Luther: First of the Fallen Warhammer Art

Luther: First of the Fallen in Warhammer 40k – Art and Lore Explored

Artwork Description

This artwork of Luther: First of the Fallen is a haunting piece that perfectly captures the tragic essence of the Horus Heresy in Warhammer 40k. Luther stands tall in his ancient, ornate armor, the dark green of the early Dark Angels marred by the scars of betrayal, with chains and spikes framing the scene like a twisted halo. His face is grim, etched with the weight of his choices, as he gazes into the fiery glow of a battlefield behind him, filled with smoke and ruin. The artist uses deep shadows and fiery oranges to create a hellish atmosphere, with Luther’s silhouette dominating the frame, his sword resting solemnly at his side. The title “Luther: First of the Fallen” by Gav Thorpe is emblazoned at the bottom, tying this piece directly to the Horus Heresy series. It’s a gripping image that makes you feel the darkness of Luther’s fall from grace.

Lore of Luther: First of the Fallen

Luther, known as the First of the Fallen, is a pivotal figure in Warhammer 40k’s Dark Angels lore, a man whose story is steeped in loyalty, jealousy, and betrayal during the Horus Heresy. Once a mentor and surrogate father to Lion El’Jonson, the Primarch of the Dark Angels, Luther was a knight of Caliban who helped raise the young Primarch before the Emperor’s arrival. Despite his prowess, Luther was never made a full Space Marine due to his age, which planted seeds of resentment as he watched the Lion rise to greatness. During the Heresy, Luther’s bitterness led him to turn against the Imperium, swayed by Chaos whispers, and he orchestrated a rebellion on Caliban against the Lion. After a catastrophic battle that shattered the planet, Luther was captured, now a broken figure kept alive in the depths of the Rock, the Dark Angels’ fortress-monastery. To this day, the Dark Angels hunt the Fallen—those who sided with Luther—driven by shame and the need to erase their tainted past.