From the Last Church to the last word: An interview with Graham McNeill

 

Female space marines

There is no way that anyone that has both an Internet connection, and an interest in Warhammer 40,000 can say they have not seen the discourse surrounding female Space Marines. Before I begin I want to make a few things clear. I am writing on many of these points from often a cold business stand point, and there is a risk I may be misunderstood therefore I need to state a few things before we begin. Firstly, some of the people I will mention in this article are people I both follow and interact with on Twitter. Secondly, I in fact have no issue with female marines from a lore perspective in a universe of Cawl's double dipped space marines aka Primaris. Finally I cannot ignore the practicalities required of Games workshop making female Space Marines. Please trust me as we read ahead I might surprise you.

REPRESENTATION ON TAXATION

There was once in the misty days of 1988 in humble White Dwarf issue 99 there was a collection of 'adventurers'. From this mighty rogues gallery punters could order 5 miniatures for the princely sum of £2.50. Two of these are of importance to us. They are Gabs and Jane are pair of female space marines. Granted they would not pass muster with modern critics, and are not the kind of female models being chased today. But it provides the historical beachhead precedent the modern argument has rallied behind.

This brings us to the next phase of campaign. The testimony of one Alan Merrett. If you were like me when you first heard the name your reaction may have been "oh yeah Alan....who dat?". Well in short he is the bloke who has been in charge of Black Library, the Golden Demon awards as well as being a big wig in GW's intellectual property development. So his voice should carry some weight. In his account Merrett explained that originally GW did release Female Space marines. They were included in the range, however the stores began reporting customers were not buying them. Despite GW's plan according to Merrett being to run lines at twenty five percent female representation, the stores began asking that "could they not be included in restocked". This was not uncommon in terms of relationships between stockists and companies at the time. I would strongly recommend the documentary series "The Toys That Made Us" for a look into just how cut throat things were in the 80's. Moreover as Merrett goes on to state that the lore of all marines being male was created to explain away the economic choices made in the 80's. It is fair to say that back the GW was not the mega company it is today and thus hard choices were made. I would as a point of trivia point to the Tanith Ghosts blister packs in the 90's that included women in the line up. Perhaps a glimmer of hope from drawer 101 as Merrett called it. Fans of GW will know well the twenty year campaign and borderline meme of the fan base asking for plastic Sisters of Battle. Finally GW took the risk, or rather they took a 'padded risk'. They wanted to have their cake and eat it too. They would release SoB but did so on a preorder limited release. This methodology would become a common tactic to the company and in my opinion key to ensuring maximum return on releases whilst not over investing. Granted it also put the scalping situation into overdrive. It was however a huge success for the company and demonstrated the community's taste for female models. It is important to note that the company has continued to put faith in the line including releases such as the triumph of Saint Katherine. It was a definite move towards the company making more such moves with their releases and risk taking.

This being said we must look at where GW is at the moment. The are not that struggling company they were in 80's, further things have changed quite a lot since the 80's. GW has not only thrived during Clovis (Nurgle-19) but has made bank. So much so that they paid back their government covid loan and have experience a surge in share prices. Boom times indeed for our mighty makers of plastic crack. So what does one do as a company when you are in this position. Generally there are two courses. Hold steady and ride the wave as much as possible. Or take chances. Seeing that projects from this year we can see that GW is not adverse to risks. After all the deep push into animated films and assorted projects, especially give that Ultramrines was there last true such outing, is encouraging. Furthermore we have seen the release of plastic Sisters of Battle as we as the Sisters being put forward on the ninth edition launch trailer.

During these times and with the conversation online at times reaching fever pitch as such discourse online often does, GW made their famous "you will not be missed" statement. Made as we pushed into the launch of a new edition. This deserves a lot more credit than it gets in my opinion. They were doing this at a critical time from a business perspective. GW was risking not taking customers, albeit ones they did not want, into the new edition. Further they are a company answerable to share holders. Still they did it and I agreed with the sentiment. Now why do I make a point of the surge in revenue and the new course of risk taking behaviours? Simple because I want see them continue and believe that as a company they are in a prime position to do that. However, I want to prepare you. This is where I will seem cold. But believe me I mean it from the best possible place.

THE OLIVE BRANCH

What I propose is seemingly modest but also quite a large gesture on the company's part. A White Dwarf article much like they have done for other 40k factions including inquisitors, flesh testers, and White Dwarf's own Space Marine Chapter. Then just as they have handled other marine lines such as White Scars, Ironhands, and Salamanders. Release an upgrades sprue.

There is clear evidence of people going to third party providers for female head swaps regardless. So why not try to steal some of that revenue back to GW. It may not appear like much but ask yourself honestly would that not be a massive move? To task the resources and development to make that happen. Keeping in mind that gone are the days of marine boxes with set chapters in favour of the upgrade sprues model of marketing. The important thing is the sales of this upgrade sprue would provide numbers GW can see and plan from. Then potentially a second wave. A line of them similar to the Space Marine Heroes range. What they need is proof of sales. The reverse of the account of Merrett.

IN THE MEANTIME DIY AND #AngelsofPurification.

So what can be done at this time. Well personally I need to point to one initiative taking place right now. In fact in no small part it was the action that prompted me to write this piece. Direction action from within the community. The movement was a collaboration of multiple Twitter users to share, build, paint and pool resources to create the 'Angels of Purification', a custom chapter of space marines.

To learn more about the project I spoke to Becky (

@wulfhildr

) who is coordinating the effort. The project has already grown far larger than the initial plan. Beck stating that ' the initial goal was to create a 50 power level army'. However the project is now taking off with so many hobbyists adding their support. Becky adding 'in terms of big contributors it is hard to say be we have about 80 people contributing models and time painting them'. Additionally there is artwork for a codex, and even the help of a former Black Library author Thomas Parrott. Additionally Becky credited

@cliffe_g

with making large contributions. 'Without

@cliffe_g

we wouldn't have made it past 50 power level'.

pic credit: @ti_dinzeo

I have to ask Becky as a member of this initiative and the community what she would like to see from GW regarding female space marines. She stated that 'they (GW) make upgrade packs for you to change your marines in dark Angels, why not do the same but with heads?'. I would note that if this sounds a stretch remember we have an entire box of skulls released by GW just for basing. Becky continued that 'I don't want the armour changing, we don't want boobs in the armour we have Sisters of Battle if we wanted that'. In regards to representation Becky noted that 'space marines are their biggest selling army and there is no representation whatsoever'. She outlined similar concerns that in order to bring more people into the hobby it helps to have them see themselves represented in the miniatures. 'How do you expect more women and girls to interested in the hobby when all you see is men?'. Becky jokingly apologised for the rant, however those same sentiments are ones I have seen echoed across multiple forums and discourses on the topic online.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Whilst writing this article a Twitter user found this Rogue Trader era snippet. If the lore prevents, then does it also validate?

IN THE GRIM DARKNESS OF THE FUTURE

I have no idea what the future holds for this ongoing discourse, nor the official fate of female space marines. I can only view history and the current trends of GW, and other properties, widening their representations. Until then we can only wait and see what market and social forces combine to create. In the meantime I strongly advise two things. First, that we perhaps collectively draw breath and try to find more level and reasoned ways to approach the topic. Regardless of subject in these modern times discourse is incredibly polarised. That in addition there will be hold outs, trolls, and reactionaries in all areas. However, this should not be a barrier to open discourse. Secondly to put aside all the negativity and enjoy the hobby. Just as the Angels of Purification are. They are painting, modelling, writing and enjoying their hobby in a positive community driven way.