Connect with us
'WWE NXT Takeover #1: Into the Fire' review: Stoking the flames of the Women's Evolution

Comic Books

‘WWE NXT Takeover #1: Into the Fire’ review: Stoking the flames of the Women’s Evolution

NXT’s Women’s Division is in the spotlight, giving the second generation a chance to shine.

Just as NXT has taken the world by storm on the WWE Network, WWE NXT from BOOM! Studios has launched itself into the comics battle royale, vying for the spot as the best semi-fictional comic on the shelves today.  The kayfabe storylines mixed with real-life events paint a picture of the WWE Superstars of the future, giving them, at times, more personality than they show on television.  Mamma Mia!

'WWE NXT Takeover #1: Into the Fire' review: Stoking the flames of the Women's Evolution

BOOM! Studios

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

While most of the WWE comics from BOOM! have rotated between several short stories with varying degrees of truthiness, WWE NXT has stayed fairly close to actual events in the brand and beyond.  The hows and whys are kayfabed, but the happenings are all on demand.  This issue, Takeover: Into the Fire revolves around main roster Superstar Paige, scouting talent as she prepares to return from injury.  Ignoring the actual events surrounding Paige’s missing year, we are told that she is coming back from injury, scouting up-and-comers so that she is not blindsided as she was with the Four Horsewomen: Charlotte, Bayley, Becky, and Sasha.  With this as our frame story, writer Dennis Hopeless collects mini-bios on several women now on either Raw or SmackDown Live, including Ember Moon, Asuka, The IIconics, and others.

'WWE NXT Takeover #1: Into the Fire' review: Stoking the flames of the Women's Evolution

BOOM! Studios

While taking notes, she gets the idea to form a real stable, a throwback to her short-lived “Women’s Evolution” group PCB.  Everyone gets a moment to shine in the comic, showcasing a bit of their personality pretty well. Hopeless gets each character and portrays them pretty much as we’ve seen them on screen.  Artist Hyeonjin Kim, however, has a mixed bag of an outing in this one. Some of the women’s faces are spot on, other times they look like generic create-a-wrestlers from the mid-2000s. Paige just doesn’t look like Paige throughout most of the book.  She has a very specific look, and it is not captured here. If they hadn’t called attention to her, I wouldn’t have even realized it was her. Not a good thing if you’re drawing one of the more iconic superstars of the late Divas era and current SmackDown Live General Manager.

'WWE NXT Takeover #1: Into the Fire' review: Stoking the flames of the Women's Evolution

BOOM! Studios

Between this issue and last issue’s portrayal of the late, great Dusty Rhodes, I feel like WWE NXT has hit its stride pretty well, telling a story that Dusty, and current COO and NXT Papa, Triple H, would love.

'WWE NXT Takeover #1: Into the Fire' review: Stoking the flames of the Women's Evolution
WWE NXT Takeover #1: Into the Fire
Is it good?
Between this issue and last issue's portrayal of the late, great Dusty Rhodes, I feel like WWE NXT has hit its stride pretty well, telling a story that Dusty, and current COO and NXT Papa, Triple H, would love.
Champs
Dennis Hopeless finds the voice of each Superstar
Great mix of real-life and kayfabe
Jobbers
Artist Hyeonjin Kim misses the mark on several of the women, including Paige
8
Good

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

'My Adventures with Superman' gets new comics series starting June 2024 'My Adventures with Superman' gets new comics series starting June 2024

‘My Adventures with Superman’ gets new comics series starting June 2024

Comic Books

I Heart Skull-Crusher! #1 I Heart Skull-Crusher! #1

‘I Heart Skull-Crusher!’ #1 review: Apocalyptic squad goals

Comic Books

Vault's Wassel brothers talk Zoop partnership for 'Crowdbuilding' campaign Vault's Wassel brothers talk Zoop partnership for 'Crowdbuilding' campaign

Vault’s Wassel brothers talk Zoop partnership for ‘Crowdbuilding’ campaign

Comic Books

Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly unveil 'The Principles of Necromancy' Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly unveil 'The Principles of Necromancy'

Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly unveil ‘The Principles of Necromancy’

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup