Monday, April 3, 2017

Since Wrestlemania weekend just wrapped, check out these recent wrestling themed comics...


Since I'm a wrestling fan, and the biggest weekend in wrestling (Wrestlemania) just wrapped, I think it's a great time to share a few pro wrestling themed comics that you should check out. 


Image Comics' RINGSIDE by Joe Keatinge and Nick Barber
Joe Keatinge best sums up the series:
"RINGSIDE is an ongoing series set within the world of professional wrestling combining the ensemble drama of THE WALKING DEAD with interconnected rotating perspectives akin to The Wire. Each issue will explore the relationship between art and industry from the view of the wrestlers themselves, the creatives they work with, the suits in charge and the fans cheering them all on.
But that's just the beginning.

The real violence is outside the ring."

We interviewed Keatinge and Barber a while back about Ringside. Check it out HERE


Headlocked by Michael Kingston with guest stories and art from a who's who in the professional wrestling world. 
Mike Kingston describes HEADLOCKED as:
"An HBO-style drama about a kid breaking into the wrestling business. As he's attempting to learn the art and the craft of wrestling, he's got to navigate the seedy underbelly of the business in his quest to get to the bright lights and the big stage."
I personally consider this book a pretty realistic account of the in's and outs of the wrestling world, and definitely worth a shot. Mike Kingston is another great creator we interviewed recently. ICYMI, you can check it out HERE ...Headlocked is also currently on a tour to promote the Kickstarter for the next book in the series. Hope you consider contributing to this awesome project, which can be found here>>>  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/headlockedcomic/headlocked-the-hard-way


Boom Studios' WWE Then- Now- Forever by Dennis Hopeless and a variety of amazing artists.
   
In the first story arc, WWE Then-Now-Forever chronicles the breakup of the Shield (Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins) faction, and the rise of Seth Rollins, under the tutelage of HHH. It offers a behind the scenes look at Seth Rollins and HHH's relationship as we saw on WWE tv programming, while keeping a comic book vibe to the series, having HHH be not only a heel boss, but more of a comic book supervillain. Definitely a fun read! You can tell Dennis Hopeless did his research, and is actually a fan of the business. The superb art added to the script makes this a must read for a wrestling fan or regular comic book reader.


 Have you read any of these comics? What did you think? How about Wrestlemania? Did you watch Wrestlemania or any of the huge pro wrestling events that happened over the weekend? Did you enjoy the show(s)? Come discuss with us at the official fan page for this site, Comic Book Swap Meet on Facebook and @thestevestrout on Twitter!!

Steve Strout is the media mastermind behind this site, host of the Comic Book Swap Meet, nerd, terrible artist, gamer, convention goer and comic book reader who spends more time rescuing toys from thrift shops than a normal adult should. He is also known around the northwest for his promotion of live music and stand-up comedy events and is the creator/producer of the Comic Book Swap Meet mini convention, and Olympic Peninsula Comedy Competition (which will make it's big return in 2015). Follow him on Instagram at http://instagram.com/thestevestrout, and  He can be reached for comments at ptcomedy@yahoo.com on twitter at @thestevestrout