VOID RIVALS #15, by Image Comics & Skybound on 12/26/24, brings the mystery of Zerta and the Sacred Ring closer to a reveal when Darak introduces his people to Autobots and Solila’s quest comes to an end.
Credits:
- Writer: Robert Kirkman
- Artist: Lorenzo De Felici
- Colorist: Patricio Delpeche
- Letterer: Rus Wooton
- Cover Artist: Lorenzo De Felici (cover A)
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: December 26, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 32
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of VOID RIVALS #15:
Recap:
When last we left Darak and Solila in Void Rivals #14, Dark’s confrontation with his father turned ugly, but the meeting ended early when a large object was detected approaching the Sacred Ring, prompting Darak to pilot a ship with a new Handroid to intercept. Meanwhile, Solila entered the mysterious pyramid to find Zerta. the issue concluded with Darak intercepting a ship piloted by Hot Rod.
Plot Analysis:
Void Rivals #15 begins with a brief prologue explaining the status quo of assorted spacefaring enemies on the move. The Quintessons tracking Daraks makeshift shuttle from the first arc have broken off the hunt and prepare to return home after learning that Zerta’s long-lost location has been identified. Meanwhile, Grakula and Pythona are recovering from the explosive interaction with space debris. A sliver of the glowing mineral attached itself to Grakula’s carapace armor, causing minute growths to sprout. When Pythona secretly meets Akronus to issue orders to keep an eye on Grakula, their meeting is abruptly interrupted when their ship is snared by Skuxxoid’s pirate ship.
Elsewhere, Darak escorts Hot Rod’s ship to a landing port in Agorria. The Agoorran forces train weapons on Hot Rod despite Darak’s orders to stand down. Suddenly, Springer flies in to greet Hot Rod and catch up on each other’s adventures while the nervous Agorrans stand by. Through the Autobot conversation, we learn Springer was originally sent to find Zerta, who left Cybertron to find and build an Energon well. Springer sees ZSerta in all Agorran tech and architecture, but he never finds her.
Meanwhile, Solila and Handroid continue falling in absolute darkness after the floor gives way beneath Solila’s feet in the last issue. Eventually, their fall slows when they’re enveloped in green energy. Solila then uses the key to light the way. In Zertonia, Ultum, the young boy who saved Proximus, looks on as Proximus repairs and rebuilds his cybernetic body.
The issue ends with Solila finding the lock for her key.
First Impressions:
Overall, Void Rivals #15 is a rock-solid issue that brings the inhabitants of the Sacred Ring much closer to Transformers and builds a sense of momentum toward some collision with multiple forces. Robert Kirkman’s space adventure continues to deliver the goods with sci-fi weirdness, Energon Easter Eggs, and cool mysteries.
Artwork and Presentation:
Lorenzo De Felici’s clean, detailed art style continues to get sharper and more refined with each passing issue. The character designs, familiar and new, look great, and Patricio Delpeche’s coloring is excellent.
Art Samples:
Story Positives & Negatives:
The Positives:
Robert Kirkman is one of the few storytellers on the market who can spin so many plots and sub-plots at once while still giving each thread enough time and shine to tell a compelling tale. Now that the plot dovetails with Transformers and G.I. Joe lore, fans of the classic properties will enjoy the Easter Eggs.
The Negatives:
When you try to do everything, some things are bound to fall through the cracks. Yes, it sounds like we’re criticizing Kirkman for the same thing we praised him for, but it’s fair to say his balancing act of multiple threads moving forward at once isn’t perfect. Skuxxoid pops in and out as needed without a clear sense of purpose, which comes off as jarring. Grakula’s “infection” is yet another development that needs tracking. Etc., etc.
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
As if there were any doubt, this issue is firmly routed in Skybound Interconnected Energon Universe that links G.I. Joe with Transformers and, in this case, a wholly unique science fiction tale that incorporates elements of both. Presumably, the intersection of mythologies are a pre-cursor to the eventual crossover event that may or may not bring Darak and Solila to Earth, but the date of that crossover has yet to be announced.
Final Thoughts:
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VOID RIVALS #15 is another jam-packed, entertaining issue that draws the main characters of the Sacred Ring further into Transformers and G.I. Joe lore. Robert Kirkman’s sci-fi adventure tackles an impressive number of plots and sub-lots at once to give you plenty of story for your dollar, and Lorenzo De Felici’s art looks better with every issue.
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