Andre the Giant: Closer to Heaven

Legendary professional wrestler André Roussimoff was a man of titanic size and physical prowess whose showbiz image masked insecurity, personal failings, and crippling physical issues stemming from his size. His rise to superstardom during the pre-corporate days of pro wrestling saw him cross over into television and cinema, reflecting the wrestling industry’s transformation into a pop culture juggernaut. Unflinching in its depiction of his all-too-human frailties, this graphic novel biography unfolds with a catalogue of celebrity-bio tropes, but that familiarity may help readers who aren’t wrestling fans find the universal elements of Roussimoff’s story. Writer Easton (Shaft) spins the tapestry of Roussimoff’s life and career from its subject’s point of view, showcasing the giant man’s ultimate vulnerability. Medri’s (Red Hood and Arsenal) art treads the fine line between cartoonish and realistically evocative, its action scenes appearing like documentary footage accented with moody tones. (Dec.)