Legions Imperialis surprised me.
Let's rewind for a second. I've been a fan of Warhammer 40K since before I hit double figures, and I blame the most '90s miniature that has ever existed: Kharn the Betrayer, skull aficionado and cover of a metal album come to life. This gloriously extra Chaos Space Marine epitomizes the grunge of the hobby's artwork during that time. John Blanche's portfolio is probably the best example of this, and I was always fascinated by his paintings. Those iconic scenes, featuring enormous battles that stretch into the horizon while skyscrapers loom overhead against a smog-fuelled sky, are what I think of when someone says the word 'Warhammer.' But most of the time, you can't hope to recreate those illustrations. Not their scale. Not their carnage. Not their impossibly gothic scenery.
