Look, I’m gonna say it right here and now, brother. Invasion from the Planet Wrestletopia is the best wrestling comic book you never knew you needed. This fresh new comic has 24-inch biceps, is full of attitude, and will put your funny bone in a figure-four leg lock, Daddy.

“Rock ‘N’ Roll” Rory Landell is the self-proclaimed “Galactic Champion of the Universe,” but in reality, he’s a washed up wrestler whose dreams of stardom have alienated him from every friend and wrestling promoter he’s known. To make matters worse, fifteen years ago his mouth may have just written a check his body can’t cash when a bold claim made during a video promo at a wrestling event is intercepted by a menacing masked muscler on another planet as a challenge for domination. When the space travelling Manifest Destiny comes to defend his inter-planetary title from an unsuspecting Rory Landell, the world is in for the largest steel cage match in history.

• Invasion From Planet Wrestletopia #1 & #2 by Suspicious Behavior Productions
• Written by Ed Kuehnel & Matthew Entin
• Art by Dan Schkade
• Rated T+

With wrestling bears, over-the-top characters (pun most certainly intended), and a tragic backstory, Invasion From Planet Wrestletopia pleasantly surprises at every page turn. I honestly had no idea what to expect, and looking at just the title and cover, it just seemed plain goofy. As I read, however, there certainly was an element of goofiness to the book, but as fans of wrestling know, that’s part of the charm. This is one of those times where coming into something with low expectations paid off in spades.

The comic’s art is slightly reminiscent of Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling, but the content is a tad more teen/adult in nature. I don’t see an expressed rating, but I’d put it at Teen+. My wrestling knowledge is limited, so although I suspect in-the-know wrestling fans will get a huge kick from this comic, IFPW is fairly accessible to babyfaces like you or me. It touches on wrestling tropes, sure, but also the humanity of the wrestlers who sacrifice so much of themselves to make it big and entertain others.

Like most wrestlers themselves, this book was produced on the independent circuit, but was recently picked up by Starburns Industry Press, the publishing arm of Rick & Morty. As of this review, there are only two issues available, but I hope there’s plenty more. Not only will Invasion From Planet Wrestletopia put you in a headlock and not let you go, this is one time where you won’t want to tap out.