compiles parts #1, #2, and #3 of "slaine, the horned god".
i use the word masterpiece and praise a lot of comics here, but that's because i only bother to praise books that are really worth buying, and this is one of them. simon bisely is simply a genius with paint, pencil, ink, and whatever other visual arts medium he may choose to try. he can create photorealism with seeming effortlessness, but instead of photorealism, he constantly exaggerates and twists and heightens anatomy, perspective and foreshortening in order to tell the story in the most entertaining way. he uses real paint here, not computer coloring, which puts this book on the short list of comic books that will stand the test of time these days. the writing here is good and includes a lot of references to actual scottish mythology, which gives the often comical story more weight, even though sometimes it intentionally runs counter to the standards of usual sword and sorcery fundamentals, sometimes almost to the point of satire. but even at its most jokey, it takes itself seriously enough to engross the reader.
this very strong binding collects all 3 of the 3 part slaine storyline. other stuff to look for by bisely is the "A B C warriors", which is written by the same author as this and features bisely illustrating in pen and ink.