Excellent! Well worth getting This book collects the best of the best from over 20 years of art relating to the grim medieval/Dark Ages world of Games Workshop's gaming blockbuster "Warhammer". (I should mention that for fans of their equally successful futuristic version of the game, Warhammer 40,000, there exists a separate tome entitled "The Art of Warhammer 40,000".)
I have been waiting YEARS for Games Workshop to do something like this! To tell you the truth I don't even play Warhammer, but it was this amazing art which graced the covers of their rule books and gaming-piece boxes, etc. which first grabbed my attention and got me interested in reading the novels and learning more about their universe.
For someone like me who always loved Tolkien (yes, since way, waaay before those movies) and always wished he could find more set in the same kind of universe full of evil Orcs, stalwart Dwarves and noble Elves and Men, this was exactly what I had been looking for.
Having spent many years digging up some of the old Warhammer rule books just to be able to appreciate the fantastic art contained therein, I can tell you that contained in this one single volume is about the best 80% of all the art that they ever produced (so far!).
When I first got the book and flipped through it, at first I was a little disappointed to see that about 1/5 of the works here are in black and white. But checking back with some of the originals, I now realize that these particular works were originally created in black and white, and this was not just some sort of chintzy cost-saving cutting of corners. In fact this is a wonderful high-quality book with most of the works being highly detailed full-colour paintings, all printed on the highest quality stock.
This has been an excellent purchase and I feel it was worth every last penny. I am happy to give this book my highest possible recommendation, and would recommend it not only to Warhammer fans but also fans of Tolkien, players of fantasy games like Warcraft and Dungeons and Dragons, and lovers of fantasy art in general.
And for those of you who buy this book and find yourself wanting even MORE, I would also recommend the book "The Art of Clint Langely", one of Warhammer's finest artists.
Games Workshop, keep the great art and novels coming, and I really hope you'll make a Volume 2 for this book someday. I love it!
(And how about some 6" or 7"-scale action figures of these fabulous characters too? I love the character designs, but those tiny little gaming pieces of yours are just too small for me.)
Decent book for the money, a Trip down Warhammer memory lane A good "historical" review of the art of the Warhammer Fantasy battle universe for the last 2o+ years. I found myself recognizing the art and enjoying the book. Recommended for the Warhammer buff only though. Detailed art related to the gaming genre.
Great Purchase The talented minds over at Games Workshop have always delivered on atmosphere.
The art included in this book delivers a tremendous sense of the vast conflict for the 'World of Warhammer' (pun intended). Anyone who enjoys the games and/or novels of GW will enjoy this collection of art. Most of these pictures have been seen before, separately, but arranging them together like this creates an impression of dark fantasy usually reserved for only the wildest of imaginations.
Buy this book if you enjoy viewing awe-inspiring paintings and immensely detailed drawings of grim warriors and inhuman beasts gorging themselves on the feast of war that is Warhammer!!
A Grisly and Dark Vision of Fantasy Warhammer is perhaps best known as a fantasy-themed miniatures game, and The Art of Warhammer represents visions associated with Warhammer-related projects. While I have never played the game (and, indeed, experience playing Warhammer is not at all necessary to appreciate this book), I was impressed by the artwork contained herein. Within the 220+ pages you will find a world similar to an Arthurian-style realm, but twisted and decidedly dark. Here are war-ravaged landscapes, chivalrous knights, sinister villains, revolting undead, stalwart dwarves, conniving goblins and more - all tinged with a sort of sinister patina of madness.
The closest work I can liken it to are the paintings of noted fantasy artist Brom - but while even the fiercest of Brom's figures seem composed and at rest - in a sort of serene state - the art of Warhammer contained within this book seems to be filled with a frenetic energy - as though the world it depicts is but a few steps away from a descent into barbarism. While a fairly realistic medieval influence is pervasive in the art, elements of the early renaissance, as well as a fleeting steampunk mentality, also show up. While I cannot speak for fans of the game itself, lovers of fantasy art will no doubt find in this volume an intriguing, apocalyptic vision of a fantasy world on the edge. Recommended.
SIMPLY DAZZLING ARRAY OF ART Following up on last year's The Art of Warhammer 40,000, The Black Library now gives of the logical sequel, The Art of Warhammer. This hardcover collector's edition contains 224 pages by some of the most noted Warhammer artists. The art in this book has been culled from a number of sources including game supplements, rulebooks illustrations, book covers, etc...Warhammer fans are some of the most fervent fans there are, taking particular pride in not only the substance of the Warhammer world but also the style. The visuals are as important to Warhammer fans as anything which is why they spend countless hours meticulously painting miniatures. The graphics are what helped make Warhammer as popular as it is today with gaming items, books, miniatures, computer & video games, and more.
The roll call of artists includes the great John Blanche, David Gallagher, Adrian Smith, Karl Kopinski, Geoff Taylor, Alex Boyd, and Paul Dainton. Each piece in the book give the name of the painting, the artist's name, the original source, and the year.
I really love Taylor's "Dragonslayer" from the William King Novel of the same name showing a huge red dragon breathing fire onto an airship above snow-covered mountains. I also love the impossibly armored Engra Deathsword by Adrian Smith, about as intimidating of a figure as you'd ever care to see. Taylor's Chaos Knights are also quite stunning.
Most of the book is in full color but there are some black and white illustrations as well, notably the Blanche pieces which are utterly dazzling in their incredible detail. Blanche's Citadel of Chaos has so much going on in it that you could spend hours gazing at it and continue to find new things you missed. Another standout piece is Paul Dainton's Tomb Kings, a two-page spread of skeletal warriors, some on skeletal mounts and chariots, marching forward into battle.
Games Workshop always puts out great looking books and this one is no different. The hardcover book is printed on heavy, coated stock with dustjacket. A gorgeous package!
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
