By Matt Vroom (@vroomatt)

INVASION FROM PLANET WRESTLETOPIA is an indie comic book series written by Ed “the Carnage Artist” Kuehnel and “Masculine” Matt Entin, with art by Dan “the Body” Schkade, colors by Marissa Louise AKA “Col. Von Slamstein,” and lettering by A Larger World Studios (the North Hollywood Nightmares.) That sentence alone should tell you all you need to know to introduce you to this high-adrenaline, late night showdown of a comic book.

The copies I was given to review was published by Suspicious Behavior Productions (@SBP_Comics.) The first issue was released sometime last year, and the second issue earlier this year. So it is not a new release, but it is definitely worth your buck if you are a big-time fan of 20^th century professional wresting and American entertainment.

The story’s set up to follow our protagonist(?), a washed-up wrestler named “Rock ‘N’ Roll” Rory Landell, who once proclaimed he was the “Champion of the Universe” and walked away from professional wrestling to pursue fame and glory. He instead faded into obscurity.

His journey for bigger and better things left him broke, alone, wasted, and awarded the title of “has-been” champion of the world. Yes, his dreams were smashed as you imagined it would be for someone who thought they can make something of themselves in the spur of the moment and without a plan. It appears that his self-proclaimed title of “Champion of the Universe” fell upon on deaf ears and good old “Rock ‘N’ Roll” turned out be nothing more than a whimpering flat note.

Or so it seemed.

“Manifest Destiny” has got to be one of my favorite names for an antagonist I have ever read. He is truly the “Champion of the Universe,” and he is not happy that some one from a back-hole planet like Earth dare proclaim the title that he rightly earned. He’s bringing all of his top wrestlers from Planet Wrestletopia to Earth. There is some heck to pay, and it’s all on PAY-PER-VIEW!

“His journey for bigger and better things left him broke, alone, wasted, and the title of “has been” champion of the world.”

These first two issues of this series has a pretty solid supporting cast of characters. You have the mentor in Don “Sneaky Chineeman” Fong Wong (who is Hawaiian,) former love interest Linda, the rival “Boy Scout” Bob Schultz, and a 500 pound grizzly bear named “Kodiak Jack.” The story actually plays out better than anything scripted by the WWE. (Come at me Vince McMahon.)

The art and colors are also really stellar. I kind of regret not putting this review out sooner. This comic definitely has some level of importance to the fandom of professional wresting sports entertainment. It was made by fans for the fans.

I am honestly not much of a fan of professional wresting. (And definitely not at the level of our own JD Olivia who quite frequently shares his passion for the sport on the podcast. Of which you should check out every Wendesday for new episodes.) My interest for the sport hit its peak in the early 90’s when I used to play Royal Rumble on the Sega Genesis.

Yet this comic has peaked my interest for the renascence that the sport appears to be having. I believe now is a good time to be a wrestling fan.

This comic would be rated PG-13 I think. Not really appropriate for younger audiences, but I mean wresting on TV isn’t appropriate for those kids either but parents let them watch it anyways. So all I can say is that this is a must read for the fanatic. Very good job for the entire crew that put this together. You definitely deserve all the praise that you have been getting for this title.

If you are interested in purchasing these first two issues, they they can be downloaded from comiXology, ComixCentral, iBooks, and Amazon.