Lucha Loco

Dimensions

15.4 in x 10.7 in x 1.7 in

Weight

5.45 lb

Released

11/1/07

ISBN

9781934429006

Published by

Ammo Books

Lucha Loco

Malcolm Venville's deluxe Mexican wrestling volume, a celebration of Lucha Libre, is now available in an accessible, popular format.

Lucha Libre, or "free wrestling," is not only about high-flying moves but also the mythology of the personas donned by these masked figures. The masks are treated as sacred, reflecting a tradition dating back to Aztec culture.

El Santo, the first luchador pop star, was so devoted to his mask that he rarely took it off, even in retirement, and was buried in it.

Malcolm Venville, captivated by Lucha Libre after attending a show in Mexico, spent weeks photographing and interviewing wrestlers outside the ring in a portrait studio. Each portrait is accompanied by the wrestler's fighting name and a signature quote from the interviews, offering insights into their lives.

The subjects include individuals with day jobs as an accountant and a doctor but transform into Super Pinocchio and Astro Boy by night. Their quotes range from humorous observations like "American wrestling is more about the lighting" to personal revelations such as "My character is the fastest in Mexico, but not when I’m making love."

This book provides a colorful and hilarious glimpse into the world of Lucha Libre, a spectacle that is part sport, part soap opera, and often shrouded in mystery.