Issue 12: Pro Wrestling, Comics, and Kismet - Finding "Do A Powerbomb!" In a Dollar Bin!
The Perfect Fusion of My Favorite Things
Yikes, it’s been a minute since we made a new issue. Very early 90’s Image Comics vibes, IYKYK. I mean, come on — what is this, “Deathmate?”*
Deathmate, a crossover event between Valiant Comics and Image Comics in the early 90s, is infamous not for its story but for its hilariously chaotic release schedule, with some issues (Deathmate Red, in particular) arriving months—or even over a year—late. The delays, fueled by Image Comics’ then-notorious prioritization of artistic freedom over deadlines, completely killed the event’s momentum and left readers baffled.
As I often say, sometimes weird comic book things find me. This is a story about something super weird and random that just so happens to be about another hobby I love, pro wrestling, specifically Japanese pro wrestling.
Earlier in December, I stopped at a local comic shop that I really don’t visit as often as I should: Arkham Gift Shoppe Comics on Route 8, just outside of Pittsburgh. The store is cool, and the owner is super nice. While they cater mainly to new releases, they do have some great back issues and, most importantly to me, a bunch of dollar books.
As I rifled through the boxes—which, by the way, are actually organized—I was blown away. For all the comic stores I’ve visited, seeing dollar bins that are alphabetized and categorized is practically unheard of. It’s the little things, right?
A little backstory on why I chose to write this new issue about a really cool book I found, Do A Powerbomb!: When I got back into comics, I was trying to play catch-up with what’s considered cool and interesting, and I stumbled across the name. Seeing that it was a comic book with a pro wrestling theme (something I’ve enjoyed for almost my entire life), I was instantly intrigued.
Fast forward a few months, and I’ve been on the lookout for this book. Sure, I could’ve grabbed it on eBay, but it’s way more fun to find something like this in the wild. And there I was at Arkham Gift Shoppe… and I see it for a dollar! Issue #1 of 7!
Another thing I love to do with dollar books is grab issue ones of weird or cool-looking titles. The investment is low, and if I like the story, I can hunt down the rest of the series. It’s a system that usually works for me. Low stakes, high reward.
A few days later, I’m taking a break from the December chaos of work and Christmas-y things, and I crack open Do A Powerbomb! #1. Within 20 seconds, I was hooked. The art is super gritty and cool. The story is about pro wrestling in Japan, but without spoiling too much, it veers into supernatural territory. The cliffhanger at the end? Insane. I’m all in.
One thing that really stood out to me was at the end of the book. The writer, Daniel Warren Johnson, talks about what drove him to create this story. He referenced a match from New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) a few years back during their annual G1 Climax tournament. For those unfamiliar, the G1 is filled with five-star matches and is generally considered some of the best wrestling on the planet. The match he mentioned? Kota Ibushi versus Tomohiro Ishii.
Now for some crazy shit: I remember that match. I watched it when it happened, and it’s burned into my brain as one of those incredible wrestling moments. The fact that this match inspired Johnson to create this amazing piece of art, blending two of my favorite hobbies, feels like kismet. What are the chances?
So now the hunt continues. I need to find the next six issues. Sure, there’s a trade paperback available on Amazon for $20 that collects the entire series, but where’s the fun in that?
On top of that, in typical Dave fashion, I now have to find every book done by Daniel Warren Johnson, here is a quick checklist I made:
Do A Powerbomb! (2022) – Image Comics
Murder Falcon (2018) – Image Comics
Extremity (2017) – Image Comics
Wonder Woman: Dead Earth (2020) – DC Black Label
Beta Ray Bill: Argent Star (2021) – Marvel Comics
Transformers: Last Bot Standing (2022) – IDW Publishing
Jurassic League (2022, with Juan Gedeon) – DC Comics (Co-writer)
The Ghost Fleet (2014–2015, Art for Donny Cates' writing) – Dark Horse Comics
Good thing Geoff is coming back up to Pittsburgh on December 29 for a HUGE WESTERN PA COMIC BOOK STORE TOUR! We are (hopefully) hitting SIX SHOPS and bringing along some friends for an epic ride. Maybe we will film content for our new Youtube channel!
Speaking of, quick plug-ski time. While Geoff does an amazing job with his videos on our channel chronicling his comic book hauls, he asked if I would try one. Take a quick watch, and please excuse the horrible audio — it was my first video! What are you, a cop?
That’s a wrap on Issue 12. But I really feel like this is the essence of Key To Me—finding that perfect combination of nostalgia, surprise, and passion. The thrill of the hunt and the personal connection to what I’m reading is what it’s all about. And of course, hopefully you enjoy our point of view!
Peace.