It is said that when one door closes, another opens. Well, that’s exactly what happens in The Masked Macher #2. Having just lost what was supposed to be his big break, Tony Hollywood decides to devote himself fully to his wrestling career as The Masked Matcher. But before Tony steals the spotlight, issue two takes a little detour to tell another story that needed to be told first.
dark horse
While Masked Matcher #1 gave us a glimpse into Tony’s journey, #2 flips the script, makes Tony a co-star, and dives deeper into the backstory of his in-ring opponent, Benny, a talking grizzly bear. I’ll dig in. Benny talks about his past, including a wild prank with Tony that included a publicity stunt meant to promote wrestling gone awry and Benny getting shot.
What’s great about The Masked Macher #2 is that Benny the Bear gives us a fresh perspective on Tony as well as his side of the story. Sure, Tony is stubborn and sometimes arrogant, but this issue shows there’s more to this guy than that. Tony isn’t just trying to get serious attention for his wrestling company by setting up a showdown with a bear in broad daylight. What could go wrong?
Additionally, issue two has some great and hilarious moments, including Benny and Tony’s in-ring conflict and the friendship that develops between Tony, Luisa, and the rest of the wrestling crew. Author David A. Goodman has created an epic story. It has humor and heart, and includes great commentary on real-world issues, such as how women still don’t get a fair deal in the wrestling industry compared to men. He weaves everything into the story without missing a beat and keeps the story feeling authentic.
Alex Andres crushes it with his artwork. What comic starts with a talking bear sitting in a chair and pouring drinks that is even better than the first issue? You got my attention. Andre’s panels are sharp and concise, making sure to hit every story beat while getting every joke right. My favorite page is the one where Benny the Bear talks about his early days in Hollywood.
Overall, The Masked Macher #2 is even more fun than the first one, and it feels like there’s a lot more in store for the reader, and that’s great. The characters are likeable and there are jokes sprinkled on every page. If you’re a fan of the golden age of movies and professional wrestling, like I am, you’ll love this book.
“Masked Matcher” #2 Review
Masked Matcher #2
Masked Macher #2 is even more fun than the first one, and it feels like there’s more in store for the reader, and that’s great. The characters are likeable and there are jokes sprinkled on every page. If you’re a fan of the golden age of movies and professional wrestling, like I am, you’ll love this book.
Great dialogue.
We needed to hear the inside stories we didn’t know.
It’s a great way for readers to love this story even more than we do.
Great artwork, especially Benny the Bear’s backstory.
