By: “DragonKingKarl” Karl Stern (Patreon / Facebook / Email)
Webmaster & Writer - When It Was Cool
Podcast Host - Wrestling Observer, When It Was Cool
Marvel Comics 1992 WCW Comic Book Series Review!
In 1992 pro wrestling was in a very difficult situation. After several years of previously unprecedented popularity during the mid to late 1980s, pro wrestling went on a slide. Several reasons played into this dip in popularity. The biggest pro wrestling star of the 1980s, Hulk Hogan, had begun to see his popularity decline and the entire WWF (WWE) was embroiled in multiple scandals including an underage ring boy sex scandal and rampant accusations of large-scale steroid use and abuse.
The WWF’s chief rival, WCW, was seriously struggling after multiple changes in leadership and dwindling house show ticket sales. WWF had long surpassed WCW in merchandising but, for once, WCW actually managed to out scale WWF on the comic book racks. Marvel Comics, one of the two largest comic book companies in America, launched a 12 issue comic book series based on the WCW pro wrestlers. It seemed like a good idea… but it wasn’t.
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The problems with the WCW comic book were multitude. For one, pro wrestling’s popularity as a whole, was cratering. By 1992, pro wrestling attendance and profits were at near historic lows. Another major problem was that the storylines changed much faster than the lead time for the monthly comic book which caused the series to have virtually no continuity. The series starts with Lex Luger as WCW World champion, but he soon leaves WCW for the WWF owned World Bodybuilding Federation (WBF) causing the comic book to pivot. About the only character in the comic book series with any degree of continuity are Sting and Cactus Jack (and to an extent, Ron Simmons).
WCW Issue 1 (Cover Date April 1992)
Bullet points for Marvel Comics WCW issue 1:
Lex Luger dominates the cover with Sting in the corner panel. Lex Luger was the WCW World champion when the issue was written but had lost the championship to Sting before the cover date even arrived and just weeks after the issue hit the stands.
Some of the wrestlers featured in issue one include Ron Simmons, Terrence (Terry) Taylor, El Gigante, The Steiner Brothers, Flyin’ Brian (Pillman), P.N. News, Big Van Vader, Diamond Studd (Scott Hall), Dustin Rhodes, Johnny B. Badd (Marc Mero), Barry Windham, Arn Anderson, Z-Man, and Sting.
The plot of issue one follows a battle royal for a trophy which is ultimately won by Lex Luger.
WCW Issue 2 (Cover Date May 1992)
Bullet points for Marvel Comics WCW issue 2:
Ron Simmons dominates the cover of WCW issue 2 with Lex Luger leaning on the ropes. Sting again occupies the corner panel.
The issue picks up directly after issue one with Lex Luger hitting Ron Simmons with the battle royal trophy. A subplot of the issues features the tag team of Bobby Eaton & Arn Anderson against The Steiner Brothers.
Lex Luger faces two men in the issue. First, Ron Simmons who he defeats, then El Gigante who he also defeats. The masked Phantom (Rick Rude) also debuts in this issue.
WCW Issue 3 (Cover Date June 1992)
Bullet points for Marvel Comics WCW issue 3:
Sting dominates the cover of WCW issue 3. The Young Pistols (Steve Armstrong & Tracy Smothers) occupies the corner panel.
This issue seems to be a filler issue to allow time to plot the series moving forward. Lex Luger is nowhere to be found in this issue and the story revolves around the Bruise Cruise and a battle between the Young Pistols and Sting and later Sting and Cactus Jack (Mick Foley).
WCW Issue 4 (Cover Date July 1992)
Bullet points for Marvel Comics WCW issue 4:
Sting dominates the cover of WCW issue 4 and is now the ‘New’ WCW World champion. Johnny B. Badd (Marc Mero) occupies the corner panel.
The first few pages focus on the tag team of Stunning Steve (Steve Austin) and his tag team partner the Diamond Studd (Scott Hall) before pivoting to Johnny B. Badd. P.N. News also features prominently in issue 4.
With no explanation we are told that the WCW World title is now vacant (Lex Luger has left WCW for WWF’s WBF) and the title is to be filled in a match between Sting and The Ghoul (Rick Rude).
The match between Sting and the Ghoul goes to a DQ with neither man seemingly winning the WCW World title, though Sting is called ‘champ’ repeatedly. The Ghoul unmasks in the end revealing himself to be Rick Rude, managed by Paul E. Dangerously (Paul Heyman).
WCW Issue 5 (Cover Date August 1992)
Bullet points for Marvel Comics WCW issue 5:
Rick Rude beating on Sting dominates the cover of WCW issue 5. Cactus Jack occupies the corner panel.
The issues focuses on War Games but also features Van Hammer and a fictional new character named Punch Fresh.
Sting teams with The Steiner Brothers and Z-Man in a War Games match against Paul E. Dangerously and his Dangerous Alliance of Rick Rude, Stunning Steve, Arn Anderson, and Bobby Eaton. Rick Rude has stolen the WCW World title belt and wears it throughout the issue.
Comically, in an effort to get around using ‘blood’ in this issue, a wrestler throws a can of red paint on another giving the illusion of blood in the War Games match.
WCW Issue 6 (Cover Date September 1992)
Bullet points for Marvel Comics WCW issue 6:
Cactus Jack (Mick Foley) dominates the cover of WCW issue 6. Rick and Scott Steiner occupies the corner panel.
The first few pages cover the ending of the match between Van Hammer and the fictional wrestler Punch Fresh. Also featured prominently in the comic are Johnny B. Badd, The Steiner Brothers, Arn Anderson, and Bobby Eaton.
The main event of this issue features WCW World champion Sting (who had his title belt stolen by Rick Rude) defeating Cactus Jack. At the end of the match, Rick Rude interferes and is punched by Sting, allowing him to get the WCW World title belt back.
WCW Issue 7 (Cover Date October 1992)
Bullet points for Marvel Comics WCW issue 7:
Ron Simmons dominates the cover of WCW issue 7. Missy Hyatt occupies the corner panel.
The bulk of issue 7 of the Marvel WCW comic book features a “falls count anywhere” brawl between Ron Simmons and Cactus Jack which includes a concession stand brawl. The match is ultimately won by Cactus Jack.
There is a squash match between Rick Rude and a fictional wrestler named Neanderthal Ned. After the match, Paul E. Dangerously (Paul Heyman) awards each member of the Dangerous Alliance a championship belt named after them. Rick Rude is the Ravishing Champion, Bobby Eaton is the Beautiful champion, Arn Anderson is the Enforcer Champion, and Steve Austin is the Stunning Champion.
This issue begins a heel turn for Sting (seriously) as he suffers amnesia from an attack by Cactus Jack. A new mysterious figure is introduced named ‘Max’ who seems to be a heel manager of some sort. He has a past with Cactus Jack but ultimately winds up convincing the amnesic Sting that he is a heel and introduces him to his new best friend, the masked Ghoul (who was previously unmasked as Rick Rude).
WCW Issue 8 (Cover Date November 1992)
Bullet points for Marvel Comics WCW issue 8:
Sting verses Cactus Jack dominates the cover of WCW issue 8. Rick Rude occupies the corner panel.
The bulk of the issue follows Sting (good guy version) visiting a children’s hospital and hanging out with the kids whom he gives WCW merchandise to and ends up giving them tickets to the next nights wrestling matches.
The main match in the issue is a wild brawl between Cactus Jack and Sting for the WCW World title. Rick Rude interferes and Sting wins by DQ and keeps the title.
This is clearly a filler issue as no mention is made of Sting’s heel turn the previous issue or the mysterious Max.
WCW Issue 9 (Cover Date December 1992)
Bullet points for Marvel Comics WCW issue 9:
The Steiner Brothers (Rick & Scott Steiner) dominate the cover of WCW issue 9. Jesse Ventura occupies the corner panel.
Sting (complete with black hair) is once again, inexplicably, a heel as if last issue never took place. The Dangerous Alliance literally attacked Johnny B. Badd and put him in a crate and mailed him to Alaska. Johnny B. Badd hitchhiked back and made the show just in time… no kidding. The masked Ghoul returns this issue and it remains unclear if it is once again Rick Rude under the mask. Heel Sting is being called the Black Stinger.
The bulk of the issue features a tag team match where Black Stinger and The Ghoul defeated Rick & Scott Steiner.
The issue ends with Black Stinger being mean to a sick kid (no joke) and reaffirming that he is only aligned with the mysterious Max and the masked Ghoul.
WCW Issue 10 (Cover Date January 1993)
Bullet points for Marvel Comics WCW issue 10:
Johnny B. Badd dominates the front cover of Marvel’s WCW issue 10. Madusa is in the corner panel.
The Ghoul beats up the entire babyface locker room including the Steiner Brothers. We finally get confirmation that The Ghoul is not Rick Rude this time as Paul E. Dangerously tells the masked Ghoul that Rick Rude only borrowed his costume and mask. The Ghoul threatens to turn on Paul E. Dangerously also.
The main match for this issue is between the Black Stinger and Cactus Jack. Cactus Jack hits Black Stinger with a shovel during the match which, in typical cartoon fashion, reverses his amnesia. However, none of the babyfaces want to hear what Sting has to say and lay in wait to attack him in the locker room.
WCW Issue 11 (Cover Date February 1993)
Bullet points for Marvel Comics WCW issue 11:
Sting (babyface) dominates the front cover of Marvel’s WCW issue 11. A generic WCW belt logo is in the corner panel. This logo closely resembles the title belts which came with the WCW Galoob action figures which was being produced around this time.
The babyfaces attack Sting in the locker room but Sting manages to explain that he had amnesia from being hit in the head and became Black Stinger but now, he’s fine. Someone, presumably Max or the Ghoul, set the dressing on fire.
Rick Rude also discovers something is up and teams up with Sting to confront The Ghoul who has literally hung Paul E. Dangerously from the ceiling by his tie.
With the help of Ron Simmons and Cactus Jack, Sting and Rick Rude manage to capture and tie up The Ghoul and unmask him Scooby-Doo style. This is largely The Black Scorpion angle done in the comic book. However, before the identity of The Ghoul can be reveled, the lights go out and The Ghoul escapes.
The issue wraps up by reintroducing Big Van Vader (not seen since issue 1) and his manager Harley Race as the new big heel rival for Sting.
WCW Issue 12 (Cover Date March 1993)
Bullet points for Marvel Comics WCW issue 12:
Big Van Vader dominates the front cover of Marvel’s WCW issue 12, the final issue of the series. Sting and Rick Rude are in the corner panel.
The first half of the comic features a match between WCW World champion Sting and Big Van Vader. Big Van Vader essentially squashes Sting to win the title.
The next match focused on is a hardcore match between Bobby Eaton & Steve Austin against Ron Simmons & Barry Windham. Once again, ketchup is used as a stand-in for blood. Ron Simmons & Barry Windham win the match.
The end of the issue comes with Sting being nice to the kid he was mean too as Black Stinger. There is no mention of The Ghoul or who he was, and the series ends with a heel Big Van Vader as WCW World champion.
The Marvel Comics WCW series suffered from the real-life WCW wrestlers leaving the company no sooner than they appeared in the comic book. Likewise, the art was hit and miss. However, the biggest nail in the coffin of the WCW comic book series was the general low popularity of pro wrestling in the United States at the time.
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