VOID RIVALS #12 – New Comic Review

VOID RIVALS #12, by Image Comics & Skybound on 8/28/24, concludes the second arc when Darak and Solila go their separate ways, but their parting triggers a change that nobody could foresee.

Credits:

• Writer: Robert Kirkman
• Artist: Lorenzo De Felici
• Colorist: Patricio Delpeche
• Letterer: Rus Wooton
• Cover Artist: Lorenzo De Felici
• Publisher: Image Comics
• Release Date: August 28, 2024
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Page Count: 32
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of VOID RIVALS #12:

First Impressions:

Robert Kirkman delivers his last issue in the Transformers-adjacent sci-fi series by doing little and setting up much. If the idea was to get readers curious about what happens next, there’s a moment at the very end that should keep the curious-prone hooked until the series returns, but readers looking for big action and bigger wow moments will feel a little underwhelmed.

Plot Analysis:

When last we left Solila and Darak in Void Rivals #11, they’re newfound partnership with a castaway Transformer helped them fend off Zalilak’s attacking forces and send Proximus into a retreat. When the Transformer helped Solila recover from her injuries, he revealed that both races appear to be connected to a long-lost Cybertronian named Zerta Trion, and Solila now has a new mission to find her.

In Void Rivals #12, Darak and Solila’s leaders discuss what to do after their headstrong soldiers escaped capture by Proximus. Zalilak is gravely concerned that the threat of Unity is closer than ever, but Dulin dismisses the concern as just another mess to clean up.

Kirkman starts the issue by pulling back the curtain a few inches to show how the conspiracy to keep the races of the Sacred Ring apart has lasted for years, and close calls are nothing new. The scene establishes the contentious relationship between the leaders, but without a clear understanding of how and why the Sacred Ring is fractured, there’s no sense of stakes or consequences.

Elsewhere, Ultun, the rebel boy who betrayed his allies, crosses paths with Proximus. The latter is still heavily damaged from his fight with the Transformer. Ultun, now a cadet after betraying his rebel friends, regrets his decision. He believed the betrayal would earn him the favor of reuniting with his mother, but it’s likely she’s dead. Proximus agrees that Ultun’s mother is likely dead and shows the boy a bit of sympathy.

We already knew about Ultun’s betrayal, but this scene suggests Proximus isn’t all bad as he finds a kindred spirit in a broken boy, much like he was years ago. Nothing comes of this interaction in this issue, but Kirkman is planting a lot of seeds for later.

The rest of the issue turns to Solila and Darak as they say their goodbyes and part ways. Solila confirms Darak can’t go with her on her spiritual quest, but he wants to. Instead, she encourages him to go home and find more rebels to disseminate the Cybertronian tech data. As a part gift, Darak gives handroid to Solila to help her in tough spots. Instead of separating with a kiss, they touch their foreheads, which brings their crystals in contact.

The issue concludes with a dark, massive presence opening its eyes.

Overall, Void Rivals #12 strings together a meaningful collection of well-written scenes to suggest things are in motion or are about to happen. There are no cliffhangers or wow moments to make this issue memorable, which is a bit of a bummer, but you could say this issue ends the arc with lots of potential.

Artwork and Presentation:

Lorenzo De Felici presents a consistently solid set of visuals, which is all you really need in a dialog-heavy, action-light issue. De Felici’s art carries the story through strong character body language and facial acting, so the art is perfectly good.

Art Samples:

The Bigger Picture:

Series Continuity:

Technically, Void Rivals is part of the interconnected Energon Universe from Skybound, but the only interconnectedness comes by way of a tangential connection to the Transformers. There are no G.I. Joes showing up in this series, and nothing happening in this story appears connected to anything occurring on Cybertron or Earth, so it’s part of the Energon Universe but off in its own corner.

Final Thoughts:

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VOID RIVALS #12 ends the second arc on a sedate note as Robert Kirkman plants plenty of seeds to imply big things are coming. The scenes play out well, and the overall narrative is interesting, but the issue generally lacks wow moments or a memorable cliffhanger. It’s a good comic but a soft way to end the arc.

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