The British Bulldog’s adventures as the ‘UK Defender’ feature in a 66-page graphic novel which explores the beloved grappler’s life and legacy in comic strip style
Wrestling legend Davey Boy Smith was a hero to millions in his heyday… now he is set to be immortalised as a comic book superhero. The British Bulldog’s adventures as the “UK Defender” feature in a 66-page graphic novel which explores the beloved grappler’s life and legacy in comic strip style.
The book, written and illustrated by wrestling fans, has been approved by Wigan-born Davey’s daughter Georgia, who manages a website and social media accounts dedicated to her dad’s legacy.
And she has backed a fundraising campaign by creators Mess Bucket Comics for the book to be published and sold widely, which ends on August 25.
Georgia told the Daily Star: “We’ve been working on this comic book for nearly five years now, and excited to finally have it completed and for people to get through the kick starter campaign! It’s a great read for wrestling fans and comic book fans!”
The novel will see the WWE Hall of Famer re-imagined as a superhero charged with protecting the United Kingdom from a villain called Ruth S. Heel and his minions with the help of his faithful sidekick Matilda, a nod to the real bulldog that he brought to the ring.
The creators also promise “several familiar faces both Davey Boy’s real life” make an appearance in the book, though they remain tight-lipped as to who that may be.
Georgia said of seeing her dad as a superhero: “It only seemed fitting for my dad to be a superhero! From his physique, athleticism, personality, and the love he had from millions of fans around the world- it was only fitting for my dad to be chosen in this comic book series! Very excited for fans to get the comic!”
Fans can pledge support for the project by donating to the creator’s Kickstart fund, with rewards ranging from a standard edition of the book to a special variant cover and an original prototype of the British Bulldog: U.K. Defender statue signed by writer Dominic Riggio and artist Erik Hodson.
The comic, which is a sequel to a previous graphic novel the creators wrote based on the life of fellow WWE legend Rowdy Roddy Piper, was completed in December last year.
Giving fans a sneak peak, Georgia posted on Facebook at the time: “I finally received the finished, complete copy. It looks phenomenal and is action packed! I can’t wait for you guys to get yours.”
With red, white and blue bursting from every inch of his hulking 19st frame, Davey was one of the most recognisable stars in wrestling history. He tragically died aged just 39 in 2002.
He was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021 after a Daily Star campaign and his match against brother-in-law Bret Hart at Wembley Stadium was recently voted the best SummerSlam match of all time.
Georgia is currently campaigning for the legend to be acknowledged with a permanent memorial in his hometown of Wigan.
Click here to support the comic book project.
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