It’s a ROMlution! Or a Romvolution?
Rom the Space Knight is here in issue # 33 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.
In this thirty-third issue, Darak and Solila make formal acquaintance with Rom the Space Knight and his partner, the organic blob known as Carpet! Also, Cobra-La is still there and we catch up with Skuxxoid as he arrives on a new, very-familiar planet!
Who’s this Rom guy?
You know! Rom! The Space Knight! Yet another Hasbro property folded into the Energon Universe, although this isn’t the first time he’s crossed paths with other Hasbro properties. I’ve never been a huge devotee of Rom, but I do like him and enjoyed his interactions with the Transformers back in IDW comics. He obviously fits in well in the space setting of Void Rivals and he makes a distinct first impression here.
Kirkman must have a thing with giving people new arms to replace their lost ones, because in addition to Rom’s new living cape Carpet, he’s also acquired a new organic arm for himself (in ROM Special #1 also on sale this week). It makes for a distinct look for this incarnation of the character and his interactions here with our main characters are pretty fun.
What are the rest of ‘em up to?
The trust between Darak and Solila continues to grow, and their relationship continues to blossom. Even their camaraderie with Cobra-La and Pythona seems solid at the moment, even if they and Rom have to have the prerequisite “initial misunderstanding fight” that comic book characters can’t resist. Rom does seem like a great addition to this diverse cast and I’m looking forward to seeing where their collective adventure takes them.
Skuxxoid gets a few pages to himself as well as he ends up on another planet by the end here- a distinctly Transformers-related one! It feels like his subplot may intersect with Darak and Solila’s soon, so I look forward to that as well.
Cube?
Another solid instalment, although Kirkman could be accused of still spinning his wheels a little bit in terms of overarching plot. It’s the character interactions here that are the selling point, and our titular duo, Pythona, Rom, and Skuxxoid are all fun and distinct characters that are enjoyable to read about. That’s enough for right now.
Buy Void Rivals # 33 & ROM Special #1 this week.
