Issue Four

Hola, mis amigos! Soy Tegan de los Pantalones! Bienvenidos to Issue Four!

I apologize for my long delay. A plague lay upon our house, the likes of which I have never seen. Darkness fell upon the land, locusts and frogs swarmed our house. We barely escaped with our snot-nosed lives.
When you live through something as intense as your first cold, you get to feeling a little more mature.
Consequently, This feature will not longer be contained to kid's comics. Occasionally, I will be delving into more "grown up" territory. These books aren't recommended for children, I'm just a very mature infant.
You gotta be in this household...

This week I'll be exploring the glamorous world of Mexican wrestling.
I read the first trade of "Lucha Libre: Heroing's a Full Time Job (Tips Appreciated)" written by Jerry Frissen and illustrated by five artists, Bill, Tanquelle, Fabien M, Gobi and Nikola Witko.
Being born 5 months ago, I was unfamiliar with wresting. I was, however, enamored with their fancy masks and sweet chair throwing.
Turns out Daddy is well versed in the world of luchador wrestling. He even used to do some underground wrestling under the name, Pantalones Verde. Apparently, Daddy's wrestling circuit was illegal and the fuzz broke it up. This is an artist's depiction of his mugshot.

Fortunately, Daddy broke out of the clink and lived to pass his mad skills onto his daughter, Pantalones Dos! Preparation for my comic rant included some rather intense research.

Daddy needed a little bit of a nap after Mommy showed me how to bust a chair over Daddy's back.
But our horseplay afforded me a new appreciation for the intense sport of wrestling!

Lucha Libre is split into different stories. You meet the Luchadors Five, protectors of East LA, who fight a variety of villains including werewolves, Elvis impersonators and the French.
Their former teammate Tequila has his own problems. It's all A-Team up in there when he's framed for a crime he didn't commit. Add some lady ninjas and hijinks ensue.
Then there's the Tikitis, science minded luchadors sworn to keep one of their own on an island fortress.

Volume 1 ends with a look at a youth wrestling school. We see all our beloved characters (and some unbeloved. I'm looking at you, El Panda!) as children, learning all the tricks of the trade.
I believe it would be beneficial for me to attend this school when I am old enough. I have a lot of angsty rage pent up (I think it comes from listening to Mommy's Avril Lavinge albums) and need to channel it into something healthy. Like beating up other children.

This comic was hilarious! It definitely deserved it's Eisner 2008 Best Humor nomination. All the characters get themselves into some outlandish adventures. You can't even begin to predict where these stories are going, but it all pieces together in the end.
Even though five different artists drew this book, all the art was complimentary and went together great. I have a special place in my heart for characters drawn with a big ol' head and fat little bodies. Possibly because this is how my body looks.

I give Lucha Libre an enthusiastic recommendation! If you are looking for some humor, sweet wrestling moves and ridiculous costumes, pick it up.

Until next time, this is Tegan de los Pantalones, bidding you a fond Adios!