Do a Powerbomb! Review
Puro on the page.
So, this is probably a kinda awkwardly timed review for Do a Powerbomb!, a pro wrestling comic written and drawn by Daniel Warren Johnson. The seven-part series came to an end in December, but the collected editions are now about to drop at the start of March. As chronically online as I am, I feel like I haven’t seen this series get enough of a look from wrestling fans. So, here I am, reviewing Do a Powerbomb!
I fucking adore this book.
Strong Style
It doesn’t take long into the series to realise that DWJ (I do not know if the surname is just Johnson or if they prefer Warren Johnson so sticking with initials for this one) loves and appreciates pro wrestling for what it is. I think when you hear about a pro wrestling story being told in a medium other than pro wrestling itself, there’s always a bit of trepidation as to how the sport is gonna be treated. There is so much out there that just fails to completely. Whether that’s interfering suits or whatever I don’t know, but once bitten twice shy.
You don’t have to worry about that at all with Do a Powerbomb! Beyond being a great portrayal of pro wrestling, it does a fantastic job of presenting Japanese pro wrestling, a niche within a niche for Western fans. The first characters you will meet are spitting images of Hayabusa and Manami Toyota, two of the greatest to ever do it, but ones that might not be very well known outside of their homeland.
The influences on Do a Powerbomb!’s world are abundantly clear on the page. Arenas looked ripped straight from grainy VHS tapes. The rings have the iconic rigidity of Japanese rings, even just the detail of having the wider ring aprons will make a puro fan’s eyes glimmer. The whole series is built like an ideal Fire Pro Wrestling save.
King of Sports
DWJ’s art is just stunning throughout this whole series. As we just went over, the world design here is impeccable. The sheer detail that DWJ goes into, showing every last otherwise inconsequential detail of ringside paraphernalia, makes the art sing. Again, it makes you feel like the panels are broadcasting the latest show from Korakuen Hall. Us wrestling fans love details, references and nods. They elevate storylines and matches, and feel like a reward for your fandom. DWJ packs plenty across the entire run of Do a Powerbomb!
One thing that other mediums trying to capture the excitement of pro wrestling often struggle with is actually making the matches look good. For some goddamn reason wrestling sitcoms and the like think that a bodyslam is the absolute peak of high spots. With Do a Powerbomb!, you get the wrestling equivalent of Rocky and Apollo throwing bombs 2 minutes into the title fight.
The way that DWJ uses anatomy to show the impact and effect of moves leaves you wincing. For me, part of the appeal of Japanese wrestling has always been that extra layer of stiffness, the added sauce of getting the shit kicked out of you. The characters in this book get knocked from heavenly pillar to hellish post.
Plus, I can’t think of a book that uses panel transitions so effectively and creatively in dictating pace and flow of action. After all, great wrestlers know what to put in between their moves, and DWJ nails moving from one panel to the next in the height of the gnarly bouts.
It’s a comic book after all. We don’t have to worry about burning out the crowd or putting on a technical marvel. DWJ doesn’t shy away from high spots, making every match feel like its been injected with a healthy dose of Dragon Ball Z. Moves that should probably kill any normal person chain together to make each match feel like the main event. Everyone has the resiliency of Kota Ibushi and it’s class.
Last Love
We don’t just watch wrestling for the action. We love the drama, the humans in the ring, their journeys towards their ultimate goals. We cheer them on all the way. Do a Powerbomb! brings all that into its fantastical and touching story.
I don’t want to spoil anything (because you should fucking read this book), but I’ll give you a hint about what you’ll get here. Lona Steelrose is the daughter of the most beloved wrestler that ever graced a mat. Lona desires to follow in her footsteps, wanting making her mother proud and hopefully live up to the heavy legacy that has been wracked on her shoulders. Lona’s quest to shine in the same light sees her embark on a quest no other wrestler has gone on alongside her mother’s fiercest rival, Cobrasun. Add in dashes of family drama, the highest of stakes and heartfelt motivations for all involved, and you’ve got Do a Powerbomb!
Several moments of the series had my eyebrows forced up by an ‘OH SHIT!’ beats and revelations and even small character moments had the heartstrings pulled taut. Just sitting here writing this review, I thought back to the stunning final page and felt my eye get ready for rain.
Count The Pin
I cannot say enough good things about Do a Powerbomb! The only bad part is getting to the end of #7 and wishing there was more. Even if the series has come to an end, I hope that Daniel Warren Johnson dips back into the world of wrestling. I seriously put this up there with The Wrestler as all-timer pro wrestling stories.
The singles must be floating out there still, or like I say at the start, the collected edition is due out soon. Its a book for wrestling fans through and through, and the only people who won’t like it are washed and lame.
Get the goddamn book.