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Bow down to the Dark Gods of the Warp! We dig our claws into two new Chaos Space Marine Battleforce box sets.
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Amid the countless xenos species that populate the Warhammer 40K universe, there are few more deadly and over-the-top than the Orks. Descending upon planets in a wave of WAAAGH! they bring both a level of gore and guffaws to the grimdark galaxy.
And while it’s easy to think of Orks as nothing more than Space Marine cannon fodder, over the years the rampaging greenskins have also appeared as the protagonists of numerous Warhammer 40K novels, short stories and audio dramas. One of the most iconic Ork heroes is the legendary Ufthak Blackhawk, the heavy-weapon-wielding warrior created by longtime Black Library author Mike Brooks.
Now, Ufthak is back in action in a new novel entitled Da Big Dakka, which is coming soon in both a standard and special edition print which you can order now from both Games Workshop and Amazon. So just what can you expect to find in this new adventure starring the epic Bad Moons Boss? Below we break out all the details.
What is “Da Big Dakka” About?
Da Big Dakka is a sequel to Black Library author Mike Brooks’ previous 2021 novel, Brutal Kunnin’. That book (which is on our list for one of the best Warhammer 40K Ork books ever written) followed Ufthak Blackhawk and his fellow greenskins as they descended upon the Imperial forge world of Hephaesto, only to find it already under siege by the notorious Ork Pirate Kaptin Badrukk. Over the course of the novel, Ufthak must deal with a vengeful war boss, the Adeptus Mechanicus and his fellow Orks as he struggles to make a name for himself.
The sequel now finds Ufthak war boss himself and leading a band of Ork boyz as they face down the dreaded Drukhari. Determined to continue his rise up the greenskin ranks, Ufthak sets out to lead his troops to glory, while leaving a trail of corpses in their wake.
Notably, the book explores how two very different species approach warfare, as the cunning and stealth of the Drukhari crashes into the skull-stomping ferocity of Ufthak and his Bad Moons warriors. Da Big Dakka is also unusual in that it’s one of the few Warhammer 40K Black Library novels that has no outside human perspective as all the characters are xenos.
Who is Ufthak Blackhawk?
Ufthak Blackhawk is an Ork warrior and member of the Bad Moons Clan. He played a pivotal role in the so-called Tekwaagh!, the name given to a massive fleet of Orks under the command of Da Meklord that invaded the Imperial Forge World of Hephaesto. During the invasion, Blackhawk was nearly killed and his head was surgically attached to the body of his former War Boss, Badgit Snazzhammer, granting him enhanced abilities and the use of mek armor. He has since taken over command of the mob and risen to power among the Bad Moons.
Notably, Ufthak was created by Black Library author Mike Brooks, with the character first appearing in the 2020 short story “Where Dere’s Da Warp Dere’s A Way.” He then appeared in the full-length 2021 novel Brutal Kunnin’ and its 2024 sequel Da Big Dakka.
More recently, Games Workshop unveiled a new limited-edition Ufthak Blackhawk model which was created as part of the Black Library Celebration 2024.
Who is Mike Brooks?
Mike Brooks is a UK-based author who is perhaps best known for his work with Games Workshop’s Black Library imprint, including the Ork-related novels Warboss and Da Gobbo’s Revenge. He’s also written a variety of other Warhammer 40K novels, including most recently The Lion: Son of the Forest, which chronicles the return of the Primarch Lion El’Jonson.
In addition to his writing with Games Workshop, Brooks is also the author of The God-King Chronicles fantasy series and the Keiko space operate series. Brooks is also known as a guitarist and singer with the punk band Interplanetary Trash Talk.
When is the Release date for “Da Big Dakka”?
Da Big Dakka was released on February 24th, 2024. At that time the book was available from both Games Workshop, Amazon and other online and brick and mortar retailers. It’s also worth noting that an eBook and audio book version is also available.
How much is “Da Big Dakka” Retailing for?
The paperback copy of Da Big Dakka retails for $21 USD (although prices may vary depending on where you buy your copy from, and whether it’s online or in person). Notably, a hardcover version will also be available for roughly $35 USD.
On Amazon the Kindle version retails for roughly $13.99 USD, while on the Black Library website it retails for $14.99, with the audiobook selling for $51.99.
The special edition “neon greenskin” version will also be available for $75 USD (which is a similar price point to the special edition of Brutal Kunnin’).
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you’re a WAAAGH! loving fan or Orks or a first time reader looking for more insight into Warhammer 40K’s infamous green-skinned horde, then you’ll likely want to snag a copy of Da Big Dakka (along with Mike Brooks previous novel starring the incomparable Ufthak Blackhawk.
You can order you copy now from both Games Workshop and Amazon. Below is also a video interview of author Mike Brooks discussing Da Big Dakka.
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Daniel Martin is located in Boston, Massachusetts and has been an avid wargamer for as long as he can remember. Black Templars remain his favorite Warhammer 40K army and he enjoys board games, cycling and spending way too much money on miniatures.
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