Sláine graphic novel cover by Mike McMahon 1986

Sláine (pronounced 'slawin-uh') is a comic book hero from the pages of 2000 AD - one of Britain's most popular comic books.

Sláine is a barbarian fantasy adventure series based on Celtic myths and stories which first appeared in 1983, written by Pat Mills and initially drawn by his then wife, Angie Kincaid. Most of the early stories were drawn by Mike McMahon and Massimo Belardinelli. Other notable artists to have worked on the character include Glenn Fabry and Simon Bisley, while the current artist is Clint Langley, whose striking work combines painting, photography and digital art.

Sláine's favourite weapon is an axe called "Brainbiter". He has the power of the warp spasm, based on the body-distorting battle frenzy of the Irish hero Cú Chulainn and similar to the rage of the Viking berserker (who have appeared as adversaries), in which earth power "warps" through his body, turning him into a terrifying, monstrous figure who knows neither friend nor foe. He is a devotee of the earth goddess Danu.

Plot

At the start of the series Sláine was a wanderer, banished from his tribe. He explored the Land of the Young (Irish Tír na nÓg) in the company of an unscruplous dwarf called Ukko, fighting monsters and mercenaries in the fantasy tradition. In one early adventure he rescued a maiden, Medb (named after the Irish mythological queen Medb) from being sacrificed in a Wicker Man, only to earn her enmity - she was a devotee of Crom Cruach, the god to whom she was to be sacrificed, and was looking forward to the experience. Her master and mentor, the ancient, rotting and insane Lord Weird Slough Feg, became the series's main villain.

Following stories featured sky chariots (flying longships), dragons and prehistoric alien gods.

As the series progressed, Sláine returned to his tribe and became king (as had been foretold in the narrative of his first appearance), leading them against the Fomorians, a race of sea demons who were oppressing them. Then, in the landmark storyline The Horned God, Sláine united the tribes of the earth goddess against Slough Feg and his allies, while his personal devotion to the goddess led to him becoming a new incarnation of the Horned God Carnun (based on the Gaulish deity Cernunnos). By the end of the story the Land of the Young is no more, and Sláine is the first High King of Ireland.

Subsequent stories saw Sláine sent through time by the earth goddess to fight alongside Celtic heroes and heroines such as Boudicca and William Wallace, and more recently return to Ireland to defend his people against new enemies.

There is also a role playing game setting based on the comic book series.

External links

• 2000 AD Profile (http://www.2000adonline.com/?zone=thrill&page=profiles&choice=SLAINE)
• Sláine - "The Time Monster" (http://www.2000adonline.com/?zone=thrill&page=thrillviewer&choice=time)
• Sláine gallery (http://www.simonbisleyonline.com/galleryslaine.htm) from Simon Bisley Online (http://www.simonbisleyonline.com/)