40 Years of Warhammer: Miniature Retrospective – Ragnar Blackmane

The Youngest Wolf Lord in history paved the way in many ways and not just with a new model but with some new rules to boot.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Warhammer and Games Workshop is taking some time to look back at miniatures that had a big impact on their work. Ragnar Blackmane is under the spotlight today as we take a look at his groundbreaking miniature as well as some other tidbits about his first miniature from 1992!

via Warhammer Community

“Ragnar Blackmane may be known to many as the Young King, but he’s actually a bit of an elder statesman when it comes to his origins as a miniature. In fact, when Ragnar burst onto the Warhammer 40,000 scene back in 1992, he was the first of a new wave of unique Space Marine characters to earn their very own profile and special rules in their parent Codex. Many other Chapter-specific heroes were soon to follow, including the likes of Dante and Azrael, but it was Ragnar who blazed that trail.”

Ragnar Blackmane

The youngest Space Wolf to ever be elevated to Wolf Lord, Ragnar Blackmane is a true leader of the pack. As mentioned it wasn’t just his miniature that was a big deal at the time but also the rules format in which he was properly introduced. Even poster boy Marneus Calgar had a been introduced but not in a codex. So Ragnar’s arrival was a big deal.

Blackmane was even the star of his own Space Wolf series that followed his career. This series was one of the first deep dives into what it looks like to create a Space Marine — and we get to follow Ragnar from raw recruit all the way up the chain.

Ragnar also got his start in a White Dwarf against none other than Ghazghkull Thraka. This would go on to later influence both of their rebirths with the Saga of the Beast with new miniatures.

It’s also important to note that Ragnar Blackmane’s iconic wolf-headed backpack, Belt of Russ, and the wolf pet draped over his back and shoulder would be the inspiration for the Space Wolves motifs moving forward. He was a groundbreaker in style, lore, and just over-all “character” for Warhammer 40,000!

We’ve come a long way for the young Wolf Lord. Raise a toast for Blackmane!

Author: Adam Harrison

Writer, Editor, Texas Native, and now Tex-Pat, Adam covers all things Tabletop Gaming. Which includes Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, D&D, Board Games and everything else that involves dice, boards, cards and a table. A hobbyist, player, and collector of miniatures and games, Adam's current obsession are his Death and Chaos Armies for Age of Sigmar, his Blood Angels and Tyranids for 40k, an expanding collection of Marvel: Crisis Protocol minis, and his ever growing Arkham Horror: The Card Game Collection.