Darkblade: Reign of Blood (Warhammer)

Darkblade Graphic Novel #1

by Kevin Hopgood, Dan Abnett

Black-hearted dark elf is granted extraordinary powers when his soul is bound to a daemon and he begins his inexorable rise to power. Three books of Darkblade in one pocket-sized graphic novel.

Genres: Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Comics, Comic Book

256 pages, Graphic Novel

First published April 12, 2005

Reviews

[Juho Pohjalainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think Warhammer - or 40k for that matter - has a faction in it more metal than the dark elves. I'm glad to see they make for a few good stories, too, ones where the Empire for once does not much account to. This one was quite good. Brutal, messy, and occasionally tragic.

[Paulo "paper books only" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darkblade: Reign of Blood If Titan was the best from the comics from 40k this one did the same for the fantasy counterpart.What a character Abnett create. Malus Darkblade the infamous dark elf. This comic book was what started it all. The novels are great even if they were done by Mike Lee and not Abnett but I think Mike Lee makes him even better. There are some differences from the novels and the comics but that doesn't upset me. In some way it gives something more to look forward. The 5 novels published so far only cover a third of the comic so there is much to been writen now. From what I read in some blogs Mike Lee is coming back for Malus. Delightful. 10/10

[Chip Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Dan Abnett's most well-developed characters, Malus Darkblade is the perfect Byronic hero. You can't help but to love this evil, selfish, and malicious dark elf, who seems to fight against the world with no concern for anyone but himself (and possibly Spite, his mount). In this collection of all the Darkblade comics, you get to see the rise of Malus from the leader of a small strike team to the ruler of the fortress of Hag Greff. His battles with daemons, elves, and monsters of all sorts are brought to life in graphic detail within these pages. Dan Abnett's storytelling is in peak form here, displaying all the skills that have made his works so popular. Kev Hopgood's art is truly magnificent, bringing the story of Darkblade like never before.

This is one that shouldn't be missed by any fan of Warhammer, Abnett, or dark elves in general. A fine collector's item this is sure to please. Highly recommended.

[Tim Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abnett always spins a good yarn and I didn't mind Hopgood's art. I don't care for some of that black and white British serialized comic art from the 80s/90s. Because this smaller book collects comics originally serialized in somewhat larger GW magazines - I feel like maybe some of the details ended too small and lost.

Also, because it is a collection of a serialized comic, it got a little tiresome having to read a synopsis every five pages of what happened in the previous five pages and a bit of "the story so far" - originally meant to catch any new readers up with what they may have missed out on. Works better as a bathroom reader, read in small instalments, rather than trying to read the entire story all the way through in one sitting.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is pretty one note...but the one note is very fun. Would have worked better read in the way it was originally released (monthly mini-strips).

[Viktor Osička · Rating 2 out of 5]

No nic moc teda zkusím ještě tu ságu ale komix moc neobstal děj dobrej ale prostě moc jednoduchý :D

[Patt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malus Darkblade.
that is all.