This was an easy read, even as it tackled challenging topics. It made sense to discover at the end that it’s based on the author’s life, definitely had that memoir-esque, slice of life feel and I appreciated the context of how easily we can find ourselves in toxic or abusive situations or relationships, how difficult they can be to move on from and how much we need community to get through it all.

Georgie, like many people, is dealing with the consequences of untreated childhood trauma coming into adulthood but often attributing those issues to personal moral failings. As they grow, get to know themselves better and build new relationships they start to discern better what is and isn’t better for her and the life she wants.

I think the author and illustrator did a great job of depicting complex themes of abuse, fatphobia, trauma, eating disorders, misogyny while normalizing found family AND that these issues may stand out in dramatic moments and/or simply be unnoticed as they are woven into the very fabric of our lives. Whenever we notice and whenever we are able to take action, to remove ourselves to safety, to ask for help and support from folks around us - every choice is valid and it all counts. There’s so much of it that’s conditioned and reinforced subconsciously and it takes so much work, risk and resources to believe and choose something different.

I think many young adults and teenagers could benefit from reading this and talking to people they trust about what comes up for them as they do.

Thanks to Humanoid, Inc and Netgalley for this digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

thank you netgalley for sending me an eArc

i don't really know how to judge the plot of this graphic novel because it's based on the author's life. i think it's okay to say that there isn't a real plot but it's someone telling you about a period of their life

i loved the art style and the color palette and how hot every character is

I found this to be a fun read and if you like drama this definitely had it in there! As a wrestling fan I found it interesting but it was a bit different than I expected. I wish the ending was more rounded out and the relationship with one of the love interests seemed a little disjointed, but overall it was a fun read!

This was a nice surprise. I hate wrestling so I was pleasantly surprised to like this book. It also had more heart and humor in it than I expected. It's loosely based on the author's life. The main character is trying to make it writing for online websites and goes to write about the local wrestling circuit in New Jersey. She quickly gets embroiled in the life and it becomes about her circling around the wrestlers, male and female. The story can feel a bit disjointed but so can life in general. I never expected this to explore toxic relationships, body issues, misogyny and homophobia in the sport though. Good stuff with solid art.

I was easily sucked into this graphic novel. The writing and art is really captivating. Georgie is a fundamentally flawed person whose character arc showcases what childhood trauma can bring into adulthood. The various relationships shown are a good mix of fantastic friendships, toxic friendships, and toxic romances. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and felt it did a great job showing complex themes of eating disorders, emotional abuse, and physical abuse, both on the visible side and the underlying subconscious thoughts and actions.

Loved the story about a female wrestler in a love triangle. Funny and heartwarming. A must read. I’d love to read more by this author.

The spectacular art, and the heightened surreality of a story centering around the world of local, semi-pro wrestling, lighten the tone of this really soul-baring, lightly-fictionalized memoir of a person dealing with trauma and unhealthy patterns in their life and relationships. It's anxiety-inducing, but also sexy, funny, and raunchy. I can see it making a great movie.

The couple of time jumps were a little confusing, as it wasn't clear for a few pages that they had happened, and overall I lacked a sense of how long anything in the story really took, or how much time had passed between scenes. I was surprised every time some panel was like "I'd been working on this for weeks". It felt a bit disjointed. I think for me it would have been less jarring with like a "3 weeks later..." chyron every once in a while.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Rounding up to 4 stars because I connected with the FMC more than I thought I would. I absolutely loved the art and storyline, it was fast paced, funny, and heavy all at the same time. Really falling for the "you can build your own family" tropes right now, and this one was one I didn't expect out of a graphic novel. Learning after the fact, that this was an actual memoire makes it so much more meaningful and relatable, really wish it was advertised as such!

I do wish that some of the heavy-trauma inducing topics were given a little more weight and art time, but I understand that that would drag down the overall story of Georgie and her new found family and life.

I’m not sure why, but this graphic novel was not what I expected it to be. I somehow thought it would be focused on the wrestling and journalistic investigation itself, while it was mostly about the protagonist’s relationships with others and her personal growth.
I thought the first part was honestly a bit over the place, with a lot of important issues raised but never as fully focused on as I had wished. That being said, it matched the ‘lost’ energy of the main character.
Although I really liked the art, I’m not sure I felt as invested in the story because, even though it is an autobiographical graphic novel and the author is very honest about who she was, I read it as a book first, and often felt annoyed by the main character’s reactions and decisions.
I deeply appreciated the author’s note at the end which gave a lot of perspective to the whole thing, though, and made me look back with a kinder eye upon some parts of the story.

At first glance I thought this was going to be a story about the wrestling world, the highs and lows ya know. I did not expect to be pulled in and see how the main characters story progressed from their background with dv, to how that shaped how they interacted with other people, the cycle of abuse, the abuse that they tolerate from their partner, the body image issues. I feel like this truly captured how things start off small, an offhanded comment here another one there and how it snowballs in this huge mess. There is somewhat of a fulfilling ending even though the author mentions that it did not happen that way in real life.
Overall 4/5, I felt a connection to the MC and I enjoyed the art and story progression.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this captivating book.

The story felt a little disjointed at times, but I loved this so much. The art was perfect and the story was so captivating.

dnf @15%

giving 2 stars for the art!

i think there should be more warning going into this book, either on the cover or in the blurb that this is mature content, especially if it’s advertised as coming-of-age (which might get mistaken as YA)

there was just a lot of things I didn’t need to see, y’know? and I didn’t see much point finishing it if I’m spending the whole time cringing through it

if “in your face” was the goal, it’s been achieved

there also wasn’t really much redeeming factor other than the art, the start was super confusing, and I feel like the whole first 15% was just mildly offensive insults being thrown around, which is just not something I enjoy

Review: Total Suplex of the Heart by Joanne Starer

Joanne Starer's Total Suplex of the Heart is a captivating story that takes readers on a journey through the life of Georgie, a young freelance journalist. In an effort to investigate a story, Georgie goes undercover at a local wrestling arena, unaware that her life is about to change in unexpected ways. Through her experiences of friendship and love, she embarks on a path of self-discovery.

The story is partly inspired by Joanne Starer's real-life pro-wrestling experiences, which adds a layer of authenticity and depth to the narrative. The connection between the reader and the story is palpable, as it resonates with a genuine sense of heart and soul. The narrative style is engaging and keeps you hooked from start to finish.

Ornella Greco, the illustrator, has done an equally commendable job in bringing the story to life with vibrant and expressive illustrations that perfectly complement the storyline. The combination of a heartfelt narrative and beautiful illustrations makes this a truly enjoyable read.

I thoroughly enjoyed Total Suplex of the Heart and give it a full 5 stars for its story, narrative style, illustration, and overall reading experience. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for something funny, lighthearted, and inspiring.

Thank you to the author, Humanoids Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC.

First and foremost, thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

First, the art is absolutely gorgeous; the coloring is done greatly and it grabs you right from the beginning. The story is also raw and emotional. To be quite honest, the jump between scenes and story lines bugged me a little bit, and certain aspects should’ve been more explored, such as the delicate themes the author brings into the story. The plot felt rushed but still managed to tell the story.

♡ THIS BOOK WAS SO A COMPLICATED, THOUGHTFUL JOURNEY ♡

✩°｡⋆ 75th Review of 2024 and thank you to Life Drawn and Humanoids for providing this book for an honest review via NetGalley! ⋆｡°✩

♡ MY REVIEW:

The positives:
The book did a great job in really capturing the way that our main character Georgie sees herself. I believe many women in male-dominated spaces can relate to Georgie in a lot of different ways. We read about her dealing with a myriad of things, such as, but not limited to, eating disorders (TW), childhood trauma and abuse (TW), making friends in new spaces, dealing with relationships, and much more. She felt like a well-rounded character, and I enjoyed that we went to see her grow through the novel.
Plus, we all need a J.T. in our lives. He was supportive, honest, and caring. Everything that a friend should be!

Also, fun fact: if I wasn’t dating a wrestler, this story wouldn’t have clicked with me so much, and the terminology would’ve been lost on me, but I’m glad I was able to keep up and understand the ins and outs of the wrestling community/world.

Finally, the author's note made me tear up, and it was a twist to know that this was actually a memoir?? I wish it was advertised as such! Since the author recounting what she’d been through was a shocking revelation, and based on that, this has changed my rating based on this notion. (Disclaimer: I usually rate memoirs a 5/5 if I take away something from it OR I leave it unrated.)
Therefore…

The negatives: I have none!


☆ Overall, I'd give this book a 5/5! ☆

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC.

This graphic novel was a mixed bag for me. I appreciated how this highlighted the way women wrestlers are treated along with some of the other issues that exist within the wrestling world. I also like how this graphic novel touched on mental health issues and how Georgie’s past trauma affected her.

My main issue with this graphic novel was how the story felt like it was all over the place. I had a hard time really getting into the story as a whole.

Total Suplex of the heart is about Georgie. A young woman looking to make it in the world. Book is her entire journey, through thick and thin. Discusses and or shows Eating disorders, Domestic violence/abuse, etc.


Wow what a rollercoaster! I truly did enjoy alot of this story, knowing most of its real does break me a bit. Joanne explains everything at the end and I do agree. Takes a long time to come to terms with anything like that. Let alone writing a story about it. While the book as a whole has flaws, I do find its worth the read in my opinion.

**Total Suplex of the Heart** by Joanne Starer, with vibrant illustrations by Ornella Greco, is a captivating and unflinching dive into the world of professional wrestling, infused with a heartfelt coming-of-age story. This graphic novel strikes a perfect balance between high-octane drama and introspective exploration, offering readers a dynamic and relatable narrative about self-discovery and empowerment.

The story follows Georgie, a young freelance journalist who dives headfirst into the local hardcore wrestling scene to investigate a feature article. Her journey from a self-proclaimed nerd to a hotshot in the ring is as exhilarating as it is transformative. Through her undercover assignment, Georgie finds herself entangled in the vibrant and often chaotic world of wrestling, where she makes new friends, navigates budding romances, and confronts the dramatic highs and lows of the sport.

Starer masterfully crafts Georgie's character, portraying her growth with authenticity and depth. From her nerdy past to her current struggle to prove herself in a male-dominated field, Georgie's journey is a relatable and honest depiction of the challenges faced by young women striving to find their place and voice. The wrestling world serves as both a backdrop and a catalyst for Georgie's self-exploration, highlighting issues such as body image, toxic relationships, and personal empowerment.

The wrestling scenes are both thrilling and vivid, thanks in no small part to Greco's explosive and energetic artwork. The illustrations capture the intensity and drama of the sport, bringing the matches to life with dynamic and engaging visuals. Greco’s art complements the narrative perfectly, enhancing the emotional and physical stakes of Georgie's journey.

One of the novel’s strengths is its exploration of complex themes, such as the impact of validation, the pitfalls of casual relationships, and the struggle for self-worth. Georgie’s experiences with girl fights, casual hook-ups, and predatory behavior are portrayed with unflinching honesty, making her story a powerful commentary on navigating personal and professional challenges.

**Total Suplex of the Heart** is a spirited and thoughtful story about the highs and lows of growing up, both in and out of the ring. It’s a tale of falling, crashing, and ultimately finding oneself again, told with humor, heart, and a dose of wrestling flair. For readers who appreciate a mix of emotional depth, personal growth, and the thrill of the wrestling world, this graphic novel offers a compelling and satisfying experience. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most significant battles are those fought within oneself, and the greatest victories come from embracing who you truly are.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for me to review! The cover and premise really dragged me in, the art style is gorgeous and the colours are all well-chosen. Definitely a little blast to the past to a brief phase of interest in wrestling back when I was younger!

This felt... unfinished. There's not much for clarity in the time skips, and it feels like a good chunk of the story is being left out. There's little windows into her past, but they don't seem to do much to inform her present or future. It's frustrating to watch her make similar mistakes over and over, without very little self-awareness. I did like seeing her support network of friends grow as she grew to trust them, and how she took ownership of her work for the wrestling event she designed.

I really wanted to love this book, but am settling with 3 stars due to the narrative issues.

Thank you to Humanoids Inc, Life Drawn and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.

This graphic novel isn't really my usual cup of tea, but it was a very fun and educating read. Wrestling is not something I've ever really thought about, but the general gist of the culture and environment around it was easily accessible in this story. I loved the artstyle, which I also found very fitting.

While I feel like I get to take a lot with me from this story it also left me wanting. This graphic novel deals with a lot of big and very heavy themes (ED's and abusive relationships) but never really does a deep dive into the themes it takes up, but just serves them to you as an observer without any final conclusion to it all. I can't fault the story for feeling unfinished when it's revealed in the end that it's semi-autobiographical, but the ending would probably have felt better if the rest of the story had been more indepth with a better execution of the narrative. The time skips were especially jarring, and at some point I had to skip back and check whether I had a broken pdf, because it felt like 5 pages had been skipped. I wish more was done with all the potential it had between the lines.

It is, however, a faster read with a lot of interesting themes going on, so if you don't mind it being a little messy, this might be worth picking up.