The world of Warhammer 40,000 is a thriving universe with a fiercely dedicated following. Fans often dive deep into this setting, weaving their own tapestries of creativity and adding layers of depth and imagination. Among such fan efforts, one stands out exceptionally—Astartes. Crafted by Syama Pedersen, this series made waves on YouTube. It captures a gripping tale of the Retributors, a Chapter of Space Marines, as they embark on a relentless assault on an enemy vessel. The narrative unfolds almost entirely without dialogue, relying on the intense action of the Space Marines as they encounter enigmatic alien artifacts.
Impressively, Astartes gained so much popularity that Games Workshop brought Pedersen on board. This week, fans were thrilled with the release of a trailer for its sequel, Astartes 2.
The new trailer is a visual feast of action-packed scenes, showcasing a diverse array of Space Marine Chapters. While we witness the return of the Retributors from the original series, fresh faces like the Blood Angels, Mortifactors, Sons of Medusa, and Scythes of the Emperor also make their presence known. According to a Warhammer Community blog post about the trailer, these glimpses aren’t from the upcoming series itself. Instead, they set the stage, hinting at each Marine’s rich history. With a glimpse of a Deathwatch Terminator near the end, it’s anticipated that these Marines will unite under the Deathwatch banner, an elite group that recruits warriors from all Chapters to combat alien threats.
Fans will need to hold their breath until 2026 for Astartes 2, but indications are it will stay true to the original’s formula of minimal dialogue, high-octane action, and a looming alien menace. Pedersen’s talent has also been lent to And They Shall Know No Fear, part of Amazon’s Secret Level anthology, which ties into Space Marine 2. When Astartes 2 arrives, it will find its home on Warhammer Plus, the platform streaming everything from animations and tutorials to a plethora of content for Warhammer 40K and Age of Sigmar.
