12/06/2026
A look back...
The King Kong Bundy comic series ran intermittently from 2001-2019, with 7 single issues (w variant covers), and a Trade collection. The series was written and drawn by Brien Cardello, along with guest artists Marco Dileonardo, Andy Macdonald, Tom Lyle, Mike DeCarlo and many various guest pin-up artists. After a comic convention in NY in Nov 2000, King Kong Bundy and TLW comics got together. What better off-beat weird underground thing it would be for a guy like Bundy to have his own comic book. It was so off the wall, we had to do it. I'd write it, he'd ok it, and we pretty much had free reign. The series was a mix of comic hi-jinks and real life wrestling stories(with plenty of zingers on Hulk Hogan and others). Strangely enough, it was only supposed to be a one shot deal that Bundy could take to cons. It became a staple title in our publications. The Iron Sheik himself agreed to guest star (with the stipulation that we draw his mustache right. We did. Sorta.) And in 2001, the first issue was released. The next year, we did a 2nd issue, a benefit comic. All proceeds of this issue went to 9/11 charities (which is why you see Bundy on the cover making like Hogan with the American Flag).And since we had 2...we decided to go to 5, Bundy's lucky number. #3 was released in July 2002, #4 and #5 in 2003. Issue 6 and 7 were completed but not published in single format. The King Kong Bundy Five Count trade paperback was published in 2016, which collected all 5 issues. 2016 also saw our 2nd guest star, The One man Gang, in the Bundy one-shot The Great "King Kong" Bundy #1.We changed the title to fit in accordance with a letter we received from Sony. 2019 was the last issue, a full color adventure and origin story. The comic was made into a tribute issue due to Bundy's passing. An expanded edition of the TPB, collecting all issues and previously unpublished material, including issue 6 and 7 was also released.
Chris Pallies was an all around great guy. On T.V., he was this gigantic monster heel who crushed his opponents. In real life, he was a big-hearted sarcastic bastard who loved to laugh at the absurdity of life. Loved by family, friends, and the many kitty cats he adopted as rescues. You can imagine how cool it was to watch him squash Hulk Hogan on Saturday Night's Main Event and then later bu****it with him for almost 20 years. Miss ya Big Guy. --Brien
