Kieron Gillen & Jacen Burrows Team Up For ‘Warhammer: Marneus Calgar’ At Marvel

Back in October, Marvel had announced comics on the way based on Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000. Details of the first title from this partnership have finally been revealed with Warhammer: Marneus Calgar from writer Kieron Gillen and artist Jacen Burrows, delving into the never-before-told origin story of the leader of the Ultramarines, from his beginnings on the world of Nova Thulium, his campaigns in the Black Crusades, to the mystery of the Black Altar as a threat from his past returns to affect his present.

Writer Kieron Gillen says:

I am venerable enough to have bought Rogue Trader in 1987. Since then, I like to think every hastily dry-brushed Necron, every badly edge-highlighted Marine, every ignored Harlequin (as painting Motley petrified me) has prepared me for writing the first Warhammer comics for Marvel. If I said, ‘Getting to explore the roots of Marneus Calgar and setting the stage for Marvel’s Warhammer comics is a dream come true,’ I would be betraying everything this grim future should be since ‘dream’ implies the possibility of hope.  But getting to do this is the sort of thing Slaanesh would wave in my direction if she wanted me coming over to the tentacle-y side. Or to translate for those less indoctrinated in 40K. I’m excited.

When this partnership was first announced, Gillen was the only name that came to mind as his love for the tabletop game is well known. I’m so glad he’s getting a chance to play in this world…or rather write comics in it because he’s obviously played the games.
Jon Gillard, Games Workshop’s Global Head of Licensing added:

When we first started working with Marvel on comics, we knew it was going to lead to something exceptional, and it really has. We were both keen to focus on one of the most central Warhammer characters there is and tell their origin story, something that Marvel does oh so brilliantly. Kieron’s depth of Warhammer knowledge mixed with his extraordinary comic writing skill has delivered a unique series that further expands upon the already massive 40K lore. As huge comic fans ourselves we couldn’t be more excited about this first expression of our partnership with Marvel.

Warhammer: Marneus Calgar serves not only as an essential piece of lore for Warhammer 40,000 fans, but as a primer for those new to the franchise. Marvel and Games Workshop tease a larger darkness coming and this is just the beginning.