Ragnar Blackmane may be known to many as the Young King, but he’s actually a bit of an elder statesman when it comes to his origins as a miniature. In fact, when Ragnar burst onto the Warhammer 40,000 scene back in 1992, he was the first* of a new wave of unique Space Marine characters to earn their very own profile and special rules in their parent Codex. Many other Chapter-specific heroes were soon to follow, including the likes of Dante and Azrael, but it was Ragnar who blazed that trail.
Ragnar first rose to fame as the star of William King’s Space Wolf saga, which follows his turbulent career from a battle-hungry Fenrisian youth to becoming the youngest Wolf Lord in the Chapter’s history. To this day, it remains the definitive look at the creation of a Space Marine, for you experience the entire journey alongside Ragnar, making it all but essential reading for any Warhammer 40,000 fan.
Along with the hugely expanded lore and accompanying artwork in the inaugural Space Wolves Codex, Ragnar’s mighty miniature helped to cement the identity of the Chapter. With a wolf-headed backpack, a Belt of Russ strapped to his waist, and an enormous wolf pelt draped from his shoulder, the lupine influence of Fenris was on full display for the first time.
Though the earliest versions of Ragnar saw him sporting blond hair (he was clearly a surfer in his youth), his locks now match his moniker, earned by auspiciously slaying one of the legendary Blackmaned Wolves of Fenris during his Trial of Morkai.
Ragnar’s Battle Report debut in White Dwarf 158 proved to be similarly auspicious. The Fangs of the Wolf became such an instant classic that it was actually featured in Codex: Space Wolves, and proved crucial to the developing lore for Ragnar and his enemy alike.*
Indeed, Ragnar’s hunt for Ghazghkull Thraka would later be revisited in the Saga of the Beast during the Psychic Awakening – events that led to Ragnar crossing the Rubicon Primaris with a stunning new miniature, and Ghazghkull becoming more of a beast than ever before!
* Or at least one of the first – Marneus Calgar appeared a little earlier, but not in a Codex…
** Get in line, Yarrick – Ragnar was there first!***
*** Alas, poor Yarrick…