Must admit that these comments are really changing my view on the Black Legion.

Before the 6th edition my opinion/view/thoughts on the Black Legion were pretty much the standard. The Sons of Horus mainly with the dregs of other Legions that signed up with them to hitch their wagons to Abaddon's caravan and try and catch some glory. Of course they've failed 12 times and the current Black Crusade doesn't appear like it will succeed either, yes Abaddon has broken through the Cadian Gate but with all the other Traitor Legion lords plotting against him, the Imperium and Eldar working against him and the Chaos forces without any real goal beyond charge the gate and break through.

I also did not see any real identity to the Black Legion beyond we are Abaddon's men. They seemed similar to the Red Corsairs in that anyone can join, but the Black Legion is more of an identity than being a Red Corsair, but where the Red Corsairs have a real personality as pirates, the Black Legion just seemed like vanilla Chaos Space Marines. No devotion beyond Abaddon, and most of the Black Legionnaires we see tended to be the guys who lost. Araghast the Pillager; Urkrathos the Lord Ravager; Zaraphiston and his apprentice.

But with 6th edition things have clearly changed. Prior I was a subscriber to the Failbaddon belief. Now, I think he is going to win. The Crimson Path is a plan that could work, and the Black Crusade seems direr than ever. The Night Lords will take the fight to Ulthwe; Erebus has summoned an army of a million Daemons; the Daemon Primarchs are getting involved (possibly); the Planet Killer has returned; the Imperials are cut off from reinforcements; and each of the Four Champions has brought an army to the warzone to battle. Add in the problems of the Green Krusade, increased Dark Eldar raids on Imperial Worlds, Necron uprisings in the Scarus Sector and a splinter fleet of Leviathan is approaching Obscurus; and the situation is pretty damn grim.

And Abaddon is starting to seem much more competent through all of that. Before we knew nothing of his plan beyond kill the Emperor, now we know and it makes a huge difference. He's the man with the plan now, the plan that could actually work if the Traitors can keep up the momentum long enough. Knowing what he intends to do is, I think, what makes Abaddon appear so much cooler now, sometimes yes not knowing is better but this is not one of those times.

As for the Black Legion your comments ADB have made me rethink my assessment of them. The idea that the core of the Legion is still the Sons of Horus, but the rest of the Legion as a melting pot is an interesting one. As is the idea of them being completely distinct from the Sons of Horus rather than just a resurrection of them, but with a new name to distance themselves from Horus. The Legion of the Long War; really sticks in your mind as you consider the implications of it. A Legion with an identity that transcends gene-seed, origin and individual beliefs. United in hate, as you said, and bound together by Abaddon's will and power. It speaks volumes about Abaddon's character that he alone can marshal this diverse group of marines, many of whom come from Legions that despise and kill each other on sight, into a fighting force that has the potential to topple the Imperium and lead the Forces of Chaos into war.

There is one thing i'm curious about. The Chosen of Abaddon. Will they feature in the series? Perhaps a better idea about exactly what it is each one of them does? Oh and exactly which members hold what rank. That sort of thing.


LotN

I take it we will see more of Widowmaker then? And thanks for the replies, much appreciated with the info. also Extiction is really good.

I appreciate this sentiment so much, a good comparison. Really for reals.

It's been suggested many times over that time within the warp, well, is just that. One year could be one hundred in the Eye. However in real space, the Imperium has endured 10,000 years (give or take) between the HH and The 13th Black Crusade. People die, children are born, factions change, new leaders arise, technology is lost, new ideas are discovered, civilisations change, names and events are lost, evidence is lost over time, turning to myth... you get the idea (I should really employ full stops more often).

I always apply my own learnings when it comes to the application of ancient history (in academia) and the universe of 30k/40k. I feel this is a similar type of structure that ADB applies to some of his works? Hey I could be wrong.

A new tidbit on the coming Black Legion series, specifically the identity of one of the Founders of the Black Legion. The Fallen Angel, according to a tweet from ADB.

Interesting. So he has a sword that shoots energy and a shield with grappling claws... that is pretty cool.


LotN

What about sight beyond sight?

No words yet on Sight Beyond Sight... but I am excited to see a telescoping sword and a power fist with digits that can be used as grappling hooks!

I'm guessing the Fallen Angel is a Fallen Dark Angel?

A safe bet, I would think. Though it could be a Blood Angel traitor who unwittingly chose what would end up being the most frustrating sobriquet ever.

My bets would be on a Dark Angel!

I remember there was a total badass Fallen Dark Angel in the Blood Angels comic strip in Warhammer Monthly. He was a pretty cool character.