“In the grim darkness of the far future there is only war.”

Last May, Bandai Japan shocked the toy industry with their announcement of a Warhammer 40,000 action figure. Sure, figures have existed for Warhammer 40k, heck, the entire Games Workshop franchise is based on their popular miniature tabletop wargame. No, what made the news so shocking was that there has NEVER been an officially licensed Warhammer 40k action figure. 

Pre-orders for the action figure – a Primaris Space Marine Intercessor from the Ultramarines chapter – launched back in October exclusively on Games-Workshop.com, the 8-inch figure priced at around $100 and limited to only 10,000 pieces (9k devoted to Games-Workshop.com). $100 isn’t cheap, but owning the first-ever 40K action figure was a must-have for this die-hard Warhammer 40k fan (I read the novels and love the lore). Thankfully I had a birthday coming up, so my wife kindly pre-order it for me (true love!).

While the figure didn’t ship as expected on my birthday (late March) due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it has FINALLY arrived. I’m quite fond of the look of the old 40K Space Marines – chainsword, “beaky” helmets and all – but I have to admit that the new Primaris Space Marine design is pretty slick.

As mentioned, this particular Primaris Marine originates from the Ultramarines, a chapter quite loyal to the Emperor and known for their calculated battle tactics, honor, and courage. The Ultramarine livery is fully represented, the figure cast in a deep royal blue and highlighted with white and brilliant gold insignia. Piercing red eyes project from the visor of the medieval knight-like Primaris helmet.

For a $100 action figure, the accessories included are rather light. First off, you get three sets of interchangeable hands: fisted, open and weapon grasping. These pop on and off quite nicely. Also included is a large combat knife (more like a sword to a mere mortal) and the Space Marine’s trademark weapon, a Boltgun. This is the new Mk.II Cawl pattern Bolt Rifle, a larger and longer-barreled upgrade of the standard Bolter, allowing for longer range and armor-piercing capability. While some 40K purists detest the gun’s larger size, I for one, like it. I do wish, however, that the scope on the rifle could be removed. The ability to slot the combat knife as a bayonet also would have been a nice feature. As it is, there’s sadly no place to stow the combat knife on the Marine, expect in his hand. This also applies to the Boltgun. For such a premium collectible, Bandai could should have added a peg system (or magnets!) for weapon storage on the figure.

What you do get for $100 is a large, hyper-articulated, awesomely sculpted Primaris Space Marine action figure. Everything on this figure moves, including hinged shoulder pauldrons, thigh armor, and toes. My only real critique to an otherwise amazing Space Marine collectible, is the figure’s somewhat lightweight plastic construction. When I picked this guy up for the first time, I was honestly shocked at how light it was for an 8-inch figure. The plastic strikes me as almost model-like. Regardless, it is what it is and for passionate Warhammer 40k fans, it doesn’t get any better than finally owning a Space Marine action figure. 

As for the future? We were informed at the New York Toy Fair that there are plans to release this Bandai Space Marine figure in other chapter heraldry. Of course there is also McFarlane Toys, who at Toy Fair surprised Warhammer 40k fans AGAIN with news that they will also be producing Space Marine action figures (see our story HERE)! While I am very happy to own the Bandai figure, I can already envision an army of McFarlane Space Marines on my shelf at $20-$25 a pop. It’s a good time to be a Warhammer 40k fan.

Scroll on for more photos!

[See image gallery at www.figures.com]