Consensual Violence by Del James, illustrated by Giulia Brusco Arjuna Susini
Dead Sky Publishing (November 25, 2025)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage
Del James is a meat-eating, pro-choice, sober atheist. He writes horror fiction, screenplays, and music. As a lyricist, James has cowritten songs with groups such as Testament, The Almighty, The Outpatience, and Guns N’ Roses, including two songs on GNR’s Grammy-nominated Use Your Illusion album. James has directed several music videos and written live television for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. His newest graphic novel, Consensual Violence, explores the dark underbelly of Lucha Libre wrestling.
Krysten is a woman, desperate to reinvent herself as a lucha libre star in Mexico. She begins her training in El Paso, Texas, trading blows for ring wisdom from a trusted trainer. When this man, once a wrestling legend, betrays her with brutal violence, her dream career becomes a fight for survival against corruption. Krysten’s quest for vengeance leads her to the blood- and crime-soaked rings of Juarez, Mexico, where it devolves into a bloodthirsty war against corrupt promoters, cartel killers, and anyone complicit in her abuse. Armed with female rage and the anonymity of her wrestling persona, she delivers her own brand of vigilante justice — one body-destroying blow at a time. Consensual Violence is a relentless tale of revenge, redemption, and the dark underbelly of lucha libre.
Del James writes a very compelling and blood-stained thriller. The mob violence is bloody, and the suspense of the narrative thrilling. Krysten’s wrestling persona and her inner demons come through, creating an underdog character surrounded by corruption and simply trying to survive. Her desperation and determination work in balance for this story, and the added element of underground lucha libre wrestling creates the perfect environment for a tale of revenge. Del James has created a fun, action-packed, blood-soaked thriller which has been strikingly illustrated by Giulia Brusco Arjuna Susini. Fans of thrillers, mysteries, and bloody tales of revenge will not want to miss reading Consensual Violence.
