Headlocked: A Single Step is the creation of an ambitious writer, a supportive community, and a sincere degree of hard work. The reason I bring this up is because to truly understand everything in this volume, you have to understand the work that was put into bringing this series to life.
Michael Kingston writes in a foreword, found within a copy of the Kickstarter edition, about his 
journey from a child enveloped with comics and the world of wrestling. The struggles and dismissal due to the wrestling content in the comic would stop most people in their quest, but here we are in 2017 and he is now working directly with wrestlers and comic book companies alike. Finding professional wrestlers to write or illustrate or simply to critique his work, he has brought his dream to life.
Now that leads into Headlocked itself. A Single step is an origin story reminiscent of both teen angst and that sense of invulnerability with the crippling sense of not knowing how to move forward. It moves at a steady pace to where the story is set over a few months to a year, but it feels like you have been with the main protagonist, Mike Hartman, every step of the way. Between the journey of him trying to achieve his dream of becoming a professional wrestler and constant reminder of his personal life, whether it be family issues or loneliness, hindering him at moments, the story keeps you both entertained and emotionally invested. It also paints a fairly realistic portrait of what can happen while beginning your journey into the inside of the wrestling world.
One of my favorite parts of this volume is you can read, see, and feel the hope in these panels. The art work and the writing grip the reader and it makes you wonder if he can actually make it. The detail given to Mark on his face in moments of anguish or pride is a beautiful garnish that the two artists on this volume, Randy Valiente and Michael Mulipola, have created throughout the 160 plus pages.
All in all I recommend this comic to any wrestling fan who has ever thought that they could become a professional wrestler. I also recommend this to any comic fan who truly enjoys a well-illustrated, well-written, and enjoyable origin story.
Stay Tuned as our review of Headlocked Comics continues with the next volume.
