Lets Talk...Horus Rising with Dan Abnett

The legendary Dan Abnett joins me for a glorious hour where talk all things Horus Rising!
PLEASE LIKE & SUBSCRIBE and if you'd like to support or join the Mira Manga Book Club you can hit me up on Patreon! / miramanga
Thanks to ‪@LilioCamere‬ for all the editorial and graphics help!
Thanks to the UBER talented ‪@LuisHumanoide‬ for the epic music that features in this theme song. His musicianship is mind blowing, so many great compositions for you to explore so please sub and support him, and check out his Spotify too! open.spotify.c...
Timestamps:
00:00:00 Awesome theme song "Space Marines, Are They Good or Bad?
00:01:30 Dan Abnett, where were you the day that Horus Killed the Emperor?
00:06:19 The High Lords of Terra
00:10:36 The Bait and Switch!
00:13:44 A planetful of spiders?!
00:16:50 The four temperaments
00:22:16 Writing on male friendships and intensely awesome battle scenes!
00:31:32 Father of a million fans...
00:44:24 Varl is Kevin Bacon
00:46:18 Captain Tona Criid is Pink
00:47:41 Space Marines relating to the future of us humans in space
00:55:53 What was the Emperor on?!
01:02:51 An Aquila salute tutorial

[@terrynicholsjr.3342]

Hope he’s involved with Henry Cavill on bringing this to the small screen! Dan Abnett is a legend

[@ngominh259]

If Henry's as geeky as I believe, he'd ask the whole team to comb over every detail.

[@SAMagic]

I can't say. 😆

[@84jesterx]

If he's involved, we're all hoping he'll have a bigger impact compared to Darktide. It's very difficult to find what Dan contributed to that game as there's close to no definable story unfortunately. Setting and possibly the character dialogue, sure, but Leutin09 hyped it up too much for me to only get...that. Hoping FatShark have more planned, and SOON! Anyway! can't wait to see what's happening with that Live Action version. Cautiously optimistic. (prays to the Omnissah that they adapt Gaunt's Ghosts first).

[@clawsewitz4316]

They need to make Spacehulk first movie, just Terminators and Gene Stealers. Nothing fancy, very low tech, hack and slash. Next movie should be Eisenhorn.

[@EthanFMiller]

Who doesn't love Dan "Warhammer Santa" Abnett? The man is a damn treasure.

[@miramanga]

Warhammer Santa 🥹😂😍

[@paullittle835]

Some random on Twitter included him in a "worst things to happen to 40k" list, because apparently his stories "attract fash" I was like "wait...wat?!"

[@richardgreathead5735]

​​@@paullittle835 he's writing about space fash it's not his problem people don't get the setting isn't aspirational! (I am agreeing with you btw I don't want you to think I'm being salty)

[@killtie15]

Warhammer Grinches. And we all know who they are.

[@smoss9813]

Hahaha that is my new favourite description, thank you

[@D4rkm00r]

Let's be honest, this book absolutely gave 40K universe the emotional depth it needed and that's without even mentioning the creativity behind the attention to detail Dan brings. I had the pleasure of meeting Dan at one of the BLL events (2010? 2011?), an absolute gent.

[@Bumbumcrit]

It is somewhat a miracle and a curse. This was my first Warhammer Book period, and that set my expactations for all future Horus Heresy books. Unfortunately unfulfilled so far (Read 6 Horus Heresy Books so far and nothing hit me like the first one)

[@AddamsFactory69]

When people bring up the contradictions about 40k lore, this is the solution I offer them (and use myself): Everything Dan Abnett writes is cannon, everything else is Imperial Propaganda. 😆 Always love listening to Dan, thanks for the interview! It also helped me find your channel, subscribed! ⚡⚡⚡

[@matthewbradley2299]

I think another way to look at it is this.. if you have 4 people sat around a table and ask them to draw a picture of an object in the center of that table they will all be different pictures. The same applies to the 40k universe, and part of the joy for me is also trying to understand the perspective and motivation of the story teller in each novel.

[@paulie-g]

@@matthewbradley2299 I think the fact there isn't complete clarity on everything is part of what makes 40k feel like a real universe. If you think about it, there isn't a single historical era in the real world where there is complete agreement on the facts, never mind a single perspective on them. So the messy canon in fact adds verisimilitude and credibility. I'm sure this is a happy accident, but it helps a lot because there's no way they could pull off complete internal consistency across the games, codices, White Dwarf, books and stories, video games etc over decades

[@slackeratlarge575]

Dan Abnett is a legend.

[@cetx]

Everybody seems pleased with the interview, but I think the real star here is the theme song.

[@TheHamno]

An actual explanation of the sign of the Aquila right at the end, what a perfect way to end the conversation!

[@EricWier]

An absolutely amazing way to end a wonderful interview!

[@glandhound]

I knew the sign of the Aquila (from that animated version of Helsreach) but what about the sign of the Cog? Someone relatively human did it in Titanicus, but she might have had extra fingers also.

[@JakeStaines]

It's pretty close to what I had in my head, except for some reason I always imagined these super-serious space marines hooking their thumbs together while doing it and wiggling their fingers. As Captain Sternmurderius stepped into the bridge, he paused to make the sign of the Aquila across his chest; "blblblblblblblb~" "Well met, Captain. Now, to the serious matter at hand."

[@miramanga]

heheh

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

@@glandhoundyou just make fists and link your knuckles like cogwheels I think

[@mastertoenail11]

I've literally just started my Horus Heresy journey with Horus Rising. This is awesome.

[@BM-is5ei]

You are in for a loooooong ride. Don't be disappointed, though. Some HH books are utter crap 😂

[@SAMagic]

​@@BM-is5eiHarsh. The first half dozen are amazing!

[@BM-is5ei]

@@SAMagic Well yes ofc they are, but we are talking about ... what? 60 books or something? There are some stinkers amongst them for sure.

[@drafezard7315]

@@SAMagic The second book although still great lost some of the nuance with certain characters (which the third one does even worse), the third one dragged on a bit at the end, and half the 4th book was just tedious. I'm only on the 5th one now.

[@be_quiet_and_drive]

Very exciting dude. I am about 30 books in myself.

[@nightshadeii9248]

Very recently (within the last 2 weeks) dove into the 40K universe and my first book, Horus Rising, just arrived in the mail! 😊

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

Dan always gives great interviews, his enthusiasm is brilliant, but this was definitely one of the best :)

[@KurtzeTube]

Horus Rising was the book that begun a universe spanning almost 100 novels. For those of us who were around even before there was a heresy series, it’s is CRAZY looking back how far we have got. A whole hour with probably the most important writer in the setting is a precious gift you make us.😊Thank you.

[@miramanga]

You’re so welcome please stick around and enjoy the content 😊

[@KurtzeTube]

@@miramanga sure will do!

[@StefanPietraszak]

What a delightful interview! It has always been obvious that Dan Abnett "gets" 40K, but it's great to hear just how much exactly. And thanks, Mira, for bringing a fresh (perhaps more literary?) perspective to this often misunderstood setting! Not that you don't already do that in your book club with a certain Arbitor, but this was especially great!

[@myrandarose2883]

Massive fan of Dan Abnett. The opening line to Horus Rising is still one of the best lines in the Warhammer cannon. First experienced his work through Fell Cargo a little known but brilliant one-off Warhammer Fantasy novel with pirates and undead. The Eisenhorn books brought to life the 40k universe (beyond space marines punching orks). Was even given the non-Warhammer novel Embedded for a Christmas present and loved the unusual speech patterns he played with. He's crazily prolific an author, and his name is over a huge amount of my library - long may he reign. Slightly sad that the Horus Heresy is coming to an end, but then with The End and The Death Part 2 it will be 63 full novels (and several side novels, and 18+ novels in the Primarchs Horus Heresy series, and so far 3 Horus Heresy Character novels)... so I'm also glad that it's getting an established and definitive end. Thank you Dan. And thank's Mira for making this video.

[@Dustbinlid1]

I really hope the opening line of the final book is "I was there the day the Emporer slew Horus"

[@benthomsen2220]

"There are things that are meant to be kept mysterious." -Dan Abnett Right on, here hoping the End and the Death doesn't reveal too much.

[@jameshollins5659]

Dan Abnett is so nice and an incredible human. I Love his 40k books, and also his huge contribution to the universe I love the most.

[@landotucker]

I first read "Ghostmaker" more than 20 years ago and from there read all the Gaunt's novels. I loved the Eisenhorn and Ravenor series too. Dan had a tough job telling a good story with space marines since they're not the most interesting of characters, but he pulled it off. Horus Rising was a great book. He's such a talented writer, and I'd say he's my favourite too. I can say for sure that he's contributed to my vocabulary! Nice interview. (Hopefully we won't have to wait too long for the 3rd Bequin novel 😁)

[@BM-is5ei]

In terms of vocabulary it is absolutely bonkers how much 40k lingo, which many authors have picked up, was invented by him.

[@landotucker]

@@gwarfanatik Sorry, I should rephrase that. Space marines aren't the most interesting characters... to me. If you like them, then great. Maybe I've read the wrong books.

[@DaniMol]

​@@landotucker If you want some interesting Marines that are truly developed and interact with humans superbly interesting, you can check out Apocalypse by Josh Reynolds.

[@NapGod]

Hahaha knowing Val is played by Kevin Bacon is awesome. I could literally listen to this man talk all day long. Would love to see him at a con panel or something. Thank you for this interview.

[@davidpaterson1203]

Hi Mira. Thanks for a brilliant interview. I've been a Warhammer fan since the early 90s, been reading Warhammer books for 20 odd years and have read the Horus Heresy since 2006 when I picked up Horus Rising in Waterstones in Edinburgh. I've seen Dan give a good number of interviews and he's always great to listen to. I just wanted to comment to say that your interview and observations really brought out some new stuff to me so thanks for the thoughtful and excellent content. I'm currently reading the final siege of terra book now ... and man.... is Dan giving me all the feels !

[@miramanga]

Thank you for your kind words David. He is an utter delight and could happily speak to him for weeks at a time!

[@davidpaterson1203]

@Mira Manga 100% agree. Been to a few of the Black Library events down the years and Dan just has a presence and energy unlike anyone else. It's cool to hear new things though when you've been reading something for nearly 20 year so for example your observation on the 4 humours was very interesting. Dunno where you are in your Dan Abnett Warhammer reading but it's pretty much all gold in my eyes.

[@ComandaKronikk]

I loved hearing Dan talk about Saturnine and specifically Camba Diaz defending that bridge " The name of Dorn. Frenzy. Glory. Diaz. Smoke blind. Blood blind. Striking. Again. Camba Diaz. Thrusting. Cutting. Gutting. Striking. Slaying. In the name of his lord. Pinned. Unmoving. Unmovable. " If anyone hasn't read Saturnine it is DA's best book for sure.

[@DavidLawyer]

Abnett has made a significant impact on my life as I work my way through the Heresy books. Thank you!

[@TheCrimsonLupus]

Abnett is such a great writer, whenever I would pick up the next Horus Heresy book; if I saw his name on it, I knew it would be a good one. I think he's one of the best sci-fi writers ever and it is nice to now see that he's a lovely chap. The opening surprise-attack sequence in Know No Fear is still one of my favourite moments in any war book.

[@Scufflegrit]

Hearing Dan clearly enjoy discussing the process of being an author charged with playing nicely with others and sorting out the disparate mountain that used to be 40k lore is really refreshing. I feel like I’ve mostly just seen him be repeatedly pestered for hard answers over details that were obviously, intentionally left vague. Y’all really are a treat to watch. (I’m from Atlanta, that 𝘪𝘴 how we actually speak, please only talk shit if it’s genuinely clever. 😂)

[@happyharibo1330]

I have decided I like Dan Abnett....

[@Malkav]

I've never heard of Warhammer 40k until a friend of mine lent me his Horus Rising novel while we were deployed overseas. There was no looking back. I feel into the warhammer 40k rabbit hole. Henry Cavill needs to bring Dan Abnett on board for the live action Warhammer 40k.

[@davedogge2280]

I'm happy that I've just discovered this channel. I've been reading the Horus Heresy books (I'm just up to Book 5 'Fulgrim') after completing a years worth of fantasy books and I can say that the standard of these Horus Heresy books are up there almost to the contemporary fantasy greats e.g. Scott Lynch, Joe Ambercrombie, HRR Martin, Brandon Sanderson etc etc. I was quite surprised. Book 4 The Flight of the Eisenstein was great.

[@lberghaus]

The early books are quite great. I kept collecting them up to about 17 or so though and by that point there were several I didn’t care for.

[@RedemptiveChief]

The early books are great i'm about 14 books into the horus heresy ( defninitely not all in order). there are some joys in there. Also they aren't all in a linear timeline so feel free to jump around. mira's friend ian has a great video review all the published ( at that time ) horus heresy books. definitley check it out

[@Antycarr]

There are definitely some skips in the series, sadly. There are also key storylines/character returns contained within short stories/novellas. Not the easiest series to navigate as a result but the highest highs are worth it.

[@deejayxcrypt]

Before even viewing this. Fellow 40K fans… please don’t expect any feature film or series ever be on par with an awesome book. Not even the LotR trilogy did any absolute justice to their source material. Those movies were, by themselves, amazing in their own way so that the whole Tolkien lore fanbase multiplied quite drastically. But many of those fans are “casual movie viewers” first, and “hardcore book fans” second (even though they don’t like to admit it). Any 40K cinematic film will be turned to mainstream “somehow”. Let’s hope it’ll be one of the rare good ones.

[@oldrin1876]

I just finished Horus Rising last night first book I've ever read in the warhammer series. WOW was it good! Awesome job with the interview, very much looking forward to reading more of his books!!!

[@Jammil2477]

The length, breadth and the entire Warhammer 30-40k universe in my opinion is so in depth and complicated, detailed and swirling, beautiful, dark, grim, gritty, sad and awful, that I simply couldn’t wrap my head around knowing where to start. The more I think about the universe, the more I struggle to even comprehend how they even pulled it together. It’s down to games workshop, it’s well known steadfastness on how diligent they control it and combined with its team of writers, that I can only salute them all. It was very nice to hear Dan talk about it all as I have a million more questions! Along with Dune, it’s world is simply epic lvls of writing.

[@miramanga]

We're reading Dune in the Mira Manga Book Club and it's amazing

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

Lots of parallels between 40k and Dune :)

[@AdamBusbin]

That intro needs to be on all Warhammer products

[@hotflakestom]

Fantastic interview! You can tell Dan Abnett just absolutely loves 40k! He just loves to talk about it and I love listening!

[@adampriestley7732]

I love Dan Abnett's glass front drawer cabinet.

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

Not related to Rick are you? ;)

[@adampriestley7732]

​@JimL85 No, I don't think so. Perhaps we share a common ancestor, long ago.

[@dalebates9937]

You conducted an excellent interview, and it’s a credit to you that he was so engaged!

[@markmooney9416]

So true!

[@nrgspike]

Praise the Algorithm! What a lovely surprise, I had no idea you had your own channel, (Glares accusingly in Ian's direction!) and an interview with Dan too - I love how he's being struck by lightning at the start but is completely unphased. Legend!

[@bryanwalsh1107]

My favourite author by a country mile. The various WhatsApp groups I'm in glaze over when I launch into fanboy mode, whether it's over the Gaunt's Ghosts series or Embedded or any of the myriad classics he's written over the years. Go Dan!

[@Filippo5]

Dan Abnett is a very talented author, and seems such a nice guy. This was an amazing interview, thanks Mira ❤

[@TheMissing8]

I'm a big fan of Abnett's work but after actually listening to him here, I would gladly grab a beer with the guy. He seems very likable.

[@dpraptorP]

Great to hear Dan, read quite a few of his excellent books! Cant wait for the conclusion to the Siege of Terra. My absolute favorite story of Dan's that I have loved ever since the first time i read it was "The Fall of Malvolian" (not sure of the spelling). I wish you could write a full novel of the Tyrannids, their true terror is never really shown in so much of what I have read and seen. He did it so well, and a full novel could really explore them as a race, and everything they are capable of. I will keep my hopes up!!

[@miramanga]

EEK not the Tyrannids!!

[@hogweedblitz8739]

@@miramanga 😂 Yes! They are worse than mice!! 😊 Only Abnett can bring out the true horror of them. I hope he decides to do that someday.

[@danjacobs4557]

I’m not a 40k player but started my intro to the 40k universe with the HH (because the Internet said so) and it became very clear to me that Abnett was clearly head and shoulders above most in the Black Library. After reading ~10 40K books, there is at least one author that I’ll always skip and one that I’ll read everything they write. Dan Abnett is the latter. Thank you for the interview - glad to meet you both!

[@EternalDM]

Who do you skip? Asking for a friend

[@TheMissing8]

I highly recommend Aaron Demski-Bowdon alongside Abnett. Helsreach and Emperor's gift are outstanding books.

[@RedemptiveChief]

@@TheMissing8 i also recommedn Robert Rath and Nate Crowley.

[@BM-is5ei]

@@EternalDM i bet Nick Kyme. At least i do bc he ruined the Salamanders.

[@euansmith3699]

Mira is such a great listener; giving Dan plenty of time to express his love for the setting.

[@bluecarpettiles]

I met Dan at Leicester Comicon years ago and I knew his work on Guardians of the Galaxy whereas my friend was super excited to meet him as he’d read Eisenhorn and all the Gaunt’s Ghosts books. He was really friendly and keen to chat with fans. I’ve since read Eisenhorn, Ravenor and Gaunt’s Ghosts and would love to chat with him again. Great bloke, nice interview Mira.

[@satinthrone]

Fantastic interview, and the intro is so fun!!

[@Wendelvendel]

Yes, loved that intro!!

[@ianhenderson1872]

I re entlu finished the Eisenhorn trilogy and just started Horus Rising and Dan Abnett's use of descriptive language really takes me there. Such a great writer!

[@TheIronbark]

Best Author by far that writes for GW. Whatever they pay him, it isn't enough

[@obnoxiouspriest]

The Emperors favourite colour has to be goooold!

[@ancientgraybear]

Cracking interview Mira. You really got Dan to talk and you let him talk. So often interviewers are trying to show how much they know and love the lore that the writer doesn't get a chance to run with their stream of coconsciousness.

[@limeyndixie]

So glad he mentioned the Last Stand on the Pons Solar. Every time I read that, my heart stops all over again. Just… beyond exquisite.

[@james87367]

My favorite series of books I've ever read. Kept me hooked for over a decade. Sad it's coming to an end but had a fantastic time reading them over the year's.

[@helios7170]

After all these years! I got the Aquila salute correct! 😃 Great interview

[@ajrollo1437]

I just started reading "Horus Rising" for the first time. It's shockingly good. And now I'm a bit bummed about how hard it is to find much of the series in paperback. (I found a copy of 2, 3, and 4 so far.)

[@alpharius2098]

This guy is a global treasure his books and the siege im so happy to be around to read this as it is written

[@stupendous269]

One of my favorite books ever.

[@mymumsoldmetothefarsighten4597]

THIS IS THE IS CONTENT I NEEDED TO STUMBLE ON DURING A PAPER WORK FILLED WEDNESDAY!!!!!!

[@miramanga]

Hooray!!!

[@holtjamie77]

Brilliant interview, so good to hear Dan's views just as we are reaching the end of the HH.

[@Fireflash83]

If this ever gets to Dan ...please let it be ... He is a legend ... I love all his works Nd colabs .. Idea .. mckvener the kegend ..gaunts ghosts The lost years. ...his years on gherrion ...helping the kniteganni making them ...the nallsheen snd after ...boom .more of thst goodness ....please let him hear this ....

[@ThisFace]

I just finished Horus Rising, and all along, I wondered the same thing, what is the sign of aquila! Is it like a nWo sign? Shadow play? In Chapter 6 of Part 2, there is a physical hint that goes, ‘Qruze still had a habit, perhaps unconscious, of making the salute of the single clenched fist against his breast, the old pro-Unity symbol, *rather than the double-handed eagle.’* That made me realize what it would look like! Awesome to see a common curiosity being shared among the readers :)

[@mrphucyoo8281]

The cover art of Horus rising is my lasting image of all things 40k! Dont ask me why,i think the guy with the crazed look on his face spooked me a bit tbh!!

[@Subcomandante73]

A wonderful conversation with Dan. His enthusiasm for his work and the audience comes across.

[@Im-the-greatest]

This and the gaunts ghosts interviews were great. Thank you. Dan writes a hell of a book

[@Jeff-ne1lh]

Such a Brillant man...my very favorite 40k writer.

[@rajahferrier7475]

I really enjoy learning 40k lore. It's one thing to enjoy it it's another thing to be one of the people bringing it to life. Max respect to the authors and the artists.

[@OK-hl6qd]

the hour just flew by!

[@RachetLikesOat]

That was such a great interview, thank you! Any chance you invite Chris Wraith for a similat spiel? The way he gave life to a forgotten legion, White Scars, inspires me to this day.

[@clyntonkeel334]

Awesome interview

[@Moffen9T]

Very nice to see Dan Abnett still going strong. I've really enjoyed his work over the past decade and a bit. Hope you'll enjoy the rest of the Horus Heresy Mira! Certainly nothing wrong with skipping books in that series.

[@krakke3188]

That was amazing, Dan is Amazing. Now do some more of the writers :D

[@Fireflash83]

The audio books bring a life to the story the novel cemented the beginning of 🤟

[@ivoalexander4201]

Thank you for this interview. Dan Abnett has been a storytelling icon to me since Sinister Dexter. And I now know what the aquila salute looks like!

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

That was the first thing I read by him too! Still got the first TPB of it :)

[@ivoalexander4201]

@@HistoritorJimaldus I wonder how many warhammer bods know about The Kingdom, and adventures of Gene the Hackman? :)

[@djangofett4879]

I first encountered Abnett's writing in the Marvel series called "Annihilation". one of the best comic series ever made.

[@ivoalexander4201]

@@djangofett4879 Oh I don't know this one, I'll keep an eye out for it!

[@samthompson7568]

Brilliant seeing you on your adventures through the grim darkness of the 40k universe (30k in this instance). It's always great hearing your opinions on a thing I've been passionate about since childhood.

[@paullittle835]

@1:03:00 there MUST be a one handed version of the sign of the Aquila, tho! Characters make it while carrying all kinds of stuff...

[@anguswhitfield6113]

Dan should deliver a masterclass on creative writing- his use of language is amazing!

[@philroberts1069]

This is awesome, it would be great to have a series on the authors and artists who have contributed to the 40K and warhammer worlds.

[@adamsboringvids]

I can imagine an amazing animated Horus Heresy. I think it’s more about who’s voice you’d want. But then I guess they can’t all be Brian Blessed can they…

[@marcgagnon-marcotte1300]

nice interview i applaud this video, do john french or Aaron Dembski-Bowden

[@galacticplm]

one of the best books ive ever come across, and the first few audiobooks narrated by toby longworth are honestly incredible. PLEASE DO MORE EISENHORN AND RAVENOR

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

She’s already read all the current Inquisitor books, the discussions are on ArbitorIan’s channel though :)

[@galacticplm]

@@HistoritorJimaldus oh I meant abnett himself 😄 some of the best stories I've come across, need moreeeeeeee

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

@@galacticplm oh right, hopefully after the next Bequin book comes out she’ll have him back :)

[@galacticplm]

@@HistoritorJimaldus as long as him and toby keep pumping out collabs together ill die happy

[@Wylding756]

Cheers from California! Awesome interview!

[@frazerrhughess]

Best intro music in KZbin history

[@valheffelfinger6521]

That was an incredible intro tune. I am a fan now.

[@henrykomansky9352]

Dan, thanks, I love this book so much. I've read it fully at least 5x. I think its one of the best books ive ever read. thanks, that first line is absolute gold.

[@cspo]

These are such great questions. It's so refreshing to hear questions that engage with the interviewee's creative process and not just the content. The "what is your favourite x and why is it y?" are particularly egregious. Awesome, insightful interview. Thank you!

[@cjp180]

Great interview. Always good to see Dan and hear from his perspective on how it all started. Would love to see or hear from some of the other guys and their perspectives (James S, Chris W, Aaron, Graeme M, Gav T, Nick K etc) if you ever get the chance

[@zalonisap]

Just subbed! Great interview Mira! I found this through suggested vids. I'm a huge fan of your book club vids with Ian but had no clue you had your own channel. I'm only 2 years into being a Warhammer fan and your knowledge of the universe is on the same level as me. Please continue to create beginner friendly content since many more Warhammer newbies are flowing into this hobby at a faster rate than ever before. Cheers Mira!

[@buttforce4208]

Great interview. Love the enthusiasm from the interviewer

[@Out_Beyond_The_Heliopause]

I'm late to the party but absolutely brilliant interview Mira!

[@Ratkill]

Hands down my favorite author in the series. So much depth in his works. Some of the HH titles in the series easily get caught in describing fighting and gore over and over and over, but he keeps an expansive view and weaves together beautiful stories.

[@Jinballify]

I always wanted to ask Dan about the opening "bait and switch! " such a good talk! But if you get a change, could you ask him weather it was a concious thing to give this other god emperror and his empire a real Dune wibe? I always felt that one of the big things about 40k was that the time scale allowed for whole other sci-fi franchises to fit into the 40k galaxy. Trek being the golden age, Hyperion describing the fall, etc. And Dune, with its magic and technology very much could fit as a pre-unification empire in some corner of the galaxy, they did lose earth after all. I got this particular vibe in a huge way, particularly Horus being the manifestation of the "great threat" the Dune books only ever reference to.

[@matthewhugill4039]

Awesome interview. So good to see Dan in the flesh talking about the books he has written. I love Eisenhorn so much. I love how it's set after horus and it's the shadow of that history in the aftermath

[@paullittle835]

@45:00 I KNEW he was talking about V A R L!

[@talabackland8127]

Great interview. It's always a pleasure to listen to Dan talk Warhammer.

[@peterga3658]

i love the current 40k state . the books are amazing . for few years now they have started putting things in place making things make sense without ruining the mistery

[@ser-Ike]

Thoroughly enjoyed that, I always like to hear from Dan Abnett, read many books across many Ip's that he's written

[@benburkin7942]

Amazing interview, I've been reading the HH series since the first novel (I have the gold leaf first edition). Dan & co have done a fantastic job.

[@owmycheek]

Great, fun interview, and just a great conversation!

[@axelNodvon2047]

Mira, in case you haven’t learned it yet. The Emperor’s favorite color is gold without a doubt 🤓

[@lysander1]

This was the best interview of a BL author I have ever come across in my (redacted) years of reading and playing. Your questions, Mira, were fabulous and your enthusiasm was clearly infectious. You must MUST interview more. I would love to see you read a big HH novel and interview the author. Maybe do First heretic next and get ADB?! Feels like a cool next step. One can but dream.

[@miramanga]

Wow…that’s superlatively kind Ludvico thank you. I’m thinking about what to do need for sure.

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

Lysander from ProzD? :) FYI second tier patrons can join Mira’s book club - and make suggestions on what we read

[@lysander1]

@@HistoritorJimaldus may I ask what you mean by Lysander ? :) oh I did not know about the patreon.

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

@@lysander1 your name shows as ‘@lysander1’ for me :) ah, it was Lysanderoth who was in ProzD’s skits: kzbin.info/www/bejne/en-cdYpqp9d4oLs

[@HistoritorJimaldus]

Just remembered the Imperial Fist Captain who is also called Lysander though! :)

[@tokukeitaro]

Dan Abnett IS The Black Library. You johnny-come -lately-i-hate-abnett- fans have no idea what the dire straits of the BL was before Abnett. The Abnett verse IS Warhammer 40k. The man can write all the perpetuals, enuncia, cognitae shit he wants to. The setting is only better for it.

[@01What10]

Interesting conversation. Love hearing Dan Abnett's insights. You had some good questions for him. I am a huge fan of the WH40k lore and the Horus Heresy is by far my favorite era. So this interview was a treat!

[@ataraxia7439]

It’s so sweet how much fun both of you are having. Very wholesome stuff

[@DirtyMardi]

Horus Rising is definitely my favourite book in the WH40K universe. It was also the first Warhammer book I’ve read. Happy to hear more about the process of writing it!

[@BM-is5ei]

Brothers of the Snake might be his best stand alone book. Absolutely worth a read.

[@adamsboringvids]

49:20 Mag Uruk Thraka the Ork Warboss was named after Margaret Thatcher I think..