Reminiscing about old White Dwarf magazines

[Iesty83]

On 1/4/2026 at 1:16 PM, Lexington said:

WD222’s “Last Stand at Glazer’s Creek” is still pretty fondly remembered almost thirty (!) years on. Four linked missions of the newly-created Praetorian Guard regiment defending a small farm from the ravages of Orks in a narrative that was more than just a slight nod to the old war movie, Zulu. The late and lamented Paul Sawyer commanded the Guard, while Adrian Wood brought his own Ork army mostly comprised of Gorkamorka models - which, unbeknownst to us readers, was a preview of the radical re-design that the greenskins would undergo in 3rd Edition 40K just a few months later.

 

Brilliant models and terrain, a great little story driving the games and writing that showed real personality. Might still be the best battle report ever put to WD’s pages.

 

wow just seeing those images has unlocked some memories - thanks!

[Iesty83]

My first foray into White Dwarf as a spotty 13 yr old was around the release date for Necromunda - so circa 1995. used to love looking at the new models each month and not being able to commit to an army - though i did eventually with Dark Angels and Imperial Guard mixed

 

Was dragged into our nearest GW - Chester - by some friends to try and learn the game. They were apparently obsessed with the Carl Douglas song Kung Fu Fighting in there as it was on pretty constant repeat

 

 

[lhg033]

Pretty sure my first issue was 197 and within 2 issues 2nd edtion Chaos launched and I was hooked.
I've gone through several armies since, DA and Orks are my main longer term ones but that old 2nd edition Chaos art will always be special for me and is what I think of when I think 'grimdark'

if the next 40k edition leans hard into second edition then I'm going to be very happy and also very broke!
 

[Ming the Merciless]

WD123 broke me in, it had a great Orcs vs Chaos wfb report (no photos only illustrations) and most of the army list from the Waaaagh! Orks book. Was'nt quite enough to get me into 40k, the legendary WD127 (Eldar Aspect Warriors and Craftworlds) was responsible for that.

[Doghouse]

Dug out my near mint condition WD 93, one of the most influential documents in my life to show younger people what the first mention of 40k looked like back in teh day while we're all on the nostalgia train. 

 

[TheWarmaster]

3rd edition WD was the golden era. Especially under Paul ‘Fat Bloke’ Sawyer. 
Those were the days! 
 

Remember when the back cover was LotR and you could flip the mag and read it from the back for the LotR content? 

[calgar101]

4 hours ago, TheWarmaster said:

3rd edition WD was the golden era. Especially under Paul ‘Fat Bloke’ Sawyer. 
Those were the days! 
 

Remember when the back cover was LotR and you could flip the mag and read it from the back for the LotR content? 

yup!