Based on the new video game, Warhammer 40k: Dawn Of War III #1 takes readers into the world of Game Workshop’s Warhammer 40k where “grimm dark” is a common descriptor. It’s been about 22 years of me playing and following the 40k universe, including playing the video games this comic ties into, so as a fan already of the world, I come in a bit biased.

Written by Ryan O’Sullivan, the first issue sets up the series with the Blood Raven’s having to head planet side to retreive their brothers and setting them up on a course to clash with Eldar and Orks. It’s a pretty standard story for the 40k universe, but O’Sullivan does a very interesting thing in that the issue feels like it’s a mission straight out of the video game.

This first issue features the encounters and battles and to some extent feels like a cut scene, but thankfully I don’t have to spend time building up my base. There’s also a solid focus on the “band of brothers” aspect of the universe as well with solid interactions between the Marines and that extends to their mission.

The art by Daniel Indro and Kevin Enhart is solid and continues the pretty standard style we’ve seen in the various Warhammer 40k comics. I don’t want to quite call it a “house style,” but the comics I’ve read all flow together in their look, which is smart for a brand where consistent style is a selling point and something I’d expect.

As a fan of 40k, of course I love the comic and can’t wait for the next issue. But, for those who don’t know the world, this probably isn’t the best place to start to dive in. O’Sullivan does do an excellent job of translating the video game version of the tabletop game into comics and the art delivers the brutal action you’d expect. As an adaptation, the team knocks it out of the park.

Story: Ryan O’Sullivan Art: Daniel Indro, Kevin Enhart
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Titan Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review