are the EC books on the whole good? I've read the Fabius Bile books, and Genefather, unfortunately that's as far as I've delved into EC lore. Any good starting points would be cool as well. 30k or 40k, doesn't really matter to me. I'm still working on getting through the Hyperion series before I start Dark Imperium to read up on DG and UM, but I don't have anything planned after that.
Fulgrim: The Palatine Phoenix, shows his inferiority complex, is chronologically the earliest Fulgrim is ever depicted. This is pre-Laer Fulgrim, charming, skilled, slick, intelligent and very insecure.
The EC then have a presence in the first three HH books, specifically Saul Tarvitz, Lucius and Eidolon.
HH5: Fulgrim, is the downfall in all it’s glorious detail, easily my favourite of the main HH books, holy fuck is it a wonderful serving of dark comedy and shock value. Lucius of all people talking to a woman who’s screaming rape is certainly a vibe. Also contains depictions of both Istvaan battles, it’s a lot in one novel.
Reflection Crack’d, a short story, Lucius and the boys decide to perform an exorcism and naturally it’s an abject failure. Easily the most shocking EC moment.
Angel Exterminatus, the EC, now fully degenerated, go on a road trip with the Iron Warriors, shenanigans happen, very funny. Their depiction gets soft-retconned in Path of Heaven.
The Eternal Blade, an audio drama that sets up what Lucius gets up to and why he’s in Crimson King, after that novel, he’s out of the Heresy.
Path of Heaven, Lord Commander Eidolon becomes the EC main character and is hunting the Khan, they are more reigned-in and still a legion in this one, very good showing of the rot consuming the legion.
The Soul, Severed, Eidolon audio drama, explains the origin of the 40k colour scheme and shows how they settle disputes, foreshadowing the future chaos warbands.
Eidolon: The Auric Hammer, Eidolon’s various characterizations are expertly written together while him and his men get fleshed out and deal with daemonic shenanigans.
Saturine: Fulgrim and Eidolon show up to job to the pissbois, ignore this one.
Fabius Bile: Repairer of Ruin, an audio drama setting up Talon of Horus and shows a Fabius markedly different from his depiction in his novels, branches the HH and 40k characterizations. Manic and crazy, but driven to do more.
Lucius the Faultless Blade: Pure EC 40k-era lunacy, very good showing of why Lucius is top-dog in the legion. He’s also very funny in how gleefully douchey he is.
Lord of Excess, a retard EC lord larps as Homelander for immense comedic effect. Has a tie-in short story explaining how Xantine got a daemon gf.
Fulgrim: The Perfect Son, the newest novel has Fulgrim holding a “contest” to determine who shall be his champion. Feels like the EC version of “Storm of Iron” but nowhere near as good.