worth the existence of the entire universe! Collects X-Men #129-137'.

This is classic X-Men in every sense of the word, writing, story and art. It is something else I figured out when I put it down on completion as well. It is a brilliant starting point or casual read. Something you hear a lot if you read comics is where to begin? So many of the big popular titles, such as the X-Men, have been going on for years and have built up a huge history of stories, characters and their relationships - all which can and do confuse the new reader.

The Dark Phoenix Saga however is a fantastic story for anyone, new or old, to the comic world of the X-Men. If you have seen the films for example and wanted to pick up a comic, this could be the one to start with. The characters will be all familiar, the same goes for the story and the relationships, it has the Hellfire Club, Wolverine, Jean Grey and the Phoenix - all seen in the movies and it is a contained story as well, everything you need is in this one book.

This is an easy 4 out of 5.

Embedded by Dan Abnett

I've been meaning to read this book since it came out, but for some reason I've only just now got around to it. I'm a big fan of Mr Abnett's work, from his comics as well as his novels, and so a chance to read something 'of his own' creation was very appealing to me. Here is the splash from the book jacket:

'The colony planet of Eighty-Six looks as dull as all its fellow new worlds to journalist Lex Falk, but when a local squabble starts to turn violent and the media start getting the runaround from the military high command, his interest is seriously piqued. Forbidden from approaching the battlezone he gets himself chipped inside the head of a combat veteran. When the soldier is killed, however, Falk must use all his resourcefulness to get back home again... and blow the lid on the story of a lifetime.'

Mr Abnett delivers the goodies with this book, it is very well written and even though it is set in another time and place you as the reader never feel lost or jarred during the story. If you read my review of Scoundrels, the Star Wars novel, you'll get where I'm coming from with this statement. As crazy, technical or futuristic as this story gets, you never get thrown out of the 'world' you are experiencing, which is tricky to do when you are writing science fiction.

One of the things I liked about this story is that throughout I had a feeling that something wasn't quite right, just there at the back of my mind. Then, about three quarters of the way through the story the main character, Falk, says one name and it all falls into place! The whole book is like this, just fantastic set-up and pay-off throughout and no making a song and dance about it either.

As soon as I finished reading this book I did a quick internet search and found out that Dan Abnett is working on the follow up, which I will be in line to pick up a copy. All-in-all a brilliant sci-fi-mystery-action-thriller: 4 out of 5.

Space Wolves

'We may be few, and our enemies many. Yet so long as there remains one of us still fighting, one who still rages in the name of justice and truth, then by the Allfather, the galaxy shall yet know hope'.- Ragnar Blackmane, Wolf Lord of the Space Wolves

Here is my latest Warhammer 40,000 rendering, the Space Wolves Insignia:

Well happy with how this one came out. Always been a bit of a fan of the Space Wolves, so I was chomping at the bit to get started on this image. I also turned this rendering of the mighty Space Wolves insignia around in record time and found a little time to paint a Purity Seal as well:

The inspiration for the Purity Seal came from the need to stick purity seals on all of my Warhammer 40,000 junk, and to be honest everything else I own. Yes, I now have an Emperor Approved iPod and the cat had a lucky escape as it can sneak into small gaps and hide.

If all goes to plan my next rendering should be a full on painting of a Dark Angel.

Artwork ©Simon Breeze 2013 / Warhammer 40,000  ©Games Workshop