21 years after first publication, new The Horned God special edition arrives
It's the comic book that changed comic books forever – exquisite painted artwork and imaginative characters creating a breathtaking showcase of the new direction of adult storytelling in comics.
Twenty-one years ago, Pat Mills and Simon Bisley's Sláine: The Horned God took the Celtic barbarian in a stunning new direction. And now this magical, violent classic is blazing its way to the US in a new hard-cover dust-jacket edition – complete with commentary from Mills, and sketches by Bisley.
Shamelessly displaying the potential for full colour painted artwork, The Horned God spawned thousands of imitators and remains one of 2000 AD's greatest exports – a sweeping epic that incorporates Celtic mythology with Game of Thrones-style dynastic politics and good old fashioned barbarian violence.
Sláine the Barbarian – created by Mills and his then-wife, Angie Kincaid – first stomped onto the pages of 2000 AD in 1983, accompanied by the duplicitous dwarf, Ukko, and his faithful stone axe, Brainbiter. Witty, dynamic and unashamedly brutal, the series soon became a fan favourite and went on to feature artwork from some of the top names in the industry – Glenn Fabry, Mick McMahon and Greg Staples. However, Bisley was one of the first to popularise the fully-painted style pioneered by Argentinian artist Alberto Brecchia.
Sláine's saga continues until this day, with Clint Langley's lush computer-based art creating an impressive counterpoint to the slick painting of The Horned God.
Something else for the Mayor to drool over.
V
21 years? God, I feel old.
Jesus. How many versions of this are there now...? Also, I hate to say it but after living in Los Angeles for twelve years now I would say Slaine is better known over here than Dredd. Everyone I know has a copy of Horned God on their bookshelves...
We need a Mick McMahon special edition.
Quote from: JOE SOAP on 10 May, 2011, 10:44:24 PM
We need a Mick McMahon special edition.
I'm with you. The story is fantastic but I've never cared much for Bisley's version of Sláine. Not trying to stir the pot by saying that but there's no restraint in the artwork and storytelling. I know tons of people get off on that style but McMahon's art looked like etching. Precise and crisp. Fucking loved it.
Quote from: blackmocco on 10 May, 2011, 09:56:08 PM
Jesus. How many versions of this are there now...? Also, I hate to say it but after living in Los Angeles for twelve years now I would say Slaine is better known over here than Dredd. Everyone I know has a copy of Horned God on their bookshelves...
That's really interesting. Do any of the other American bodes who visit our pastures have a similar perception of this?
No mention of Bellardinelli? I know it's a sales pitch, and a very well written one, but it irks, yes irks, me to see the great man left out of a list of Sláine artists - his work on The Bride of Crom and Dragonheist is some of the greatest art in the history of comics. A rundown of 'top names in the industry' will only ever include Massimo if 2000AD keeps shoving him in there.
Quote from: blackmocco on 10 May, 2011, 09:56:08 PM
Also, I hate to say it but after living in Los Angeles for twelve years now I would say Slaine is better known over here than Dredd. Everyone I know has a copy of Horned God on their bookshelves...
Doesnt Molch-R's post say that though
QuoteOne of 2000 AD's greatest exports
Popped up on CBR:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=32260
Quote from: TordelBack on 11 May, 2011, 07:57:59 AM
No mention of Bellardinelli? I know it's a sales pitch, and a very well written one, but it irks, yes irks, me to see the great man left out of a list of Sláine artists - his work on The Bride of Crom and Dragonheist is some of the greatest art in the history of comics. A rundown of 'top names in the industry' will only ever include Massimo if 2000AD keeps shoving him in there.
Damn straight, TB. I was thinking exactly the same thing myself.
Belardinelli seems to be the forgotten great. He introduced us to Roth Bellyshaker and brought us the death of Sláine's mother (Through brief flashback).
Come on give the man his due (Grud bless his soul).
V
I hung this up on tuesday!
(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa147/davidmc1/belslaine.jpg)
Oh man, that is beautiful - I've always loved that low-slung Mammoth, the Basse-Yutz wine jug and Belardinelli's gorgeous Medb is the definitive version for me. Such a pivotal page for the story too, in establishing Sláine's attitude and setting Medb up as a nemesis. Suh-weeet.
Belardinelli is my favourite Slaine artist. You can never get bored revisiting his lush and mysterious landscapes. Ah, Dragonheist - absolutely magical.
Mick McMahon and Bellardinelli were amazing, yes. But you have to hand it to the Biz, he revolutionized comics (despite the ever-decreasing quality of painted artwork after it). I read the Horned God first when I was about 14 and I fecking loved it.
If nothing else, as far as Slaine is concerned, it's probably the most accessible artwork for potential 2000ad readers, and the more readers the longer 2000ad lasts.
Quote from: JayzusB.Christ on 17 May, 2011, 01:35:57 PM
If nothing else, as far as Slaine is concerned, it's probably the most accessible artwork for potential 2000ad readers, and the more readers the longer 2000ad lasts.
Wise words.
Quote from: vzzbux on 10 May, 2011, 07:30:19 PM
Something else for the Mayor to drool over.
V
where is he? ran off with Roger?
I 'm here :D
Is this available yet?
Quote from: JayzusB.Christ on 17 May, 2011, 01:35:57 PM
Mick McMahon and Bellardinelli were amazing, yes. But you have to hand it to the Biz, he revolutionized comics (despite the ever-decreasing quality of painted artwork after it). I read the Horned God first when I was about 14 and I fecking loved it.
If nothing else, as far as Slaine is concerned, it's probably the most accessible artwork for potential 2000ad readers, and the more readers the longer 2000ad lasts.
Nah, that was my point earlier about Slaine being pretty well-known over here in the US. People bought the books because of Bisley's art but most who did, in my experience anyway, are pretty unaware that the character appeared in 2000ad...
Diamond shipped this Down Under on 26 May. Try your LCS Mr Mayor.
Thanks for that:)
An interesting kinda review of the Horned God hardcover over at CBR.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=32993 (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=32993)
It definitely seems fair to say that the Simon and Schuster releases are seeing 2000ad in general get much more visible in the 'mainstream' US comic sites of late. Someone seems to be doing there job well (assuming that their job is to get 2000ad stuff a lot more visible on the 'mainstream' US comic sites!)
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 28 June, 2011, 12:10:25 PM
Someone seems to be doing there job well (assuming that their job is to get 2000ad stuff a lot more visible on the 'mainstream' US comic sites!)
*cough*
Quote from: Molch-R on 28 June, 2011, 01:18:14 PM
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 28 June, 2011, 12:10:25 PM
Someone seems to be doing there job well (assuming that their job is to get 2000ad stuff a lot more visible on the 'mainstream' US comic sites!)
*cough*
What do you know who that might be then...?
Nasty cough Molch has there.
Yes whoever was responsible should certainly be praised. Great to see more recognition on the wrong side of the pond.
Quote from: Colin_YNWA on 28 June, 2011, 12:10:25 PM
An interesting kinda review of the Horned God hardcover over at CBR.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=32993 (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=32993)
Good stuff - a bit odd it isn't in the actual review section but Timothy Callahan is one of the best guys they have at CBR and knows his onions, so this is actually far superior to a review.