Warhammer 40K: Marneus Calgar #3 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Kieron Gillen, art by Jacen Burrows, colors by Java Tartaglia, and letters by Clayton Cowles. As the chaos heretics continue to plague Nova Thulium, Calgar maneuvers his Space Marine force to uproot the heretics. All the while, he continues to recount the events surrounding his joining of the Space Marines.
It has been said that war is a thinking man’s game, that the greatest generals are the ones that can separate themselves from the emotions of a moment and look only at the logistics that will bring about victory. And while I agree that important decisions in such times should not be ruled by emotion, to suspend it entirely is a fault all its own. People are broken just as easily by overuse, or the knowledge that they have been reduced to pieces on a chessboard, as they are by defeat. People should never be reduced to being mere resources. Not even for the God Emperor of Man.
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Warhammer 40K: Marneus Calgar #3 opens with Calgar being informed of several heretic incursions across the planet. Lacking the necessary forces to engage them all, he opts to focus all his strength on the largest enemy group. With this plan in place, the Space Marines set out to engage the enemy.
The story cuts to some form of giant agricultural machinery that has been commandeered by heretics and is running amok through a civilian area. As Calgar leads his troops into battle, they work their way steadily through the enemy with brutal precision. There is no hope for the heretics as they fall before their attackers.
Once the immediate threat is defeated, Calgar returns to recounting his story to his servitor. He speaks about how he evaded the fallen Space Marine recruiter’s capture and stayed alive until salvation came in the form of what would soon be his battle brothers.
Author Gillen does an excellent job with this flashback sequence. Throughout this part of the story, Calgar’s character feels like himself, but only to a point. Gillen doesn’t fall for the trap of making Calgar the Angel of War he will one day become but allows him room to grow into the part.
Warhammer 40K: Marneus Calgar #3 interrupts this tale when news of further attacks by the heretics come in, and once again, the Space Marines must move out.
As the story relays its tale of brutal battle and cold strategy, artist Burrows keeps the art on the same track. The battle sequences are brutal as the Marines reduce their enemies to fine red mists with terrible precision. The only thing as cold as the combat is the neutral look on Calgar’s face. Few things make enough impact to force the permanent scowl from his features.
The colorwork by Tartaglia helps bring the panels of this story to life. The colors are strong and help breathe energy into the panels. Lastly, we have another solid lettering performance on the part of Cowles. Thanks to his steady skill with letters, the story is always clear and easy to follow.
When all is said and done, Warhammer 40K: Marneus Calgar #3 continues to deliver an interesting tale that accurately brings to life its source material. With battle once more upon them, readers will have to wait and see if Calgar can triumph once more over the enemies of the Empire.
Warhammer 40K: Marneus Calgar #3 is available wherever comics are sold.
Warhammer 40K: Marneus Calgar #3
TL;DR
When all is said and done, Warhammer 40K: Marneus Calgar #3 continues to deliver an interesting tale that accurately brings to life its source material. With battle once more upon them, readers will have to wait and see if Calgar can triumph once more over the enemies of the Empire.
