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Do a Powerbomb! #1-7
Do a Powerbomb!
From the creator of MURDER-FALCON and WONDER WOMAN: DEAD EARTH comes the wrestling adventure of the decade!
Lona Steelrose wants to be a pro-wrestler, but she's living under the shadow of her mother, the best to ever do it. Everything changes when a wrestling obsessed necromancer asks her to join the grandest pro-wrestling tournament of all time, which is also the most dangerous! It's THE WRESTLER meets DRAGONBALL Z, in a tale where the competitors get more than they ever bargained for!
Collects DO A POWERBOMB! #1-7
Lona Steelrose wants to be a pro-wrestler, but she's living under the shadow of her mother, the best to ever do it. Everything changes when a wrestling obsessed necromancer asks her to join the grandest pro-wrestling tournament of all time, which is also the most dangerous! It's THE WRESTLER meets DRAGONBALL Z, in a tale where the competitors get more than they ever bargained for!
Collects DO A POWERBOMB! #1-7
168 pages, Paperback
First published March 7, 2023
55 people are currently reading
1529 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Warren Johnson
165 books401 followersDaniel Warren Johnson is a Chicago-based comic book writer, artist, and illustrator. He's worked on titles for most major publishers, including Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, and Image. His current series with Skybound/Image Comics is EXTREMITY, a sci-fi/fantasy title he is writing and drawing, and continues to update his webcomic Space-Mullet in his spare time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 524 reviews
December 15, 2024
What's a Powerbomb?
3.5 stars. <--rounded up
Been hearing about what a great comic this is for a while now, but hadn't pulled the trigger because I honestly don't like professional wrestling. Though, I don't hate it, either.
Like, I would definitely be excited if someone gave me tickets to a wrestling match.
But on the flip side, I would never spend my money to go to a wrestling match.
That ambivalence was part of the soupy feeling swimming around in my head while I was reading this.
So for a story about wrestling?
This thing took a cool turn.
You've got a young wrestler who can't get jobs because her mother was a super famous wrestler who died due to a terrible accident. And then you've got the wrestler whose foot slipped and accidentally caused her death, spiraling because of the guilt.
These two will team up to bring the woman back from the dead.
WHAT?
Yes.
A supernatural being pops out of the ether like Mister Mxyzptlk and tells our main characters the prize he's offering is to bring someone back from the dead.
Prize for what? <--I assume you ask
The prize for winning the tournament if they agree to do this Mortal Kombat-style tournament in another dimension.
The only catch is that this tournament isn't choreographed. It's real. And every other contestant there is playing for the life of their loved one, as well.
Alright.
It was neat. I wasn't as wowed as maybe I would have been if I were a massive wrestling fan, but this author definitely took something that I didn't care about and made it into a very cool story about family.
Recommended.
3.5 stars. <--rounded up
Been hearing about what a great comic this is for a while now, but hadn't pulled the trigger because I honestly don't like professional wrestling. Though, I don't hate it, either.
Like, I would definitely be excited if someone gave me tickets to a wrestling match.
But on the flip side, I would never spend my money to go to a wrestling match.
That ambivalence was part of the soupy feeling swimming around in my head while I was reading this.
So for a story about wrestling?
This thing took a cool turn.
You've got a young wrestler who can't get jobs because her mother was a super famous wrestler who died due to a terrible accident. And then you've got the wrestler whose foot slipped and accidentally caused her death, spiraling because of the guilt.
These two will team up to bring the woman back from the dead.
WHAT?
Yes.
A supernatural being pops out of the ether like Mister Mxyzptlk and tells our main characters the prize he's offering is to bring someone back from the dead.
Prize for what? <--I assume you ask
The prize for winning the tournament if they agree to do this Mortal Kombat-style tournament in another dimension.
The only catch is that this tournament isn't choreographed. It's real. And every other contestant there is playing for the life of their loved one, as well.
Alright.
It was neat. I wasn't as wowed as maybe I would have been if I were a massive wrestling fan, but this author definitely took something that I didn't care about and made it into a very cool story about family.
Recommended.
May 9, 2023
8.5/10
DWJ does it again!!!!
He created a story that is ridiculous and over the top but at it's core is emotional and heartbreaking. Follow two wrestlers in their journey to try and make the impossible, as they fight (literally) to bring back a loved one.
The writing is on point and the art is dynamic. A must read for anyone who loves comic books.
DWJ does it again!!!!
He created a story that is ridiculous and over the top but at it's core is emotional and heartbreaking. Follow two wrestlers in their journey to try and make the impossible, as they fight (literally) to bring back a loved one.
The writing is on point and the art is dynamic. A must read for anyone who loves comic books.
January 1, 2026
I've been hearing about this book for some time but was on the fence about the premise.
I had the opportunity to read it thanks to Image Comics and honestly it's absolutely not what I expected.
It's really over the top, in a perfect way.
The story, the art and most of the characters are colourful and a little crazy. I found myself pulled in immediately.
It's funny, it's quick and it's really entertaining.
But it's also somehow deep and not just about the action, but about the characters, their connections and feelings.
It was a fantastic read.
I had the opportunity to read it thanks to Image Comics and honestly it's absolutely not what I expected.
It's really over the top, in a perfect way.
The story, the art and most of the characters are colourful and a little crazy. I found myself pulled in immediately.
It's funny, it's quick and it's really entertaining.
But it's also somehow deep and not just about the action, but about the characters, their connections and feelings.
It was a fantastic read.
March 22, 2023
Ten years after Yua Steelrose dies in the ring, her daughter Lona enters a tag team tournament in another dimension to bring her back to life. Her partner - Cobrasun, the man who killed her...
So I've been a fan of comics as long as I've been a fan of wrestling. I couldn't pass this up any more than Stone Cold Steve Austin could escape Bret Hart's Sharpshooter at Wrestlemania 13.
I dug Murderfalcon so I had an idea of what to expect from Do A Powerbomb. It exceeded my expectations. Lona and Cobrasun team up and fight wrestlers from other dimensions, each fight more brutal than the last. The end of the tournament was not what I expected, nor was the fight after that. I got surprisingly emotional near the end.
Mike Spicer's color was a big hit for me in this. Daniel Warren Johnson's art is a little busier than I normally like but Spicer's subdued color palette reigned it in a bit. DWJ's art has improved since Murderfalcon and he did a great job depicting wrestling moves. I imagine he paused his video quite a few times trying to get the angles just right for reference.
Five out of five stars.
So I've been a fan of comics as long as I've been a fan of wrestling. I couldn't pass this up any more than Stone Cold Steve Austin could escape Bret Hart's Sharpshooter at Wrestlemania 13.
I dug Murderfalcon so I had an idea of what to expect from Do A Powerbomb. It exceeded my expectations. Lona and Cobrasun team up and fight wrestlers from other dimensions, each fight more brutal than the last. The end of the tournament was not what I expected, nor was the fight after that. I got surprisingly emotional near the end.
Mike Spicer's color was a big hit for me in this. Daniel Warren Johnson's art is a little busier than I normally like but Spicer's subdued color palette reigned it in a bit. DWJ's art has improved since Murderfalcon and he did a great job depicting wrestling moves. I imagine he paused his video quite a few times trying to get the angles just right for reference.
Five out of five stars.
April 13, 2023
This is insanely amazing! Daniel Warren Johnson creates some of the most stunning action visuals I have ever seen in comics, and colorist Mike Spicer's work really brings the chaotic, frantic, and manic scenes alive. The story about dealing with loss gives the protagonists strong motivation, so I was pulling for them from the beginning. The story's ending is surprising, but also provides a good sense of closure for the characters. This book is one of my strongest recommendations for this year. Check it out!
March 27, 2023
I don't think I've ever watched a single wrestling match. Oh, besides Nacho Libre.
I say this because Daniel Warren Johnson, somehow manages to create a comic that I love, even with my limited knowledge of this sport. I really only read this because I enjoyed Murder Falcon.
So what's the plot?
We follow Lona Steelrose who lost her Mom at a young age, when she was defeated by Cobrasun. But years later, Lona decides to follow in her Mom's footsteps and try to become a wrestler. When a Necromancer offers Lona the opportunity to compete in a tournament with the prize of bringing her mom back to life.
But, she has to tag team with Cobrasun the wrestler that killed her Mom.
There is some greats twists along the way. But also, just like Murder Falcon, it has a ton of unexpected heart. And of course great art as well.
In conclusion it is a great book, that I highly recommend.
I say this because Daniel Warren Johnson, somehow manages to create a comic that I love, even with my limited knowledge of this sport. I really only read this because I enjoyed Murder Falcon.
So what's the plot?
We follow Lona Steelrose who lost her Mom at a young age, when she was defeated by Cobrasun. But years later, Lona decides to follow in her Mom's footsteps and try to become a wrestler. When a Necromancer offers Lona the opportunity to compete in a tournament with the prize of bringing her mom back to life.
But, she has to tag team with Cobrasun the wrestler that killed her Mom.
There is some greats twists along the way. But also, just like Murder Falcon, it has a ton of unexpected heart. And of course great art as well.
In conclusion it is a great book, that I highly recommend.
April 12, 2023
A gonzo supernatural professional wrestling romp with a soul!
Lona Steelrose teams up with the masked wrestler who killed her mother in the ring for a chance at resurrecting her mom in a necromancer's other-worldly tag-team tournament. Along the way she confronts her self doubts and her estranged father, but mostly it is pure wrestling MAYHEM!!!
Goofy, kinetic fun with some emotional gut punches.
Lona Steelrose teams up with the masked wrestler who killed her mother in the ring for a chance at resurrecting her mom in a necromancer's other-worldly tag-team tournament. Along the way she confronts her self doubts and her estranged father, but mostly it is pure wrestling MAYHEM!!!
Goofy, kinetic fun with some emotional gut punches.
November 4, 2025
PT Daniel Warren Johnson é, sem dúvida, um dos autores mais aclamados da actualidade — e depois de ler a sua run em Transformers e agora este livro, percebo perfeitamente porquê.
Tinha ouvido falar muito bem desta obra, por isso as expectativas estavam bastante altas.
Quando era mais novo, adorava ver wrestling americano. No início, talvez nem soubesse que era encenado, mas depressa percebi. Ainda assim, em criança isso não me incomodava: fascinavam-me aquelas personagens carismáticas e os combates cheios de dramatismo. Hoje, como adulto, já não acho a mesma piada — afinal, é basicamente uma telenovela com murros e cadeiras voadoras.
Dito isto, adorei esta história. DWJ traz uma dinâmica fenomenal às lutas, quase se sente as páginas a tremer. É uma narrativa emocional, com boas personagens e uma arte incrível — tem tudo. Isto é o melhor que a banda desenhada americana tem para oferecer.
Depois disto, só quero continuar a ler mais de DWJ.
--
EN Daniel Warren Johnson is, without a doubt, one of the most acclaimed authors of today — and after reading his Transformers run and now this book, I completely understand why.
I had heard great things about this work, so my expectations were quite high.
When I was younger, I loved watching American wrestling. At first, I probably didn’t realise it was staged, but I soon figured it out. Still, as a kid, that didn’t bother me at all — I loved watching those charismatic fighters go at each other in the ring. As an adult, I don’t find it as entertaining anymore — it’s basically a soap opera with punches and flying chairs.
That said, I absolutely loved this story. DWJ brings a phenomenal sense of energy to the fights — sometimes it feels like the pages are shaking. It’s an emotional story, with strong characters and stunning artwork — it has everything. This is the very best of American comics.
After this, I just want to keep reading more from DWJ.
Tinha ouvido falar muito bem desta obra, por isso as expectativas estavam bastante altas.
Quando era mais novo, adorava ver wrestling americano. No início, talvez nem soubesse que era encenado, mas depressa percebi. Ainda assim, em criança isso não me incomodava: fascinavam-me aquelas personagens carismáticas e os combates cheios de dramatismo. Hoje, como adulto, já não acho a mesma piada — afinal, é basicamente uma telenovela com murros e cadeiras voadoras.
Dito isto, adorei esta história. DWJ traz uma dinâmica fenomenal às lutas, quase se sente as páginas a tremer. É uma narrativa emocional, com boas personagens e uma arte incrível — tem tudo. Isto é o melhor que a banda desenhada americana tem para oferecer.
Depois disto, só quero continuar a ler mais de DWJ.
--
EN Daniel Warren Johnson is, without a doubt, one of the most acclaimed authors of today — and after reading his Transformers run and now this book, I completely understand why.
I had heard great things about this work, so my expectations were quite high.
When I was younger, I loved watching American wrestling. At first, I probably didn’t realise it was staged, but I soon figured it out. Still, as a kid, that didn’t bother me at all — I loved watching those charismatic fighters go at each other in the ring. As an adult, I don’t find it as entertaining anymore — it’s basically a soap opera with punches and flying chairs.
That said, I absolutely loved this story. DWJ brings a phenomenal sense of energy to the fights — sometimes it feels like the pages are shaking. It’s an emotional story, with strong characters and stunning artwork — it has everything. This is the very best of American comics.
After this, I just want to keep reading more from DWJ.
November 25, 2022
This was quite interesting omg!
So we have this girl Lona and like within the first few pages we get to see the loss she faced and why she wants to be the top wrestler and the challenge she faces and then when she has the chance in some other planet tournament where she could resurrect her mother and she partners with Cobrasun (who has his own secrets and a surprising revelation) and the bond they have and the challenges and fighters they face in this crazy inter-galactic tournament is the best and its crazy and its bonkers and just when you think the story is going one way, it goes other and that last issue holy shit! Just wow it went even crazier and so big and so worth it!
I totally recommend this comic, maybe the best indie one of this year and the writer gives it his all and like shows his love for wrestling and big ideas and with a cool conclusion which is heartfelt and all but most importantly its about a family and how by the end they come together and its full of insane adventures and crosses time and space with wrestling at its center, I highly recommend it!
Also the art is just pure crazy here, some designs of other characters are out of the world I am not even kidding! It will make for such a fun movie if it happened!
So we have this girl Lona and like within the first few pages we get to see the loss she faced and why she wants to be the top wrestler and the challenge she faces and then when she has the chance in some other planet tournament where she could resurrect her mother and she partners with Cobrasun (who has his own secrets and a surprising revelation) and the bond they have and the challenges and fighters they face in this crazy inter-galactic tournament is the best and its crazy and its bonkers and just when you think the story is going one way, it goes other and that last issue holy shit! Just wow it went even crazier and so big and so worth it!
I totally recommend this comic, maybe the best indie one of this year and the writer gives it his all and like shows his love for wrestling and big ideas and with a cool conclusion which is heartfelt and all but most importantly its about a family and how by the end they come together and its full of insane adventures and crosses time and space with wrestling at its center, I highly recommend it!
Also the art is just pure crazy here, some designs of other characters are out of the world I am not even kidding! It will make for such a fun movie if it happened!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2023
Daniel Warren Johnson back with another modern classic.
He's done heavy metal with Murder Falcon now he's taking his surprisingly moving and heart-breaking storytelling to wrestling.
It may just be his best book to date.
He's done heavy metal with Murder Falcon now he's taking his surprisingly moving and heart-breaking storytelling to wrestling.
It may just be his best book to date.
March 15, 2023
Do a Powerbomb is exactly why I love comics.
The thing is in comics you can make the weird, crazy, zanny ideas really work when you have heart in it. And this book does just that.
After losing her mother, Lona wants to get into the world of wrestling like her mom. But there's things stopping up from getting there, and even more so, she is eventually invited to a world of magic where if you win the wrestling matches you can make a wish to bring back someone from the dead. Her, along with her mysterious tag team partner, work together to try and bring back her mom.
This is a fantastic, heartfelt, funny, and gorgeous looking book. The fights are so over the top, brutal at times, and flow with such energy you'd swear you were watching a TV show. The motivation behind Lona makes so much sense and the reveals work even better. You really root for her while the people she takes on all have legit reasons to also fight for the prize.
It looks great, it feels great, and it just might be my favorite Daniel warren Johnson title, and that's saying a lot.
A 5 out of 5.
The thing is in comics you can make the weird, crazy, zanny ideas really work when you have heart in it. And this book does just that.
After losing her mother, Lona wants to get into the world of wrestling like her mom. But there's things stopping up from getting there, and even more so, she is eventually invited to a world of magic where if you win the wrestling matches you can make a wish to bring back someone from the dead. Her, along with her mysterious tag team partner, work together to try and bring back her mom.
This is a fantastic, heartfelt, funny, and gorgeous looking book. The fights are so over the top, brutal at times, and flow with such energy you'd swear you were watching a TV show. The motivation behind Lona makes so much sense and the reveals work even better. You really root for her while the people she takes on all have legit reasons to also fight for the prize.
It looks great, it feels great, and it just might be my favorite Daniel warren Johnson title, and that's saying a lot.
A 5 out of 5.
March 14, 2023
Do A Powerbomb! collects issues 1-7 of the Image Comic series created, written, and drawn by Daniel Warren Johnson with colors by Mike Spicer.
Luna Steelrose dreams of being a professional wrestler. She is having trouble finding work because no one will take her on as a student after the untimely death of her mother, who was also a pro wrestler and died after an accident in the ring. After being turned down yet again, Luna is approached by a Necromancer who promises to bring Luna’s mother back if she can win a wrestling tournament. The only problem is that it is a tag-team tournament and the only person who can help Luna is the wrestler who was responsible for killing her mother in the ring.
For being such an action heavy book, it packs a hell on an emotional punch. I wasn’t quite ready for that moving of a story. The writing and the art do a phenomenal job of presenting the action and storytelling of professional wrestling while also exaggerating the action to an extreme level for the interdimensional wrestling tournament. Wrestling fans should definitely check this out!
Luna Steelrose dreams of being a professional wrestler. She is having trouble finding work because no one will take her on as a student after the untimely death of her mother, who was also a pro wrestler and died after an accident in the ring. After being turned down yet again, Luna is approached by a Necromancer who promises to bring Luna’s mother back if she can win a wrestling tournament. The only problem is that it is a tag-team tournament and the only person who can help Luna is the wrestler who was responsible for killing her mother in the ring.
For being such an action heavy book, it packs a hell on an emotional punch. I wasn’t quite ready for that moving of a story. The writing and the art do a phenomenal job of presenting the action and storytelling of professional wrestling while also exaggerating the action to an extreme level for the interdimensional wrestling tournament. Wrestling fans should definitely check this out!
February 5, 2025
That had no right to be as great as it was. This is what comics are all about!
September 18, 2023
A hyperkinetic pro-wrestling comic with surprising heart, definitely worth checking out!
March 30, 2024
It’s truly fascinating how DWJ can create an epic, metal, rad story with ultimate fun and at the same time he’ll break you heart.
The first two issues left me speechless.
What a ride.
What a fun.
What a beautiful, heartbreaking, heart-warming story.
The first two issues left me speechless.
What a ride.
What a fun.
What a beautiful, heartbreaking, heart-warming story.
September 25, 2023
A veces pienso que Daniel Warren Johnson debiera buscarse un guionista que sacara partido a su sentido de la narrativa, su manera de manejar la violencia en las imágenes, su talento para representar la fantasía oscura. Pero después llego a la conclusión de que nos quedaríamos sin tebeos como este, un tributo a su pasión por la lucha libre ilustrado con una plasticidad y un dinamismo que se superan capítulo a capítulo. De hecho el último, un combate que en otras manos sería ridículo, en las suyas alcanza unas cotas de epicidad inenarrables. DWJ entra en un trance de 24 páginas para la historia del arte secuencial en las que funde las viñetas y las onomatopeyas en un todo digno de ser leído y releído.
Al final, Do a Powerbomb! no es más que la plasmación de un pacto mefistofélico al que asistimos como espectadores como si viajáramos a una mañana de aquellos sábados de T5 de principios los noventa en los que tenías la suerte de caer en el Royal Rumble. Una sucesión de peleas dibujada por un pavo que no sólo siente pasión por esta representación sino que, además, la plasma con un talento descomunal.
Aunque he leído la edición americana, dejo la opinión en la ficha de la edición española para advertir de tres cosas:
a) El precio desproporcionado
b) La cagada de no traducir de alguna manera las onomatopeyas que tienen significado (con un asterisco al pie de viñeta)
c) Por las páginas que he ojeado en la librería (el combate con los orangutanes), hay variaciones en el color. Sobre todo en la carga de negro de algunas páginas, lo que hace que se vean más oscuras y los lápices más sucios de lo que están en la edición original.
Norma, si vas a cobrar 40 pavos por un tebeo, haz bien el trabajo.
Al final, Do a Powerbomb! no es más que la plasmación de un pacto mefistofélico al que asistimos como espectadores como si viajáramos a una mañana de aquellos sábados de T5 de principios los noventa en los que tenías la suerte de caer en el Royal Rumble. Una sucesión de peleas dibujada por un pavo que no sólo siente pasión por esta representación sino que, además, la plasma con un talento descomunal.
Aunque he leído la edición americana, dejo la opinión en la ficha de la edición española para advertir de tres cosas:
a) El precio desproporcionado
b) La cagada de no traducir de alguna manera las onomatopeyas que tienen significado (con un asterisco al pie de viñeta)
c) Por las páginas que he ojeado en la librería (el combate con los orangutanes), hay variaciones en el color. Sobre todo en la carga de negro de algunas páginas, lo que hace que se vean más oscuras y los lápices más sucios de lo que están en la edición original.
Norma, si vas a cobrar 40 pavos por un tebeo, haz bien el trabajo.
December 9, 2022
This is it. Wow. DWJ is an absolute master storyteller and a brilliant artist. I’m not a wrestling fan at all, but took a chance on this book because of DWJ and I’m so glad I did. On the list of things I’ve enjoyed the most this year, this comic comes very close to the top of that list. This story evoked probably every emotion that I’m capable of experiencing. I couldn’t put this comic down when reading every issue and I couldn’t wait for the next month to continue on in this series. This is one I’ll buy for friends and have them read. This is one I’ll enjoy talking with friends about. This is one I’ll read again, for sure. I loved this so much.
June 23, 2024
Growing up in the nineties, I was really into wrestling during the Attitude Era, a point where the sport embraced the cool antagonistic players that gave us The Rock. I eventually grew out of the sport when discovering it was scripted and thus the outcome is predetermined, and yet for many wrestling fans, it still feels real to them. In the case of Daniel Warren Johnson – who made a name for himself with his distinct art style from creator-owned works and iconic Marvel/DC superheroes – he was a late bloomer when it came to getting into wrestling, specifically New Japan Pro-Wrestling, which became the main influence of his latest book, Do a Powerbomb!.
Living under the shadow of her mother, a wrestling legend who tragically died in the ring, Lona Steelrose is determined to prove herself as a wrestler, much to the reluctance from her father who worries that she might fall into the same fate as her mother. When she is approached by a wrestling-obsessed necromancer to participate in the Deathlyfe Tag Team Tournament where if she wins, her mother would be resurrected, Lona seeks the partnership of Cobrasun, the man responsible for the tragedy.
Described on the back cover as “The Wrestler meets Dragonball Z”, Johnson’s series has more in common with Kinnikuman/Ultimate Muscle, a Shonen manga that mixed theatrical wrestling and intergalactic superheroes. Although the sport is a predetermined thing on Earth, Lona and Cobrasun realise that their otherworldly competitors treat wrestling as if it’s like a blood sport and so they must adapt to the hardships. And when I say otherworldly, Johnson presents these wrestlers as Shonen antagonists, in that they are larger-than-life figures, even compared to our two muscled leads, such as Orangabang, a tag team of anthropomorphic orangutans.
With these outlandish characters duking it out in the ring, Johnson delivers that crunch to the wrestling matches through his art. One can see the manga influence towards this book, with a great emphasis towards line work, and the addition of sound effects as the onomatopoeia spreads across several panels. Along with Mike Spicer’s multi-layered saturated colouring, Johnson’s level of detail is so extreme that the impact in these fights can get bloodied, especially in one match that features weaponry.
Despite how violent and muscle-bound the wrestling gets, even within these fantasy settings, Johnson brilliantly grounds the story with one key theme: family. As Lona fights her way to the top with a goal of resurrecting her mother, some of the other competitors are fighting for family and Johnson takes the time to show their backstories. As much empathy you can have towards these hardened characters, you are rooting for Lona and Cobrasun, both of which learn to work as a team and get past their tragedy. Without going into spoilers, there is a revelation during each of the seven issues and how their outcome pulls your heart strings.
As fun as it is seeing the art of wrestling presented in a visually outlandish fashion, thanks to Daniel Warren Johnson’s spectacular art, Do a Powerbomb!’s greatest strength is how wonderfully sincere it is through its message about family. I'm now excited for what Daniel Warren Johnson has in store for the Transformers.
Living under the shadow of her mother, a wrestling legend who tragically died in the ring, Lona Steelrose is determined to prove herself as a wrestler, much to the reluctance from her father who worries that she might fall into the same fate as her mother. When she is approached by a wrestling-obsessed necromancer to participate in the Deathlyfe Tag Team Tournament where if she wins, her mother would be resurrected, Lona seeks the partnership of Cobrasun, the man responsible for the tragedy.
Described on the back cover as “The Wrestler meets Dragonball Z”, Johnson’s series has more in common with Kinnikuman/Ultimate Muscle, a Shonen manga that mixed theatrical wrestling and intergalactic superheroes. Although the sport is a predetermined thing on Earth, Lona and Cobrasun realise that their otherworldly competitors treat wrestling as if it’s like a blood sport and so they must adapt to the hardships. And when I say otherworldly, Johnson presents these wrestlers as Shonen antagonists, in that they are larger-than-life figures, even compared to our two muscled leads, such as Orangabang, a tag team of anthropomorphic orangutans.
With these outlandish characters duking it out in the ring, Johnson delivers that crunch to the wrestling matches through his art. One can see the manga influence towards this book, with a great emphasis towards line work, and the addition of sound effects as the onomatopoeia spreads across several panels. Along with Mike Spicer’s multi-layered saturated colouring, Johnson’s level of detail is so extreme that the impact in these fights can get bloodied, especially in one match that features weaponry.
Despite how violent and muscle-bound the wrestling gets, even within these fantasy settings, Johnson brilliantly grounds the story with one key theme: family. As Lona fights her way to the top with a goal of resurrecting her mother, some of the other competitors are fighting for family and Johnson takes the time to show their backstories. As much empathy you can have towards these hardened characters, you are rooting for Lona and Cobrasun, both of which learn to work as a team and get past their tragedy. Without going into spoilers, there is a revelation during each of the seven issues and how their outcome pulls your heart strings.
As fun as it is seeing the art of wrestling presented in a visually outlandish fashion, thanks to Daniel Warren Johnson’s spectacular art, Do a Powerbomb!’s greatest strength is how wonderfully sincere it is through its message about family. I'm now excited for what Daniel Warren Johnson has in store for the Transformers.
June 2, 2023
The end of the second issue had a twist that made me gasp and turn to my partner to say "lemme tell you about this great twist." It's a twist that is straight out of a soap opera - or, perhaps, straight out of professional wrestling.
To be clear, I haven't seen a minute of professional wrestling, so I guess this review of Do a Powerbomb is unbiased in that way? I just know that the whole deal is extremely popular because of the high drama (not to mention the sick moves). Do a Powerbomb 100% reflects both of those interests.
When teenage Lona's world is turned upside-down, she plows her time into becoming a top tier wrestler. Her father is against it and no one will train her - but she's unexpectedly given the opportunity to take part in a tag team match that'll bring her dreams to life. (I'm being purposefully vague in this summary because the storytelling is so perfectly paced that to summarize it further would be to do it a disservice.)
Daniel Warren Johnson is definitely an author to keep an eye on - I think I've loved everything he's produced so far. Do a Powerbomb continues the winning streak. Even if you're not a pro wrestling fan, you'll find a lot to love in this crazy story.
To be clear, I haven't seen a minute of professional wrestling, so I guess this review of Do a Powerbomb is unbiased in that way? I just know that the whole deal is extremely popular because of the high drama (not to mention the sick moves). Do a Powerbomb 100% reflects both of those interests.
When teenage Lona's world is turned upside-down, she plows her time into becoming a top tier wrestler. Her father is against it and no one will train her - but she's unexpectedly given the opportunity to take part in a tag team match that'll bring her dreams to life. (I'm being purposefully vague in this summary because the storytelling is so perfectly paced that to summarize it further would be to do it a disservice.)
Daniel Warren Johnson is definitely an author to keep an eye on - I think I've loved everything he's produced so far. Do a Powerbomb continues the winning streak. Even if you're not a pro wrestling fan, you'll find a lot to love in this crazy story.
December 12, 2023
4.5/5
It's not flawless, but it's beautiful. In short, Daniel Warren Johnson at his best.
The story combines pulpy, violent, and over-the-top elements with the ridiculous and heartfelt. The end result is as close to perfection as you can get in the comic book medium. Highly recommended for anyone seeking an excellent story about family, grief, love, and wrestling :)
It's not flawless, but it's beautiful. In short, Daniel Warren Johnson at his best.
The story combines pulpy, violent, and over-the-top elements with the ridiculous and heartfelt. The end result is as close to perfection as you can get in the comic book medium. Highly recommended for anyone seeking an excellent story about family, grief, love, and wrestling :)
May 28, 2023
Daniel Warren Johnson just delivered a tomb stone pile driver to the whole comics industry with this tale. This easily enters into the 5+ Stars category and could easily take the spot of best story I've read this year.
I'm an OG wrestling fan though haven't watched since the 2000's so automatically it felt like slipping on an old pair of shoes. The maneuvers, the drama the plain over the topness that pro wrestling represents felt very authentic. But these are just set pieces. Where this story shines is that it has an immense amount of heart. The plot could have been taken directly out of a Disney animated movie. It just felt very clear and had the turns that have been making amazing stories for years.
The title page and art style really caught my attention but prior to some research I had never heard of Daniel Warren Johnson. Needless to say he has propelled to a mist read author for me going forward.
I'm an OG wrestling fan though haven't watched since the 2000's so automatically it felt like slipping on an old pair of shoes. The maneuvers, the drama the plain over the topness that pro wrestling represents felt very authentic. But these are just set pieces. Where this story shines is that it has an immense amount of heart. The plot could have been taken directly out of a Disney animated movie. It just felt very clear and had the turns that have been making amazing stories for years.
The title page and art style really caught my attention but prior to some research I had never heard of Daniel Warren Johnson. Needless to say he has propelled to a mist read author for me going forward.
March 11, 2023
DWJ doesn’t miss
July 14, 2023
Another banger by DWJ. Emotional and explosive.
October 29, 2024
Terminei a leitura de Powerbomb ontem, mas fiquei um tempo refletindo sobre o quadrinho, buscando entender tudo que fora trabalhado pelo autor e pensar sobre o que eu compreendi e absorvi da obra. Fato é que pelo hype que o quadrinho ganhou na gibisfera brasileira, eu fui com expectativas muito altas para a leitura, e infelizmente não achei tudo isso. O quadrinho é muito bom, mas alguns aspectos me desconectaram um pouco da história.
Antes de falar o que achei sobre a HQ, vou comentar sobre o que é o gibi, e uma boa frase que resume a obra seria: uma grande carta de amor à luta livre. A premissa da história é acompanharmos a jornada de Lona, uma jovem, que quando criança viu sua mãe falecer na sua frente, durante uma partida de luta livre. Anos mais tarde, a jovem segue a carreira também na luta livre, mas não possui um treinador e não possui sucesso tal qual a sua mãe, que fora uma eximia campeã da arte da luta livre.
Um dia, ela se depara com a possibilidade de trazer sua mãe de volta a vida, pois conhece um necromante que está organizando um torneio de luta livre, e a premiação é justamente dar ao vencedor o direito de trazer alguém do mundo dos mortos. Após essa introdução, muitas das coisas que eu falar sobre a história serão spoiler, portanto paro por aqui minha “sinopse” sobre a obra.
No que tange minhas impressões, destaco principalmente os desenhos, que são extremamente bons e combinam demais com o tipo de história de ação e luta livre. Os quadros de luta são impressionantes e de tirar o folego, deixando as cenas de luta bem fluidas.
Sobre a trama, ela é bem escrita, com desenvolvimento de personagem interessante, mesclando camadas de drama com melancolia e sentimento de perda. Está enganado quem pensa que esse gibi é apenas lutinha e ação focados em luta livre, pois Daniel Warren Johnson sabe inserir os sentimentos dos personagens de fundo, permeando a trama através deles e deixando a ação como o momento que justifica esse sentimentalismo dos personagens. E mesmo quem não entende nada de luta livre, pode ler sossegado esse gibi, que inclusive conta com um dicionário de termos a respeito do esporte no final do encadernado.
Uma maneira de exemplificar como esse torneio de luta livre acontece, é pensar no torneio de luta do Dragon Ball Z e no de Hunter x Hunter, pois são embates cheios de ação entre personagens, com lutas magnificas, em que cada personagem carrega consigo algum fardo e/ou objetivo. No caso de Do a PowerBomb, há um peso ainda maior com todo o drama da morte de um familiar.
Contudo, as minhas ressalvas quanto a história ficam por conta de plots que ocorrem e que não tem uma consequência maior. *BREVE SPOILER* O lutador que mata a mãe de Lona, buscando se redimir com a garota, entra no torneio para ajudá-la, porém quando sua identidade é revelada, a garota aceita numa boa, sem ressentimentos ou uma discussão ou alguma coisa mais fervorosa, pois ao sabermos a identidade do lutador, você fica indignado com essa informação, e aparentemente a garota não e importa.
*SPOILER*
Outra questão que me tirou da trama, foi a luta final, que tem uma dupla de vencedores diferente dos protagonistas, causando um impacto ao leitor, o que é bom, porém o roteiro precisa voltar, com uma justificativa bem ruim, para dizer que os vencedores são Lona e seu parceiro. A justificativa foi sem sentido, porque o necromante diz que o que aconteceu, nunca havia acontecido antes, porém se a luta é em dupla, com premio individual, logo isso acaba sendo sem sentido.
Ademais, as questões religiosas que envolvem a luta final também não me fisgaram, não foi algo que me fez ficar empolgado. Eu até cheguei a ver uma review explicando que há toda uma conexão com uma história bíblica, que é até bacana, mas se você não conhece e não compra essa luta, ela acaba sendo sem sentido.
*FIM DO SPOILER*
Contudo, é uma boa HQ, é divertida e possui muita ação. O fato de não existir vilões na trama praticamente, levando em consideração que são lutadores querendo reviver entes queridos, é algo inovador e interessante. Além disso, o fato do debate entre os diferentes lutadores tecerem a respeito da luta livre ser uma encenação ou não, pode levantar a discussão que para alguns, aquilo ali é de verdade sim, é a vida da pessoa que está em jogo.
Antes de falar o que achei sobre a HQ, vou comentar sobre o que é o gibi, e uma boa frase que resume a obra seria: uma grande carta de amor à luta livre. A premissa da história é acompanharmos a jornada de Lona, uma jovem, que quando criança viu sua mãe falecer na sua frente, durante uma partida de luta livre. Anos mais tarde, a jovem segue a carreira também na luta livre, mas não possui um treinador e não possui sucesso tal qual a sua mãe, que fora uma eximia campeã da arte da luta livre.
Um dia, ela se depara com a possibilidade de trazer sua mãe de volta a vida, pois conhece um necromante que está organizando um torneio de luta livre, e a premiação é justamente dar ao vencedor o direito de trazer alguém do mundo dos mortos. Após essa introdução, muitas das coisas que eu falar sobre a história serão spoiler, portanto paro por aqui minha “sinopse” sobre a obra.
No que tange minhas impressões, destaco principalmente os desenhos, que são extremamente bons e combinam demais com o tipo de história de ação e luta livre. Os quadros de luta são impressionantes e de tirar o folego, deixando as cenas de luta bem fluidas.
Sobre a trama, ela é bem escrita, com desenvolvimento de personagem interessante, mesclando camadas de drama com melancolia e sentimento de perda. Está enganado quem pensa que esse gibi é apenas lutinha e ação focados em luta livre, pois Daniel Warren Johnson sabe inserir os sentimentos dos personagens de fundo, permeando a trama através deles e deixando a ação como o momento que justifica esse sentimentalismo dos personagens. E mesmo quem não entende nada de luta livre, pode ler sossegado esse gibi, que inclusive conta com um dicionário de termos a respeito do esporte no final do encadernado.
Uma maneira de exemplificar como esse torneio de luta livre acontece, é pensar no torneio de luta do Dragon Ball Z e no de Hunter x Hunter, pois são embates cheios de ação entre personagens, com lutas magnificas, em que cada personagem carrega consigo algum fardo e/ou objetivo. No caso de Do a PowerBomb, há um peso ainda maior com todo o drama da morte de um familiar.
Contudo, as minhas ressalvas quanto a história ficam por conta de plots que ocorrem e que não tem uma consequência maior. *BREVE SPOILER* O lutador que mata a mãe de Lona, buscando se redimir com a garota, entra no torneio para ajudá-la, porém quando sua identidade é revelada, a garota aceita numa boa, sem ressentimentos ou uma discussão ou alguma coisa mais fervorosa, pois ao sabermos a identidade do lutador, você fica indignado com essa informação, e aparentemente a garota não e importa.
*SPOILER*
Outra questão que me tirou da trama, foi a luta final, que tem uma dupla de vencedores diferente dos protagonistas, causando um impacto ao leitor, o que é bom, porém o roteiro precisa voltar, com uma justificativa bem ruim, para dizer que os vencedores são Lona e seu parceiro. A justificativa foi sem sentido, porque o necromante diz que o que aconteceu, nunca havia acontecido antes, porém se a luta é em dupla, com premio individual, logo isso acaba sendo sem sentido.
Ademais, as questões religiosas que envolvem a luta final também não me fisgaram, não foi algo que me fez ficar empolgado. Eu até cheguei a ver uma review explicando que há toda uma conexão com uma história bíblica, que é até bacana, mas se você não conhece e não compra essa luta, ela acaba sendo sem sentido.
*FIM DO SPOILER*
Contudo, é uma boa HQ, é divertida e possui muita ação. O fato de não existir vilões na trama praticamente, levando em consideração que são lutadores querendo reviver entes queridos, é algo inovador e interessante. Além disso, o fato do debate entre os diferentes lutadores tecerem a respeito da luta livre ser uma encenação ou não, pode levantar a discussão que para alguns, aquilo ali é de verdade sim, é a vida da pessoa que está em jogo.
April 12, 2024
Fun Read.
Despite the subject...pretty violent as it kind of veers into horror at times.
But the wrestling action caught the spirit of why people love pro wrestling
Despite the subject...pretty violent as it kind of veers into horror at times.
But the wrestling action caught the spirit of why people love pro wrestling
April 19, 2024
A supernatural fantasy wrestling ride with clear love and understanding for wrestling
Dynamic visceral art chock full of excellent in jokes and brilliant action
Heart warming tales and heart rending revelations.
With and ending both beautiful and ridiculous and sublime in more than a few ways.
A great fun book for any wrestling or comics fan
Dynamic visceral art chock full of excellent in jokes and brilliant action
Heart warming tales and heart rending revelations.
With and ending both beautiful and ridiculous and sublime in more than a few ways.
A great fun book for any wrestling or comics fan
December 24, 2023
“But… pro-wrestling. It’s—scripted. The outcome is… pre-determined.”
“HAHAHA! Good one!”
*
It’s still real to me, damn it. Even if it was so wonderfully wacky and downright bizarre in the pages of this comic. And yet, somewhere between the crazy concept of an interplanetary tag team tournament—hosted by a necromancer promising to revive the winner’s deceased loved ones —was a heart-wrenching story of grief and learning to open up in spite of it. Lona Steelrose’s journey after the in-ring death of her mother cuts deep, especially when finding out that the luchador inadvertently responsible for it is her father. Paired with the brutal art style depicting every splatter of death match gore, and a final bout I’ve not seen the likes of since Backlash 2006, this comic perfectly depicted the heart and soul of pro wrestling.
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!
“HAHAHA! Good one!”
*
It’s still real to me, damn it. Even if it was so wonderfully wacky and downright bizarre in the pages of this comic. And yet, somewhere between the crazy concept of an interplanetary tag team tournament—hosted by a necromancer promising to revive the winner’s deceased loved ones —was a heart-wrenching story of grief and learning to open up in spite of it. Lona Steelrose’s journey after the in-ring death of her mother cuts deep, especially when finding out that the luchador inadvertently responsible for it is her father. Paired with the brutal art style depicting every splatter of death match gore, and a final bout I’ve not seen the likes of since Backlash 2006, this comic perfectly depicted the heart and soul of pro wrestling.
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!
March 25, 2023
This one starts off with a powerbomb to the heart that will bring you on the verge of tears, if it doesn’t make you bawl like a baby. Then, just when you think the story is about to settle into a dull story about a girl following in her mom’s footsteps, it goes in a surprising and zany direction.
And it works, thanks to Johnson’s dedication to his crazy ideas. What makes it all work is the combination of heart and a love for pro wrestling, with some breathtaking views of characters taking flight in the air for massive moves. Not one you want to miss if you love comics.
And it works, thanks to Johnson’s dedication to his crazy ideas. What makes it all work is the combination of heart and a love for pro wrestling, with some breathtaking views of characters taking flight in the air for massive moves. Not one you want to miss if you love comics.
December 7, 2022
Daniel Warren Johnson is a gift to the industry.
This book is wild from the start and only builds on itself from there, culminating in one of the most insane final boss battles I have ever seen. What impressed me the most about this book is how grounded and personal this book feels despite being surrounded by chaos. DWJ is the master of taking some of the most chaotic ideas and putting them to paper in a way that makes you care.
This book is wild from the start and only builds on itself from there, culminating in one of the most insane final boss battles I have ever seen. What impressed me the most about this book is how grounded and personal this book feels despite being surrounded by chaos. DWJ is the master of taking some of the most chaotic ideas and putting them to paper in a way that makes you care.
April 2, 2023
This graphic novel was AWESOME!! It was made by a dad that discovered Japanese wrestling while doing sleepless nights with his infant. It is like the perfect mix of WWE and DragonBall Z. The illustrations might be my favorite work I've seen done in graphic novels.
A young woman whose legendary wrestler mother was killed in the ring tries her hand at wrestling. Her tag team partner is a big surprise as she attempts to win the ultimate prize, her mother being brought back to life.
A young woman whose legendary wrestler mother was killed in the ring tries her hand at wrestling. Her tag team partner is a big surprise as she attempts to win the ultimate prize, her mother being brought back to life.
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