He’s back. Finally. After ten thousand years of sleeping in the heart of The Rock, Lion El Jonson has returned to the 41st Millennium, and honestly, he’s not exactly the same man who went for a nap after the Siege of Terra. If you’ve been following the Arks of Omen or read Mike Brooks’ novel The Lion: Son of the Forest, you know this isn't just a nostalgic comeback. It is a seismic shift in how the Imperium fights.
The Lion was always the "First." The Emperor’s exterminator. The guy you sent when you didn't just want a world conquered, but deleted from history. But the Lion El Jonson 40k version? He’s grizzled. He’s older. He looks a bit like Charles Dance if he decided to trade a Lannister robe for power armor. And most importantly, he’s actually learning from his past mistakes.
The Knight of Nihlus: What has changed?
In the old days of the Horus Heresy, the Lion was... well, he was a bit of a jerk. He was socially stunted, secretive to a fault, and prone to beheading his own sons if they questioned him. Just ask Nemiel. Actually, you can’t. He’s dead.
The 40k version of the Lion is different. He’s weary. Waking up in a galaxy that is literally split in half by the Great Rift (the Cicatrix Maledictum) has a way of humbling even a demigod. He’s currently operating in Imperium Nihilus—the dark side of the galaxy where the light of the Astronomican doesn't reach.
Forestwalking and the Mirror-Caliban
One of the coolest additions to his lore is the Forestwalk ability. This isn't just "teleporting." The Lion can now step into a misty, dream-like realm that resembles the ancient forests of Caliban. He calls it Mirror-Caliban.
By walking through these trees, he can travel across planets and even systems. It’s a game-changer because warp travel in Nihilus is basically suicide. The Lion doesn't need a Navigator; he just needs to take a stroll. He can even bring others with him, though it’s physically taxing. This has allowed him to build a "protectorate" of worlds, showing up exactly where he’s needed like a wandering knight from some Arthurian legend.
The Risen: A Father’s Forgiveness
For ten millennia, the Dark Angels have been obsessed with hunting the "Fallen"—the Marines who were on Caliban when it blew up. It was their "Unforgiven" shtick.
The Lion has basically looked at his sons and told them to knock it off. Sorta.
He has realized that not everyone on Caliban was a traitor. Many were just confused or felt abandoned. He’s started gathering these "Fallen," judging them personally, and if they’re loyal, he brings them back into the fold as the Risen. They wear the original black heraldry of the First Legion. Seeing the Lion lead a warband of black-armored veterans alongside his modern green-armored sons is one of the most metal things in current 40k lore.
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The Emperor’s Shield
He doesn't have his old sword, the Lion Sword. Cypher probably has that (long story). Instead, he carries The Emperor’s Shield.
This thing is a relic from the Palace on Terra. It doesn't just block bullets; it reflects the force of the blow back at the attacker. During the Arks of Omen campaign, he used this shield to absolutely smash Angron, the Daemon Primarch of the World Eaters. It wasn't a clean win—Angron is an immortal rage-monster—but the Lion banished him by being a smarter hunter, not just a stronger fighter.
Why Lion El Jonson 40k Matters for Players
If you’re a tabletop player, the Lion is a beast. He’s 350-380 points of "stay away from me." His rules reflect his role as a tactical master.
- The Lion's Gaze: He’s incredibly hard to hit in melee.
- Fealty: His sword, which he forged himself, has two profiles. One for sweeping through infantry and one for "deleting" heavy targets.
- Strategic Brilliance: He provides auras that make your Dark Angels significantly more disciplined.
Honestly, the model is a masterpiece. It comes with four different head options (hooded, helmed, bare-headed) which is great because it lets you choose which "vibe" of the Lion you want for your army.
The Elephant in the Room: Guilliman
The big question everyone asks: Have the brothers met?
As of early 2026, the short answer is: No. Not in person.
Roboute Guilliman is busy running the "Sanctus" side of the Imperium from Terra. The Lion is holding down the fort in "Nihilus." They know the other is alive. They’ve exchanged messages. But they haven't had that awkward family dinner yet.
There’s a lot of tension there. Guilliman is the administrator, the guy who built a "new" Imperium with Primaris Marines. The Lion is the traditionalist, the hunter. They’ve clashed before (check out Imperium Secundus from the Heresy books), and fans are dying to see if they’ll actually cooperate or if the Imperium will split into two separate empires.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to get the most out of the Lion El Jonson 40k narrative, here is how you should dive in:
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- Read the Novel: The Lion: Son of the Forest by Mike Brooks. It is arguably the best Primarch book in years because it’s a character study, not just a series of explosions.
- Check the Arks of Omen: Specifically the book titled The Lion. This covers the crunch and the big fight with Angron.
- Paint the Model: If you’re a hobbyist, start with the inner robes. The layering on his cape is notoriously tricky but looks incredible when done with a deep red or forest green.
- Watch the Space: Keep an eye on Warhammer Community. With the 10th edition narrative evolving, a "face-to-face" with Guilliman is the most anticipated lore event on the horizon.
The Lion isn't just a soldier anymore. He's a protector. In a galaxy that feels increasingly hopeless, he’s the closest thing the Imperium has to a guardian who actually cares about the people, not just the "system."
Whether he’s hunting monsters in the dark or forgiving his wayward sons, the Lion has finally found his true purpose. And the galaxy is a much scarier place for his enemies because of it.