When it comes to reviewing book like The Legend of La Mariposa – Vulcan’s Challenge it’s difficult to remain objective because quite simply it ticks every box of what we love in comics. It has a great story, sublime art, a genuine sense of fun and a that unique factor that makes it stand out from the rest. So if this sounds like your kind of thing, be sure to support it on Kickstarter today!

Publisher: James Lawrence
Writer: James Lawrence
Artist: James Lawrence
Price: Currently funding on Kickstarter

This latest edition of the pint sized Luchadores adventures is a mix of all the things that make the first books great. While it doesn’t have the long ranging arc of the The Demon Gauntlet,  it feels much more substantial than The Climb and Other Stories (which was essentially just a stop gap compilation while James was working in this). Vulcans challenge sees a mysterious luchador ,with a Greek myth style get up, challenge a bunch of heroes to a battle royale in order to claim a chest full of treasure. La mariposa is sent by a worried wife to chase down husband King Gila who has come out of retirement to win the prize. What follows is the most ‘conventional’ wrestling based story we have see in the La Mariposa Universe so far, however that does not mean it is without some over the top moments! After all we have never seen a bunch of armadillos doing dive bombs at Wrestlemania! (And we to see Josh Hicks’ King Carp from the  Glorious Wrestling Alliance make a surprise appearance through the Forbidden Door of small press wrestling comics as well!)

While it may sound like you need to be a dedicated wrestling fan to get this story – you really don’t (although it helps if you are!) James’ mix of flamboyant Mexican Wrestling culture and visuals, with high energy Saturday morning cartoons makes it a book which instantly puts a smile on your face from page one! James style is packed full of so much character in every panel it is just a joy to behold and has that Asterix like quality where sight gags and details only get noticed on the third or fourth read through! It also has a very British comics sense of goofy fun and if the Beano or the Phoenix ever wanted to have a wrestling comic, then this would be a perfect fit.

So what more do you want us to tell you? In the past we have tried to shoe horn in a bunch of wrestling based puns in our conclusions,  but at the end of the day, if you love comics with amazing artwork, original storytelling and plenty of ass kicking action then this is he book for you!