Muscle Fan’s “The Strong Shall Survive”

Let’s be real for a minute,

This has been a difficult year for many of us. These have been difficult times to stay healthy and it has often been burdensome to find a proper place to exercise. Therefore, it has been far too long since we’ve done our requisite strength training. No matter, we’ll change that right now and crank out some calisthenics! So push your computer chair to the side, drop down to the floor into the prone position, and we’ll do push-ups together. Ready? Here we go! 1… 2… (gasp) 3… (pant!) …. 100! Everyone saw me do one-hundred push-ups, right? Good!

Now that our heart rates are suitably racing, we’ll check out a fictional female flexing in Muscle Fan’s “The Strong Shall Survive.” This ongoing series, with five published issues so far, was drawn by r2roh (the name was misspelled on the first and third cover) and written by Rolling Thunder. The initial issue was released on October 10th, 2018, and the latest was released on July 10th, 2020.

Rolling Thunder also wrote “High Scored,” “Massive Inheritance,” and “Pumped-Up Poltergeists” for Muscle Fan. R2roh drew “Swamp Fever” for Muscle Fan, as well as stories for ZZZ such as “Nozama Idol” and “Vitamin Z.”

The story involves a young woman named Sasha trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. At the beginning, she is chased by helmeted raiders into a building which contains barrels of unidentified radioactive waste. That glowing ooze spills down from an upper floor and onto our heroine. This irresponsibly stored refuse turns Sasha into a powerhouse! From this point on, she will turn into an ultra-muscular version of herself, similar to Marvel Comic’s Incredible Hulk, when threatened.

Unlike the Hulk’s alter-ego Bruce Banner, Sasha retains some of the enhanced musculature when she shrinks down. Each time she is a little bigger than before. Initially, she appears beast-like in her personality and possesses less intelligence than normal, like the green-skinned version of the Hulk. However, in later issues she appears to retain her regular intelligence and memories while transformed.

Of note, if it wasn’t for the copious amount of nudity then this could pass as a typical American super-hero comic. The emphasis, the overall intent, of the comic seems to be an effort to showcase the superhuman strength and fighting prowess of our protagonist.

That may come as a disappointment to readers who prefer to see some sex in what is ostensibly an erotic work. Frankly, there’s not so much as a kiss in all five issues. However, a romantic relationship may be building between Sasha and a white-haired woman named Fayre that she rescued from a rather disagreeable ogre. (NOTE: Purists may argue that the character in question was not technically an ogre because this is an apocalyptic setting vice medieval fantasy. Although, that character refers to himself as an ogre and since ogres are entirely fictional beings, and thus cannot be definitively defined, whose to say if he’s wrong or right? 😎 )

Readers may want to ask, “Solo, you sexy man beast who did 100 push-ups with ease! Why must you always obsess about fucking in size-themed creative works?” To that I would reply, fair enough. And to be clear, this is an enjoyable work. Furthermore, the mere act of a person growing and transforming maybe erotic enough to satisfy some fans. Finally, if I was to guess, I’d predict that the next issue will feature breast play or cunnilingus, or if nothing quite that exciting then at least a firm handshake and a loving glance between the two ladies.

Overall, the story is simple and holds few surprises. The last issue ended on a cliffhanger, but I feel confident that our heroine will survive. Indeed, I am even more assured in that assessment than my earlier prediction that Sasha and Fayre will get hot and heavy soon. (NOTE: Although, it would be more realistic for Sasha to die after taking the ill-advised course of action she has planned and then for the story to abruptly end. However, that would very likely irk Muscle Fan subscribers!)

In summation, The Strong Shall Survive was a fun, action-oriented comic featuring an attractive woman who repeatedly grows ever more muscular to fight mutant bears and wolves, raiders, and a pseudo-ogre. What’s not to love about that? It can be read by paying for a membership at Muscle Fan.

That’s it for today, folks. Next week’s first review will begin a run of Christmas-themed posts. Until then, keep growing and be good for goodness sake!

This review is protected under Fair Use copyright law.

All Rights Reserved.