After the slower emotional ride that was BOOM! Studio’s WWE #3, this issue does a wonderful job of throwing us right back into the action. Seth wants back into the ring, he wants his title back where it belongs, and nothing Hunter can do to stand in his way will stop him from laying his hands on Roman Reigns. Their former friendship means nothing when the top gold in the company is on the line. Every point along this path is hit like a perfected action movie.

Curiously enough, the actual time frame on this issue is incredibly short with most of it taking place over a single pay-per-view night. Again, the creative team of writer Dennis Hopeless, artist Serg Acuña, colorist Doug Garback, and letterer Jim Campbell collectively show their chops in executing a well-told and paced story. They not only understand how wrestling works but also how to convey a story on the page in a compelling way. Even with all the silly and over-the-top moments in this issue, we as an audience are never made to feel like we’re meant to laugh at rather than with them. Very little here drags and, when things slow a bit, it’s always to ramp it back up.

The back matter of this issue focuses on Bray Wyatt, the weird southern gothic bayou horror cult leader of WWE. Penned by Ryan Ferrier, I could have easily mistaken this for one of Wyatt’s actual promos. Though the art of Clay McCormack isn’t a favorite of mine, it serves the dialogue and writing well along with the colors of Dee Cunniffe.

This is kind of weird to say about a comic about wrestling but this issue was such a wonderful and raucous romp that knows exactly what it is and what it’s about with no qualms. If you haven’t been reading, you can still pick this one up as it’s the start of a new mini-arc and covers Seth Rollins’ return to the ring. If you’re a WWE fan, keep an eye out for some familiar heel superstar faces.

Story: Dennis Hopeless and Ryan Ferrier Art: Serg Acuña and Clay McCormack
Color: Doug Garback and Dee Cunniffe Lettering: Jim Campbell
Story: 9.0 Art: 10 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy if you like action movie sequences and/or wrestling

BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review