In the last few years we’ve seen more comics about wrestling being released, all of which have focussed on being realistic or serious. Now there is a new(ish) kid on the block as Josh Hicks’ Glorious Wrestling Alliance: Premium Special has arrived on Kickstarter and it’s here to make you laugh. Well, actually GWA is here to kick ass, have fun and write poetry about the experience.
This Kickstarter is to fund Glorious Wrestling Alliance: Premium Special, a 100+ page paperback collecting the first three GWA mini comics and includes a new and exclusive final chapter.
As someone who already owns all the GWA mini comics I have to say that this the funniest and maybe best comic about wrestling that I’ve ever read. GWA takes the familiarity of the WWE set up and turns it on its fish-shaped head with a cast of bizarre yet relatable characters. You have a depressed champion with the aforementioned fish-shaped head, a man who feels typecast just because his body is a gravy boat, and a wrestler who wants to be a poet. It celebrates wrestling but it’s also about identity, with characters being driven by becoming who they want to be or asking who they are. Just with more stories about head punching. In terms of the art, the book uses a two color format and Hicks’ use of isometric sequences and morale meters really help make the book stand out.
The Kickstarter launched on March 12th and at the time of writing it’s nearly 90% funded. The Kickstarter , which finishes on April 11th, can be found here and the official press release can be found below:
GLORIOUS WRESTLING ALLIANCE: PREMIUM SPECIAL Kickstarter set to launch in March
The Glorious Wrestling Alliance is getting collected! On March 12th, Josh Hicks will be launching a Kickstarter to fund Glorious Wrestling Alliance: Premium Special, a deluxe 100+ page paperback collection of Glorious Wrestling Alliance comics. The book will collect all three existing mini-comics — including Glorious Wrestling Apocalypse, one of Paste Magazine’s top 25 comics of 2018 — and a brand new and exclusive 24 page final chapter into one carefully and beautifully crafted volume.The Premise
Glorious Wrestling Alliance follows the behind-the-scenes goings on at the world’s most glorious wrestling promotion, as the company’s storied cast of wrestlers, bookers and hanger-ons navigate the pitfalls of life between the ropes.
Great Carp is a seven-time world champion with a fish head and a heavy heart. Miranda Fury has a secret identity — and needs the world to know. Gravy Train wants to overcome typecasting but is hampered by basic logistical concerns, Death Machine wants his poetry to be taken as seriously as his piledrivers, and CEO Ricky Lovett Jr just wants to keep the family business afloat. See them bicker, argue, weep, curl up into little balls on the floor (happens approximately three times), bicker some more, throw things, throw each other, and maybe save the GWA forever. See it all! It’s a comedy!
Also, you don’t have to care about wrestling to like it. This is important.
The Product
Glorious Wrestling Alliance: Premium Special will be a 100+ page softcover book, printed at 210mm x 148.5mm. Each chapter of the book will be printed in a different spot colour to best replicate the feel of the original riso-printed minis. If the campaign reaches a stretch goal of £2,750, all books get a dustjacket (fancy), with some other super secret stretch goals lined up too.
The Rewards
Rewards include a DRM-free digital version of the book, the physical book itself, a signed & sketched bookplate edition, the chance to obtain one-of-a-kind pieces of poetry and art, and the online debut of the extremely limited edition Official Bootleg Great Carp action figure (thusfar only available at European comic shows.)
Everything on this Kickstarter ships worldwide. This is an international endeavour!!
Praise for Glorious Wrestling Alliance
“An object lesson in pacing, characterisation, visual storytelling and plotting.” – Andy Oliver, Broken Frontier
“Hicks has created a world full of unforgettable characters that takes on some of the wrestling industry’s weirdest carny quirks with an irresistible charm… Whether you’re a wrestling fan or not, you’ll have a blast with this one. ” – CK Stewart, Newsarama
“Glorious Wrestling Alliance is entertaining as all get out. Quick and to the point, it’s fun and funny, bonkers and clever, well worth your time and attention.” – Daniel Elkin, Comics Bulletin
About the Author
Josh Hicks is a cartoonist from Cardiff, Wales. His work includes the Glorious Wrestling Alliance series of minicomics, as well as his collection of short comics pieces, Human Garbage (2017), published by Good Comics. In 2017 he was named one of Broken Frontier’s Six Small Press Creator’s to Watch; In 2018, Paste Magazine named his Glorious Wrestling Apocalypse as one of the 25 best comics of the year. His work has appeared in Off Life, The Atomic Elbow, The Good Comics Reader and Dirty Rotten Comics.
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