This was a really fun graphic novel to read. It was broken into sections, and really helped move the story along. The illustrations were stunning and really brought this story to life. Something strange was going on and figuring it all out wasn’t going to be easy. As this graphic novel came to a close life for two people was going to be changed forever.

Not my usual kind of read but it was fun, the artwork was great and the story had quite a few twists and turns, and a very satisfying ending.

I also enjoyed the way the story illustrated the past but did so in a really seamless way. It is a good story of a man who refused to compromise his talent but lost a possible future, and his complex relationship with his pressurising dad. All of this mixed up with crime, jail and organised crime. A very gritty and gripping read.

Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Here is my review of Down, Set, Fight!: 10th Anniversary Edition. It will be published on June 10 2024 at: www.equinoxx.info

I recently came across an American football themed graphic novel. I thought it was right up my street.

The book, titled 'Down, Set, Fight!' by Chris Sims, Chad Bowers and Scott Kowalchuk, is soon to be republished to honour its tenth anniversary. I was given an advance copy to review by Net Galley and the graphic novel's publishers - Oni Press. Thanks to both!

I was first drawn to the book because the cover has an image of the most iconic American football coach of all time - Vince Lombardi - on it. Lombardi kind of plays a role in the story because he sporadically appears in the book. Some of his famous quotes also show up along the way.

The story is about a retired football player. 'Fearless' Chuck Fairlane is ten years removed from a career that ended after he attacked a team mascot. He is now coaching at high school level and finds himself challenged by a series of mascots. This ultimately leads to a main event showdown at the conclusion of the book.

As the story progresses, we find out that the FBI is looking into the mascot fight challenges. Fairlane's father who had evidently - and harshly, I should add - pushed his son into football and has left an impact on his son's life is another key character.

Al Fairlane is the antithesis of Vince Lombardi. We see signs of this throughout.

Another aspect of the book I enjoyed, due to my love of betting on American football and other sports, is there is a gambling theme throughout.

Considering this novel was first published in 2014, I believe the gambling aspect may resonate more with new readers - like myself - now that betting on NFL and college football games has become even more popular over in the US due to changes in laws within the last decade.

With that said, even if you aren't keen on betting, it still has a fun story. I suppose it is a more sportier version of Scott Pilgrim .vs. the World.

As noted, I am new to 'Down, Set, Fight!' so I cannot compare the 10th anniversary edition with the original. However, the version I have read features a conversation between the comic's creators - Chad Bowers and Chris Sims (no, not Chris Simms).

I rate this highly because of how much fun this book brought me due to involving so many of the things I love like American football, gambling, combat sports and a little dose of drama/mystery.

Might have to chalk this up to "I'm not the reader for this book." It's mostly fight scenes which isn't really my thing unless they're very interesting. But I did like the flashbacks and his weird father--it was what kept me reading.

Obviously a guy with the last name Lombardi must review a graphic novel about football, or more specifically, a football player beating everyone up like it's UFC 1. Anyway, I received this free ARC from NetGalley, and my review is voluntary

The synopsis provides a good overview of the story. One night during a big game for his team, star football player "Fearless" Chuck Fairlane got himself into a scrap. The opposing team's mascot provoked him with a verbal exchange, so Fearless came in like Miley Cyrus on her wrecking ball and just started laying out everyone on both teams. Some back-door politic and legal help got Fairlane out of trouble, but his career was now in the drain.

Time skipping to the future where our fan favorite is now a football coach at a high school, simply trying to live his life, we now encounter the mascots coming after him, but for what reason, we do not know. Fearless takes up the challenge, and begins the fight right back. No mascot unpunched, no rock unturned.

This was hilarious, through and through. There's some twists and turns in the story, which helps with character development, but when the action is on? Better duck because a few teeth just flew. A very fun read, and highly recommended.