VOID RIVALS #23 – New Comic Review

Void Rivals #23, by Image Comics on 9/24/25, opens in the midst of a massive battle between the two warring factions of the Sacred Ring when Reunification suddenly begins.

Credits:

• Writer: Robert Kirkman
• Artist: Conor Hughes
• Colorist: Patricio Delpeche
• Letterer: Rus Wooton
• Cover Artist: Lorenzo De Felici (cover A)
• Publisher: Image Comics
• Release Date: September 24, 2025
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Page Count: 32
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of VOID RIVALS #23:

First Impressions:

This issue is a whirlwind of action and plot progression, starting with a bang and rarely slowing down. The art is explosive and dynamic, perfectly capturing the chaotic nature of the war. I was immediately drawn into the scale of the conflict and the high stakes.

Recap:

In the previous issue, a large-scale battle between the Agorrian and Zertonian armies erupted. Darak’s Autobot companion, Springer, was locked in a brutal fight with Proximus. Darak himself led a squadron of space fighters, while Solila confronted Proximus hand-to-hand. Meanwhile, the Cobra-La fleet was seen making its way toward a Quintesson ship, and the Skuxxoid sub-plot continued to develop, as one Skuxxoid realized he was an offshoot of the original. The issue culminated in Proximus initiating a horrifying process of “Unity,” causing visible pain to both the Agorrians and Zertonians.

Plot Analysis:

The issue begins with the terrifying “Unity” process taking hold of the Zertonian and Agorrian forces. Proximus, the Zertonian commander, has unleashed a powerful, all-consuming force from his staff, causing the combatants to fuse together in a horrific manner. The process appears to be a forced merger of their bodies, creating a single, grotesque mass. Hot Rod and Springer are caught in the chaos, with Hot Rod struggling to keep on his feet to avoid falling on the humanoids.

While the main battle rages, Pythona and her Cobra-La crew continue their voyage in a smaller, separate subplot. They observe a giant Quintesson ship, discussing how it presents a potential new future for them. Their mission is to find the “true light,” and they believe this ship holds the key. However, one of Pythona’s crew members is suddenly and violently attacked by a cybernetic beast but saved by an Autobot.

Back on the battlefield, Solila witnesses the the Reunification energy begins to tear the Sacred Ring apart. She confronts Proximus, attempting to ge through to him that Zerta was not truthful. Despite her best efforts, Proximus easily fends her off, taunting her as the “Unity” reaches a new peak. Elsewhere, the Skuxxoid wakes up after his “surgery” to witness his limbs growing back slowly while major chunks of hi body lie on the floor.

The climax of the issue sees the combined monstrosity of the “Unity” fully formed. Proximus explains that this is the beginning of the end for the Sacred Ring, as this new being will “reunify” everything, but the destruction of the unleashed energy os too much to ignore. Solila convinces Proximus to retreat with this forces to stop the Reunification. The final page reveals that Solila forcibly recalled to Zerta, but to what end?

Story

Robert Kirkman’s writing effectively balances multiple plotlines, from the main battle to the subplots involving the Cobra-La crew and the Skuxxoid. The dialogue, particularly Proximus’s taunts, is sharp and serves to escalate the tension. The character voices are distinct. The story moves at a quick pace, making the reader feel the urgency of the situation. The writer does a good job of setting up the stakes for the next chapter.

Art

The artwork is the undisputed star of this issue. The action sequences are dynamic and chaotic, perfectly conveying the scale of the war. The colors are vibrant and well-chosen, creating a distinct atmosphere for each scene, from the fiery glow of the battle to the eerie blue of the Quintesson ship. The character designs, especially the horrifying destruction, are detailed and disturbing in the best way.

Characters

Solila and Darak are separated for most of the issue, which allows Solila to shine on her own. She is shown to be brave and resourceful, standing up to Proximus even when outmatched. Proximus is an effective and menacing villain, and his monologue about “Unity” provides a chilling insight into his motivations. The other characters, like Hot Rod and the Skuxxoid, are used to serve the main plot effectively.

Positives

The art is a significant highlight, bringing the chaotic battlefield to life with kinetic energy and detailed brutality. The character designs are excellent, especially the horrifying “Unity” amalgamation, which is both grotesque and visually striking. The sense of scale is also a major plus. The creative team does a fantastic job of making the war feel enormous and impactful, while still keeping the focus on the main characters’ desperate struggle for survival.

Negatives

The biggest disappointment of the issue is the frustrating conclusion to the long-awaited Reunification. For the past twenty-two issues, the story has been building towards Darak and Solila reuniting their peoples. Instead of the payoff that has been promised, we get a last-minute pullback that is quickly and jarringly passed off to another arc… maybe. It feels like the central premise of the comic has been unceremoniously delayed again, leaving the reader with a feeling of being cheated out of the true ending.

Art Samples:

Final Thoughts:

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VOID RIVALS #23 has everything a fan could want: stellar art, intense action, and a fast-paced story that leaves you on the edge of your seat. But the resolution of the main plotline is a massive letdown, sacrificing the emotional payoff for a jarringly abrupt retreat. It’s a great comic, but it fails to deliver on the very promise that has driven the series from the beginning.

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