Let's Talk...Titanicus with Dan Abnett

[@chrisdavis6598]

Dan Abnett, for me, is one of the greatest minds GW has working on and helping with their IP. I don’t think I’ve come across a bad book by him yet. We are very lucky he’s committed like he has to writing all these books in all the different settings in the 30 and 40K timelines. Also I can’t understand why the other 40K authors are not lining up to be interviewed by Mira.

[@colinmiddleton8127]

He's done some Doctor Qho stories as well and they have a completely different voice to them. A very skilled writer.

[@chrisdavis6598]

Yeah for me the Dr “died” with Sylvester McCoy. Any of the 2000 onwards iterations have had no appeal for me. Each to their own…

[@iainclark2959]

A book about giant killing machines gave us one of the best looks into "everyday life" in the 40K Imperium. A great book!

[@cheetor_sho3box]

Abnett's enthusiasm always seems entirely genuine, and therefore hugely infectious. Dan's work on 2000AD and various Black Library comics, short stories and novels has been an absolutely clutch part of my continued enjoyment of both since the 90s I hope that he never stops.

[@miramanga]

Me too! He’s not allowed to stop ever!

[@Whanlon]

I don't know why but I love that both of them couldn't remember the word for pound and mira just says pump and he gets it.

[@stevendibble5739]

Dan is a treasure of the Warhammer community

[@mattdudley630]

Dan Abnett is one of my favourite authors for Warhammer 40k. Me and a few other guys really appreciated when we where in Afghanistan that he sent some books out to us when one of the guys where on leave. We also appreciated that he took the time and posted the books himself. We all finished gaunts ghost minus 1 or 2 of them. He got war spot on from the view of the common soldier.

[@paullittle835]

I love the proud, bestial Skitarii in Titanicus, they are SO much more interesting than the way they appear in game!

[@Storming32]

100%! This book made me fall in love with skitarii and after a recent re-reading I'm planning on building such an army for OPR.

[@Sabin41]

Titanicus is such a brilliant book. I recently listened to it on Audible with Toby Longworth's gripping narration and I'd rate it as one of the very best when it comes to 40k books. Double Eagle was also amazing. I love these spinoff books that Dan does where he studies a certain corner of the 41st millenium. With Titanicus it was the Titan legions and with Double Eagle it was aircraft. I'd love to see him do more books like that, maybe a whole book based around spaceship combat like the very excellent Execution Hour/Shadowpoint novels.

[@earnestwanderer2471]

As I told my son, when in doubt about which book to read next, Dan is an author you can always trust to spin a great yarn.

[@BusinessBlizzard]

Long time warhammer fan, I first saw your collab videos with Ian, but great job and that intro alone was worth a sub.

[@miramanga]

Hooray!

[@KateHolden]

Mira has such a knack for getting really deep and intricate responses from writers about their approach and philosophies. I've been puzzled for a while by Abnett's unusual plot structures (particularly in terms of rising and falling tension) and hearing him talk about balancing high action with cutaways to the mundane as a deliberate choice shed light on why he writes that way. Great interview!

[@j1gsaw]

Wasn't expecting a night watch reference, nice.

[@GeorgeTGF]

I can't wait for the episode on Double Eagle. Not only does it contain some of the best written combat scenes (aerial combat at that) which friends and relatives who fly fighter aircraft have said is remarkably similar to their experiences. But the characters are truly superb throughtout. It was one of the first 40k books I read, having picked it off the shelves of my local library and I must have reread it more than twenty times over the years and every time I do I still get that feeling from when I first read it.

[@Fastwinstondoom]

Double Eagle is my favorite 40k book bar none. Reminds of the adventure books of my childhood(Biggles etc) while also being superbly written.

[@GeorgeTGF]

@@Fastwinstondoom it’s 100% up there, comfortably top5 (if i could even narrow it down that far, more likely gets a top5 slot in a top10)

[@BillyBatson89]

I think Double Eagle is also my favorite of the 40k books I've read so far. All of the Dan Abnett books have been awesome to read/listen to.

[@gplog7197]

I love that Dan is open to talk about his work, and your enthusiasm and energy really make him shine so much. Thank you Mira for your content

[@nathantrevena69]

Such an amazing author and loved this interview, kept them coming

[@DrLeroy76]

Sinister Dexter was my first experience of Abnett swears back in the 90s! Glad they got a shout-out

[@schoon8654]

One of my favorite books exactly because the details feel so "right." Thank-you for the interview!

[@DivebombMovies]

loved hearing about dan’s writing process! excellent questions mira. reading the second urdesh book right now, by matthew farrer. can’t believe I just started crying when, not huge spoiler, characters from titanicus showed up.

[@willogsdon7092]

These interviews are my favorite thing on KZbin right now, thanks for keeping them coming. I started reading Abnett woth his animal man and swamp thing comics before i ever got into warhammer. I've burned through the entire horus heresy-minus a few short stories here and there-and close to a hundred 40k era books. Out of them all, Penitent and Pariah are 2 of my favorite books in all of the setting. I can. Not. Wait. For Pandemonium. Keep em coming!

[@Panta8472]

i meant to post this months ago but next time you have Dan on you should ask him about the Urdesh books! they use his Iron Snakes and they were so fun! i just wonder what he thinks beyond the blurb on the back of the book lol did they collaborate or something? fshare notes?? anyway thank you wonderful video!

[@VedaRa501]

If you are an aspiring writer you need to listen to this as Dan gives a masterclass on writing. Once again great interview Mira.

[@alvisecattaruzzo9863]

Thank you Mira and thank you Dan, as always it was a pleasure listening to the both of you ❤

[@krakke3188]

Dan the Man! I love these talks, you are great and Im so happy you can get al these great people to go a long!

[@CardinalCap.]

Really great that we have these interviews. Thank you to Dan for being willing to answer questions about the setting and his books. Keep up the excellent work Mira!

[@marjoe32]

I need these to become my weekly dose of WH just Manga & Dan. ill take bi-weekly, or monthly even... bi-quarterly? Okay ill stop begging 😂

[@ScreamingTc]

I loved, loved, loved the scene where the titan crew were running through the checklist like actual military professionals. More often than not that side of things is hand-waved or left to the readers imagination, so it ends up on the cutting room floor of most people's imagination. It's those little moments which makes me love Abnett as a writer.

[@RiverRibble]

Really loving these chats!

[@stewartthorpe2533]

Mira interview video! Woot! Dan Abnett! Woot woot!

[@pat0652]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!! This may be my favourite 40K book. For a book about Giant Robots smashing through urban combat like Battleships, it has an air of believability. Only showing of my favourite units (Macharius Tanks) in all of 40K. Has Red Storm Rising vibes.

[@matthewpeterson2917]

Lovely interview with lovely people on both sides of the microphone.

[@_Saracen_]

Well, looks like I have to re-read Titanicus now.

[@davetaylor9966]

Another cracking interview, Mira! Thank you :)

[@andrewrobinson3882]

I loved all 3 Volumes of The End and the death. I could have honestly read another 3 volumes, my favorite 40K books ever written.

[@jockobeans]

Great interviews with Mr. Abnett, Mira! Titanicus was fourth 40k book I read and the first one that was not Space Marine centric. Gave me a great appreciation and understanding for the greater horizon of 40k's setting.

[@alanredmond88]

Terrific. I'm a bit surprised these aren't getting more views, nut hopefully they will sooner or later

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

Just keep sharing and they will soon :)

[@alanredmond88]

@@HistoritorJimaldus I'll try

[@noirceuillesombre3472]

Dan Abnett is one of the best (if not the) at taking a fictional archetype and infusing it with so much that we can relate to, that we become genuinely invested in them. Thank you for bringing him onto your channel! 👊😎👍

[@PowerPilgrim]

Dan's a legend. Always in for a treat be it novel or comic. Thanks to you both for the insight.

[@ghannos9869]

Already chuckling just at the intro song haha good stuff

[@Fliss317]

Titanicus is possibly my favourite of Abnett's books, and I really enjoyed this. Thanks to Mira and Dan!

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

Great interview.

[@miramanga]

Thanks you! ❤️

[@noirceuillesombre3472]

Wonderful "take" on the entry-level Mechanicum. I noticed the same thing in some 40k novels.

[@danrich465]

Absolutely agree, its the little moments that make it so enjoyable overall.

[@tylerelkins4376]

So happy you did this one! My favorite 40k book

[@stewartthorpe2533]

Mira's musical intro and outros are chef's kiss ❤

[@SgtBotBot]

You couldn't have timed this better, I finished my re-read of Titanicus last week. So great to get some insights from Dan, he's very eloquent. Also a little tease for his next book! Thanks Mira!

[@randomacademypilot]

Thank you.

[@therickspears]

MIRA IS ALMOST FIFTY?! What?!

[@troglodytesrus]

Its so great that youve got him to give so much time to engage on these books. Really fun to hear the insights in how he writes

[@DaLavenderhillMob]

Dan said about the two major human empires and I'd agree with him, but if this was GW least until epic was mothballed, I'd have said squats would be the third You are so blessed to have such lovely chats with him, Love the dynamic, great interview 👏 👍 🙌 ALSO! Did you mention Lobsang Ludd ??? His time garden where Vimmes cigar end became part of it? Discworld is my No1 followed by black library. Then the Drizzt books, then Tolkien and Azimov.

[@oskarandersson9856]

Reading Horus Rising. So far at chapter 7. Pretty good so far. Maloghurt must be the one character besides Garviel that i am most interested in.

[@gabrielwalton4097]

Man these interviews are great as always 👌

[@DavidBain-mh1oz]

Funnily enough, I just downloaded this on audible ❤😂🎉

[@BillyBatson89]

Hi Mira, I've been loving these Let's Talk videos with the authors. As a new 40k fan I've been absolutely consuming through a lot of the books and Dan Abnett's works are always among my favorite. He's so good at writing interesting characters that make me invested in their well being XD I hope you do Double Eagle and Brothers of the Snake at some point they're amazing!

[@robbie__uk]

Another fantastic interview 😊 Dan is so generous with his time and knowledge, these interviews are a real credit to you Mira 😀 can't wait for the next time we get to see you chat ❤

[@roberttaubman4418]

What a gent

[@Timebandit1]

Another banger of a theme tune. Realised I only ever comment on the tunes - love the chats too.

[@Jampire]

My favorite author, lots of love for Dan! But also lots of love for you as well Mira, your interviews and enthusiasm for the world is contagious. You bring a lot to these discussions also!

[@tobinsmith7065]

Thanks Dan and Mira!

[@DislocatedDesign]

Excellent interview with Dan on one of my favourite novels by him. It's been a long time since I read Titanicus admittedly and I would probably read it again now but I am currently reading the Siege of Terra series (started Book 3 yesterday) and the only book I would break off from that to read is Pandemonium, so it might be a while before I get to re-read Titanicus. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed its epic and intimate scale and I'm sure Orestes and Legio Invicta will feel fresh again when I finally do come back to it. Until then, I've got The Vincula Insurgency, Saturnine, and The End and The Death to look forward to as well.

[@alexknott1696]

Another great watch Mira, some really brilliant and insightful questions. I really enjoyed Dan's approach and explanation on individual character stories and the overall scale of any given story. The interview made for a very enjoyable hour of painting.

[@MatthewJohnson-e1q]

Dan's tracking camera trips me out.

[@a.l.7262]

Thanks a lot Mira for all these lovely chats with our favorite 40k legend !

[@LOCATIONREDACTED]

Seriously can't wait for this. Excellent novel. Subbed, your channel is getting me through the flu!

[@IamLertimo]

Thanks MIra. These chats between you and Dan are so enjoyable. I do hope he continues to talk through all his 40k works with you as you get to each of them. Two interesting points about writing in the 40k verse struck me from this interview: The Bait and Switch thing as you call it, might be Dan's calling card, but it's since become such a cliché of 40k novels that you can see it coming a mile off in the hands of lesser authors. Similarly, on 'sideways research' - one of the things that sets Dan's work apart is the thought and richness and originality of the detail he puts in to his novels. The Sabbat Worlds feel real and unique with a distinct, shared culture but each also has their own unique planetary identity, and even the planets then have different regions and peoples, etc. All the Guard regiments from different worlds are distinct and memorable. Then contrast that with a lot of 40k novels where you get 'generic hive world' setting and a generic Imperial Guard regiment and it's rarely immersive or engaging because they don't feel real. While Dan researches the real world to introduce new ideas to 40k, newer Black LIbrary authors research 40k materials (including Dan's novels) in order to try and be faithful as possible to what has gone before. I know which approach I prefer.

[@waaaghzag]

That was really fun to listen to

[@jessesosh7052]

Oooooh I wanna talk about what is "under the mountain" but I don't wanna spoil your journey, so I'll bite my tongue 😅

[@marcoschulze164]

Whaaat ? So soon after Legion ??? Mind.Blown.

[@warhammerbadly5973]

I was so excited to read this book, I had to scour ebay for a copy. I read the first 3 chapters & then left it in Sandiago Airport running to catch a flight. 😢

[@miramanga]

Nooooooo!

[@colinmiddleton8127]

@MiraManga, it sounds like you need to interview Dan's copy editor too 😂. Sounds like she could be really interesting. As for approaching 50, you lie. No way you're as old as I am. Approaching 40 I'll believe.

[@azoun420]

great interview with one of my favorite authors

[@adamduncombe594]

Brilliant interview. Dan is the best, thanks Mira

[@euansmith3699]

Lovely people. Lovely chat. Lovely global massive robot war. Everyone gets a socket.

[@Nightss]

Another excellent interview!

[@andrewcook3983]

That Emperor bloke sounds like a bit of a hypocrite... First he bangs on that the are no gods, the Imperial Truth and sanctions the Word Bearers for erecting statues to him, but when he meets the Mech guys on Mars he goes "I am your god"... Whot an opportunist!!

[@va818]

I have one very substantial complaint with Titanicus, it wasn't long enough. I really think it woukd have been better as a 2 part book because there's so many characters we just glimpse. Fantastic to hear Dan's thoughts on it

[@dxpsumma383]

Hard disagree, there are too few self-contained stories in 40k, too much milked for cash that shouldn't (Bequin and TEATD being two recent Abnett examples)

[@kazaddum2448]

Gearhart and gang show up in another novel of his.

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

Urdesh - it’s not by Abnett though

[@danielasher1070]

Sadly i know about at least one band of authors: the rock bottom remainders. Its like dave barry and amy tan and some others i think.

[@craigzinkta3988]

❤️

[@jonbaxter2254]

If this man dosn't get heavily involved with Amazon series, they have made a massive error.

[@glandhound]

Thank you Dan and Mira...although, I was hoping this would be the video where I learned how to produce 'The sign of the Cog' with using my hands only. I remember these Mira vs. Dan videos started (or ended) with 'The sign of the Aquila', so it would also also been a full circle of sorts. The Imperium started with abolishing all religion and at the same time declaring The Emperor as the Omnissiah to the very religious Martians/Mechanicum , so there's always been this hypocritical dichotomy between two stances which are the polar opposites. This of course continues between 30k/HH (no gods) being opposed with 40k (the only god is the Emperor) and in Titanicus it all goes back to that same origin point where the religious Martians find evidence of Omnissiah having existed before anyone on Mars knew about the Terran Emperor.

[@miramanga]

Wait for my interview with Graham McNeill!

[@glandhound]

Social mollification: accepted. I will shunt my expectations until the Mechanicus interview!

[@DavidBain-mh1oz]

Late to the show as always!❤😂🎉

[@filteredjc4653]

Engagement comment

[@euansmith3699]

Comment: ENGAGED!

[@madlynx1818]

Does one need to be well versed in the Warhammer universe to read his books or can any sci-fi fan pick one up and understand and enjoy them? Thank you

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

Anyone can pick up Titanicus or First and Only or Xenos, all three are good starting points :)

[@SillySpudyRocking]

ALGOFOOD!

[@grahamfroggatt4530]

I wonder what Dan’s ears look like….?

[@earnestwanderer2471]

? Clearly they’re little black aural augments.

[@DaLavenderhillMob]

Dang thats to long

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

Not anymore it isn’t ;)

[@DaLavenderhillMob]

@@HistoritorJimaldus Offt that's an odd one. Feels like I've time traveled . I've been really ill since last Monday perhaps that's why I feel I've stepped through the week. Finally can taste and smell again Whooo

[@DaLavenderhillMob]

​​@@HistoritorJimaldus Awesome name are you the creator of puzzles

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

@@DaLavenderhillMob that’s me :)

[@DaLavenderhillMob]

@@HistoritorJimaldus do you just do them for your buddies or is it something I can find online? I've recently rediscovered the hobby and also got back into my art and sculpting plus minis, thinking about putting it online . But also I really enjoy talking to others doing creative stuff and bouncing ideas. No worries if you don't , but sounds like you're doing some cool stuff Keep doing it 💪

[@NeonKnight83]

Mira is a fox. She gets a "schwing!"