Strongman

Written by Charles Soule
Art by Allen Gladfelter

It's strange to me how luchadores have such a recent cachet in comic books.  There are the brilliant stories in the much-lamented Lucha Libre anthology series (which is in some way coming back from the new Humanoids series, but I can't tell from the solicitation if it's new material or stuff I've already bought), and the recent wonderful Hellboy in Mexico story.  And then there's this book, which features a down on his luck former luchadore/super hero named Tigre.

Tigre used to be a big deal, starring in movies and the ring, and fighting injustice.  Now he's just one step up from being a bum.  When an attractive woman who reminds him of a lost love appeals to his sense of heroism, Tigre begins to investigate a strange black market organ ring, with ties to cannibalism and local politics.  Tigre, who has never taken off his mask in front of anyone for years, feels like it's time to put on a clean mask (his version of putting back on the mask, I guess) and clean up the streets.

This book dances all over traditional genre lines.  At one point, it starts to suggest that Tigre's celebrated past is all in his head and on the small screen, while at other times, it feels like it could fit in a project like Rugg's Afrodisiac in the way it apes styles of the past and builds on a sense of nostalgia.  At the end of the day, this is a straight-up adventure story with some very amusing touches (I loved the pornographer's office).

The art is similar to Jim Rugg's classic style, although it looks a little cramped in this smaller, almost digest format book.  I feel like the story was originally intended for a regular-sized comic, and then shrunk, which might not have been the best decision.

In all, this book isn't groundbreaking in any way, but it is a satisfying superhero read featuring a new character.