Comic Book Review: Invasion From Planet Wrestletopia #2

About seven months ago, I took a look at a new comic book called Invasion From Planet Wrestletopia #1 (Review right here). The premise is rather clever: a wrestler declares himself Galactic Wrestling Champion of the Universe and as it turns out, the message reaches a planet of wrestlers (I need to go there), setting off an accidental war.

Now it’s time for issue #2 and since this is a six issue miniseries, there’s no time to waste as the aliens arrive on Earth and want to fight in a hurry. The characters we were introduced to in the first book realize that things are getting bad and start to react to it, while also showing us a little more of their backstories so we can appreciate their actions just a bit more.

In almost any form of media, the hardest issue/episode/volume is the second. It’s a lot easier to put out a first premise than it is to keep people coming back again (see also: Russo, Vince) and that’s where this was a nice surprise. I read the first issue when it came out eight months ago and I didn’t have any problems remember who people were or what was going on. They give you a good idea of what’s going on while not explaining the concepts to you over and over again, which is very annoying most of the time.

In a continuation of something that I liked a lot about the first issue, this still isn’t a comedy. There are some wrestling jokes (the book opens in Gotch Harbor, Florida) and something the aliens do that I won’t dare spoil) but for the most part, this is a case of “oh dang aliens are invading and we might be in real trouble”. Wrestling can be a very serious art form and while there are some funny moments, this is a more serious book and that’s a good thing.

The other good stuff is there as well: the book is well written with the characters having motivations and a reason for doing the things they’re doing and the artwork is rather good. You can tell who and what you’re looking at and it’s never confusing or difficult to figure out what’s going on, which is a nightmare at times in much more established series.

Above all else though, this is one of those absurd ideas that only works in a comic book, which is why I like them. The same is true with wrestling. As Jim Cornette said, “These are crazy people.” One of the reasons I watch wrestling is because I like seeing larger than life people doing ridiculous things while keeping me coming back for more. Think about this for a minute: a 1970s wrestler accidentally starts an interplanetary war with a promo. That’s so over the top that it has to be cool.

I had a good time reading this and the concept continues to be a lot of fun. I’m glad that they’re sticking with a shorter form as this doesn’t seem like a story that should be stretched out for years (which is the case for a lot of stories). They get in, they set things up, they pay them off, and they’re done before they overstay their welcome. That’s a hard thing to do but one third of the way in, things seem to be well on that path. Check this out if you’re a fan of wrestling (as you should be), comics (as you may be) or just something fun (as everyone probably is).

Here’s where you can pick it up.

Both issues can be picked up right now from Amazon by clicking here.

Issue #1 is available at Comixology right here.

And they’re both available at Comixcentral here.

Also make sure to check out the publisher’s site at www.suspiciousbehaviorproductions.com.

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