Slaine the King #28

Slaine the King, appearing in the British science fiction anthology 2000 AD, is a seminal work of Celtic fantasy created by writer Pat Mills and artist Glenn Fabry. Issue 28 is part of the long-running narrative arc that explores the life of the barbarian hero Slaine Mac Roth as he battles against the fomorian demons and seeks to unite the tribes of Tir Nan Og. The series is celebrated for its dense, dark mythology and its departure from traditional sword-and-sorcery tropes, leaning heavily into Irish folklore and violent, surrealist imagery.

The visual identity of this arc was heavily shaped by Glenn Fabry's intricate and gritty ink-work, which provided a visceral contrast to the high-fantasy elements of the script. Mills, known for his subversive and anti-authoritarian storytelling, intended Slaine to be a complex anti-hero rather than a standard paragon of virtue. Upon its publication, the series was well received for its artistic ambition and the technical mastery of the illustrators involved, eventually cementing Slaine as one of the most recognizable icons of British comic book history.