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