Comic Review: Super Pro K.O.!: Gold for Glory

If there was ever a sport that would be perfect for comic books, it would be the wild world of wrestling. What medium would embrace muscular human beings fighting for supremacy while dressed in outrageously-designed costumes rivaled only by their personalities so enthusiastically? Comic books, that’s who! Super Pro K.O. is exactly that: a celebration of the over-the-top atmosphere of wrestling, with the comic book presentation to match. Or, to sum it up more elegantly, Super Pro K.O. is real to me… dammit.

Super Pro K.O.!: Gold for Glory isn’t the first volume in the series but the third, however, the opening pages pertaining to Tomahawk Slamson’s feature film debut provides a nice catch-up on all the main players. Even without the big Hollywood opening, you get a good impression of each wrestler as their make their way to the ring. For all intents and purposes, the hotshot wrestler Joe Somiano is our lead character. The spotlight is shining brightly on Joe as he continues to climb the wrestling ladder. That said, his lack of a major win has also diluted his presence to a mere “jobber,” making his upcoming match against former baseball superstar Romeo Colossus all the more crucial.

Image source: Oni Press

The real star of the show, however, is King Crown Jr. and his match against Bad Bad Butch O’Rowdy, a newcomer with serious beef against the SPKO champion. What’s admirable about Super Pro K.O. Vol. 3 is that most of the wrestlers don’t fall into predictable portrayals. Joe’s the hero of our story, yet, he can be just as arrogant and cocky as King Crown Jr., who he swears to defeat one day.

King Crown Jr. is not an angel, but we see enough of his good moments and sympathetic past to have a better understanding of him. Fittingly, it matches real-life wrestling where the most antagonistic wrestlers would end up being the swellest guys outside the ring. Jarrett Williams, writer and creator of the series, provides an entertaining element to Super Pro K.O. by having the readers question how accurate these on-stage performances reflect the wrestlers’ true nature.

Another thing to love about Super Pro K.O. is its art, which is also illustrated by Williams and Matthew Razzano. Each page is filled with dynamic angles and creative imagery. A crosshair aimed at King Crown Jr. as Butch O’Rowdy charges towards him delivers a devastating blow; with a concrete sound effect to boot. It’s comical in a Scott Pilgrim way without being too cartoony to take seriously, or too referential to appreciate. All the matches presented in this book are entertaining; capturing the desired intensity real-life wrestling invoked to us as kids. Sometimes the action isn’t always clear, but it’s a winner regardless.

With its simple caricatures and outlandish maneuvers, it would be easy to view Super Pro K.O. as a parody, and while there are humorous moments throughout the book, there’s also a healthy slice of drama to keep you invested in the storyline. Just think of Super Pro K.O. as another wrestling program: It’s big, bold, bizarre, ridiculous, extravagant, and fun! What more could a wrestling fan want?

Super Pro K.O. Vol. 3
Story By: Jarrett Williams
Art By: Jarrett Williams, Matthew Razzano
Cover By: Jarrett Williams, Dan Jackson
Publisher: Oni Press
Price: $14.99
288 Pages

Image source: Oni Press.

Image source: Oni Press.

Image source: Oni Press.

Image source: Oni Press.

Image source: Oni Press.

Image source: Oni Press.

Image source: Oni Press.

Image source: Oni Press.

Image source: Oni Press.

Image source: Oni Press.

Image source: Oni Press.