Lucha Libre: Books, Comics and Graphic Novels

Due to the tremendous fan base of Lucha Libre throughout the world, there are many books, comics and graphic novels in English on the market worthy of note.

•   Lucha Loco, by Malcolm Venville.  A stunning collection of portraits of luchadores.  The portraits, in large format film and shot in a Mexico City Studio, are reproduced in stunning color.  Each portrait is clearly identified and paired with a quotation from the wrestler.  CHECK THIS OUT:  Online interviews, quotes and photos at Welcome to Lucha Loco.

   

• Lucha Libre, Masked Superstars of Mexican Wrestling, by Carlos Monsivais and Lourdes Grobet (Photographer).  The result of a 20-year study, the book features over 500 photos of luchadores, as well as pictures of their families, friends and fans, onstage, backstage and even at home.  It includes interviews and essays, images of lucha promotions: stickers, flyers, postcards, and stills from cinema.
• For children of all ages:  Lucha Libre:  The Man in the Silver Mask: A Bilingual Cuento/Story, by  Xavier Garza.  In this book about Lucha Libre, young Carlitos attends a lucha libre match in Mexico City for the first time. He’s with his Papá Lupe, but his Tio Rodolfo, who’s supposed to join them, doesn’t show up. At ringside, Carlitos sees the famous luchador, el Santo—the Man in the Silver Mask, a man whose eyes look terribly familiar. El Santo even smiles at Carlitos! Carlitos is mesmerized as el Santo, is pitted against the terrible forces of evil—los rudos, the bad guys of lucha libre who make the audience boo and hiss! In the end, though, el Santo triumphs and, in the process, gains a lifelong fan.  
• Lucha Libre: Heroing’s a Full Time Job (Tips Appreciated).  This 5 series anthology was originally published in France and is now available in English by Image Comics.  Find an interview with Jerry Frisson and a lot of information about the characters, plots, and pictures of the comic book art at: “Lucha Libre” Unmasks at Image Comics – Comic Book Resources.
• Strongman, by Charles Soule and Allen Gladfelter (Illustrator).  A graphic novel of the fictional luchador, El Tigre.  ”El Tigre was the best, a legendary luchador who was a hero in the ring and out. But an act of treachery left him defeated and disillusioned, and El Tigre retreated from Mexico to live an anonymous life in New York City’s Spanish Harlem…El Tigre, now throwing wrestling matches to men twenty years his junior for drinking money, takes a final shot at redemption. When a beautiful young woman begs for his help in breaking up an organ trafficking ring, El Tigre has to find the hero that has lain dormant within him for forty years.” (from Goodreads)