Ringside. Vol. 1: Kayfabe

Entertainment wrestling is the backdrop of this new series by writer Keatinge (Shutter) and artists Barber, Simon Gough, and Ariana Maher. Although the sport is often ridiculed for being staged, is it possible that after years of body slamming and face kicking, a retired wrestler can really fight when it comes to mob thugs looking to settle a debt? In this volume, Dan Knossos—veteran wrestler, ring name "Minotaur," struggling to find himself after his dismissal from the crime business—is compelled to help an old friend in serious trouble. Wrestlers frequently face physical decline, emotional instability, and mental demons as they age away from the ring. And despite being warned, Dan gets mixed up in some drama he may not be able to fight his way through. Readers also glimpse the tribulations of an up-and-coming athlete shadowing his mentor and facing the uncertainty of the future. The shading in the illustrations creates an effect that will thrill fans of theatrical and competitive sparring matches. While not really about wrestling, the story benefits from that world as its setting.