The Comic Book History of Professional Wrestling

I was a huge wrestling fan when I was younger, in the heyday of "Rock 'n Wrestling" and the rise of the WWF (now WWE), and I was also intrigued by wrestling magazines that showed rankings for other wrestling promotions in other parts of the USA. The Comic Book History of Professional Wrestling helped me make sense of the convoluted history of "the one true sport" and learn about its origins as a sort of carnival attraction and its evolution into the media juggernaut it is today. Along the way, it touches on the unique history of wrestling and its provincial qualities and how they all eventually have been melded into a more national entity for the most part. What is more, this book does not just detail the US scene, but also elucidates about wrestling in Mexico, Japan, Europe, and Canada. 

The artwork is appropriately colorful and dynamic, taking its cues from cartoon superheroes, which I feel captures the bombast and energy of many wrestling personalities. There are a few times when specific images were repeated, which I found a bit distracting and "cookie cutter," but those instances were few. I felt that the art and story worked very well together so this book was incredibly entertaining and informative. Also, the book does not shy away from the more troubling aspects of wrestling, including steroid abuse, accidental deaths, murder/suicides, and the physical toll it takes on people's bodies and brains. I feel it would be great for a budding wrestling fan to learn the background of the profession as well as for non-fans that just want to know what all the hubbub is about.

The Comic Book History of Professional Wrestling was a collaboration between writer Aubrey Sitterson and artist Chris Moreno. Sitterson has written other comic book series, including No One Left to Fight and the upcoming Free Planet, and  Moreno has drawn comics for a variety of publishers. Both creators speak about their work in this interview.

The reviews I have read about this book have been mainly positive, with some reservations. Kyle Cassello wrote that "the recapturing of history will have fans smiling." Ben Abelson summed up, "Overall, readers should find CBSPW a valuable addition to their libraries — a handy quick reference for major formative events and persistent themes in wrestling history that is both illuminating and enjoyable." Greg Hunter found some positive parts of the book but found problems in its overall execution and glossing over some of the more seedy aspects of the business and particular popular wrestlers, opining that "the result is neither a key account of wrestling nor a notable use of comics."

The Comic Book History of Professional Wrestling was published by Ten Speed Graphic, and there is a preview and more information about it here.

Noisemakers: 25 Women Who Raised Their Voices & Changed the World

Noisemakers is an impressive collection of stories, 25 mini-biographies of notable women who have left profound marks on the world. This project was accomplished by 25 different creators, who were all women or non-binary, which adds a unique take on these accounts as well. The book is divided into six sections (Grow, Tinker, Play, Create, Rally, and Explore) that cast a light on scientists, inventors, athletes, artists, activists, and explorers. Some of the figures, like Hedy Lamarr, Frida Kahlo, and Rosa Parks are well known, but there are others, like Emily Warren Roebling, Madam C.J. Walker, and Junko Tabei that I knew little or nothing about beforehand (and shame on me!). I think they did a great job of covering a wide array of people and nationalities, and even though this book is aimed at younger readers I feel it is also an informative introduction to older ones.

The artwork in this volume covers as wide a range of pallettes as it does subjects. Some, like Shauna Grant's take on Maya Angelou, are more manga-inspired and cartoonish. Others, like Rebecca Mock's account of Ida Lewis, hew a little more to reality. I think all of the stories are extremely well illustrated, and the worst thing I can say about this book is that some seem more fleeting and slight than others. 8 pages is not a lot of space to work with, and some of the entries are more dense, in terms of panels and information, than others. Still, this is a great book full of excellent stories. It's a wonderful introduction to these women and a jumping off point for those seeking out further reading.

The mix of creators in this book is admirable, with more seasoned creators as well as new faces. For me, the most notable entries were Emil Ferris's bio of Mary Shelley, Lucy Knisley's look at Julia Child, Molly Brooks's tale of Kate Warne, and Jackie Roche's account of Nellie Bly. But there is not a clunker in the bunch. More context about the book and the process of making it can be found in this interview with editor Erin Bried.

The reviews I have read of this book have been positive. Kate Sánchez called it "a great graphic novel with beautiful and important stories." Nicole Drum wrote that it "may be geared towards young readers, but anyone can pick this up and not only be entertained and inspired, but perhaps even learn something, too." Publishers Weekly called it a "tasting menu of short biographical comics...[that] serves up enticing bits of history for an array of readers with varying interests."

Noisemakers was published by Alfred A. Knopf, and they offer more info about it here.