VOID RIVALS #2, from Image Comics on 7/19/23, finds Darak and Solila frantically working to create a life raft to escape their barren planetoid. Will they make it home, or are there more dangers waiting in space?
The Details
- Written by: Robert Kirkman
- Art by: Lorenzo De Felici
- Colors by: Matheus Lopes
- Letters by: Rus Wooton
- Cover art by: Lorenzo De Felici (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: July 19, 2023
Is It Good?
VOID RIVALS #2 is an effective, engaging survival story about enemies-turned-allies working together for a common cause. Robert Kirkman’s take on the enemies finding common ground through adversity nails the central idea of different peoples realizing the’re more alike than they thought once they put aside their preconceived notions, so it’s a compelling second issue.
Before you get too antsy, let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way. No, there are no Transformers in this issue. The absence of Transformers doesn’t lessen the quality of this story but don’t go in thinking this comic is something it isn’t.
What you do get is a grounded, authentic, “human” story about two people working together to overcome adversity – for themselves and potentially for their respective races. The story is relatively simple – backstory on their respective peoples, Darak and Solila working together and bonding, and an unexpected outcome – but it’s Kirkman’s skill at creating believable characters where this issue shines. Darak and Solila are different races with different backgrounds and different voices, but you could imagine sitting down and having a conversation with either one of them as real people. Truly, Kirkman’s character work is outstanding.
How’s the art? Better in issue #2 than in issue #1. Lorenzo De Felici’s style steps up in visual interest with spectacular space vistas, impressively detailed ship designs, and captivating panel layouts. The character designs are still oversimplified, especially through the faces, but the overall look of the comic is much better.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our VOID RIVALS #1 review to find out how the crash happened and how the survivors encountered a special cameo character.
We begin with a flashback to Darak’s final moments before blasting off on a mission to retrieve an ice meteor for his people. Water is in short supply, and the meteor will give the Agorrians the survival edge they need. Through Darak’s launch and travels before his fateful crash, we learn the history of the conflict between the Agorrians and Zertonians.
Darak and Solila, now unmasked and realizing they’re more alike than they’ve been told, recognize the rift that separates their cultures is built on lies. If they have any chance of survival, they must work together to combine their tech into an escape ship.
We conclude the issue with days stretching into weeks, a low bar, and an ingenious design.
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Final Thoughts
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VOID RIVALS #2 continues the authentic “human” story about two survivors from separate races coming together to survive. The plot progression is light, but Kirkman more than makes up for it with amazing character development, an interesting backstory, and an intriguing cliffhanger.
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