History
Sláine MacRoth is the eponymous hero of the long-running 2000 AD strip Sláine. The first significant event in his life occurred when he was seven. His mother, Macha, was a deadly warrior who gave Sláine his first solid food on the tip of a sword blade. Her drunkard husband Roth Bellyshaker boasted that she could outrun the king's chariot in a race. The king forced her to run and she was trampled to death by the horses as Sláine watched.
When he was sixteen Sláine was cast out by his tribe, the Sessair, for an unauthorized liaison with the King's bride-to-be, Niamh. He spent years exploring the Land of the Young in the company of his unscrupulous servant, the dwarf Ukko, and occasionally aided by the druidess Nest.
He eventually became embroiled in a war between earthly mystics, led by Myrddin, and the aliens called Cythrons who were harvesting humanity's negative emotions. Sláine and a band of noble, valiant, stalwart warriors (plus Ukko) killed the dark god Grimnismal (who was helpfully already in his tomb at the time), to the chagrin of the Cythrons' abhorrent leader the Guledig.
After these shenanigans Sláine finally returned to his people to become their king, leading them against the demonic Fomorians. Blessed by the Earth Goddess, he became a living incarnation of her consort, the Horned God, and eventually the first High King of Ireland.
He later gave up his title (after a number of adventures in other time periods as the servant of the Goddess) to Gael, founder of the Gaelic race. Having lost his wife, Niamh, murdered by the evil Moloch, Sláine eventually left his homeland in order to find his missing son, Kai. His adventures continue.
Powers and abilities
Powers
Sláine can cause his body to warp into a monstrous, superhumanly-strong form. He had his first 'warp-spasm' when he was 12.
Abilities
Making mincemeat of his enemies; composing impromptu verses celebrating his victories.
Strength level
Peak human male (when human) or superhuman (when warped).
Weaknesses
Overbearing, crude and arrogant (according to Nest – see quotes).
Paraphernalia
Transportation
Has been known to use a European bison; a mammoth; a dragon called the Knucker; another dragon belonging to his enemy Medb; and a super-dimensional cosmic being or 'macrobe' called Pluke that could only fly if Sláine had altered the cosmic balance by performing a good deed. Plus he sometimes has wings.
Weapons
The axe Brainbiter (which once received an unexpected mention in Nikolai Dante); the sword Bloodprow; Gáe Bolga (a spear).
Notes
- The correct pronunciation of Sláine's name has been a subject of debate for decades. Prog 589 said that it should be pronounced 'Shlawnye'; prog 626 claimed that either 'Slawnye' or 'Slain' is correct.
- Among the artists to have worked on Sláine are Massimo Belardinelli, Clint Langley, Mike McMahon, Nick Percival, Dermot Power, David Pugh, Siku and Paul Staples.
Links
- Appearances of Sláine MacRoth
- Character Gallery: Sláine MacRoth
- Images that feature Sláine MacRoth
- Fan-Art Gallery: Sláine MacRoth
- Sláine MacRoth quotations
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