Reasons Why Warhammer 40,000 should be considered a great work of science fiction

The original Warhammer, called Warhammer Fantasy Battle, came out in 1983 and was all about fantasy miniatures featuring classic characters like orcs, goblins, dwarves, and elves — think J.R.R. Tolkien vibes. A few years later, they introduced Warhammer 40k, which took a lot of those fantasy races and gave them a futuristic twist.

A long time ago, some fans of science fiction thought Warhammer 40k was less important than popular stories like Star Wars and Star Trek. They saw it as a bit darker and messier. But now, things are changing! Warhammer 40k has grown into a big universe filled with interesting characters and exciting stories, and there are lots of books about it too.

Games Workshop, the British company behind the tabletop game Warhammer and its sci-fi version Warhammer 40,000 (or Warhammer 40k for short), is now valued at around £3.75 billion. They even have some pretty cool fans, like Henry Cavill, Brian May, and the late Robin Williams. In the past, some sci-fi fans have seen Warhammer 40k as a bit of a niche hobby, kind of the grungy sibling to the more polished American franchises like Star Wars and Star Trek. But that’s changing. Warhammer 40k has grown into a massive universe filled with deep and diverse characters, backed by a ton of literature.

The narrative complexity of Warhammer 40k goes beyond a simple dichotomy of good and evil; it presents a world rich in politics, philosophy, and moral ambiguity. This complexity is exemplified by The Emperor, the leader of humanity, who has been sustained for over 10,000 years through the daily sacrifice of thousands, enabling him to combat chaotic forces in a psychic realm called The Warp.

Warhammer 40k has evolved beyond being merely a miniatures game; it has become an expansive fictional universe that surpasses other science fiction realms. Fans can now engage with the franchise through a variety of formats, including animations, role-playing games, video games, comic books, and a vast array of literature published by Games Workshop’s Black Library.

The depth of the Warhammer 40k universe has allowed it to thrive for decades, offering endless ideas and characters for fans to explore. Its influence is so profound that it has given rise to a distinct sub-genre of science fiction and fantasy known as grimdark, characterized by a bleak aesthetic emphasizing survival in a harsh world. This style has influenced not only Warhammer but also the works of notable authors like Joe Abercrombie.

Recently, Warhammer has gained academic attention, as evidenced by Germany’s inaugural conference dedicated to the subject, which featured nearly 60 speakers examining the universe from various scholarly perspectives. The growing body of academic literature on Warhammer allows researchers to delve into complex themes, such as the relationship between soldiers and the state, through the lens of iconic characters like the space marines — genetically enhanced warriors committed to perpetual warfare against humanity’s foes.

The Warhammer 40k universe is immense, highlighted by the Horus Heresy series, which is a pivotal narrative framework comprising 54 books, along with an additional ten that detail its conclusion. This series, which began with “Horus Rising” in 2006, is arguably the largest collective literary project in science fiction, with just a few final volumes pending paperback release.

With more people playing the game, the success of video games, and a new Amazon series coming, Warhammer is becoming more popular. It’s not just a game with dice and models anymore; it’s a big and important science fiction story that deserves to be talked about like other famous stories from America.

Warhammer 40k hasn’t been talked about much in science fiction before, but that’s changing. Last year, the company that makes Warhammer, Games Workshop, signed a deal with Amazon to create a TV show. There’s also an animated series coming out in December 2024, and some successful video games, like Space Marine II. There is also a lot of research being written about Warhammer.