Void Rivals #28 Review: The Tribunal Changes the War

Void Rivals #28 (Image Comics, 3/25/26): Writer Robert Kirkman and artist Andrei Bressan escalate the Quintesson War as Solila faces her past and Darak fights for Agorria’s survival during a desperate energon hunt. The execution is kinetic. Verdict: Worth reading for lovers of war epics.

• Writer: Robert Kirkman
• Artist: Andrei Bressan
• Colorist: Dee Cunniffe
• Letterer: Rus Wooton
• Cover Artist: Lorenzo De Felici (cover A)
• Publisher: Image Comics
• Release Date: March 25, 2026
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Page Count: 32
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of Void Rivals #28:

First Impressions:

You dive right into a conflict that feels like it has finally found its teeth, where the Sacred Ring’s survival depends on a dangerous new tactical discovery. The raw energy of the opening flashback hits hard, grounding the cosmic scale in the quiet tragedy of family lost to a military machine. It is a measured, world-weary start that immediately pivots into the desperate reality of the front lines, and the momentum carries you through every page with a sense of genuine dread. What we are seeing here is not just another sci-fi brawl, but a culture fighting for its right to exist against a committee of judges who finally found their match.

Recap:

In Void Rivals #27, the Sacred Ring faced total annihilation until Darak’s father discovered that Energon ingestion grants their people temporary, devastating power. This tactical shift allowed Agorria and Zertonia to launch a desperate counter-offensive against the Quintesson swarms. Amidst the carnage, Proximus regained his memories and revealed his true identity as Solila’s long-lost brother. Now, the momentum has shifted, but the arrival of the Tribunal threatens to end their resistance permanently.

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):

The issue opens with a haunting memory of Solila and her sister, Polada, facing the cold reality of High Guard recruitment. This flashback anchors the current conflict in a deeply personal history of loss and military indoctrination. On the battlefield of Agorria, Darak and his father, Dukan, coordinate a massive counter-offensive using the newly discovered Energon-boosting technique. The Agorrian forces finally make headway against the spherical purple monsters, turning the tide with sheer, desperate power.

Inside the Quintesson command, Judge Makmun realizes his fleet is being dismantled by the very beings he deemed primitive. The arrogance of the Quintesson leadership begins to crumble as their ships take heavy damage and the Sharkticon platoons fail to hold the line. However, the victory for the Sacred Ring is short-lived as the Tribunal arrives to personally oversee the destruction of the resistance. This massive new figure resets the power balance, leaving the defenders wondering if their Energon gambit will be enough to survive the night.

How is the story in Void Rivals #28?

Kirkman manages the pacing with the steady hand of a veteran who knows exactly when to pull back for emotional weight and when to floor the gas. The dialogue feels pragmatic and grounded, avoiding the usual bombast of space opera in favor of a weary, tactical realism. He effectively uses the five basics of storytelling by making the focal characters’ goal of survival feel increasingly impossible as the stakes escalate. The journey from the trauma of the past to the chaos of the present is handled with a level of care that highlights the massive obstacles facing these civilizations.

How is the art in Void Rivals #28?

Andrei Bressan delivers a visual performance that is both brilliantly paced and sharply inked, capturing the kinetic shadows of a world on the brink. His character acting in the early panels sells the trauma of the High Guard recruitment better than any exposition could. The layouts guide the eye through the chaos of Agorria with professional clarity, ensuring that every blaster fire and Energon flare has a specific narrative purpose.

Dee Cunniffe’s color palette reinforces the world-weary tone, using cold, industrial blues and purples that make the warm glow of the Agorrian gems feel like a fading hope. The synergy between the jagged lines and the atmospheric lighting creates a mood that is palpably tense throughout the entire issue. Every panel feels like a deliberate piece of storytelling that justifies the attention of any serious comic fan.

Characters

Solila’s journey from a fierce warrior to a grieving sister provides the emotional core that keeps the series from becoming a mere lore dump. Her consistency as a character is maintained even as her worldview is shattered by the revelations of her family’s past. Darak remains a relatable protagonist whose motivation is grounded in a simple, desperate need to protect his home and follow his father’s lead.

Originality & Concept Execution

The execution of the Energon-ingestion premise is a masterstroke that adds a layer of biological risk to the established Transformers lore. It successfully delivers on the promise of a unique corner of the Energon Universe that can stand on its own two feet. The introduction of the Tribunal is a fresh, intimidating addition that promises to take the series into even darker, more systemic territory.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

• Brilliantly kinetic battlefield layouts.
• Poignant, character-driven emotional flashbacks.
• Authentically world-weary narrative tone.

Room for Improvement

• Rushed pacing in final pages.
• Exposition occasionally stalls momentum.
• Background character designs lack detail.

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 3.5/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3.5/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1.5/2

Final Thoughts:

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Void Rivals #28 is a necessary, hard-hitting entry for any reader who appreciates a story that treats its characters and its stakes with professional respect. The issue’s greatest success is the way it blends the kinetic shadows of its art with a script that understands the systemic reality of war. While the pacing occasionally stutters as it sets up the next big threat, the core emotional journey of Solila and Darak remains untarnished. This issue absolutely earns its spot on your pull list because it delivers a visceral, high-stakes experience that justifies every moment of your time.

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