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Championess
Based on a true story, in eighteenth century London, Elizabeth Wilkinson struggles to make ends meet for her and her sister Tess while facing the fiercest female bare-knuckle boxers of her day.
232 pages, Paperback
First published April 13, 2021
2 people are currently reading
2226 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Zekas
6 books153 followersKelly is the co-author of the THESE VICIOUS MASKS trilogy and the graphic novel CHAMPIONESS with Tarun Shanker.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
October 16, 2021
Championess is an interesting story, told in quite excellent art, that then is hampered by being overly long. I enjoyed the characters, especially the spirited outsider Elizabeth Wilkinson, but then halfway through the plot felt like it was in a holding pattern, repeating story beats.
On a sidenote, I can't find anything suggesting the real Wilkinson was of mixed race, and I also can't find anything she wasn't, which means that this is an interesting choice on behalf of Tarun Shanker. It adds another layer to the story.
I always have a soft spot for art that renders expressions well, and that is what we have here. There is also a caveat to the art - in a lot of frames there is no background, which can be done stylistically, but here feels like another possible victim to the length of the book.
(Thanks to Legendary Comics for providing me with a review copy through NetGalley)
On a sidenote, I can't find anything suggesting the real Wilkinson was of mixed race, and I also can't find anything she wasn't, which means that this is an interesting choice on behalf of Tarun Shanker. It adds another layer to the story.
I always have a soft spot for art that renders expressions well, and that is what we have here. There is also a caveat to the art - in a lot of frames there is no background, which can be done stylistically, but here feels like another possible victim to the length of the book.
(Thanks to Legendary Comics for providing me with a review copy through NetGalley)
August 12, 2021
Elizabeth Wilkinson is a bare-knuckle boxer living in 1800s London with her sister Tess, who is in staggering debt. Hoping to earn money to save her sister, she tries to join the famed boxing coach James Figg, but when he demands her duplicity she cannot consent.
This a fast-paced graphic novel that I very much enjoyed. Elizabeth is a compelling and well-fleshed out lead. I liked that she was written to be half Indian, and how commentary on sexism and racism was written into the story. I gasped at the twists here and there in the story and it flowed along well.
The art was also nice, with a sense of movement that works well for the subject. I did think the first half of the read was a little choppy, with all the training montages and flashbacks, but after this point the story hits its stride.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This a fast-paced graphic novel that I very much enjoyed. Elizabeth is a compelling and well-fleshed out lead. I liked that she was written to be half Indian, and how commentary on sexism and racism was written into the story. I gasped at the twists here and there in the story and it flowed along well.
The art was also nice, with a sense of movement that works well for the subject. I did think the first half of the read was a little choppy, with all the training montages and flashbacks, but after this point the story hits its stride.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
May 28, 2021
Full Review on The Candid Cover
Championess by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas is an action-packed story of strength and perseverance despite the odds being stacked against you. It’s no secret that I love any story about sports, and I was excited to see that this one is based on a true story. The main character, Elizabeth Wilkinson, has inspiring toughness, and the gorgeous art makes her story even more compelling. I would definitely recommend this one to those looking for a fresh graphic novel that will keep your eyes glued to the page.
In 18th century London, bare-knuckle boxer Elizabeth Wilkinson fights in hopes of earning money to help her sister pay off her debts. However, the only way for her to earn enough money is to train with famous boxer James Figg, who refuses to take her on because she is a woman. In order to be taken seriously, Elizabeth publicly challenges another woman to a fight, claiming to be training under Figg. This graphic novel is based on a true story, and I enjoyed how it includes details like Elizabeth’s real challenge that was printed in the newspaper. The story also goes beyond just fighting, commenting on racism and sexism as Elizabeth fights her way to the top.
❀ DYNAMIC MAIN CHARACTER
Learning about Elizabeth Wilkinson is so interesting, and the authors have rendered her into a dynamic character. She is strong and confident in a male-dominated sport, and in a male-dominated society, and I liked the way the past is woven in with the present, digging deeper into her character. Elizabeth is powerful when we first meet her, but with the help of James Stokes, she refines her technique and becomes even stronger. Stokes is another lovable character, and I enjoyed reading about the way he and Elizabeth make each other stronger.
❀ STUNNING ART
The art style in this graphic novel is stunning, and it complements the plot well. Illustrator Amanda Perez Puentes captures Elizabeth’s power during each fight, as well as the emotions behind each scene. I also liked the characterization, including the costumes and expressions. This creates a complete atmosphere and makes for a more immersive reading experience.
❀ ACTION-PACKED AND EMPOWERING
Championess by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas is an action-packed and empowering story about an underdog who rises to the top. I enjoyed the complex main character, and the artwork makes the story even more powerful. Fans of books that are historical yet humorous will love this one.
Championess by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas is an action-packed story of strength and perseverance despite the odds being stacked against you. It’s no secret that I love any story about sports, and I was excited to see that this one is based on a true story. The main character, Elizabeth Wilkinson, has inspiring toughness, and the gorgeous art makes her story even more compelling. I would definitely recommend this one to those looking for a fresh graphic novel that will keep your eyes glued to the page.
In 18th century London, bare-knuckle boxer Elizabeth Wilkinson fights in hopes of earning money to help her sister pay off her debts. However, the only way for her to earn enough money is to train with famous boxer James Figg, who refuses to take her on because she is a woman. In order to be taken seriously, Elizabeth publicly challenges another woman to a fight, claiming to be training under Figg. This graphic novel is based on a true story, and I enjoyed how it includes details like Elizabeth’s real challenge that was printed in the newspaper. The story also goes beyond just fighting, commenting on racism and sexism as Elizabeth fights her way to the top.
❀ DYNAMIC MAIN CHARACTER
Learning about Elizabeth Wilkinson is so interesting, and the authors have rendered her into a dynamic character. She is strong and confident in a male-dominated sport, and in a male-dominated society, and I liked the way the past is woven in with the present, digging deeper into her character. Elizabeth is powerful when we first meet her, but with the help of James Stokes, she refines her technique and becomes even stronger. Stokes is another lovable character, and I enjoyed reading about the way he and Elizabeth make each other stronger.
❀ STUNNING ART
The art style in this graphic novel is stunning, and it complements the plot well. Illustrator Amanda Perez Puentes captures Elizabeth’s power during each fight, as well as the emotions behind each scene. I also liked the characterization, including the costumes and expressions. This creates a complete atmosphere and makes for a more immersive reading experience.
❀ ACTION-PACKED AND EMPOWERING
Championess by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas is an action-packed and empowering story about an underdog who rises to the top. I enjoyed the complex main character, and the artwork makes the story even more powerful. Fans of books that are historical yet humorous will love this one.
May 2, 2021
In this historical fiction, we are introduced to hot-tempered Elizabeth Wilkinson, a real bare-knuckle boxer in London in 1722. Not a lot is known about her actual background but this story makes her multiracial, with an Indian immigrant father and a White half sister, Tess. Elizabeth fights hoping for a big payday to retire the debts which keep Tess on the verge of going to debtors prison. She pins her hopes on joining the stable of boxing legend James Figg, but her pride and honor become a hindrance as she finds that the sport may not be as pure as she imagined it.
It's not a knock-out, but definitely takes the decision. Character shines through despite flaws in the storytelling that make the first half frustrating to read with its vagueness and annoying flashback structure. The ending is a bit corny but easy to go along with.
It's not a knock-out, but definitely takes the decision. Character shines through despite flaws in the storytelling that make the first half frustrating to read with its vagueness and annoying flashback structure. The ending is a bit corny but easy to go along with.
August 5, 2021
"I think I heard someone chanting "Show 'er, Liz"
He was actually saying "Show us yer tits", but I'll not ruin my sister's night. "
This book was nice. It was interesting story about boxer Elizabeth Wilkinson. The plot was okey, but the art was amazing. Also enemies to lovers trope. It was a quick read, good to binge it in one sitting. Story based on true events. 4/5⭐
Thank you NetGalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.
He was actually saying "Show us yer tits", but I'll not ruin my sister's night. "
This book was nice. It was interesting story about boxer Elizabeth Wilkinson. The plot was okey, but the art was amazing. Also enemies to lovers trope. It was a quick read, good to binge it in one sitting. Story based on true events. 4/5⭐
Thank you NetGalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.
January 3, 2022
Championess by Kelly Zekas and Tarun Shanker is an action-packed story of mixed-race street-fighter Elisabeth Wilkinson, who has all the cards in life stacked against her. Elisabeth tries to earn money by boxing, in order to pay off her sister's debt. She wants to be trained by the famous boxer James Figgs but she refuses to lose fights on purpose. Set in 18th century London, this historical graphic novel is losely based on the real-life boxer Elisabeth Wilson, who we don't actually know much about. In this novel, she is characterised by strength and ambition, constantly fighting the racism and sexism she faces.
With a great set of characters and a truly stunning art style, this graphic novel managed to tell a meaningful story in a short time.
I'd like to thank Legendary Comics for providing this copy via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
With a great set of characters and a truly stunning art style, this graphic novel managed to tell a meaningful story in a short time.
I'd like to thank Legendary Comics for providing this copy via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
December 31, 2021
Based on a true story about Elizabeth Wilkinson's attempt to become a boxing champion in 18th century London in hopes of getting her sister out of debt and away from prison. Unfortunately it is the 18th century and Elizabeth is a woman, so it takes some serious dedication and hardship for her to get chance. The main character is a delightfully headstrong character with a heart that only softens for her sister. As a noticeably dark-skinned child of an Indian sailor and a white British woman, what options she has is even more diminished due to the color of her skin. The racism and misogyny is portrayed in a way that hits hard, but doesn't bog down the larger narrative of overcoming hardships.
The art uses heavy lines to create weight and depth to the story, portraying Elizabeth in shadows as the darker sister to the thinner lines and cleanliness of her white-passing sister. The white men with the power are often indistinguishable, making them feel more like a force than any single entity. The art also portrays the movement of bare knuckle boxing very well and the characters' expressions are engaging.
This is a really fun black and white graphic novel with awesome female characters and a great deal of action that I would recommend to anyone looking for a historical novel.
I received an ARC from the publisher to review as part of the Texas Library Association Maverick committee.
The art uses heavy lines to create weight and depth to the story, portraying Elizabeth in shadows as the darker sister to the thinner lines and cleanliness of her white-passing sister. The white men with the power are often indistinguishable, making them feel more like a force than any single entity. The art also portrays the movement of bare knuckle boxing very well and the characters' expressions are engaging.
This is a really fun black and white graphic novel with awesome female characters and a great deal of action that I would recommend to anyone looking for a historical novel.
I received an ARC from the publisher to review as part of the Texas Library Association Maverick committee.
August 8, 2021
Legendary Comics? As in Legendary Pictures? One read of Championess and that all made sense. The pacing of this two hundred page graphic novel is very much one of a movie, as a sports comic, a boxing comic even, it follows the beats of a classic boxing movie. And yet both its historical setting mixed with unusual but well characterised protagonists raises it above cliche. Not that there is anything particularly wrong with archetypal storytelling - particularly when you are thinking about representation along with all the other masters a book like this might have.
We start in media res at the start of a bare knuckle boxing match in London in 1722 - where our protagonist Elizabeth Wilkinson is engaged in a bare knuckle boxing match against another woman for a pittance. Wilkinson was real, and eventually became the biggest boxer of her age, and he she is imagined to be half Indian, part of the backstory that pushes her into to fighting. We soon catch up that her sister is on the edge of debt and a month away from debtors prison unless they can rustle up some money. From this we see a very the strands of the ur-boxing story - and what Zekas and Hanker's script does is allow the familiarity of the scenario to play off the sexism and (to a lesser degree) racism of the age to create interesting wrinkles on a familiar story. Amanda Perez Puetnes art has a barely cleaned up pencil look - its not exceptionally detailed but she nails the physicality of the fights and she is particularly good at both face squishing for the brutal punching and delivering the swagger of Liz before the fights. Above and beyond the fighting there are big questions of morality (this is boxing after all how fair will it all be) and there's a lovely romance at the heart of it too.
As said at the very top, I can completely imagine this as a film and yet the comic format actually suits the fights even more as we get insight into the internal dialogue of Liz particularly when she has to make up her mind about whether to throw a fight or not - mid fight. And whilst the black and white art here does not throw any red to show blood you have no doubt that they are hurting, and battered by the end of it. It might be Rocky for the 18th century, but Rocky was reinvented for Creed and this has the same kind of mythic feel - and no matter how loosely it is based on reality, that the biggest fight star of the 1720's was a woman is a story well worth telling. Highly recommended.
We start in media res at the start of a bare knuckle boxing match in London in 1722 - where our protagonist Elizabeth Wilkinson is engaged in a bare knuckle boxing match against another woman for a pittance. Wilkinson was real, and eventually became the biggest boxer of her age, and he she is imagined to be half Indian, part of the backstory that pushes her into to fighting. We soon catch up that her sister is on the edge of debt and a month away from debtors prison unless they can rustle up some money. From this we see a very the strands of the ur-boxing story - and what Zekas and Hanker's script does is allow the familiarity of the scenario to play off the sexism and (to a lesser degree) racism of the age to create interesting wrinkles on a familiar story. Amanda Perez Puetnes art has a barely cleaned up pencil look - its not exceptionally detailed but she nails the physicality of the fights and she is particularly good at both face squishing for the brutal punching and delivering the swagger of Liz before the fights. Above and beyond the fighting there are big questions of morality (this is boxing after all how fair will it all be) and there's a lovely romance at the heart of it too.
As said at the very top, I can completely imagine this as a film and yet the comic format actually suits the fights even more as we get insight into the internal dialogue of Liz particularly when she has to make up her mind about whether to throw a fight or not - mid fight. And whilst the black and white art here does not throw any red to show blood you have no doubt that they are hurting, and battered by the end of it. It might be Rocky for the 18th century, but Rocky was reinvented for Creed and this has the same kind of mythic feel - and no matter how loosely it is based on reality, that the biggest fight star of the 1720's was a woman is a story well worth telling. Highly recommended.
January 9, 2022
Full review on my blog!
I received this book from NetGalley as an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
3,5 stars.
I picked this up because I thought a story based on true facts about a mixed-race street fighter would be a very interesting read and, thankfully, I was right. This dealt with a wide range of topics—from racism to debt—in a very beautiful way in a short time. The depiction of relationships, mixed with the intelligent pacing and gorgeous art made this a very engaging graphic novel.
My favourite part of this story has to be the relationships. We see our protagonist, Elizabeth, try to constantly protect her sister, Tess, from the debt collectors. In turn, we also get glimpses on how and why Tess ended up with such a large amount of debt to take care of Elizabeth. Besides this sisterly bond, we also see Elizabeth establish an unlikely alliance with a fellow street fighter, who acts as a mentor and friend. There are many types of relationships in this short graphic novel, and they’re all treated with the same care.
Additionally, I thought the pacing was just right. We have quite a few flashbacks where we discover more and more about Elizabeth’s life. In present-day, the book is structured as various countdowns to important events, which helps keep the reader engaged and wanting to read more to get to that point.
Finally, I need to talk about the art style. Championess is entirely drawn in black and white, which helps place yourself in the past as it immediately feels that we’re being pushed back in time. I really enjoyed the art style and I thought it worked perfectly with this story.
All in all, Championess is a highly enjoyable graphic novel. The fantastic representation of the different types of relationships, the clever use of flashbacks and pacing, and the stunning art style all work in unison to create this story. I would highly recommend it for fans of historical fiction and graphic novel readers!
I received this book from NetGalley as an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
3,5 stars.
I picked this up because I thought a story based on true facts about a mixed-race street fighter would be a very interesting read and, thankfully, I was right. This dealt with a wide range of topics—from racism to debt—in a very beautiful way in a short time. The depiction of relationships, mixed with the intelligent pacing and gorgeous art made this a very engaging graphic novel.
My favourite part of this story has to be the relationships. We see our protagonist, Elizabeth, try to constantly protect her sister, Tess, from the debt collectors. In turn, we also get glimpses on how and why Tess ended up with such a large amount of debt to take care of Elizabeth. Besides this sisterly bond, we also see Elizabeth establish an unlikely alliance with a fellow street fighter, who acts as a mentor and friend. There are many types of relationships in this short graphic novel, and they’re all treated with the same care.
Additionally, I thought the pacing was just right. We have quite a few flashbacks where we discover more and more about Elizabeth’s life. In present-day, the book is structured as various countdowns to important events, which helps keep the reader engaged and wanting to read more to get to that point.
Finally, I need to talk about the art style. Championess is entirely drawn in black and white, which helps place yourself in the past as it immediately feels that we’re being pushed back in time. I really enjoyed the art style and I thought it worked perfectly with this story.
All in all, Championess is a highly enjoyable graphic novel. The fantastic representation of the different types of relationships, the clever use of flashbacks and pacing, and the stunning art style all work in unison to create this story. I would highly recommend it for fans of historical fiction and graphic novel readers!
July 18, 2021
This graphic novel is supposed to be based on Elizabeth Wilkinson, the first woman professional boxer. The thing is, not much is actually known about her, other than, well, that she boxed, and won, and had sponsors and stuff like that.
So this whole graphic novel is just based on the fact that she existed, and boxed. All the rest of it is totally made up, and I do mean totally. The premise of the reason, in this story, for her taking up boxing was because once she learned it, she figured she could make a living at it.
Oh, and she had to get out of debt so that her sister wouldn't be sent to debtors prison, and could get married, and did she lived in squalor, hiding from the debt collectors?
Oh, and she is half Indian, and her father was hung for being a highway man.
So, a bunch of stuff is thrown in here, totally made up, to write the story.
But, on the other hand, it is an interesting way to present Elizabeth.
So, if you like dramatic stories of barehanded boxing, then this might be something you would like.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
So this whole graphic novel is just based on the fact that she existed, and boxed. All the rest of it is totally made up, and I do mean totally. The premise of the reason, in this story, for her taking up boxing was because once she learned it, she figured she could make a living at it.
Oh, and she had to get out of debt so that her sister wouldn't be sent to debtors prison, and could get married, and did she lived in squalor, hiding from the debt collectors?
Oh, and she is half Indian, and her father was hung for being a highway man.
So, a bunch of stuff is thrown in here, totally made up, to write the story.
But, on the other hand, it is an interesting way to present Elizabeth.
So, if you like dramatic stories of barehanded boxing, then this might be something you would like.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
May 4, 2021
This graphic novel is loosely based upon a real bare-knuckle fighter in 1700s England, Elizabeth Wilkinson, who is believed to be the first female professional boxer.
The story is entertaining, but it is no doubt it has been heavily Hollywood-ized; there are plenty of popular entertainment tropes on display here...right up to the cheesy end panel. The illustrations convey lots of movement and action, although some have an unfinished look.
I was disappointed that
The story is entertaining, but it is no doubt it has been heavily Hollywood-ized; there are plenty of popular entertainment tropes on display here...right up to the cheesy end panel. The illustrations convey lots of movement and action, although some have an unfinished look.
I was disappointed that
September 26, 2023
moving, intense, thrilling. what an incredible story of a fighter and a family. Elizabeth and Tess’s relationship is complex and nuanced, with deep love mixing with personality differences and the results of racism, poverty, and trauma. i was roped in from the start, and hung on every step of Elizabeth’s journey.
serious topics addressed in balance with action and humor. transitions between serious and humorous moments are smooth and always landed well for me.
i was blown away with how compelling the story, writing, and art were. the use of narration was great, though occasionally i had to read a page twice to follow the dialogue and segmented narration each, then together.
the script to art special feature at the end was cool-i loved seeing the process and the stages of drawing, beta, and filling. the commentaries were valuable.
greatly looking forward to more works from writers Sanker and Zekas and illustrator Puentes. perhaps even more collaborations among the three.
serious topics addressed in balance with action and humor. transitions between serious and humorous moments are smooth and always landed well for me.
i was blown away with how compelling the story, writing, and art were. the use of narration was great, though occasionally i had to read a page twice to follow the dialogue and segmented narration each, then together.
the script to art special feature at the end was cool-i loved seeing the process and the stages of drawing, beta, and filling. the commentaries were valuable.
greatly looking forward to more works from writers Sanker and Zekas and illustrator Puentes. perhaps even more collaborations among the three.
August 29, 2021
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley
Really liked this one! Tess was such an interesting character and I liked how the story tackled issues of race, gender, and classism in the time period while also having a fun and fast-paced plot. Would definitely recommend for people who like historical fantasy with kick-ass women!
Really liked this one! Tess was such an interesting character and I liked how the story tackled issues of race, gender, and classism in the time period while also having a fun and fast-paced plot. Would definitely recommend for people who like historical fantasy with kick-ass women!
April 11, 2021
Outstanding! I couldn't put it down. Great characters and artwork. A classic underdog sports story and a sharp critique of the British Empire.
July 18, 2021
4/5
Thank you to NetGalley, the authors, and the publisher for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Championess By Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas is a fun action-packed graphic novel that's about strength and having ambition despite all the odds that are against you. I was so excited to learn that this graphic novel was based on the incredible true story of Elizabeth Wilkinson who's tough and preserves throughout the span of this story. The artwork is beautiful and I was in awe of it every time I saw it. I definitely recommend this graphic novel to people who are looking for something that will grasp their full attention right from the start.
Story Description:
It's the 18th century in London, boxer Elizabeth Wilkinson fights in hopes of earning enough money to pay off her sister's debt. However, the only way she can earn enough money to pay off her sister's debts is by getting trained by a famous boxer James Figgs. The only issue is that he refuses to train her because she's a woman. In order for him to take her as a client, Elizabeth publicly challenges another woman to a fight claiming that she's being trained by Figgs. This graphic novel conveys the real-life challenges that Elizabeth faced in her life and this story isn't just about boxing, it's about the racism and sexism that Elizabeth must face whilst she tries to earn her way to the top.
Overall Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this graphic novel and it was such a joy to read. I had never heard of Elizabeth Wilkinson before and I'm so glad that I was able to learn about her life throughout this story. She's such a strong person and I admire how she fights to overcome the racism and sexism that she faces throughout her life. The illustrator Amanda Perez captures the characters so well and I loved the illustrations during the fight scenes. Amanda really conveyed how strong and powerful Elizabeth was during the fight scenes and they were my favorite parts of this story. Also, can I just say that I love Stokes with my whole heart. He's so amazing and I loved the dynamic of how Stokes and Elizabeth both make each other stronger. The only issue that I did notice with this story was how the flashback scenes were randomly placed at times. We'd be reading a present-time scene and then all of sudden we'd have a flashback scene and it could definitely get confusing at times when reading. But overall I really did enjoy this story and I would definitely recommend it. Once again I just want to say thank you to NetGalley, the authors, and the publishers for this ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley, the authors, and the publisher for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Championess By Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas is a fun action-packed graphic novel that's about strength and having ambition despite all the odds that are against you. I was so excited to learn that this graphic novel was based on the incredible true story of Elizabeth Wilkinson who's tough and preserves throughout the span of this story. The artwork is beautiful and I was in awe of it every time I saw it. I definitely recommend this graphic novel to people who are looking for something that will grasp their full attention right from the start.
Story Description:
It's the 18th century in London, boxer Elizabeth Wilkinson fights in hopes of earning enough money to pay off her sister's debt. However, the only way she can earn enough money to pay off her sister's debts is by getting trained by a famous boxer James Figgs. The only issue is that he refuses to train her because she's a woman. In order for him to take her as a client, Elizabeth publicly challenges another woman to a fight claiming that she's being trained by Figgs. This graphic novel conveys the real-life challenges that Elizabeth faced in her life and this story isn't just about boxing, it's about the racism and sexism that Elizabeth must face whilst she tries to earn her way to the top.
Overall Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this graphic novel and it was such a joy to read. I had never heard of Elizabeth Wilkinson before and I'm so glad that I was able to learn about her life throughout this story. She's such a strong person and I admire how she fights to overcome the racism and sexism that she faces throughout her life. The illustrator Amanda Perez captures the characters so well and I loved the illustrations during the fight scenes. Amanda really conveyed how strong and powerful Elizabeth was during the fight scenes and they were my favorite parts of this story. Also, can I just say that I love Stokes with my whole heart. He's so amazing and I loved the dynamic of how Stokes and Elizabeth both make each other stronger. The only issue that I did notice with this story was how the flashback scenes were randomly placed at times. We'd be reading a present-time scene and then all of sudden we'd have a flashback scene and it could definitely get confusing at times when reading. But overall I really did enjoy this story and I would definitely recommend it. Once again I just want to say thank you to NetGalley, the authors, and the publishers for this ARC.
July 31, 2021
It looks like it was first published in 2019 and is being republished? I got the graphic novel via Negalley and was intrigued by the provocative front cover of a historical-looking lady who is wiping blood off her face during a fight of some kind.
The Netgalley edition didn't have end papers so I didn't get anything related to the summary that was that this is historical fiction, based off of a real woman. In the story, the woman is a British Indian who lost her father to the gallows (and her mother to illness soon after) and is trying to keep her fully-"white" British sister Tess from the workhouses because she's a debtor. But Elizabeth is a scrapper and wants to make some money off her boxing even though she's a woman and being jerked around by some hoity-toity men though she meets another man who knows a thing or two about discrimination. Together they team up.
The story is powerful and demonstrates many of the inequities of the time and location whether it be gender or economics. It looks to be done in graphite which lends a gritty quality that I enjoyed.
The Netgalley edition didn't have end papers so I didn't get anything related to the summary that was that this is historical fiction, based off of a real woman. In the story, the woman is a British Indian who lost her father to the gallows (and her mother to illness soon after) and is trying to keep her fully-"white" British sister Tess from the workhouses because she's a debtor. But Elizabeth is a scrapper and wants to make some money off her boxing even though she's a woman and being jerked around by some hoity-toity men though she meets another man who knows a thing or two about discrimination. Together they team up.
The story is powerful and demonstrates many of the inequities of the time and location whether it be gender or economics. It looks to be done in graphite which lends a gritty quality that I enjoyed.
September 2, 2021
The story started our fairly strong but unfortunately dragged on for a little too long. Even though it's meant to be an underdog story, I found the main protagonist quite irritating and the other characters were quite shallow too.
The grayscale artwork worked really well with the overall narrative and the illustrations were detailed very detailed.
Great to look at, but not a great story.
The grayscale artwork worked really well with the overall narrative and the illustrations were detailed very detailed.
Great to look at, but not a great story.
January 17, 2022
I didn't like that it was in black and white! Lol
May 25, 2022
Based on the real Elizabeth Wilkinson's life, a famous (though I'd never heard of her before) female UK boxer in the 18th Century, 'Championess' has some good elements, but it comes out as a little bit stereotyped final product.
The fact that she was not only a woman in a men's world, but also half-Indian, results in some interesting situations, but the story of the underdog and the romance are pretty old and even superficial.
Still, quite fun and entertaining.
The fact that she was not only a woman in a men's world, but also half-Indian, results in some interesting situations, but the story of the underdog and the romance are pretty old and even superficial.
Still, quite fun and entertaining.
Want to read
March 25, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
April 9, 2025
A lovely read!
Say hello to our heroine and championess, Elizabeth! 🌹
Say hello to our heroine and championess, Elizabeth! 🌹
August 2, 2021
When I first picked up Championess, it was entirely based on the dynamic art that adorned the cover. The art only continued to impress from there. Incredibly action packed and emotional, while also being filled with witty banter, this story is everything you never knew you were looking for.
The graphic novel follows the story of Elizabeth and her sister Tess, who are living in a rough area of London that protects debtors from debt collectors looking to imprison them. Elizabeth fights in bars and back alleys in an effort to become a paid fighter in a real ring, an effort she believes will bring in enough money to pay off her sister's debts.
The author's use of time passage and flashbacks in unlike anything I've ever seen in a comic before, and worked wonderfully, not only to tell the back story of the sisters, but also to create a sense of urgency and stress that keeps the reader riveted and engaged. The story tackles so many aspects of society, including poverty, racism, internalized prejudice and racism, misogyny and sexism.
The art is engaging and stunning; the story is gripping and flows beautifully.
The graphic novel follows the story of Elizabeth and her sister Tess, who are living in a rough area of London that protects debtors from debt collectors looking to imprison them. Elizabeth fights in bars and back alleys in an effort to become a paid fighter in a real ring, an effort she believes will bring in enough money to pay off her sister's debts.
The author's use of time passage and flashbacks in unlike anything I've ever seen in a comic before, and worked wonderfully, not only to tell the back story of the sisters, but also to create a sense of urgency and stress that keeps the reader riveted and engaged. The story tackles so many aspects of society, including poverty, racism, internalized prejudice and racism, misogyny and sexism.
The art is engaging and stunning; the story is gripping and flows beautifully.
May 6, 2021
I loved this so much! I really enjoyed the authors' earlier trilogy and wasn't sure what to expect now that they're writing a graphic novel, but it's clear that Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas are only getting better as they go along. This was gripping and exciting and helped heal a Buffy-loving heart that got broken last year by its creator (YES I SAID IT. If you love Buffy, you'll love this). I love the relationship between the sisters, and that we get to see how much Elizabeth grows as a person and a fighter as the story goes on. The art by Amanda Perez Puentes is STUNNING throughout, but I was especially taken with how she chose to render all the flashbacks and memories. Truly haunting.
July 19, 2021
5 stars
Part historical fiction, part sports drama, Championess is a wonderful graphic novel highlighting the little known world of 18th century women's' bareknuckle boxing. From the first panel, the action never stops and it is an absolutely rollicking ride to the very end. The characters were wonderful, the social commentary was handled incredibly well, and the art really helped to bring me into this world. As someone trying to get more into graphic novels in 2021, this was a spectacular affirmation of that goal!
Thank you to NetGalley and Legendary Comics for a copy of Championess in exchange for a fair and honest review!
Part historical fiction, part sports drama, Championess is a wonderful graphic novel highlighting the little known world of 18th century women's' bareknuckle boxing. From the first panel, the action never stops and it is an absolutely rollicking ride to the very end. The characters were wonderful, the social commentary was handled incredibly well, and the art really helped to bring me into this world. As someone trying to get more into graphic novels in 2021, this was a spectacular affirmation of that goal!
Thank you to NetGalley and Legendary Comics for a copy of Championess in exchange for a fair and honest review!
August 4, 2021
4.5* and I might change this to 5* once I have time to think it over. This was so so good and I adored it.
The story was fast-paced and incredibly engrossing. The dialogue was snappy and hilarious and it really worked with the narrative and story. I adored the characters.
This graphic novel is delightful and humourous but it tackles a lot of difficult subjects like race, identity, gender, and broken relationships and it handles it all wonderfully and delicately. The artwork is also stunning and suited the story perfectly.
I was absolutely delighted by this.
The story was fast-paced and incredibly engrossing. The dialogue was snappy and hilarious and it really worked with the narrative and story. I adored the characters.
This graphic novel is delightful and humourous but it tackles a lot of difficult subjects like race, identity, gender, and broken relationships and it handles it all wonderfully and delicately. The artwork is also stunning and suited the story perfectly.
I was absolutely delighted by this.
July 4, 2023
“Championess” by Kelly Zikas, and Tarun Shanker with art by Amanda Perez Fuentes is a graphic novel based on a true story out of 18th century London.
Elizabeth Wilkinson’s passion is bare knuckle boxing and she’s quite good at it. She hopes to use her skills to help her sister pay off her substantial debt. She finds a trainer and a match to train for but the world of boxing for her is complex. Will she be able to free her sister?
I really enjoyed the story. It’s one I didn’t know. The plot was compelling and the art is pretty good.
Elizabeth Wilkinson’s passion is bare knuckle boxing and she’s quite good at it. She hopes to use her skills to help her sister pay off her substantial debt. She finds a trainer and a match to train for but the world of boxing for her is complex. Will she be able to free her sister?
I really enjoyed the story. It’s one I didn’t know. The plot was compelling and the art is pretty good.
August 3, 2021
I don't know why but this book took me forever to pick up. I'd open this book to the first page where Elizabeth is in the midst of a brawl and I'd just not have the will to continue reading. So I'd put it aside for something else.
THIS WAS A MISTAKE!
This book has everything!
Sweet wholesome romance? yep.
Enemies to lovers? Yes!
Badass Women? Most Defenitely!
Engaging Story? It is Incredibly!
This is one of my favorite books I have read this year, by far.
THIS WAS A MISTAKE!
This book has everything!
Sweet wholesome romance? yep.
Enemies to lovers? Yes!
Badass Women? Most Defenitely!
Engaging Story? It is Incredibly!
This is one of my favorite books I have read this year, by far.
Read
August 18, 2024so
there's very little information out there about this gal, but like
there is nothing to suggest she was half indian
and the only info i could find on her boxer husband was a) a boxer b) her husband
so like, was he black? also seems unlikely
which is disappointing frankly! why would you DO that! now i am super curious about what life would've been like in that place and time for such people and like. i still don't know anything, cuz you made that up!!
and it is super misleading to claim this in the description and offer nothing to back this claim up, and not even have ANY SORT of historical note in the back?? about anything??
also nothing about this supposed sister.
also i don't think hannah was jo...
i got very suspicious about the accuracy of this at the end, with the boxing school of men and women of all sorts of ethnicities training together in harmony, and i was like this is sure nice but this is the 1720s how likely is that...
but what was accurate was interesting. didn't have any idea of any history of boxing, very interesting
this gal seems like a fascinating person
boxing power couple fr
if i ignore the whole historical inaccuracy bit and just focus on the story as told, pretty good! and i adored the romance. it was very cute. i will say 3 things about it and then go to bed, because i lied about going to bed earlier and now it's 4:21 am God help me
1) love an angry girl and a calm boy, such a great pairing. also loved that their relationship kinda snuck up on em. they went from strangers to training together for a good while building up that mutual respect and trust and from that is born the love yes well done. nice. this isn't my best writing here but again, 4am, God help me, ect.
2) when she doesn't have a place to stay and he offers that she can stay with him. and she's like good night i will be sleeping on the floor now and he's like literally no go sleep on the bed. she's like no dude that bed is yours and he's like no dude you're the guest it's yours imma sleep on the floor and she's like nah i aint sleepin on the bed and he's like nah i aint sleepin on the bed and they both sleep on the floor and the next morning they're like so how'd you sleep and they're like oh yeah super great best sleep ever and the next panel they look away and are grimacing in pain they're so stiff and sore from the floor LOL
3) at the end they're both heavily wounded after their respective boxing matches and they both independently are ignoring the people telling them to get their wounds treated and are instead pushing their way through the crowd insisting "i have to get to her" "i have to get to him" CUTE !
OH AND THE ART
for the most part good but the fight scenes were SO not convincing. which is a problem since thIS BOOK IS ABOUT BOXING
there's very little information out there about this gal, but like
there is nothing to suggest she was half indian
and the only info i could find on her boxer husband was a) a boxer b) her husband
so like, was he black? also seems unlikely
which is disappointing frankly! why would you DO that! now i am super curious about what life would've been like in that place and time for such people and like. i still don't know anything, cuz you made that up!!
and it is super misleading to claim this in the description and offer nothing to back this claim up, and not even have ANY SORT of historical note in the back?? about anything??
also nothing about this supposed sister.
also i don't think hannah was jo...
i got very suspicious about the accuracy of this at the end, with the boxing school of men and women of all sorts of ethnicities training together in harmony, and i was like this is sure nice but this is the 1720s how likely is that...
but what was accurate was interesting. didn't have any idea of any history of boxing, very interesting
this gal seems like a fascinating person
boxing power couple fr
if i ignore the whole historical inaccuracy bit and just focus on the story as told, pretty good! and i adored the romance. it was very cute. i will say 3 things about it and then go to bed, because i lied about going to bed earlier and now it's 4:21 am God help me
1) love an angry girl and a calm boy, such a great pairing. also loved that their relationship kinda snuck up on em. they went from strangers to training together for a good while building up that mutual respect and trust and from that is born the love yes well done. nice. this isn't my best writing here but again, 4am, God help me, ect.
2) when she doesn't have a place to stay and he offers that she can stay with him. and she's like good night i will be sleeping on the floor now and he's like literally no go sleep on the bed. she's like no dude that bed is yours and he's like no dude you're the guest it's yours imma sleep on the floor and she's like nah i aint sleepin on the bed and he's like nah i aint sleepin on the bed and they both sleep on the floor and the next morning they're like so how'd you sleep and they're like oh yeah super great best sleep ever and the next panel they look away and are grimacing in pain they're so stiff and sore from the floor LOL
3) at the end they're both heavily wounded after their respective boxing matches and they both independently are ignoring the people telling them to get their wounds treated and are instead pushing their way through the crowd insisting "i have to get to her" "i have to get to him" CUTE !
OH AND THE ART
for the most part good but the fight scenes were SO not convincing. which is a problem since thIS BOOK IS ABOUT BOXING
September 3, 2021
Come here for a very typical story of a person, hard on their luck and forced to face training up to one vital boxing match, with the dream of a life-changing victory in the ring to get all their demons and debts off their shoulders. Except here you're getting the very aytpical, with the main character a British Asian woman, daughter to an Indian sailor, in 1720s London. These are days when boxing for lasses is very rare, often stuffed into a back alley or brewer's courtyard at best, where bare-knuckle aggression rules the day, and where a coin must remain in each tight-shut fist until no longer possible is the only rule. Only, the higher up the ranks you get, the worse the rule-breaking becomes...
Allegedly based on some historical fact, the main characters only really aid to make this quite a melodramatic piece. Early on, you have a deadline where the training montage builds up to the first key fight, intercut quite cleverly with flashbacks to what has motivated our lass through her life. After that, in what might well have been Book Two, you get a second, much more spurious deadline to drive the narrative – until the creators just drop it for something more interesting. The milieu is well defined, with poverty, racism and how a female achieves something in a corrupt, male world all themes and plot events besides.
But the mish-mash of poorhouse, budding romance and rampant underdog story all adds up to something that was a lot more soapy than the usual boxing graphic novel. I have to admit I found the visuals, in a style that was halfway to being full manga, actually suited the mood of the piece and the pioneering spirit of the main character. And I never thought I'd be saying the like, but there you go. I cannot see this becoming a must re-read classic, but I think the injection of historical fiction into the boxing book genre, and the fact the design suited so well, almost deserves a four star rating. But be prepared for some frothy melodrama before you enter this particular ring...
Allegedly based on some historical fact, the main characters only really aid to make this quite a melodramatic piece. Early on, you have a deadline where the training montage builds up to the first key fight, intercut quite cleverly with flashbacks to what has motivated our lass through her life. After that, in what might well have been Book Two, you get a second, much more spurious deadline to drive the narrative – until the creators just drop it for something more interesting. The milieu is well defined, with poverty, racism and how a female achieves something in a corrupt, male world all themes and plot events besides.
But the mish-mash of poorhouse, budding romance and rampant underdog story all adds up to something that was a lot more soapy than the usual boxing graphic novel. I have to admit I found the visuals, in a style that was halfway to being full manga, actually suited the mood of the piece and the pioneering spirit of the main character. And I never thought I'd be saying the like, but there you go. I cannot see this becoming a must re-read classic, but I think the injection of historical fiction into the boxing book genre, and the fact the design suited so well, almost deserves a four star rating. But be prepared for some frothy melodrama before you enter this particular ring...
March 25, 2025
I throughly enjoyed the book on how they depicted Elizabeth Wilkinson's struggles as a mixed woman in London in the eighteenth century, how she didn't fit in societal norms and excelled in a male dominated sport where boxing was done with bare hands. They explored the struggles she had to go to especially when her sister Tess, who was passing English woman, is in debt but had a very sweet suitor who would do anything for her and her sister. When Stokes was introduced I throughly enjoyed their banter together and I loved how the two of them are both boxing brutes they're awkward when it comes to being romantic with one another, but Stokes is such a good character when him and Elizabeth open up about emotional things like her trauma about being choked because it reminds her of the day of her father's hanging.
I especially love the end where Elizabeth beats up the cheating group and honest to God just gives them a whooping they definitely deserved and it was so satisfying especially when all their hard work has finally paid off.
I did more research about Elizabeth and she is super interesting and I'm glad this medium is here to introduce her to others especially since in the ninetieth century they seemed to try to hide her away because of how she was going against gender norms. We need more strong woman images out there and considering her and her husband kicked ass together, I honestly loved that they found each other and made history, no matter how small an impact, it still was an impact!
I definitely recommend this story for others to read as the expressions of the pictures were great and you just want to keep cheering on and get that same satisfaction I experienced and honestly the history of it all is very intriguing, but still relatable of wanting to fit in society while being your own unapologetic self.
I especially love the end where Elizabeth beats up the cheating group and honest to God just gives them a whooping they definitely deserved and it was so satisfying especially when all their hard work has finally paid off.
I did more research about Elizabeth and she is super interesting and I'm glad this medium is here to introduce her to others especially since in the ninetieth century they seemed to try to hide her away because of how she was going against gender norms. We need more strong woman images out there and considering her and her husband kicked ass together, I honestly loved that they found each other and made history, no matter how small an impact, it still was an impact!
I definitely recommend this story for others to read as the expressions of the pictures were great and you just want to keep cheering on and get that same satisfaction I experienced and honestly the history of it all is very intriguing, but still relatable of wanting to fit in society while being your own unapologetic self.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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