Sometimes in life you need a heel to turn. Ringside, issue 10, wraps up the current arc of the series by focusing on Reynolds and Danny’s choices. Reynolds is learning the rules of the wrestling industry as he was kicked out of his current stable for speaking up to the boss. Yet, he still has a contract with the promotion and is encouraged by his old partner, Davis, to show what he can do in the ring. While this is occurring Danny has broken several rules at his work resulting in him receiving a warning by having a gun placed to his head. Danny sees Teddy working in the warehouse were he is working. He begins to question why, which results in the gun being drawn on him again. Rather than waiting or backing down Danny chooses to disarm his boss and takes over his job in the warehouse as he has just renegotiated his terms on paying back Teddy’s debt.
The Good:
The comic continues to explore the behind the curtains aspects of the wrestling industry. This is done through Reynolds as he is removed from the stable he was placed in that would be appearing on TV. In a meeting he spoke up about his character and how it would not work, not knowing the unspoken rule to never challenge the head of the promotion. We see him struggle to cope with this set back as he was about to launch his career and now he has to climb back up. To make matters worse, Ragan, a writer and friend resigned from the company as he is moving to L.A. to pursue a writing career there. This leaves Reynolds without anybody to advocate or help him to recover from the mistake he has made. The only person who offers Reynolds advice on this situation is his old partner/mentor Davis who explains to him that he still has a contract and he just has to show this promotion his talents. While it might take some effort, this captures how young wrestlers make mistakes but these mistakes can be recovered from with hard work. As this is occurring we witness the opposite end of the spectrum with Danny, as he is given 2 warnings with a gun in his face. While continuing his work he gets a third warning as he sees his lover Teddy working in the same warehouse. This brings out the badass in Danny as he takes his boss’s job and pay. Confirming that much like a promo, it is only a matter before a person reaches their breaking point before they choose to strike. In this case Danny reached his, which has caused him to channel his inner wrestler to advance his position outside of the ring. Both Reynolds and Danny are engaging in many decisions that wrestling is indirectly affecting them to make in their lives.
The Bad:
The comic tends to be optimistic about both Danny and Reynolds futures as they move on with their lives. For Danny the comic makes it seem as if there will be no consequence or actions against him for making himself new management along with other perks. The comic also paints an opportunistic future for Reynolds, despite his mistake, as all he has to do is show his talent and skill and he will be noticed. Both of these circumstances seem unrealistic as Danny’s actions will be met with some consequences and Reynolds will have to put in a tremendous amount of hard work to be noticed to get another opportunity on TV. The comic in many ways diminishes the obstacles that these two men will face going forward in their lives with the choices they have made.
The Verdict:
Ringside, issue 10, is a nice ending to the second arc of the comic as it provides closure to several events that have occurred. It allows for the comic to build upon the characters of Reynolds and Danny as they continue to make life choices that are directly influenced by the wrestling industry. Both of these men are learning more about who they are as people and the lives they want to live.
You can pick up a copy of Ringside here.
