Void Rivals Are At War!
UNITY was narrowly averted and we go to war again in issue # 25 of Void Rivals! Void Rivals is Robert Kirkman’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.
New artist Andrei Bressan steps in along with regular colorist Patricio Delpeche to join Robert Kirkman for the first part of “Quintesson War”. Unity has been averted for now, and the threat of Goliant is still looming over both Agorrian and Zertonian civilizations. That makes it a perfect time for the Quintessons to invade the planets of the Sacred Ring!
Quintesson War?
Yep, that’s the title of the new arc and it seems to have consequences for the galaxy at large as Quintesson ships attack both Agorria and Zertonia! They interrupt a power struggle between Proximus and Zalilak on Zertonia as the two wrestle for dominance over last story arc’s failed attempt at bringing forth Unity.
Andrei Bressan’s art is well-suited for the kinetic, destructive fight between Proximus and Zalilak and it kind of reminded me of fights in Kirkman’s Invincible, albeit sans a lot of gore. Both of them are still reeling from the perceived betrayal they’ve suffered for believing in Zerta Trion, but these differences might have to wait as this new Quintesson threat emerges.
And what about our main characters?
Well, Darak is getting reacquainted with his original Handroid, who had been hanging out with Solila for the last, well... long time. I enjoy Handroid’s “personality” and indeed, it even seems to be experiencing character growth now thanks to its time with Solila. Speaking of her, she’s the subject of this issue’s cliffhanger as it seems a transformation of sorts is in store for her.
As the original titular characters of the book, Darak and Solila are once again separated, but looking forward to their reunion is a card Kirkman certainly likes to play. With the Quintessons making their move, it seems likely they will reunite again as their peoples are on the verge of being forced to work together against this new threat.
Cube?
Kirkman starts off the arc with a neat fight scene and the opening strike of an epic conflict. Andrei Bressan’s art is pretty great and even without much of a Transformers link in this issue, I’m very much enjoying this series on its own merits now. I hope that continues as we enter what would seem to be the largest conflict we’ve yet seen in these pages.
Buy Void Rivals # 25 this week because Darak wears funny boxers just like you or I.
