REVIEW: INVASION FROM PLANET WRESTLETOPIA #'s 1 - 5

STORY

Invasion From Planet Wrestletopia is a delightful series and an extra special treat for anyone who happens to be a fan of wrestling. I had the chance to read the 5 issues that are currently out and decided to do an overview review of the series as it stands, minus the conclusive issue sadly (for me). It’s sad because I’ll have to wait to find out how this all ends, be it triumph or tragedy or somewhere inbetween.

The story is full of classic professional wrestling trope as well as being a loving homage to some of the wackier sci fi films of the 30s – 50s. It’s El Santo movies combined with Ed Wood, but it’s so much more. This isn’t just a fun and goofy mashup idea, this series has got some heart and soul to it. Rock N Roll Rory Landell was a talented second generation wrestler who got tired of his promoter never giving him his due and a shot at being world champion. So Rory puts out one heck of a proclaiming that the world title isn’t good enough because he has proclaimed himself Galactic champion but for walking out on the big time. Here is where things take a turn into goofy fun, as an alien empire ruled (somehow) by every trope of pro wrestling, happens to catch this broadcast in deep space and their leader Manifest Destiny invades Earth to show this upstart who the real galactic champion is. In a nice bit of cleverly thought out physics, Rory’s message takes 15 years to reach deep space and in that time, Rory has slipped from being a prime example of male machismo to a drunken bum lobbying in the work wrestling circuits possible.

The main thrust of this all is Rory trying to make it to the match while both human and alien elements try to thwart him for nefarious reasons (it aint pro wrestling without some two-timing, back-stabbing going on). In his corner Rory’s supporting cast include a devout dwarf luchador, his father figure of a manager and even his old flame. The protagonists are well defined and exhibit both heroic traits and human frailties as they struggle to save the world from alien domination.The antagonists are either comically, stereotypically evil and bombastic (as one would want from a wrestling show). However the mega promoter Dick Drasin is properly motivated by greed and a lust for power that is relatable, nicely offsetting Manifest Destiny’s over the top braggadocio.

For long time wrestling fans there is a lot to enjoy and it’s clear the creators know their stuff. The series is well aware of the tropes, the jargon and the spectacle that is pro wrestling but I suspect they have studied some of the documentaries that explore the seedier side of the business, giving us a rare behind the scenes view of the industry The dialogue is natural and flows well and the Wrestletopians have some great speeches, particularly Manifest Destiny, whose words could have easily been spoken by The Ultimate Warrior!

ART

The art is a little cartoony, playing into the glorious pomp and circumstance of its inspiration material. However, it is good enough to portray real characters dealing with the consequences of real situations between diving into the bouts of 80s movie action/fantasy. When Rory is forced to face his choices in life and its effects on people he has cared for you feel it. You can see and feel how much Don his manager and Linda his ex love him and how much it has hurt them to do so.Â

Storytelling is excellent, pageflow is easy to follow and the colors help make the dynamic action pop. The art team does everything needed to tell this story well. Its also easy to spot many a character in the comics who reference many a ring legend.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This series is loads of fun in the best of all possible ways. It’s like watching an old Arnold Schwarzenegger flick like Commando, with all of its improbable action and insanity but with much better characters.

SCORE: 5 out of 5

Writer: Ed Kuehnel and Matt Entin
Art: Kendall Goode
Colors: Marissa Louise

Pick up copies at Comixology from SBI Press