Slaine is one of the core characters featured in long running British anthology comic 2000AD and one of the few characters that’s nearly been around as long as Judge Dredd, first appearing in 1983. Based on Celtic myth with Slaine himself being partly based on Cúchulainn from the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology.
Written by Pat Mills,founder of 2000AD and co-creator of Slaine, The Wanderer is the follow up to the acclaimed Books of Invasions trilogy and features a collection of stories about Slaine’s further adventures in Tir Nan Og (The land of the young).
One of the most immediate things about Slaine The Wanderer (and The Books of Invasions trilogy) is the amazing art of Clint Langley. An eye popping combination of painting, photo manipulation and digital art which is stunning,hyper detailed,atmospheric, psychedelic and grotesque often within the space of a few panels.
Despite running for years and having a deep mythology and back story a knowledge of it isn’t a prequisite for enjoyment here,which is a rare thing. Whilst longtime fans of Slaine’s world will already be familiar with the intricacies of Slaine’s relationship with Ukko the dwarf, new readers will probably pick things up pretty quickly thanks to Mills deft characterisation.
The stories here feature a mix of ideas and imagery , an ominous tower in ‘The Gong Beater’, facing up against a twisted merchant enslaving innocents in ‘The Smuggler’, coming up against old foes the Cyth in ‘The Exorcist’ and partaking in a brutal game in ‘The Mercenary’. There’s also some distinct humour throughout mostly coming from Ukko the greedy dwarf, in ‘The Smuggler’ he convinces Slaine to take on a devious merchant because one of his slaves looks like Slaine’s lost wife Niamh, the fact he will be there to take the merchant’s plentiful treasures is just a convenient side effect.
The presentation of this volume much like the Books of Invasions trilogy is immaculate, a hardback with large format high quality glossy pages within which really amplify the effect of Clint Langley’s already impressive art.
Slaine really deserves more recognition for being one of the best fantasy creations since Robet E Howards Conan and could easily support a film adaptation much like the critically acclaimed Dredd.
Work Shed 