Recently, Image Comics released perhaps one of the silliest, most ridiculous titles ever since the likes of Battle Pug. I am talking about none other than Shirtless Bear Fighter, and I shit you not, that really is the title of that comic book. Created by the team of Jody Leheup, Sebastian Girner, and Nil Vendrell, Shirtless Bear Fighter is exactly as advertised: it’s about a guy who beats the living shit out of those honey-loving forest dwellers without a top on. And I have to say, I would prefer reading a comic like this any day of the week than have myself scammed by the 69, 069 re-launched #1s and comic events that huge publishers manage to regurgitate out of its maw. Frankly, the world needs more Shirtless Bear Fighters than it does Batmen or Spider-Men, so Leheup, Girner, and Vendrell are truly doing good work when they came up with this outrageous little gem.
Another great thing about this title is that it’s only just begun, so you won’t be at too much of a loss if ever there is the slim chance that you don’t find yourself a copy of issue #1. That is highly unlikely, though, considering that digital copies are available within your fingertips these days, so you really won’t have a problem getting caught up with this series.
The thing is, a title like Shirtless Bear Fighter could only go two ways. One, either it becomes a cult hit that will be fondly remembered even by those nerds reeking of nacho-flavored Doritos who didn’t read the series as that “funny book where this lumberjack-type dude punches bears in their non-hibernating faces” the same way people remember Captain Carrot. I mean, seriously, no one I know younger than 30 really gives two shits about that character these days. That re-imagining Grant Morrison did with his Multiversity series was mediocre at best. Nonetheless, it is general consensus among the nerd circles that Capt. Carrot is “cool.” Sure. Whatever makes you sleep at night, you damn nerds. On the other hand, there is a chance that Shirtless Bear Fighter will befall a fate that thousands upon thousands of series become victim to every year: it’s going to be mostly forgotten. That’s actually sad when you think about it, but since I’m not holding my breath for these overly excited nerds to change their preferences from men in tights nearly a century old punching the shit out things to something as unusually ridiculous as Shirtless Bear Fighter, I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets cancelled after 6 issues. I do, however, hope that won’t be the case. Although it is more than likely that its shtick may get old after some time, especially in this ADD-afflicted, meme-loving world of ours, I think it’s going to be an enjoyable ride nonetheless.
So, what do you need to know about Shirtless Bear Fighter before getting your hands on it? Well, all I’d say is you better prepare yourself for some uncut honey, beards, and, of course, man-on-bear violence.
