Look out guys, the first 40k softcover is coming at you, and the future of hard cover codex books is suddenly unclear!
First it was Warhammer Fantasy Battles getting the softcover treatment with the Tomb Kings. Well now Games Workshop UK has put up the first 40k book in softcover Astra Militarum.
Codex: Astra Militarum (Softback) £25
The Astra Militarum, commonly known as the Imperial Guard, is comprised of countless soldiers from a million worlds. They are mere mortals in a galaxy of gods and monsters, and yet, at a time when the Imperium of Mankind is beset on all sides, it is the duty of the Astra Militarum to hold back the tide.
Inside this 104 page, full colour softback book you will find:…
So looks like we’re getting a soft cover book for ‘less’ than the $50 retail here in states, BUT if you love the Hardcover format there may be a downside to all this.
Yesterday we reported that Games Workshop has taken a renewed focus in printing companies. Now check this out, the softcover version of Codex AM is, as of now, on the UK site only. However the interesting thing is the AM Hardcover is gone.
Only the unrelated mini-version hardcover is still listed. The original full sized hardcover AM book is no more. Not listed as out of stock, but gone.
We had heard back in January that Games Workshop would be offering BOTH versions (hard and soft covers), but now it seems that may not be happening?
Is the honeymoon over, is Games Workshop bringing printing back ‘in house’ OR is this just the ebb and flow of a supply chain not fully inflated.
What do you want more? Hard Covers for awesomeness, OR soft covers for the reduced price tag?
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.
