By Josh Hicks. Published by Graphic Universe.
A review copy was provided by NetGalley.
Pro wrestling and comic books?! This book sounds like something that was specifically made for me. Glorious Wrestling Alliance tells the story of a turning point for the company. Champion Great Carp, who has a fish for a head, is having a mental crisis and does not know if he wants to continue to wrestle. Miranda Fury is tired of waiting for women to have a spotlight so she dons a mask and wrestles the men as Hyper Mask. Gravy Train, who has a gravy boat for a body, wants a gimmick change so he can be taken seriously. Death Machine wants his poetry to be taken seriously. The promoter is losing his grip. Everyone is in the middle of a turning point in their lives and it’s all happening at the same time on the road to Ultrabrawl XXVI!
I expected this book to be like the classic M.U.S.C.L.E. toys and anime - ridiculous wrestling characters doing ridiculous things. I mean there’s fish and gravy here, which is probably the only time those two things go together. Instead, it is an introspective look at life and purpose and trying to find your true self even if it means a complete reinvention.
The Great Carp is a successful champion and also a merchandising machine but despite the acclaim and the money he’s not happy. Miranda Fury, Gravy Train, and Death Machine are all trying to break free of assumptions based on their appearances. Just because they look like a woman, a murderer, or a meat sauce does not mean that is all that they could be. Through non-stop humorous situations all four of the main cast members risk everything to forge their own path.
While having a deep message the comic is also a hilarious love letter to pro wrestling. A giant carp head champion isn’t the most ridiculous idea in wrestling. Maybe not even the most ridiculous idea this week. Hicks has a real love for wrestling that comes through this fantasy cast. Wrestling fans have seen characters over pushed to burn out, women get slighted, assumptions based on body type, and promoters who don’t know what they’re doing. As fans we scream for change and Hicks created his own narrative. Instead of complaining over what wrestling isn’t doing he did it himself through this series. A series that I enjoyed more than I enjoyed the wrestling I watched last night (I’m writing this on a Tuesday).
Very recommended for any who overlap as comics and wrestling fans. Also a great book for teen readers!

Glorious Wrestling Alliance from cartoonist Josh Hicks slams you straight into the insane world of pro wrestling as he chronicles the ups and downs of a struggling band of wrestlers lead by their fish-headed leader Great Carp. Collected in full colour for the first time, the series covers identity, anxiety, and of course, leg drops. The main story revolves around the struggling GWA under the reluctant and clueless CEO Ricky Lovett Jr., who shouldn't be in the position he is but that's too late and he's already dragging the company along with barely a clue as to how they will survive as a business.

As for the wrestlers, the Great Carp is the star of the show. I'm still not sure whether his carp head is real or a mask and frankly, I don't care because either way, it's the absurdity of it and that you can actually question that, that adds to the characters greatness. There's a wrestler called Gravy Train who wants a new gimmick but struggles because he's shaped like a giant gravy boat, gravy and all. Are his struggles because that's who he actually is and it's not just his wrestling gimmick? If so, what is the gravy and how does it top itself up? Again though, the absurdity of it and that you question this is what makes it hilarious and fun.

There's Death Machine who doubles as a frustrated self-published poet who despite what he says, can't stop putting wrestling references into his poems. And to finalise the main cast there's Miranda Fury who has the joy of playing two characters and collecting two paychecks because she's managed to convince the owner that her masked character Hyper Mask is a completely different person.

There's no backstory to be found, which is fine because it's simply not needed. The GWA roster is absurd and fun, so giving explanations to how they are as they are would just be unnecessary and break up the flow of the story that jogs along at an enjoyable pace. Sure, you will wonder just what the hell is happening when you start reading it along with some burning questions over just how plausible some things are, but it doesn't take long to just accept that this is the insane world of pro wrestling and that you're in for a wild ride of an adventure.

Glorious Wrestling Alliance is a love letter to pro-wrestling with all of its absurdities wrapped up in a cartoon style with fun, intelligence and wit. There are also important messages scattered throughout as the characters grow into themselves and their characters, all of which come naturally without feeling forced.

Humour is spread throughout Glorious Wrestling Alliance: Ultimate Championship Edition and this is where the book truly shines. Whether it's Great Carp living his normal life still with a carp for a face or him needlessly talking like a pro-wrestler when at home, the concerns over his health, the managers losing their minds over the wrestlers doing what they want or Gravy Train at almost any time - humour is the shining light of the book.

What is great in addition to the humour is the potential that the comic has to offer. This could easily continue further and even create some spin-offs. The characters are there for it. Glorious Wrestling Alliance has the potential to have a "glorious" future. If you're a fan of wrestling, then this is a must buy. You'll see so many parallels to the actual world of wrestling which adds to the hilarity of the events. Not all of the comedy lands, but enough does that it's an enjoyable read. The only real problem is that if you're not a fan of wrestling, then a lot of the humour will just fly over your head.

Rating: 4/5

I was sort of expecting this one to skew a bit younger than it does. The style is very cartoony but it lacks a strong central plot. The chapters are linked but not heavily driving.

Glorious Wrestling Alliance: Ultimate Championship Edition (GWA:UCE) is a graphic novel centered on a nearly-defunct pro-wrestling organization and the characters associated with it.

GWA:UCE both satirizes and celebrates pro-wrestling and it's over-the-top, zany nature. It's colorful, it's fun, and it's full of intersecting and weaving storylines. There are huge personalities, shady owners, insane costumes, and a doomed-from-the-start road tour.

Really, if you like or have ever liked pro-wrestling, you'll probably enjoy this quite a bit. Even if you haven't, as long as you're somewhat familiar with some of the ideas that surround pro-wrestling, like those I listed above, you'll find at least a few chuckles in these pages.

It might because I have an incredibly stupid sense of humor, but I REALLY laughed at this! The wrestlers are so weird and so ridiculous, and the way it's set up is super creative as well.

This was a fantastic graphic novel. The illustrations were incredible. Perfect for a wrestling fan. My husband who is really into WWE thought it was hilarious and really well done.

As a fan of pro wrestling, I enjoyed many aspects of this graphic novel. It was witty and silly and poked fun at many of the frustrating aspects of the sport. I loved Death Machine's poetry, and it was probably my favorite part of the entire book. Each character had an interesting and entertaining arc, however, it didn't feel like enough. I wanted more from some of the characters, but I chalk that up to the comic genre in general.

I was hoping for a series my elementary school son could get into as well since he really loves wrestling, but I'd say this is a little too old for him. Some of the subjects would go over his head and the jokes are a little more subtle. Still a fun read for me, and I'd recommend it to fans of wrestling as well as comic fans in general.

Silly, melancholy, surreal, and full of existential dread, this funny/sad satire of wrestling and Capitalism is a bit lightweight, but very entertaining. The art was great; both cartoonish and complex (especially in the use of architectural cutaway views to advance the plot and introduce new characters and plot threads). I've never been a huge wrestling fan, but I really enjoyed this and wished it was longer.

This graphic novel is incredibly fun! It’s a quick read because it hooks you instantly. All of the characters are loveable and funny. You really get a sense of community from the get go and how the wrestlers support each other. I will definitely be purchasing this book!

As someone who has been slowly getting into pro-wrestling thanks to her husband's longtime love of it, GLORIOUS WRESTLING ALLIANCE was a fun take on the culture and the people who live it. I liked seeing the various dilemmas that the wrestlers have, be it Great Carp's anxiety, Gravy Train's identity crisis and need to reinvent himself (in spite of the fact he is the shape of a gravy boat), Miranda Fury's determination to get the credit she deserves, or Death Machine's poetic aspirations. I liked all of the characters, and enjoyed the wry humor that with their various existential crises. The artwork was also really fun, with cartoonish styles that fit the tone and humor of the book. I'm not as familiar with pro-wrestling as some may be (though I think I have a base knowledge of various aspects), so there were probably many Easter eggs that I didn't catch. But the ones I did catch were great.

Overall, GLORIOUS WRESTLING ALLIANCE is fun, quick, and an ode to the ups and downs of pro-wrestling without going too dark. Definitely enjoyed this graphic novel!

Glorious Wrestling Alliance is the perfect comic for any wrestling fan. It leans into the ridiculous side of wrestling, with strange gimmicks (the champ has a carp head, a wrestler named Death Machine writes fanciful poetry that incorporates wrestling moves) with the reality of the wrestling world (grueling touring schedule, struggle of female wrestlers to be taken seriously). I am a huge wrestling fan, and this was so much fun to read. I would read many more volumes of GWA adventures.

Glorious Wrestling Alliance is a fun comic about the professional wrestling business. I think people that are fans of pro-wrestling would really enjoy reading this comic.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for the ARC.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4090049412

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
I am sorry to say that I have to DNF this one. The text is just TOO hard to read on my computer. It is all blurry and at times just means staring at my screen too much, sometimes I just had to give up reading panels. Which didn't make it easy to know what was going on. .
The story itself is relatively fun though, I love seeing all the wrestlers and get a close-up with every of them. See what makes them tick. See how Carp is doing as he is having a major breakdown. The art is also quite fun (and the big reason why I requested this book in the first place).
So for the art/the story/the fun wrestling stuff, I give the book 4 stars. I would have definitely enjoyed this one if I had been able to read it further. Maybe I will pick it up when it releases.

This was an interesting Graphic Novel, but one that really failed to grab me. It has an interesting concept, and a lot of cute ideas, but something was missing.

To me it seemed the author was trying to harness Scott Pilgrim vibes, both in the concepts used and a little in the artwork. There are a lot of video game-esque references as we meander through the trials and tribulations of the wrestlers, but for me, the gimmicks wore a little thin.

It certainly wasn’t bad and I think a lot of readers will find enjoyment in the silliness of it, but because it evokes such strong Scott pilgrim vibes, I found myself comparing the two and this one didn’t measure up.

A solid 3.5, and a recommendation for people who like wrestling and want a graphic novel with a little comedy.

Colorful, action-packed visual work from Josh Hicks. A perfect text for readers of all ages with much to enjoy.