If you were living in Memphis, Tennessee in 1979, the Mid-South Coliseum was the place to be for professional wrestling. The building was packed, the feuds were personal, and nobody knew when a wrestling match might turn into an all-out donnybrook. The ring was ruled by a literal king — ok, maybe not literal, but he did sport a crown — while a certain Mouth of the South stirred up trouble at ringside, managing his charges and making enemies along the way.
Kevin and Sammi Bolk are revisiting that era with Memphis: Monday Night Memories, a new webcomic that brings the world of Memphis wrestling to life through a blend of historical inspiration and spectacle, with comic-inspired action.
At the center of the story are two of the territory’s most recognizable figures: Jerry “The King” Lawler, the charismatic wrestler who became the face of Memphis wrestling (and also a sometimes comic artist), and Jimmy Hart, the musician-turned-manager whose partnership with Lawler would help shape the promotion’s legacy.
Providing the play-by-play are legendary broadcasters Lance Russell and Dave Brown, who serve as narrators for the story, guiding readers through the mayhem of the Memphis wrestling scene.
The Bolks describe Memphis: Monday Night Memories as a “fictionalized biopic,” drawing inspiration from the real people and events of the era while embracing the heightened storytelling that makes professional wrestling such a natural fit for comics.
For Kevin Bolk, the project marks a return to comics after more than a decade. He’s best known for his parody webcomics It Sucks to Be Weegie and the Ensign Sue trilogy, along with illustration and design work for Marvel Comics, Nickelodeon and Udon Entertainment. In recent years, he’s put his artistic talents to work in the wrestling industry, designing merchandise and toys for independent promotions, wrestling legends and other performers.
Sammi Bolk brings her own creative background as an independent artist, writer, voice actress and social media specialist. An avid wrestling and music historian, she also founded the Greatest Jimmy Hart Fan Club.
Their shared passion for comics, wrestling and music, along with their friendship with Hart, inspired them to tell a story about a territory they feel has been overlooked in wrestling history. Maybe they’ll do my own hometown wrestling org, World Class Championship Wrestling, next.
Step into the ring and follow the story at the official Memphis: Monday Night Memories website.