Void Rivals has better things to do tonight than die!
It does and it continues here with issue # 13! Void Rivals is Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici’s 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 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.
It’s the start of a new arc in this thirteenth issue, as our titular characters take separate paths again. Solila ventures deeper into the depths of Zertonia while Darak returns home to Agorria with Springer. Oh and Pythona and the Skuxxoid poke their heads into the plot.
Pythona? So Cobra-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA!!! is involved now?
Yes, G.I. Joe has entered the world of Void Rivals too and it seems Pythona will play a part in future events. We also get another update on the Skuxxoid as he continues his parallel path to our main characters and meets with Bosch again. When and where will all these subplots intersect? Haven’t a clue yet! Springer is still hanging with Darak, but most of the “meat” of this issue focuses on the “original” aspects of this series.
Seems like a lot going on.
Yeah, there’s a lot of marks to hit here, but what we get with Darak and Solila is probably the most important bits. Darak reunites with his father for an emotionally-fraught homecoming and Solila (now wearing the Handroid) delves deeper into the mysteries of Zertonia. Also, Minister Zalilak concludes the issue with an ominous scene that promises that the war between the two planets will not end anytime soon.
So cube?
This is an issue of setting up the board for the next phase of this story, so there are more questions than answers at this point. It could feel aimless, but the creative team manages to keep the intrigue coming at a steady pace at least. I’ve said it before, but Kirkman’s books may feel more satisfying in hindsight when you can binge them, but this is a necessary “take a break and reorient” instalment.
Buy Void Rivals # 13 this week, or don’t… the Skuxxoid doesn’t care.
