Comic Review 232 // Slaine: The Books of Scars by Pat Mills

Heading back into Slaine by Pat Mills. I recently received some more Warlord Games Slaine models, and as the collection grows, I know I must embark on a quest to paint the line and play a game. I am hoping the comics will invigorate me into action.

Title: Slaine: The Book of Scars (Book 14 in the series).

Author: Pat Mills

Art: Mick McMahon, Glenn Fabry, Simon Bisley, and Clint Langley

Blurb: Marking 30 years of the Celtic barbarian’s adventures, this special anniversary book brings together a new story from creator Pat Mills and the biggest artists to have worked on Sláine over the past three decades.

Debuting in 1983, Pat Mills and Angela Kincaid’s seminal Celtic hero is one of the most popular British comic book characters ever.

Along with his odious sidekick Ukko the Dwarf, Sláine has endured 30 years of trials across the ages as he has served the Earth goddess, Danu, both as High King of Ireland and as a time-travelling warrior.

This beautiful book is a fitting tribute to three decades of fantasy adventures, infused by Mills with the mythology of Ireland and a healthy anti-authoritarian attitude.

The Book of Scars is a special anniversary story which sees Sláine return to the most pivotal moments of his life where he has to face off against his greatest foes – all beautifully rendered by Mick McMahon, Glenn Fabry, Simon Bisley, and Clint Langley, the artists who secured the character’s name in the annuls of British comics history and who returned for this special one-off story.

This book also collects every Sláine cover ever to grace the front of 2000 AD, as well as some stunning pin-ups, sketches and rarities. Artists, writers, editors, and famous fans all contribute their own thoughts on what makes Sláine such a great cover star for the legendary British weekly comic.

With a brand new afterword from comedian and writer Graham Linehan, this great collector’s item is not to be missed by fans of great storytelling, art and warp spasms everywhere!

Format: Kindle 192 pages

Buy on Amazon via Kindle

Review

Let's be clear this book is 50% story and 50% artwork and gallery. It is a shorter tale than most, but to weigh off against this, it is filled with beautiful art. Great for inspiring miniature painting, but not great if you are looking for an adventure.

The story itself was okay, mostly filler allowing the reader to delve back into older Slaine adventures. I imagine this would be great if you were a long-time reader of 2000 AD, having enjoyed the tales for over 30 years. As a binge-reading idiot who has been working through the titles over the last year, not so great. It felt like a lazy sitcom show that uses past episodes as filler.

The book's second half was enjoyable as it showcased all the amazing Slaine covers from 2000 AD and even had artist commentary on it. This is going to be extremely useful as a reference guide when it comes to painting.

Overall I recommend his title to true Slaine fans, but if you are lucky enough to get a hardback version, know that I am genuinely jealous, as I would love to own a copy.

Comic Review 222 // Slaine the Wanderer by Pat Mills

Whoops, I have fallen behind on my Slaine reading and reviewing, I allowed the library finds to distract me for too long. But no more! Today we return to Slaine.

Title: Sláine: The Wanderer

Author: Pat Mills

Art: Clint Langley

Blurb: Tir Nan Og - the Land of the Young, a mystical place of myth and legend. Celtic warrior Sláine, the first High King of Ireland and Ukko his (un) faithful dwarf sidekick encounter everything from evil magicians and demonically-possessed maidens, to the bloody roots of modern day football, as they roam their world in search of adventure.

Collects:

- The Gong Beater (Progs #1635–#1638)

- The Amber Smuggler (Progs #1662–#1665)

- The Exorcist (Progs #1709–#1712)

- The Mercenary (Progs #1713–#1714 and Prog 2011)

Format: E-Book - 112 pages

Review

As mentioned in the opener I have let too much time pass between the reviews. But what a way to come back. A stand-alone graphic novel collecting four short tales. This is the perfect way to reintroduce me to the series. All the stories are created by Pat Mills so we know what to kind of expect and the art of Clint Langley which is always crazy and epic. I expect a fun read.

It was first of great to have Ukko back, he was absent from Invasions, and I missed him, so having him back in the downtrodden sidekick role was uplifting. The opening Tale 'The Gong Beater" was a fun light-hearted tale like the old Slaine. Seeing Ukko attempting to make some fast cash by turning an Old Cyth Tower into condos. Which ultimately goes wrong when the monsters start arriving.

This seems to be the theme of the book as we have a lot of old-school Slaine adventures, with them getting in trouble and fighting their way out again. It was a great reminder of where Slaine started off with humour and tongue-in-cheek fantasy stories, which have of late been replaced with darker tales. It was also full of cameos of old favourites, like Nest and the Guledig, who were actually nice touches as it showed some of the old characters still existed (it has been feeling like most of the characters had died at this point).

Ultimately if you are a fan of Slaine's early tales you will enjoy these. If on the other hand, you started with Invasions you may be wondering what happened to the heroic Slaine and why is the stupid Dwarf here (ha). The art was good and helps bring the stories to life, but I feel like something is lacking, maybe the palette of colours was dulled down too much? Overall a great refresher to the world of Slaine and I am ready for Books of Scars.

Comic Review 211 // Slaine: Book of Invasions Volume 2 by Pat Mills.

Can't leave Slaine alone for too long! He gets into trouble way too fast. This week's read is Slaine: Book of Invasions Volume 2 by Pat Mills. So sharpen your axe, and let's dive in!

Title: Sláine: The Books of Invasions, Volume 2.

Author: Pat Mills

Artist: Clint Langley

Blurb: Barbarian warrior and former High King of Ireland Sláine continues the epic battle against the fearsome sea demons, but now he finds an ally from an unexpected source. Together they must rid Tir Nan Og of the Fomorian scourge, using every means at their disposal, including calling on help from the Earth Goddess herself!

Collects:

- The Books of Invasions III: Scota (Progs 2004 and #1371–#1376)

- The Books of Invasions IV: Tara (Progs 2005 and #1420–#1425)

Format: Kindle, 100 pages

Buy Now on Amazon.ca

Review

Unsurprisingly this title swiftly follows on from Volume One. Having just defeated the first round of Formanians and Moloch, Slaine returns to Ireland to once again another invading force. As warned by Moloch, the children of Atlantis have returned and plan to take Ireland.

We are introduced to a new race of Fomorian sea demons who have to meld with a host to be able to walk on the land, and we get a genuinely fearsome-looking enemy! The leading group has taken on a host of warriors who seem noble in spirit but have no will of their own anymore. Once more battle is joined, skulls are taken, and blood is everywhere. We get action, betrayal, a love story and a lot of sadness.

The new characters are fascinating, and we start to see some new lore slipping in from outside the traditional Celtic tales. Scota, for example, brings some Egyptian folktales over with the inclusion of Atlantis. The villains also seem extra villainous, willing to sacrifice the hosts if it means a final chance at a backstab. They can also wholly reanimate injured and damaged bodies, meaning you must completely put them down to stand a chance against them! Following some brutal battles, this tale ends with the Fomorians at the Gates of the City Tara. If this city falls, so will all of Ireland!

Overall, this title has something for everyone; I enjoyed it so much. This series has definitely felt like a move away from traditional Slaine. But I don't think that is a bad thing. If Slaine were to stay the same, his stories would become repetitive and dull, so I feel the Invasion series was much needed to refreshen the series. What are your thoughts? Let me know!

Comic Review 208 // SLÁINE: BOOK OF INVASIONS VOL. 1

We are back with Slaine, and it is the start of the Invasion Series. Quite possibly the most chilling story I remember from my 2000 AD days. Here are the details:

Title: Sláine: The Books of Invasions, Vol. 1 - Moloch and Golamh (Sláine #10)

Author: Pat Mills

Artist: Clint Langley

Blurb: The Sea Devils have risen against Tir Nan Og, the Land of the Young, and Sláine, once the first High King of Ireland, must protect his tribe against this new tide of evil. Leading the demons is Moloch a hideous Fomorian lord, bristling with swords and driven by a perverse hunger for human suffering. Fighting alongside his warrior wife Niamh, Sláine must drive back the demons or pay a price too terrible to comprehend...

Collects:

- The Books of Invasions I: Moloch (Progs #1322–#1326)

- The Books of Invasions II: Golamh (Progs #1350–#1355) (less)

Get a Copy via Amazon CA - Kindle Edition

Review

It's an all-out war! The Fomorians aka Sea Devils have been roused to war by Balor of the Evil Eye. He leads them in an invasion of Ireland where Slaine currently serves as High King. The Fomorians having claimed a lot of lands started demanding heavy taxes, and this inspires the Irish to rise up against them.

The battle does not go well, mainly because Slaine is not allowed to fight and is actually chained up! Hearing the slaughter Slaine warps out, escaping and turning the tide of battle. Slaine goes on to kill Balor and even manages to capture Moloch, a High Lord of the Fomorians. Once again Slaine is held back from killing the monster and is instead forced to accept a truce and allow Moloch to leave unharmed! This of course was the wrong choice, and the villainous Moloch returns to murder Slaine's love Quenn Niamh.

Soon Slaine is on a War Path looking for Moloch, having stood down as High King. Moloch didn't really stand a chance and as he dies he warns Slaine that the Lost Children of Atlantis is coming and that another invasion is inevitable. Soon Slaine is heading home but how much of Ireland will be left?

An amazing start to this new series. I am excited for the new villains and a Slaine with no regard for his own safety. The artwork was stunning and captured my attention with all the fine details. The Niamh story was painful and heart-wrenching, well played Mr. Mills. I need to book two so expect that one next week.

As always I appreciate the support thank you all. Please take a moment to check out my unboxing video of the Slaine game and give my Youtube channel a follow: Adventures with Peps YouTube