What’s new in the world of Skybound and Hasbro’s VOID RIVALS??
Void Rivals continues here with issue # 7! It’s Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici new sci-fi comic that tells the tale of two crumbling planets linked by a “Sacred Ring” (it’s not Halo), their peoples at war for generations. When a member of each culture are stranded together, the two find they must put aside their differences if they want to survive. This story takes place in the so-called “Energon Universe”, Skybound Entertainment’s new initiative to relaunch properties like Transformers and G.I. Joe within a shared universe that also happens to include the original characters and setting of Void Rivals.
In this seventh issue, Darak and Solila are on the run in the wastelands between Zertonia and Agorria while Zalilak frees the deadly hunter Proximus from captivity to track them down. The Zertonian premier fears that the duo could jeopardize civilization as they know it by bringing forth someone or something named “Goliant.” Do any of these words mean anything to you? If they do, you’ve been paying attention to this comic!
Yeah, I kinda remember what you’re talking about. Go on.
Uh… that’s it, really. This issue mostly serves as more character building for our main duo and Premier Zalilak, and formally introduces us to Proximus, who was mentioned last issue. I gotta say, with the recent rumours that Hasbro has acquired a product license for Void Rivals toys, Proximus certainly looks like he’ll be a damn cool-looking action figure!
The rest of the space is mostly more Sam and Diane stuff with Darak and Solila, with a Darak-flashback that explains his familiarity with the wastelands. And of course, there’s a cliffhanger ending as we’re reminded of Solila’s somewhat unsure loyalties at the moment. It’s basically the start of a new arc, so don’t expect a whole lot of excitement just yet.
Any ENERGON UNIVERSE stuff in this instalment?
Nope, not really.
So is there still going to be a cube rating?
Sure! The art’s still pretty great here and like I said, Proximus cuts a fairly-threatening debut in both visuals and character. Kirkman seems confident that those who are reading have a taste for the immediate world and its players as we enter the second story arc. This might feel like a slow burn, but Walking Dead and Invincible did at the time as well. I can’t blame anyone who wants to tune out now and wait for Void Rivals to build up a bit more “material” before jumping back in, but I’m finding this to be an enjoyable read for now. I do kinda wish they’d get it out on time though… this issue was two months late.
The cube’s about here:
Buy Void Rivals # 7 this week, and imagine Proximus getting a nice Marvel Legends-scale figure.
