Warhammer 40,000 – Dark Angels Supreme Grand Master Azrael

With the Wrath of the Soul Forge boxed set, we see the return of Supreme Grand Master Azrael, after he crossed the Rubicon Primaris.

He certainly will - as many of the other characters - be available on his own outside of the bundle. So far no RRP was communicated on him, but I assume he will be around price of High Marshal Helbrecht - 42,50 EUR / 32,50 GBP.

Mark Gibbons created this powerful impression of Azrael, as the Master of the Dark Angels back in the early 90s.

This is the first time, that Azrael is available in plastic. The initial miniature, shown left, was casted in metal, and later in the 2000s the model got a small update and the former paper banner (you could copy from the Codex or White Dwarf) was replaced by a sculpted piece, casted in metal as well. From what I understand, the model was never produced in finecast.

All the gear, that Azrael had back in the day is still with him, after he became a Primaris marine. He still has a Watcher in the Dark accompanying him and carrying the Lion Helm (which was previously worn by the Dark Angels' Primarch Lion El'Jonson), wielding the Swords of Secret, crafted from a meteorite that struck The Rock, and Lion's Wrath, a combi-plasma, and an artificer armour, with the symbol of his rank.

The model comes with a small sprue and 50 mm round base.

As you can see, the sprue is tightly packed and properly casted. You have an optional helmet and there is a variant for the Watcher in the Dark, either carrying the Lions Helm or the scabbard of the Swords of Secret.

And this is the first thing we're going to build. The small companion of Azrael, a Watcher in the Dark, who either carries a scabbard or the helmet.

Not that much of the new artificier primaris armour is seen, as Azrael still wears his Dark Angels robes, covering most of the armour. Games Workshop split the flowing cloth into multiple pieces to create a dynamic pose and work around the limitations of undercuts in plastic moulding.

Now for the arms, he has the Sword of Secret in the right arm and Lion's Wrath in the left. You could modify the angle a bit, but keep in mind that the shoulder pads and back pack still has to be attached. The shoulder pads cover a Dark Angels crest and scroll on the other one, along with three trinkets you add to the belt and chest.

The backpack covers the banner pole and sculpted banner, still showing the classic design, which is a great nod to the miniatures history. Azrael has a filled pistol holster for his side and a bit for base decoration, a Mark III Dark Angels helmet (probably one of the fallen).

And now the last thing to choose for Azrael is, if he is shown in the classic way with a bare head or with the Lions Helmet.

According to that decision, you would use the fitting option for your Watcher in the Dark.

And to give you an idea, what it means to cross the Rubicon Primaris, here's the comparison with the classic model (pre-updated, without the sculpted banner). Azrael is now much taller, fitting for his Primaris role as well as the Supreme Grand Master that he is. Beyond that, great development of the design, picking up classic elements and giving them an update after roughly 30 years. From the Watcher in the Dark (who is still pretty close, just mirrored), the Lions Wrath combi-plasma and the design of the backpack.

As mentioned above, he not only became taller as a Primaris, but he's standing taller than a regular Primaris, adding to his Grand Master position. Yet, in direct comparison with his latest foe, Vashtorr the Arkifane, it will be a challenge.

Supreme Grand Master Azrael of the Dark Angels.

Conclusion

Around the time that Azrael was previewed last year, an artist on Instagram, Requiem82 created his own Primaris update of Azrael (along with further primaris scaled named characters), and I think this is something that people are waiting for. Yes, Games Workshop introduces new characters and they are well designed, but it is a different story, when a character or miniature, that has now served 30 years gets an update, to be at least on eye level with the current range in terms of size and details (still am a big fan of the old models and like their style).

At first I thought of the pose as a bit of too "stiff", but when you keep in mind, what the Dark Angels stand for and thus Azrael embodies, this does actually fit. And I am looking forward to see more updated "classic" heroes in Primaris armour. As for the price. That's steep. We came from around 15 EUR, moved beyond 20, then 25, above 30 and now are over 40 EUR for a single miniature, coming from a small sprue. Honestly, one of the reasons why I prefer buying them as part of these sets like Wrath of the Soul Forge King  (or Combat Ready boxes etc.), where these spikes even a bit out.

Warhammer 40,000 is a brand by Games Workshop.

The reviewed product item was provided by the manufacturer