WWE Wrestlemania 2018 Special #1 Review

Writers: Julian May, Ryan Ferrier, Lan Pitts, & Tini Howard
Artists: Michel Mulipola, Kendall Goode, Jake Elphick, & Rodrigo Lorenzo
Colorist: Doug Garbark
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Publisher: Boom! Studios

As Wrestlemania 2018 approaches in just a few days, WWE has published their Wrestlemania special consisting of four memorable moments in Wrestlemania history. As usual with the PPV specials that WWE has been releasing with Boom! Studios, this issue features different writers and artists for each story. I really enjoy that because it makes me feel like there is so much more content in the one issue.

The first story, “You Can Hate Me Now,” shows the Wrestlemania match between The Miz and John Cena with The Rock eventually attacking them both. This story’s artwork stands out because it almost reminds me what they would look like as action figures, and watching them battle it out brings out the kid in me. There is a lot of action in the ring in this first story and it is all done in a really interesting and detailed way. There isn’t a whole lot of dialogue, but what is there adds drama to these first 10 pages of the issue.

The second story, “When a Macho Man Loves a Woman,” is a dramatic story about Sherri attempting to sabotage Macho Man and Elizabeth’s relationship during Macho Man’s retirement following the match against the Ultimate Warrior. The events portrayed in this story take place in 1991, and I really enjoy that the artwork has an early 90’s look to it. The story is goofy but in a very fun way. Ryan Ferrier wrote some hilarious little Macho Man lines in this story that had me cracking up while reading it.

Another story about Macho Man called “Iron Sharpens Iron” follows and is focused on the Wrestlemania match between him and Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. This match is actually one of my all-time favorite matches, so I was really excited to see this story in this issue. Again, the artwork by Jake Elphick in this issue is really unique and I loved how intense he was able to make the match look on paper.

The issue ends with a story about Stephanie McMahon, who is consistently one of favorite people in all of wrestling. The story is called “The Authority Wears Prada” and follows her preparing for HHH’s match against Seth Rollins. I think Stephanie is beautiful and badass at the same time, and Rodrigo Lorenzo definitely captured that in this story. His artwork in this story makes me really want an entire Stephanie McMahon comic book series illustrated exclusively by Lorenzo.

The Wrestlemania 2018 Special is a great way to add more excitement about Wrestlemania 34 this coming Sunday. The issue is full of action and drama, all written and illustrated beautifully.  It’s a really fun, easy to read comic book that can be enjoyed by wrestling fans young and old. I suggest picking up a copy and reading it before this Sunday and maybe even go back and revisit the matches that were in the issue.