WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine was first published in UK in August 2021 as a weekly/ bi-weekly magazine by Hachette PartWorks. It was later released in North America in 2022 and subsequently to other countries in other languages in 2023. The rights of the main content WarHammer 40K belongs to Games Workshop Limited. WarHammer 40K is one of the most well known, historic and epic tabletop miniature wargame ever produced to this day.
When I came by and saw this WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine package (ウォーハンマー40,000：IMPERIUM), for a moment I was just going to glance thought and carry on. But the price tag and overall presentation of the magazine caught my attention (Plus this is the first issue!). This first issue was just 499 Yen (About US$3.32) and includes 2 miniatures! Man that’s a good deal right there even if I just paint these two and put on my desk for display. Not to say it seems to include some dices, ruler and playmat. And of course, the magazine.
WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine is an ongoing series which provides you with everything you need to engage WarHammer 40K. No matter if you are a seasoned player or a new player, you can enjoy everything on a weekly/ bi-weekly basis.
What is WarHammer 40K?
Before jumping into the WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine I want to quickly go over what WarHammer 40K is. It is a miniature wargame where 2 or more players play against each other or as a team. You can play as long as you have some miniatures, a table, dices and basic understandings (or with the rulebook). The brand WarHammer 40K was first launched in 1987 and has expanded ever since.
The world of WarHammer 40K is huge and it sets on the 41st millennium. At that time mankind already expanded to all over the universe. The setting is dark and grim where wars and epic battles are the norm and likely part of life. There are a total of at least 30 WarHammer 40K factions/ armies and every one of them varied in their models, stories and play styles. So you can imagine how big this hobby is. It is really exciting and intriguing come to think more of it.
You can be a regular player, an enthusiast who follows everything, or you can be someone like me who is a casual player and collects a few of them as I see fit and be happy with. So in a nutshell this is a hobby to enjoy and you can pretty much safe to say, you can enjoy this game for life!
Now getting back to the WarHammer 40K Imperium Magazine, it actually gives you enough things and excuses to reengage the hobby!
WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine issue 1 – A collector’s delight with 2 amazing, uncommon miniatures and a bunch of great stuffs!
Ok look, I can only understand a little of what I bought because it is in Japanese. I think WarHammer 40K has been around for a very long time and it already reached a lot of the markets globally. I bought this because this is an issue 1 and the price point was super attractive. So I did some research online and found out all about this WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine series.
WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine, to say it is a magazine is an understatement. I would say it is more of a weekly/ bi-weekly hobby subscription. Also, this Japanese version for sure looks like a box of toy. But for the UK and other versions, they actually has the magazine look to them. However, I do think it is quite normal to adapt locally. Let’s open it up.
For issue 1, it contains the magazine itself, collection & subscription pages, 2 miniatures with base, 6 dices, game board & ruler. Again they are way worth their price. The 2 miniatures included were Space Marine Primaris Lieutenant & Necron Royal Warden. Both were not common miniatures and not cheap if you buy them loosely.
It described in the magazine, the WarHammer 40K hobby is about collecting the models, reading the stories, building the models, painting them and finally playing it as a game. I mean, what more can you ask for? Unlike my previous post on GW Gundam Converge where it is just a collection, WarHammer 40K is a full blown hobby with a bunch of fulfilling & fun elements. WarHammer 40K is full of awesomeness!
Building the miniatures
The models for issue 1 were made with a different plastic and they doesn’t need glue. Also, I remember they used to make them with “white metal” instead of just plastic. But I do think it is a great evolution to use plastic. Originally, I was going to just postpone the build because I used to need like an hour or more to build one. The normal steps were cutting, glue then give it some time to settle before sanding the edges until they look smooth and satisfying. But I was wrong for one part of this.
The build was very simple and took me only about 5-10 minutes. But of course, I still try to sand off the edges too. WarHammer is a hobby of building models and I just hate gaps and mould lines! But I guess I will work them out later.
Anyhow, I was really happy with what I bought. I broke the shoulder joint of my Royal Warden. But I will glue them later that’s not an issue. The plastic feels kind of soft but I love the details.
Aside from a lot of sanding works I still need to do, I am really happy I got them! I will think about paint later.
The magazine subscription model – A very viable sales strategy
Whatever industry you are in or just as a casual gamer, it is worth noting that a subscription of delivering products is still a very viable sales strategy. There is a wisdom of saying, that everyone has great ideas but not everyone can execute on them. Whoever can execute on the idea is the one who ultimately attracts an audience. I think WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine fits in and does that really well.
A subscription business model is a form of sales strategy when you pay for something in instalments to receive goods or services. It is beneficial and fair to both the payer and the seller. Because for the buyer you don’t have to pay in full upfront, while guaranteed with goods or services. While for the seller you get an agreement that the buyer will continue to pay until the agreement is off. The seller can thus prepare the procurement and plannings with confident. Example of such can be purchase of a property until it is paid off, your subscription to Netflix for a year or two, and here for WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine when you get the entire set.
The great thing about this is, for WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine you get something really awesome, with texts, models, and a great discount as well. Then it brings us to the following release/ collector’s guide section – What are you getting and why is the subscription awesome?
Releases/ collector’s guide
At first glance, some people might be lost on how the subscription works with the subscription bonus and premium contents. Also, there is the thing with different releases from different countries.
WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine global release dates
According to my search online, the following were the global release dates of this magazine:
| Countries | Release Date* | Subscription Fee# | Premium Subscription Fee# | Source |
| United Kingdom (UK) | Aug 25, 2021 | Issue 1 £2.99 Issue 2 £5.99 Issues 3-90 £8.99 | Issues 2-90 +£2/ issue | FauxHammer |
| North America (US & Canada) | Jan 26, 2022 | Issue 1 US$9.95 Issue 2-90 US$13.95 (Delivery bundled monthly instead of weekly) | Issues 2-90 +US$16.95/ issue | BoLS |
| Australia | Jun 27, 2022 | Issue 1 AUD5.99 Issue 2 AUD13.99 Issues 3-90 AUD19.99 | No premium subscription. But benefits of priority allocation, 5-10% off miniatures & paints related goods provided to subscribers. | Waterfront News & Lotto |
| EU (Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and Switzerland) | Aug 18, 2022 | Issue 1 €2.99 Issue 2 €5.99 Issues 3-61 €9.99 Issues 62-90 €10.99 | Issues 2-90 +€2/ issue | Hachette Germany |
| Japan | Jan 11, 2023 | Issue 1 499 Yen Issue 2 1,299 Yen Issues 3-45 2,199 Yen Issues 46-90 2,399 Yen | Issues 4-90 +300 Yen/ issue | Hachette Japan |
# Most of the time, mailing fee is included. Tax is included in the Japan subscription, but likely not included in other subscriptions. Also, for those people who buy the magazine individually without the subscription, the price might be slightly higher.
WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine subscription & premium contents
Let’s first start with the subscription bonus and the “premium” contents. A key thing to note is these varies depending on the publisher’s local campaign. For example, for the Japanese subscription bonus contents, you get the below. I think for UK subscription bonus you do get the filing folder but less of a few items below.
Picture from Hachette Japan webpage.
And the premium contents, you get the 4 extra armies and it seems similar to the UK subscription.
Picture from Hachette Japan webpage.
Next, we head down to talk about the magazine core releases.
The full collection of WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine
According to the magazine issue 1, the entire set from the subscription includes the below. The below picture does not including the bonus items included with the subscription and premium contents:
What you see is what you will get entirely. Via FauxHammer, a blog site dedicated to Games Workshop miniatures, the entire subscription saving ranges from 43-51% depending on where your subscription originated! The total subscription under the retail price is a little bit over USD2,000. It is definitely not cheap but you are getting everything in value over a period of 2-3 years.
Tables of what you get alongside the magazine is shown below. I referenced them via the UK HachettePartworks WarHammer 40K Imperium webpage so I caution that other country subscriptions might differ. Also, I didn’t put in the bonus nor the premium subscription contents as they varies.
WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine Issues 1-20
| Issues | Contents* | Pictures# |
| Issue 1 | Necron Royal Warden Space Marine Primaris Lieutenant Dices x 6 Ruler Gaming mat | Cover |
| Issue 2 | Necron Warriors x 3 Paint: Runelord Brass Brush | Cover |
| Issue 3 | Space Marine Assault Intercessors x 3 Paint: Macragge Blue | Cover |
| Issue 4 | Necron Skorpekh Destroyers x 3 Plasmacyte Paint: Leadbelcher | Cover |
| Issue 5 | Space Marine Primaris Captain | Cover |
| Issue 6 | Space Marine Primaris Aggressors Paint: Abaddon Black | Cover |
| Issue 7 | Paints: Retributor Armour, Corax White & Mechanicus Standard Grey | Cover |
| Issue 8 | Necron Overlord | Cover |
| Issue 9 | Necron Warriors x 10 & Necron Scarab Swam x 3 (part 1/2) | Cover |
| Issue 10 | Necron Warriors x 10 & Necron Scarab Swam x 3 (part 2/2) | Cover |
| Issue 11 | Space Marine Librarian in Phobos Amour | Cover |
| Issue 12 | Paints: Agrax Earthshade, Screamer Pink & Canoptek Alloy | Cover |
| Issue 13 | Space Marine Assault Intercessors x 5 | Cover |
| Issue 14 | Terrain: Munitorum Armoured Container (part 1/3) | Cover |
| Issue 15 | Necron Flayed One x 5 | Cover |
| Issue 16 | Space Marine Assault Intercessors x 5 | Cover |
| Issue 17 | Terrain: Munitorum Armoured Container (part 2/3) | Cover |
| Issue 18 | Necron Technomancer | Cover |
| Issue 19 | Terrain: Munitorum Armoured Container (part 3/3) | Cover |
| Issue 20 | Paints: Khorne Red & Troll Slayer Orange | Cover |
# Taken from https://hachettepartworks.com/en-en/warhammer-40000-imperium/
WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine Issues 21-40
| Issues | Contents* | Pictures# |
| Issue 21 | Adeptus Mechanicus Skitarii Rangers x 10 (part 1/2) | Cover |
| Issue 22 | Adeptus Mechanicus Skitarii Rangers x 10 (part 2/2) | Cover |
| Issue 23 | Necron Canoptek Spyder | Cover |
| Issue 24 | Paints: Rakarth Flesh & Nuln Oil | Cover |
| Issue 25 | Necron Immortals x 5 | Cover |
| Issue 26 | Adeptus Mechanicus Tech-Priest Dominus | Cover |
| Issue 27 | Terrain: Haemotrope Reactor (part 1/2) | Cover |
| Issue 28 | Necron Warriors x 10 & Necron Scarab Swam x 3 (part 1/2) | Cover |
| Issue 29 | Necron Warriors x 10 & Necron Scarab Swam x 3 (part 2/2) | Cover |
| Issue 30 | Paints: Mephiston Red & Mournfang Brown | Cover |
| Issue 31 | Terrain: Ruined Factorum style 1 | Cover |
| Issue 32 | Adeptus Mechanicus Kataphron Destroyer (1 of 3) | Cover |
| Issue 33 | Paints: Cryptek Armourshade Gloss & Reikland Fleshshade | Cover |
| Issue 34 | Terrain: Ruined Factorum style 2 | Cover |
| Issue 35 | Adeptus Mechanicus Tech-Priest Enginseer | Cover |
| Issue 36 | Necron Tomb Blade (1 of 3) | Cover |
| Issue 37 | Terrain: Thermic Plasma Conduits | Cover |
| Issue 38 | Paints: Yriel Yellow & Astrogranite Modeling tool | Cover |
| Issue 39 | Adeptus Mechanicus Kataphron Destroyer (2 of 3) | Cover |
| Issue 40 | Adeptus Mechanicus Kataphron Destroyer (3 of 3) | Cover |
# Taken from https://hachettepartworks.com/en-en/warhammer-40000-imperium/
WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine Issues 41-60
| Issues | Contents* | Pictures# |
| Issue 41 | Necron Chronomancer | Cover |
| Issue 42 | Adepta Sororitas Canoness | Cover |
| Issue 43 | Paint: Stormhost Silver Brush | Cover |
| Issue 44 | Terrain: Ruined Factorum style 2 | Cover |
| Issue 45 | Necron Canoptek Wraith (part 1/3) | Cover |
| Issue 46 | Adepta Sororitas Battle Sisters x 3 Adepta Sororitas Seraphim x 2 Adepta Sororitas Sister Repentia Adepta Sororitas Arco-flagellant | Cover |
| Issue 47 | Paints: Pink Horror & Wild Rider Red | Cover |
| Issue 48 | Terrain: Ruined Factorum style 1 | Cover |
| Issue 49 | Adepta Sororitas Penitent Engine Adepta Sororitas Arco Flagellant Adepta Sororitas Sisters Repentia x 2 Adepta Sororitas Seraphim Superior Adepta Sororitas Repentia Superior Adepta Sororitas Battle Sisters x 4 | Cover |
| Issue 50 | Nacron Canoptek Reanimator Nacron Skorpekh Lord Nacron Plasmancer Nacron Cryptothralls x 2 | Cover |
| Issue 51 | Panits: Dawnstone & Pallid Wych Flesh | Cover |
| Issue 52 | Nacron Triarch Stalker (part 1/2) | Cover |
| Issue 53 | Nacron Triarch Stalker (part 2/2) | Cover |
| Issue 54 | Adepta Sororitas Battle Sisters x 3 Adepta Sororitas Seraphim x 2 Adepta Sororitas Sister Repentia Adepta Sororitas Arco-flagellant | Cover |
| Issue 55 | Terrain: Thermic Plasma Conduits | Cover |
| Issue 56 | Paints: Administratum Grey & Balor Brown | Cover |
| Issue 57 | Necron Tomb Blade (2 of 3) | Cover |
| Issue 58 | Necron Canoptek Wraith (part 2/3) | Cover |
| Issue 59 | Space Marine Outriders x 3 (part 1/2) | Cover |
| Issue 60 | Space Marine Outriders x 3 (part 2/2) | Cover |
# Taken from https://hachettepartworks.com/en-en/warhammer-40000-imperium/
WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine Issues 61-80
| Issues | Contents* | Pictures# |
| Issue 61 | Necron Tomb Blade (3 of 3) | Cover |
| Issue 62 | Paints: Calgar Blue & Evil Suns Scarlet | Cover |
| Issue 63 | Space Marines Eliminator Space Marines Suppressor Space Marines Infiltrators x 3 | Cover |
| Issue 64 | Necron Deathmark Assassins x 5 | Cover |
| Issue 65 | Space Marine Lieutenant in Phobos Armour Space Marine Infiltrators x 4 Space Marine Supressor Space Marine Eliminator | Cover |
| Issue 66 | Space Marine Infiltrators x 3 Space Marine Supressor Space Marine Eliminator | Cover |
| Issue 67 | Paints: White Scar & Tesseract Glow | Cover |
| Issue 68 | Necron Canoptek Wraith (part 3/3) | Cover |
| Issue 69 | Ultramarines Chapter Master Marneus Calgar Victrix Honour Guard x 2 (part 1/2) | Cover |
| Issue 70 | Ultramarines Chapter Master Marneus Calgar Victrix Honour Guard x 2 (part 2/2) | Cover |
| Issue 71 | Necron Lychguard x 5 (part 1/2) | Cover |
| Issue 72 | Necron Lychguard x 5 (part 2/2) | Cover |
| Issue 73 | Necron Lokhust Heavy Destroyer | Cover |
| Issue 74 | Space Marines Heavy Support Firestrike Servo-turret | Cover |
| Issue 75 | Terrain: Haemotrope Reactor (part 2/2) | Cover |
| Issue 76 | Space Marine Invader ATV | Cover |
| Issue 77 | Necron Catacomb Command Barge (part 1/2) | Cover |
| Issue 78 | Necron Catacomb Command Barge (part 2/2) | Cover |
| Issue 79 | Ultramarines Primarch Roboute Guilliman (part 1/2) | Cover |
| Issue 80 | Ultramarines Primarch Roboute Guilliman (part 2/2) | Cover |
# Taken from https://hachettepartworks.com/en-en/warhammer-40000-imperium/
WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine Issues 81-90
| Issues | Contents* | Pictures# |
| Issue 81 | Adepta Sororitas Paragon Warsuit (Warsuit 1 of 3) | Cover |
| Issue 82 | Adepta Sororitas Paragon Warsuit (Warsuit 2 of 3) | Cover |
| Issue 83 | Adepta Sororitas Paragon Warsuit (Warsuit 3 of 3) – Paragon Superior | Cover |
| Issue 84 | Adeptus Mechanicus Skitarii Marshal | Cover |
| Issue 85 | Necron Legions Hexmark Destroyer | Cover |
| Issue 86 | Redemptor Dreadnought (part 1/3) | Cover |
| Issue 87 | Redemptor Dreadnought (part 2/3) | Cover |
| Issue 88 | Redemptor Dreadnought (part 3/3) | Cover |
| Issue 89 | Lord Inquisitor Kyria Draxus | Cover |
| Issue 90 | Necron Cryptek Illuminor Szeras | Cover |
# Taken from https://hachettepartworks.com/en-en/warhammer-40000-imperium/
Where can I get WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine?
As shown above, WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine were published in most of the English dominate countries already. And for most, after the initial 4-5 issues the window for subscription for the entire set is over. However, if the subscription is still ongoing in your country, or yet to be published by the publisher, you may still subscribe to the rest, or get them loosely from book stores, comic stores and convenient stores. For back copies, you may try eBay with the keyword WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine. From what I saw on eBay, the price is slightly higher but not insane. So if you still wish to get your hands on a few you can still do that.
Anyhow, beware of the price range and get everything based on your budget and your wants and needs. Some prices will not go down and some if you are patient enough, you can get them cheaply.
Final thoughts
WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine was a great subscription not only because of the savings, but all the fun and great miniatures you will get and learn about. You might not buy them normally but with the subscription you get to try them like a small demo! And I always mention that hobbies like WarHammer lasts forever and thus is always a great investment. But of course, the entire subscription is not cheap and the time you need to dedicate to the hobby is tremendous. So it is not only an investment of money, but also your time, efforts and heart and souls. I am not kidding but it is all worth it.
What about the WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine?
One thing I really wish to point out is, it seems all the magazine and subscription contents were based on already existing text and miniatures. So it feel like to me I am collecting wiki pages and models just like when I play on a computer game you collect the databank and units. I will think that in the future, what about more special contents that are not exclusive, but let them be first launched via this subscription? These can be miniature models, gameplay styles, special scenarios etc. And I will say, if there can be like special stories that unfolds as you progress the magazine issues that will be awesome.
But as I said, WarHammer 40K is a complete hobby everyone can enjoy.
Pros (Why It is awesome)
- It is WarHammer 40K! I can’t stress this more!
- Great discount value of 43-51% compare to if you buy the sets loosely.
- Great life long and beyond collection value.
- One special miniature especially made for WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine – Issue 5’s Space Marine Primaris Captain.
Cons (What could be done better)
- Once you miss the brief subscription window, you can no longer get the whole collection.
- Same for all enthusiast, the hobby consumes your wallet and storage space!
- I honestly don’t have much to say as I love this hobby.
Further readings & resources:
Please comment below what you think of WarHammer 40K Imperium magazine. Are you a subscriber and do you enjoy it? Did you manage to finish all the contents by reading, building, painting and play?
Written by NKBDL for Strategy Games Evolution, Nov 22, 2023
Disclaimer: All pictures shown on the article were taken by me from my own collections. For pictures that are linked out, and are very specific like those really rare items, I downloaded them from online auction websites and will reference them as best as possible. As these websites listings are quite dynamic it is very hard to keep a permanent link to them. If you found yourself to be the owner of such photos and I didn’t do my reference right, please contact me right away. Thank you!
I started this site so that anyone (including me) can come and learn about/ reference on interesting strategy game products, so being able to show and reference the right pictures meant a lot to me and my audiences. Of course I did put up some referral links so that I can continue to support this site and buy more products to review. So I shall let everyone know about this point too. Thanks again.
