Every story has an origin, and for many this Mike McVey Diorama was what kicked off Horus Heresy fever for the last 25+ Years.
Way back in the day master builder/painter/converter Mike McVey (yes that McVey) made this Diorama while he was at Games Workshop, and it’s been the basis for countless stories and art for this epic period in 40k history.
The Adrian Smith Classic Illustration
It was originally showcased in White Dwarf #45 – checkout that old school Heresy fluff as well!
The Final Battle’s Background
After years of bitter fighting, Horus and his forces finally arrived at Terra, capital of humanity. First Horus and his forces destroyed Luna‘s naval bases, and within thirty days had destroyed the Terran system’s defences. Terra was bombarded and devastated.The corrupted Marines eventually landed on Terra, experiencing heavy resistance from the defenders. Among these loyalists were Blood Angels, Imperial Fists and White Scars. The loyalists were outnumbered and the battle for Terra turned into a siege of the Imperial Palace. By the fifty-fifth day the rebels had reached the walls of the Inner Palace. Horus, who had remained in orbit aboard his battle barge, was at that point warned that the rest of the loyalist Legions were returning to Terra and would arrive in hours. The Ultramarines were pushing their way to Terra, along with the Space Wolves and the Dark Angels. If this were to happen, Horus’s advantage in numbers would be diminished. He let down the force field protecting his battle barge to lure the Emperor in a final battle that would decide the war.
The Emperor saw this opportunity and teleported to the Warmaster’s battle barge with two of his Primarchs, Terminator-armoured marines of their Legions, and a number of Custodes. The Emperor’s forces were scattered through the ship upon arrival and forced to battle their way to find each other. Sanguinius found Horus first. Horus was at the height of his powers, augmented with the blessings of all four Chaos Gods and the god-like powers he had acquired during the Battle of Molech, and Sanguinius was slain. Horus stood over the Primarch’s body as the Emperor found him. After a long and gruelling battle, the Emperor was successful in defeating Horus, but he himself was mortally wounded. The Emperor survived long enough to be transferred to the Golden Throne – a strange mechanism that would allow him to survive forever in a state of undeath. Via our friends at Lexicanum
Checkout the rest of our Flashback Articles
What conversion(s) have inspired you in the hobby? -MBG
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
