BoLS Book Club: Nagash the Undying and Also A Tank
They say you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but I’m pretty sure this one is about a sentient tank.
I mean. I don’t know what else it could possibly be about, given the picture. Sure. You can say, “oh but the back of the book and the product description says it’s something about Perturabo and the Iron Warriors going around and being a bunch of jerks.” And that might be true. But do you see Perturabo anywhere? No. And it is preposterous to think that he’s hanging out in that tank. A) he’s probably still cosplaying as Jambi-the-Genie
And B) he’d probably still be talking about the cultural significance of Pee-wee’s Playhouse to the rest of his Iron Warriors, who are nodding along unsure of where he’s going with this. And, to give credit where credit is due–Pee-wee’s Playhouse did change the cultural landscape, taking wacky design and pop art elements and blending them with a kind of innocence that made it palatable to middle America. Which in turn made things like kitschy, campy art and drag culture a bit more accessible to people. You can see it’s aesthetics mirrored in many of the shows which followed in its wake. From animated shows like Rocko’s Modern Life to the design of modern day musicals like Evil Dead the Musical.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXMZZ20-iX8
Pee-wee’s Playhouse came at a time when deconstructionism and absurdity were on the rise–they embraced it and used satire and genuine appreciation in equal measure. It’s been said that there’s an innocence to the show which brings the audience in on the weirdness, rather than laughing at it, we’re laughing with it. Because we’re all weird in our own ways. And this show, with its talking chair, and animate kite–so you’ve got the detachment of Postmodernism worked in with this oddly inclusive ethos. It’s easy to see why this would be a big deal to someone like Perturabo–which is why he’s probably hanging back and talking up a storm while Tallarn is like the name of a sentient Tank (whom Perturabo probably had commissioned when he was getting real jazzed about postmodernism in the 41st milennium)–and it’s easy to see why. Loking at the tank on the cover, you can’t help but feel they’ve drawn on the influences of the legendary Wayne White (and also Rob Zombie worked on the show, just a neat little factoid). So, without actually having read it, I’m going to assume that the Tank goes on a journey and probably gets into a spat with a couple of dreadnoughts, but in the end, they all learn a little something from each other.
via the Black Library
Tallarn (Hardback) – $30
The Horus Heresy Book 45
The Iron Warriors came from nowhere, falling upon the world of Tallarn in a flash and devastating it with deadly virus weapons. A verdant world was transformed in a heartbeat into a radioactive wasteland… but that was only the beginning.
READ IT BECAUSE
It’s a collection of all John French’s tales from Tallarn… do you really need any more convincing? Okay then. Millions of tanks clashing in desperate battle on a dying world.
THE STORY
As the Warmaster’s campaign of galactic domination continues, his generals seek out fresh battlefields to conquer. After leaving the Crone World of Iydris behind, Perturabo strikes for Tallarn. A bitter, vengeful primarch, the lord of the Iron Warriors unleashes a deadly bombardment against the world, killing millions but entrenching the survivors. A brutal, all-consuming armoured conflict ensues, the greatest of the war, and one that grinds down all combatants over more than a year of relentless battles. But Perturabo’s reasons for the attack are about more than unleashing punitive destruction against the Imperium – he has an entirely darker purpose in mind.
Written by John French
The contents of this novel were previously published separately as the novella Tallarn: Executioner, the novel Tallarn: Ironclad, and the short stories ‘Tallarn: Siren’ and ‘Tallarn: Witness’.
Lord Of Undeath (Paperback) – $16
A Realmgate Wars novel
Many attempts have been made by Sigmar’s Stormcasts to forge an alliance with the God of Death, mighty Nagash. The latest attempt sees the Anvils of the Heldenhammer enter the Undying King’s domain, with a desperate plea for aid…
READ IT BECAUSE
Finally, Nagash enters the Realmgate Wars. And he does it in style… (but of course he does – he is Nagash after all.)
THE STORY
Nagash. A name whispered in fear, even by the dread followers of the Dark Gods. Once a member of Sigmar’s pantheon, the Great Necromancer has not been seen in an age, ever since that mighty assemblage of divine beings parted ways. In his absence, the Mortarchs, Nagash’s fell lieutenants, have been free to pursue their own ends, though ever beneath the oppressive shadow of the forces of Chaos. As that same shadow seeks to smother them all, so too do storm clouds gather, as Sigmar’s Stormcast Eternals arrive to deliver a crushing counter-strike against the Ruinous Powers. The grim Anvils of the Heldenhammer have been given the seemingly impossible task of seeking out and forging an alliance with the God of Death. Whether the Stormcast Eternal’s entreaties will be acted upon, or even heard, remains to be seen – and if they are, at what price?
Written by C L Werner.
