Steve Orlando: DC x AEW, Wrestling & Superhero Tropes Alike 2025

Author Steve Orlando, the writer behind the DC x AEW comic crossover, says pro wrestling and superhero comics share the same storytelling DNA. He points to heroes and villains mirroring faces and heels, long-term arcs building toward big-event payoffs, and cliffhangers that hook audiences week to week or issue to issue. Orlando argues that promos and monologues serve similar purposes, while entrances and splash pages deliver comparable spectacle. Because both mediums reward continuity, faction dynamics, and character reinvention, he believes the crossover feels organic rather than forced. The writer also stresses authenticity—keeping wrestlers’ voices, moves, and motivations true on the page while honoring iconic comic personas. He frames the project as a bridge for two passionate fanbases, using pacing, stakes, and surprises familiar to both rings and panels. According to Orlando, aligning these tropes lets the story escalate, pay off rivalries, and celebrate the larger-than-life energy that defines each form.