Even if you’ve never watched professional wrestling, you know a few of the legends-guys the likes The Rock, Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant. From their appearances in major motion pictures and TV, they have pop culture reverence that sometimes outshines the wrestling industry entirely.
Even though the Giant doesn’t have the same charisma as Hogan and The Rock, his story may be the most interesting. Box Brown’s graphic novel biography on Andre’s life, “Andre The Giant: Life and Legend,†is one that manages to humanize the nearly eight feet tall performer, but along the way makes us see how much larger than life he actually was. Sincere, yet fun throughout, Brown is able to show the world how perfectly imperfect the legend was- from his problems with alcohol and bouts with injuries to the strained relationship with his daughter.
The graphic novel medium is one that can cover a gamut of emotions and luckily Brown’s tale is able to able to make you laugh as much as it hits your heart. For fans of both Brown and Andre’s work, this story is able to capture their best. For those unfamiliar with both men, this is a worthy introduction.
Real wrestling fans will love the attention to detail. Brown doesn’t hide his love for the industry and all the big names and faces that appear in the book easily add to his credibility. Simply put, the research and passion put into the book are its two strongest redeeming qualities. Even if you’ve heard many of these tales before (if you’re a huge wrestling fan, you probably have), seeing them in graphic novel form adds another layer of intrigue to them.
The art in the book feels ripped out of a Saturday morning cartoon. Mainly having to do with Brown’s comic strip style, it’s the perfect way to tell a story about the circus-like world of professional wrestling. His attention to emotion, particularly faces, also plays a part in the wonderful presentation of the book.
Box’s admiration for the sport shines through several times, but his breakdown of matches and defining of industry terms makes the book one that any person can enjoy. If you’ve never watched pro wrestling before, this book could intrigue you enough to give it a try. Although it may seem like window dressing for bigger fans, it definitely serves its purpose.
With solid research, well-executed art and a one of a kind story, Brown’s telling of the life of professional wrestling’s first hall of famer manages to score a three count with relative ease.
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