Sláine: Kiss My Axe! is a skirmish tabletop miniatures battle game for two or more players set in the fantasy world created by the legendary comic creators Pat Mills and Angela Kincaid.
Join Sláine as he attempts to unite the Earth Tribes of the goddess Danu to battle the decaying Drune Lords and the relentless Fomorian Sea Demons.
In Sláine, players take control of a small band of Earth Tribe, Drune, or Fomorian warriors as they fight for glory and survival in the mist-shrouded lands of Tir Nan Og and beyond. This starter set contains scenery, tokens, cards and all the rules you need to play, including scenarios, advanced rules and profile lists to create your warbands such as the heroes of the Earth Tribes and Drune Lords included in this set and much more…
The Sláine Miniatures Game, penned by Andy Chambers & Gav Thorpe, is the third of Warlord Games’ 2000 AD offerings. Unlike the sci-fi-infused ranged-combat that dominates Strontium Dog and Judge Dredd, Sláine is more concerned with the clash of sword & axe and opposing magics!
To say that Sláine has left a mark on 2000 AD’s history would be an emphatically large understatement.
The Celtic warrior of myth created by Pat Mills and Angie Kincaid in the early years of the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic has been a staple fan favorite ever since his debut, creating a whole new world in which to grow in – assuming, of course, you survive the barbarian hordes, supernatural threats and warp monsters along the way.
Sláine: Kiss My Axe! is the brand new skirmish tabletop miniatures battle game from Warlord Games, set in the world of Sláine – and it’s out this week!
With the game’s release, it’s the perfect opportunity to dive into what exactly makesthe iconic Horned Godand his magical legacy such an enduring part of the 2000 AD mythos…
What exactly is Slaine?
A barbarian fantasy rooted in Celtic myths, fables, and history, the first Sláine strip appeared in 1983’s 2000 AD Prog 330, created by writer Pat Mills and his then-wife, illustrator Angie Kincaid. Inspired as much by the high fantasy of writers such as Robert E. Howard – whose Conan the Barbarian had already demonstrated the potential for comic book success of fantasy material – as real-life and mythical and figures, Sláine was named for the first high king of Ireland, Sláine mac Dela, although his adventures went further than historical re-enactments; Mills and Kincaid’s axe-swinging hero would face off against dragons and gods alike, fueled only by his righteous anger and ability to “warp spasm,” transforming himself into an unstoppable warrior monster.
An immediate hit with readers, the series quickly became a regular fixture of 2000 AD throughout the 1980s, with artists including Ace Trucking Company’s Massimo Bellarinelli, Judge Dredd’s Mike McMahon, and Preacher cover artist Glenn Fabry following Kincaid in subsequent runs, as Mills continually upped the ante in terms of adventure and mayhem told through a mythological lens. It was the epic 1989 Sláine: The Horned God run, which featured fully-painted artwork from ABC Warriors’ Simon Bisley, that transformed the strip’s fortunes forever, though; the combination of Bisley’s beautiful, Frank Frazetta-inspired artwork and Mills’ ambitious writing combining to create one of the most successful and critically acclaimed stories in 2000 AD’s history to date.
Even as The Horned God revolutionized what readers expected from 2000 AD as the anthology headed into the 1990s – Bisley’s painted artwork spawned countless imitators and followers, attempting to scale the same heights he’d seemingly effortlessly reached – it redefined what Sláine could achieve. Subsequent series, which featured painted and digital art from the likes of a returning Glenn Fabry, Clint Langley, Simon Davis, and — most recently — Leonardo Manco maintained the epic scope of what Bisley and Mills had managed, with Mills taking his warrior king deeper into Celtic myth and beyond.
At its best, Sláine offers something more than the traditional high-fantasy sword and sorcery stories that had become prevalent in comics before him: a foot in the door of real — and truly magical — mythology. Researched and molded by Mills to reflect genuine myth as well as the adventure and fantasy readers craved, Slaine finds itself nestled among the best when it comes to historical fantasy in comics history.
Sláine the character himself, however, has become far larger than just his creators…
What is Sláine about?
The saga of Sláine captures the stories of warring Celtic tribes and their people in Tir Nan Og — the ‘Land of the Young’; one of them being the Sessair, Sláine Mac Roth’s tribe that is as brutal in battle as they are unmatched — all of whom worship the earth Goddess Danu. Like many of his kind, Sláine possesses the power of the “warp spasm,” or the ability to channel the powers of the earth to become a monstrous, and wildly powerful berserker… a power that drives much of the tales of Sláine’s battle endeavors.
The stories themselves, however, are narrated by Sláine’s companion: a surly, cowardly dwarf by the name of Ukko. While Ukko is often a thorn in Slaine’s side, his recountings lay the groundwork for the Sláine we come to know: an arrogant but proficient warrior, whose banishment from his tribe – he is sent away as the result of his romance with the Sessair king’s wife to-be – would begin a series of adventures unlike any the world had ever seen before.
Not everything can be wandering and wildness though, as the land of Tir Nan Og is fraught with dangers, including dragons, mercenaries, and the wrath of a disappointed sacrificial maiden. Sláine eventually returns to Sessairian land to find his wife and lover, Niamh, the woman for whom he was banished, had given birth to his son Kai in his absence. Family life wasn’t the kind of thing to settle him down, however and Sláine becomes king of the Sessair and leads them to rise up against their oppressors, sea demons who call themselves the Fomorians (based on the supernatural race of Irish mythology). As if that revolution wasn’t enough, his victories continued as he soon united the Earth tribes against his primary foe, Lord Weird Slough Feg, whose reign of ancient evil has hovered like a cloud over his adventures. Upon Slough Feg’s death, Sláine’s devotion to the goddess of Earth leads him to become the new incarnation of the Horned God – a variation of Cernunnos in the Gaulish pantheon – and the first king of Ireland.
That wasn’t the end of the story, however; with a reign that ends with the Earth Goddess sending him traveling through time to fight alongside Celtic legends such as Boudicca and William Wallace, it should come as no surprise to discover that Sláine’s adventures didn’t simply stop when he became a god. From the search for his son and recovering treasure stolen by Slough Feg’s son to facing down a Trojan army and joining arms with a mind-altering druid, the saga of Sláine not only continues to surprise and ignite only the best of barbarian fantasies, but endures as a testament to the lasting Thrill-power in the art of mythical storytelling.
Judge Dredd comes to Call of Duty this week – and if bringing justice to the battlefield has got you keen to try some authentic future law enforcement, we’ve got the 411 on ideal Dredd collections for CoD players!
He’s been bringing the law to the lawless on the mean streets of Mega-City One for almost 45 years – Judge Dredd is judge, jury, and executioner all rolled into one. The sheer number of stories since his debut in 1977 means there’s something for everyone, from everyday crime-busting to creepy horror, from procedural drama to all out war!
So lock and load, and dive on into the world of the Big Meg with the collections listed below, all available now from 2000 AD‘s webshop and app!
One of the all-time greatest Dredd epics, where the lawman turns guerilla fighter! When the citizens of Mega-City One’s massive city blocks declare war on each other, Judge Dredd realises it is merely a prologue to an all-out nuclear attack by East Meg One! As warheads rain down, Dredd leads a brave resistance, building to an earth-shattering decision that shakes his world to its core!
Welcome to The Pit, Mega-City One’s dumping ground for every misfit and foul-up Judge. When he’s sent in to clean The Pit up, Judge Dredd and a small team of trusted Judges uncover a trail of deceit and murder that leads to the very top. But the only question is, will Dredd live long enough to bring the culprits to Justice?
When Mega-City One mining colony K-Alpha 61 declares independence and renames itself Liberty, Justice Department sends the vast fleets of the Special Judicial Squad in a bid to nip the rebellion in the bud! This high-octane space adventure by best-selling author Dan Abnett and artist Colin MacNeil is ideal for Warhammer fans!
Dredd vs zombies! When the dead rise from the grave, can even Judge Dredd stop them? The mega-epic Judgement Day, contained in Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files vol.17 sees billions die, cities vaporised, and the world brought to the brink of extinction, by an all-star creative line-up, including Preacher team Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon.
HALF HUMAN… ALL KILLER! Sergeant Nate Slaughterhouse is the veteran of many bloody off-world wars, but after being mortally wounded on the battlefield the only way to save his life is to cybernetically reconstruct his body, turning him into more machine than man – a mandroid! Discharged from the army, Nate returns to Mega-City One but finds life back home even harder – and deadlier! This is Dredd at its gritty, pulse-pounding best!
Leading a covert mission by an elite TAC team deep into Sov territory, Dredd heads into the depths of Siberia but finds that things start to go terribly wrong… even his training and iron will might not be enough against the bitter cold, angry mutants and the echoes of past conflicts!
Calling all evil geniuses! The hotly anticipated lair-building strategy management game Evil Genius 2: World Domination is now available on both your computer screen AND the comic book page!
Evil Genius 2: World Domination is out now – and the Evil Genius magazine special will take you behind-the-scenes on the new chapter in this acclaimed title!
This 48-page special magazine features interviews with the creative team behind the game, character profiles of all the new playable characters and a rundown of the new special features
It also includes brand new comic book stories featuring the Evil Genius characters, their extraordinary henchmen, and their downtrodden minions!
Written by Kate Heartfield (The Magician’s Workshop) and Karl Stock (Future Shocks), and drawn by Elkys Nova (Tammy & Jinty) and Leigh Wortley (And Then Everybody Died), the brand new comic book stories explore the world of this critically-acclaimed game!
The Evil Genius special is out now, priced at £4.99, and will be available from all good newsagents. It is available to pre-order now from the Rebellion and 2000 AD web stores and also as part of the Evil Genius 2: World Domination Collector’s Edition.
The Collector’s Edition is available to pre-order now via the Rebellion Store at up to 15% off – with all pre-orders coming with the Aurora Borealis, Fountain of Youth and Trojan Horse in-game items FREE.
Calling all evil geniuses! The hotly anticipated lair-building strategy management game Evil Genius 2: World Domination is coming to your computer screen AND the comic book page!
Evil Genius 2: World Domination is out on 30 March – and the Evil Genius magazine special will take you behind-the-scenes on the new chapter in this acclaimed title!
This 48-page special magazine features interviews with the creative team behind the game, character profiles of all the new playable characters and a rundown of the new special features
It will also include brand new comic book stories featuring the Evil Genius characters, their extraordinary henchmen, and their downtrodden minions!
Written by Kate Heartfield (The Magician’s Workshop) and Karl Stock (Future Shocks), and drawn by Elkys Nova (Tammy & Jinty) and Leigh Wortley (And Then Everybody Died), the brand new comic book stories explore the world of this critically-acclaimed game!
The Evil Genius special is out on 7 April, priced at £4.99, and will be available from all good newsagents. It is available to pre-order now from the Rebellion and 2000 AD web stores and also as part of the Evil Genius 2: World Domination Collector’s Edition.
The Collector’s Edition is available to pre-order now via the Rebellion Store at up to 15% off – with all pre-orders coming with the Aurora Borealis, Fountain of Youth and Trojan Horse in-game items FREE.
About Rebellion Founded in 1992, Rebellion is one of Europe’s biggest independent studios. Its flagship Sniper Elite series is renowned for its authentic stealth and sniping gameplay with more than 20 million players worldwide. 2000 AD is synonymous with the absolute finest in British comic book art. With the acquisition of a $100m film studio and the world’s largest archive of English language comics, Rebellion continues to grow from strength to strength. Rebellion now operates across books, comics, TV and film, but at its core it’s still a leading developer and publisher of games. Whether it’s the breathtaking intensity of Sniper Elite 4, the face-hugging terror of Aliens vs. Predator or the grindhouse frenzy of the Zombie Army series, the Oxford-based studio is revered for creating stand-out games designed to thrill.
The hit game of the ‘80s – Block Mania – is back with a brand new edition from Rebellion Unplugged!
Rebellion is delighted to announce a limited edition re-issue of the classic board game based on the world of Judge Dredd – as well as the Mega-Mania expansion set, featuring the Happy Hour expansion!
Block Mania is the classic two-player game of manic destruction in Mega-City. Each player controls the citizens of an entire Mega-City block, as they attempt to destroy the block next door – or at least do it a lot of damage before the Judges arrive!
It brings the classic work of Space Hulk designer Richard Halliwell back to print for the first time in decades.
Relive the chaos of hives soaring in bat-suits; hungry alien Kleggs commandeering Sky-Rail cars; and City-Def forces infiltrating the neighbouring block to blow it to smithereens, before the Judges unleash the riot foam to shut you down!
Each box contains:
Two different, full-colour game boards – each depicting an entire Mega-City block.
180 counters representing the Citizens, weapons and equipment of the blocks, as well as damage, collapse and fire markers.
A deck of 54 full-colour, double-sided playing cards, used to play numerous dirty tricks during the game. When the last card is played the quick fire endgame begins as the Judges arrive.
A detailed, comprehensive rulebook with extensive diagrams, examples of play and players’ notes giving tips on strategy and tactics.
A handy Blockers’ Manual telling players all about how to use the multitude of citizens, weapons, hardware and instruments of total destruction in the game.
And, of course, two six-sided dice!
Mega-Mania expands Block Mania with additional counters and two new boards, allowing up to four players to join in the chaos at once.
And for the first time the Happy Hour expansion is also included, adding Robo-Dogs, Sucker Guns and Trip Mines to the fray!
Don’t miss this chance to grab a copy of this classic boardgame, so arm up and prepare to go crazy!
Independent game developer No Yetis Allowed today announced that its new mobile game Judge Dredd: Crime Files is now available for download on The App Store and Google Play. Based on the iconic Judge Dredd, Judge Dredd: Crime Files brings the future Law enforcer to life using 3D graphics, animated 2D comic artwork and newly recorded voice over to give fans the ability to dispense Justice on the streets of Mega-City One. Developer No Yetis Allowed also developed smash hit Pocket Shrek that had over 6.5 million downloads.
The app has been developed in association with Rebellion, brand owners for Judge Dredd and 2000 AD.
Mark Hardisty, CEO of No Yetis Allowed said “As a lifelong fan of Judge Dredd, it has been an honour that Rebellion has allowed us to bring Dredd into the gaming space. It has been our goal to use artists and writers from the pages of Judge Dredd to craft a game that looks and feels like Dredd from the pages of 2000 AD, which I believe we have succeeded in achieving.”
In the game, players take on the role of Judge Dredd. Using intuitive card battling gameplay, build a deck of iconic weapons and dispense Justice to criminals and perps both old and new. Combining 3D animations with 2D animated comic artwork created by Dredd artists, the player will experience what it is like to be the futures most famous lawman as they fight through patrols and epic stories written by current Dredd writers.
Unlock new weapons such as the Lawgiver MKII, Lawrod and Stubb Gun, and characters like Judge Anderson, Judge Rico and Judge Giant, to fight criminals and perps, from Punks, Juves and Muties, to Robots and Fatties.
Judge Dredd: Crime Files is free-to-play, with plenty of additional content planned post-launch, including further storylines, weapons, enemies, locations and more.
You are the Law!
ABOUT NO YETIS ALLOWED No Yetis Allowed was formed in 2013 by Mark Hardisty and Tom Weston with a view to bringing a console-quality mentality to the mobile space, using high-profile character licenses.
ABOUT 2000 AD 2000 AD is the legendary weekly British anthology comic – the home of Judge Dredd and a galaxy of original sci-fi, fantasy, and horror action stars. Producing innovative and provocative comics for 40 years, it has brought the industry some of its biggest talents, from Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, and Mark Millar, to Jock, Brian Bolland, Dave Gibbons, and many more. Published in print and digital every Wednesday, 2000 AD is the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic and remains at the industry’s cutting edge. www.2000AD.com
ABOUT REBELLION Founded in 1992, Rebellion is one of Europe’s biggest independent multimedia studios. Its flagship Sniper Elite series is renowned for its authentic stealth and sniping gameplay with more than 20 million players worldwide. 2000 AD is synonymous with the absolute finest in British comic book art. With the acquisition of a $100m film studio and the world’s largest archive of English language comics, Rebellion continues to grow from strength to strength.
Rebellion now operates across books, comics, TV and film, but at its core it’s still a leading developer and publisher of games. Whether it’s the breathtaking intensity of Sniper Elite 4, the face-hugging terror of Aliens vs. Predator or the grindhouse frenzy of the Zombie Army series, the Oxford-based studio is revered for creating stand-out games designed to thrill.
The worlds of Judge Dredd, Sláine, Strontium Dog, and Nikolai Dante will be crashing onto tabletops around the globe in October 2019 with the release of Judge Dredd: Helter Skelter, a new miniatures board game building on the critically-acclaimed Wildlands series from designer Martin Wallace.
The game brings some of 2000 AD’s most well-known characters to the streets of Mega-City One, fighting for the shattered fragments of their own universe! Faction-specific action decks and new special character abilities give each group their own playstyle, from the well-armed Judges with their explosive ammo to the bestial fury of Sláine and his Celtic allies. Playing to your faction’s strengths and exploiting your opponents’ weaknesses will be the key to claiming victory on the streets of Mega-City One.
Artwork from 2000 AD artists Rufus Dayglo, Clint Langley, Simon Fraser, and Chris Weston brings the authentic comic-book feel to the card art, while the twenty unique miniatures sculpted by Bobby Jackson, David Lee-Whitaker, and Jason Wiebe transport these characters from the page to the tabletop.
Speaking about the project, designer Martin Wallace said ‘When they burst onto the scene in the 1970s, 2000 AD and Judge Dredd were absolutely revolutionary. I was hooked immediately by the amazing story lines and characters. It is a privilege that after many years one of my designs is to be used to retell those stories in a different manner, through the lens of a board game.’
Matt Smith, editor at 2000 AD, commented ‘The worlds of the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic are some of the most exciting, dangerous and thrilling in the known universe – so when the likes of Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog, Nikolai Dante and Sláine collide, as they do in the high-octane Helter Skelter, you’re guaranteed a fun time! 2000 AD is very excited to have teamed up with Osprey Games on this explosive new miniatures board game, and there’s no doubt that fans will have a blast!’
Games Developer Filip Falk Hartelius added ‘It has been a joy to work on Helter Skelter, bringing together the work of so many different illustrators and sculptors into one incredible whole. It is truly a labour of many people’s love – I’m really proud of this one.’
***
Something in the multiverse has shattered, and now the universe is bleeding. Throughout Mega-City One there are reports of invaders wreaking havoc. Celtic barbarians in Ezquerra Block. Russian nobles in Apetown. And rumours of fragments of other universes scattered across the city, waiting to be claimed.
Head to the streets of Mega-City One with Judge Dredd: Helter Skelter, a new miniatures board game combining Martin Wallace’s critically-acclaimed Wildlands rules with the worlds of 2000 AD. Four unique factions bring iconic characters from Sláine, Nikolai Dante, and Strontium Dog crashing into Mega-City One, all intent on finding the shattered fragments of their own universe and crushing anyone who gets in their way.
Things are going to get rough, but one thing is certain. No matter what universe you are from, you still have to answer to the Law!
About Martin Wallace
Martin Wallace was born in Hampshire in 1962, and started designing board games in 1990. He self-published his first game, Lords of Creation, in 1993 and has had over seventy games published since. Martin is best known for Steam, Brass, Discworld Ankh Morpork, and A Few Acres of Snow. Having spent most of his life in Manchester, he now resides in Queensland, Australia.
About the Illustrators
Illustrations for the four factions are by well-known 2000 AD artists Rufus Dayglo, Clint Langley, Simon Fraser, and Chris Weston, with Brian Bolland providing the illustration for the cover.
Graphic design for the game is by Ian O’Toole, with board art from Wietse Treurniet.
The miniatures are sculpted by Bobby Jackson, David Lee-Whitaker, and Jason Wiebe.
About Osprey Games
Osprey Games is the dedicated games division of Osprey Publishing (part of Bloomsbury Publishing plc) and publishes a wide range of wargames, card games, and board games. Launched in 2014, the company has produced an array of critically acclaimed titles, including Frostgrave: Fantasy Wargames in the Frozen City, Bolt Action, Odin’s Ravens, Wildlands and The Lost Expedition.
About 2000 AD
2000 AD is the legendary weekly British anthology comic and home of Judge Dredd, as well as a galaxy of original sci-fi, fantasy, and horror action stars. As well as producing innovative and provocative comics for 40 years, it has brought the industry some of its biggest talents, from Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, and Mark Millar, to Jock, Brian Bolland, Dave Gibbons, and many more. Published in print and digital every Wednesday, 2000 AD is the galaxy’s Greatest Comic and remains at the industry’s cutting edge. www.2000ADonline.com
For years he’s been the law in Mega City One, but now it’s time for Judge Dredd to bring justice to the rest of America. It’s time for him to venture into the Cursed Earth.
Featuring competitive, co-operative and solo player modes and specially commissioned artwork from Dredd artists Rufus Dayglo and Dan Cornwell, Judge Dredd: The Cursed Earth is an immersive sci-fi western in which players must lead a team of judges against dinosaurs, mutants, and the Cursed Earth itself to hunt down a dangerous man who has fled the city, before a gang of criminals can get to him first. As they scour the wastelands, the team will encounter a host of classic 2000 AD characters that will push their resources and abilities to their limits.
Fans of The Lost Expedition will find entirely new cards and new mechanics like radiation tracking and psychic abilities, while fans of Judge Dredd will find a new interactive story developed alongside 2000 AD.
On an impossible journey through radioactive hell, can even the judges survive the Cursed Earth?
Number of players: 1-4 Age: 14+ Time: 30-50 minutes Components: 50+ oversized cards, tokens & counters
Osprey Games has announced that Judge Dredd illustrators Rufus Dayglo and Dan Cornwell are working on the Judge Dredd: The Cursed Earth card game, providing specially commissioned, full-colour artwork for the game.
Judge Dredd: The Cursed Earth is an immersive sci-fi western based on The Lost Expedition, the best-selling card game by Peer Sylvester. Players must lead a team of Judges against dinosaurs, mutants, and the Cursed Earth itself to hunt down a dangerous fugitive, before a gang of criminals can get their hands on him. As they scour the wastelands, the team will encounter a host of threats that will push their resources and abilities to their limits.
On an impossible journey through radioactive hell, can even the Judges survive the Cursed Earth?
Rufus is a self-confessed 2000 AD superfan, and made his Judge Dredd debut in 1998. Since then he has worked extensively with 2000 AD and the Judge Dredd Megazine, with his art also featured in publications by Image Comics, IDW Comics, DC Vertigo, and more.
Artwork by Rufus Dayglo
Rufus is providing artwork for the cover, as well as for the character and adventure cards.
Dan has been working on Judge Dredd since he made his 2000 AD debut in 2017, having impressed with his work on Rok of the Reds. His other work includes titles such as Futurequake, Dogbreath, and 100% Biodegradable.
Artwork by Dan Cornwell
Dan is providing artwork for the character, adventure, and landscape cards.
Duncan Molloy, Games Developer at Osprey Games, commented, “Rufus and Dan have been a joy to work with, bringing that classic Dredd feel to the game. I think fans of Dredd’s world will love what they’ve done with the place.”
A spokesman for 2000 AD said: “Rufus is well-known to our legions of fans and Dan is already making a name for himself drawing the new adventures of the ultimate lawman of the future – they’ve both brought new life to some of the classic locations and characters we all know and love from the past 41 years!”
About Osprey Games
Osprey Games is the dedicated games division of Osprey Publishing (part of Bloomsbury Publishing plc) and publishes a wide range of wargames, card games, and board games. Launched in 2014, the company has produced an array of critically acclaimed titles, including Frostgrave: Fantasy Wargames in the Frozen City, Bolt Action, Odin’s Ravens, and The Lost Expedition. www.ospreygames.co.uk
About 2000 AD
2000 AD is the legendary weekly British anthology comic and home of Judge Dredd, as well as a galaxy of original sci-fi, fantasy, and horror action stars. As well as producing innovative and provocative comics for 40 years, it has brought the industry some of its biggest talents, from Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, and Mark Millar, to Jock, Brian Bolland, Dave Gibbons, and many more. Published in print and digital every Wednesday, 2000 AD is the galaxy’s Greatest Comic and remains at the industry’s cutting edge. www.2000AD.com
