The Kevin And Sami Show Wraps Up In WWE #20

In the wake of Sami Zayn’s actions at Survivor Series, it seems like there’s no way out—until Daniel Bryan offers Sami one last chance at redemption.

WWE #20 covers the events between Survivor Series 2017 and Fastlane 2018. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are fighting for their lives nightly. For all the trouble they’ve caused over the last several months, they have to claw their way through the roster and repeatedly overcome insurmountable odds.

Dennis Hopeless does an excellent job putting over this pair of “anti-faces.” By this point in the story, unlikeable as Owens started out, and as betrayed as the Universe felt by Zayn’s heel turn, they’re actually both pulling decent pops. No one really blames Sami for heading down the dark path when they see how hard he’s fighting against the establishment to keep his livelihood. Owens gets a pass by association.

The WWE employee vs. evil McMahon angle has been visited a ridiculous number of times since 1997 when Stone Cold Steve Austin first took on Vinnie Mac. At this point, it’s so overplayed, it’s a hard sell. Fortunately, Zayn and Owens have an amazing understanding of the business and the WWE Universe is putty in the veterans’ hands. Dennis Hopeless extends the pair’s amazing promos and ring work into a highly entertaining and easily relatable backstory.

Serg Acuna’s attention to the visual details is insane. Every character’s ring gear is spot on, down to the sequin. I’ve gone back and replayed PPVs, RAW episodes, and Smackdown episodes. The ring aprons, ramps, ring steps, gear, boots…He gets it all right. Every time. I’m looking for errors at this point. There aren’t any. Do you know how many different singlets Big E owns? Or pairs of red pleather pants Shinsuke has in his locker? (It’s a lot.)

I never got my El Generico mask, but I guess it’s cool. I guess. These guys keep telling amazing stories with some of my favorite characters. I’ll forgive and move past it eventually. Next month, chapter 21 begins AJ Styles’ globetrotting journey to the big stage. Stay tuned.

WWE #20, published by BOOM! Studios, released 15 August 2018. Written by Dennis Hopeless, illustrated by Serg Acuna, colored by Doug Garbark, letters by Jim Campbell, backup story “Glorious” written by Julian May, illustrated by Rodrigo Lorenzo, covers available by Dan Mora, Adam Riches, Brent Schoonover, and Aaron Dana.