After a heated feud with the McMahon family, Daniel Bryan saves Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn from being sent to the unemployment line in BOOM! Studios’ WWE #20.
STORY
Owens and Zayn have done everything to push Smackdown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon’s buttons, and perhaps it’s finally gone too far. General Manager Daniel Bryan is a voice of reason to McMahon and convinces him to let the pair fight to keep their jobs.
Through Dennis Hopeless’s intense storytelling, Owens and Zayn have done just that. They’ve worked their way through the WWE roster, winning along the way, and solidifying their employment status on Smackdown Live. But, there’s a bigger plan in the works: a six-pack challenge for the WWE Heavyweight Championship at the Fastlane pay per view. Six men enter, but only one can be victorious. With Owens and Zayn as two of the entrants, only one can win. If it comes down to it, will one lay down for the other to capitalize on the opportunity?
ART
As always, Serg Acuna’s artwork is second to none. He understands the facial expressions of a frustrated Daniel Bryan, an angry Sami Zayn, and an overconfident Kevin Owens. But, there’s one face we see hardly any of, and that’s Shane McMahon. The panels position McMahon’s back to the audience, or the panel keeps McMahon’s head out of the layout.
I also love the inclusion of the Lumberjack match in this issue; it’s a great way to include WWE talent who haven’t had a storyline featured yet, but they still hold a place in the overall storyline that is Smackdown Live.
Doug Garbark’s color choices are always on point. The arena panels almost seem to glow, and the backstage scenes have more muted tones. Jim Campbell’s lettering weaves in-ring conversation and commentary well, giving us story and background at the same time.
SIDE STORY
The choral voices of the vocalists singing the gloriousness of Bobby Roode are angelic, and writer Julian May & artist Rodrigo Lorenzo have the superstar dancing among the clouds. He defends and won’t give in against an unknown opponent, and he will remain glorious until the end.
CONCLUSION
This was a great wrap-up to the Kevin and Sami Show. Owens has been pushing Zayn this whole time, and now it seems that Zayn is finally taking the advice, standing on top… alone.
