Daniel Warren Johnson’s Do a Powerbomb is a Comic You Should Be Reading

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Welcome to Comic You Should Be Reading, my weekly column! Every week, I’ll be sharing a comic book, series, or storyline that both longtime readers and newcomers will love.

You’ve probably seen artist Daniel Warren Johnson’s work online, especially recently. His contribution to Absolute Batman Annual #1 – where Batman violently defeats a group of white supremacists – has been widely shared. Some fans even noticed Batman using a wrestling move, the “One-Winged Angel” (made famous by Kenny Omega in All Elite Wrestling), to take down a police officer. While future projects are in the works, everyone is currently talking about Absolute Batman and its surprising connection to professional wrestling.

Fans of Daniel Warren Johnson won’t be shocked to see wrestling featured in his work, especially given his popular comic, Do a Powerbomb. That story brilliantly combines the fun of professional wrestling with the wild energy of his other influences. With Johnson gaining so much recognition, now is the perfect time to experience the fast-paced story of Do a Powerbomb!

Do a Powerbomb Introduces a Dark Supernatural Wrestling Tournament

The story begins by introducing Yua Steelrose, a celebrated wrestler known around the world. In a match against her rival, Cobrasun, they were delivering what promised to be an incredible performance when tragedy struck. Cobrasun lost his footing while attempting a signature move, accidentally dropping Yua, who died instantly in the ring. Her young daughter, Lona, witnessed the devastating event, inspiring her to become a professional wrestler and follow in her mother’s footsteps. Unbeknownst to everyone, a mysterious viewer was also watching, and this person would resurface years later.

Lona faced a difficult path after her mother’s tragic death, which also discouraged trainers from working with her. Her father, heartbroken by the loss, couldn’t bring himself to support her wrestling aspirations, and even her uncle, a wrestler himself, promised her father he wouldn’t train her. Despite all this, Lona persevered, relying on her natural skill. This caught the eye of Willard Necroton, a strange promoter who was later discovered to be the same person who watched Yua Steelrose die. Necroton wasn’t a typical promoter, though – he was a powerful, demonic necromancer with a passion for wrestling.

I’m a massive fan of this whole scene, and apparently, someone organized this incredible supernatural wrestling tournament! The prize? Bringing someone back to life – which, naturally, Lona was all over. But there was a twist: it was a tag team event, and she needed a partner. Someone else who’d been completely ostracized after her mother’s passing. That led her to Cobrasun, who was battling it out in these really rough, independent deathmatches just to survive after losing Yua. Luckily, Necroton had already approached Cobrasun with a deal, and they both agreed to team up in the tournament with the goal of bringing Yua Steelrose back to life.

While the premise is unusual, the addition of professional wrestling really elevates the story. Each issue is full of surprises and emotional moments that make it hard to put down. Daniel Warren Johnson, along with colorist Mike Spicer and letterer Rus Wooton, introduces a large cast of tag teams from across the universe, all motivated by the loss of someone they care about. These personal tragedies fuel their performances in the wrestling matches. However, there’s a catch: Earth is the only planet where wrestling results are predetermined, leading other teams to view Earth’s wrestlers as frauds. This means the new team – who become known as Sun and Steel – have to fight even harder, not just to win the tournament, but to prove they’re legitimate and survive.

The Pro-Wrestling Series is a Non-Stop Action-Packed Love Letter

Prepare to be hooked from the very first page of Do a Powerbomb. This comic blends stunning artwork with a compelling story that doesn’t let up. The narrative expertly weaves together moments of quiet reflection and character development with thrilling, high-energy wrestling matches. It’s obvious author Daniel Warren Johnson is a passionate wrestling fan – he shares how he discovered New Japan Pro Wrestling while bonding with his daughter, though he also acknowledges missing the classic WWE “Attitude Era,” which offers a similar style of wrestling many readers will recognize.

As someone who grew up watching wrestling during the Attitude Era, I really appreciated how this story captures the universal thrill of amazing moves, no matter your favorite wrestler or promotion. Whether it’s a high-flying leap or a powerful slam, those moments always get a huge reaction. Both Cobrasun and Lona Steelrose have incredible matches filled with skill, determination, and pure excitement – you can feel the energy of the crowd and the wrestlers when a big move lands. The tournament format keeps the story moving at a good pace, giving you time to process each surprising twist and revelation.

The story quickly grabs your attention, and then it throws in unexpected twists that completely change how you see everything. Reveals, like learning who Cobrasun really is, are genuinely shocking and open up new possibilities, all happening alongside exciting action and incredible team-up moves.

Do a Powerbomb, Like Wrestling, is All About Family and Legacy

Do a Powerbomb really captures the spirit of professional wrestling, particularly through its impressively detailed and impactful moves, all brought to life by Daniel Warren Johnson’s unique style. Beyond the action, the comic also shows a deep appreciation for wrestling’s history and traditions. This is especially evident in its characters, who are each inspired by iconic wrestlers and wrestling styles. For example, Cobrasun is a Luchador from Calgary with a rich family history, blending familiar North American wrestling themes. This background makes him instantly relatable and appealing to fans, even though he’s portrayed as a villain.

Yua Steelrose embodies the spirit of many legendary NJPW wrestlers. Her daughter’s success beautifully showcases the wrestling legacy built over generations, with children continuing their parents’ careers. The tragic and unexpected end to Yua’s career is a heartbreaking reality of the sport, casting a shadow over every performer. While Yua’s memory motivates young Lona, it also presents challenges as she navigates her own path.

The story of Do a Powerbomb centers around family, much like the world of professional wrestling itself. While having a famous family can create opportunities for wrestlers, it also comes with challenges. Some wrestlers feel the need to prove themselves independently of their family name. Lona, however, proudly carries her family’s legacy and is determined to prove she deserves to be a Steelrose. Though the tournament’s challenges shift her immediate goals, her core motivation remains family – proving she’s worthy of her mother’s name and continuing the family tradition.

Daniel Warren Johnson Has Been Shining In Multiple Properties

If you enjoyed Daniel Warren Johnson’s Do a Powerbomb, there’s more to explore! We’ve already highlighted his story in Absolute Batman Annual #1, which is a must-read. But that’s not all he’s done for DC Comics.

I’ve always loved how he wasn’t afraid to really play with different ideas, especially with his DC work. Two stories really stick out to me – Wonder Woman: Dead Earth was just incredible, imagining Wonder Woman waking up in a totally ruined future to figure out what happened. And before that, The Jurassic League was such a fun take on the classic superhero team, setting everything way back in the past! He wasn’t just a DC guy though – his Beta Ray Bill story over at Marvel is honestly one of the best stories that character has ever had. It’s a real standout.

Daniel Warren Johnson’s career really took off with his work for Skybound. His 2017 comic, Extremity, was a post-apocalyptic story inspired by Mad Max, but with creative fantasy elements that also reminded people of Studio Ghibli films. He’s also recently made a big impact with his work on the Transformers series. DWJ clearly put a lot of passion into this latest installment of the Autobots and Decepticons’ war, and his distinctive art style gave the classic Cybertronian characters a fresh, modern look.

Okay, so I just read the Absolute Batman Annual, and seriously, Daniel Warren Johnson is the real deal. He’s not some up-and-comer anymore; this guy is changing the game! His work is seriously impressive and feels like it’s going to stick with me for a long time. Do a Powerbomb is packed with insane energy – the art is just explosive, and the story is surprisingly deep. Plus, you can feel how much he loves wrestling, and it’s totally infectious. It makes the whole thing even more awesome!

You should read it.

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2025-11-09 00:11