Hardcore Minis is planning a “Space Girls” crossover with their take on Jayne & Gabs, two rare 1988 female Space Marines from the Rogue Trader era, redesigned into modern minis. Power swords included.
If you’ve ever squinted at a grainy White Dwarf ad from 1988 and thought, Wait… are those female Space Marines? You’re not alone. Jayne and Gabs, the power sword-wielding duo from the Rogue Trader era, were as close as Games Workshop got to official fem marines back then.
Now, Hardcore Minis is dropping their take with a serious style upgrade. Think retro armor, updated sculpts, and the kind of attitude that says, “Codex rules don’t apply here.” These aren’t lore-locked reissues — they’re bold, modern reimaginings that look just as fierce on your shelf as they do on the battlefield.
Hardcore Minis Revisits the OG Female Space Marines
Let’s wind the clock back to 1988, when White Dwarf 99 hit the shelves with something a bit special: two female warrior miniatures going for a fiver. That might not sound like a big deal now, but in the Rogue Trader era, this was rare air. For those of us in the States, it was even trickier — no GW stores on this side of the pond yet, so anything cool had to be imported like forbidden treasure.
The Glow-Up We Didn’t Know We Needed?
Fast forward to today, and Hardcore Minis has decided to give these classic characters a fresh coat of vision. Not a reprint — a full-blown redesign. Think of it like a remix of a cult classic: faithful to the vibe, but updated with sharper detail, cleaner lines, and just enough flair to catch the eye of anyone who’s walked past a painting station recently.
Lore? What Lore?
The cool thing? Hardcore Minis isn’t trying to wedge these into the official lore. For them, it’s all about the rule of cool. These aren’t Sisters of Battle. They’re not trying to pass for Codex-compliant anything. They’re space girls, full stop. Designed to look cool, stand out on the shelf or tabletop, and stir up a little nostalgia in anyone who remembers squinting at grainy old White Dwarf ads.
The Sculpting Dream Team
The original sculpts — by Bob Naismith, Trish Morrison, Aly Morrison, and Mark Copplestone — showed up without much explanation. Jayne and Gabs, our two leading ladies, weren’t clearly labeled as Space Marines, but come on… power swords, bolters, what looks a lot like power armor — you do the math.
What’s Next for the Female Space Marines From Hardcore Minis?
The minis are launching as physical kits first, with the possibility of a full “Space Girls” line depending on how folks respond. And knowing Hardcore’s history with mashups and stylized reinterpretations, you can bet the follow-up will lean into the fun side of the hobby, not the gatekeeping.
Nostalgia Meets Power Armor
The originals were painted by @mathiasleahy, and there’s no mystery about the direction here: give old-school ideas a new-school shine.
Final Word
Bottom line? If your shelf’s got room for a little Rogue Trader flair, and you like your power armor with a side of attitude, these throwbacks-turned-icons are worth a closer look. Just don’t expect them to follow the Codex — that’s half the charm.
Female Space Marines & 40k Lore
What do you think about these female Space Marines from Hardcore Minis? Will you be trying to pick them up?
