An artist known as J. Gonzo has begun a series of six comics about a masked Luchadore known as “La Mano del Destino”. According to the comic strip’s webpage, this series will be available on-line, but fans are encouraged to go purchase the books, and the first issue is available now at a comic shop near you.
I think you’ll agree that this work of art captures much of the drama and imagery that we love about pro wrestling. The artist “gets it.” Lets take a peek inside and you’ll see what I mean:
Right on the first page, we see a heel in tall black boots applying a classic hold — the Single Leg Crab. The viewer is treated to a dramatic pose of agony and desperation as the suffering victim stretches to reach the ropes. The well-muscled attacker then flexes his big arm to deliver an Elbow Smash. So far so good. The text adds to the brutality and drama of the scene by implying that the bad guy, Mirlo (which means blackbird) is a sadistic prick who likes to finish his opponents with “deliberate ferocity.” You have my attention.
We then learn that the evil promoter, El Jefe (the Chief) has a whole roomful of buff and sadistic masked wrestlers in his army that our hero will have to fight. So let’s support this comic book series and keep it going until we see every one of these Luchadores in action…
Next, it’s back to the ring for more wrestling action. Our hero must now fight an opponent with a hook instead of an arm. He uses the device as a weapon, delivering Flying Elbow Smashes and threatening to scratch with the hook. This is the sort of over-the-top sadistic violence and outrageous brutality that great pro wrestling is made of…
The action is gritty and intense and can’t be contained in the frames of the comic as the wrestlers’ arms and legs bust into the margins. It’s a beautifully drawn comic and the artist has done a great job depicting the intensity of pro wrestling action and the Good Guy’s state of helpless suffering.
So go check out La Mano Del Destino on-line, and find your nearest comic shop to purchase it. Follow it on Facebook. Let’s support creative efforts related to pro wrestling so talented artists keep on producing them!