VOID RIVALS #9 – New Comic Review

VOID RIVALS #9, by Image Comics & Skybound on 5/22/24, continues Darak and Solila’s long trek through the Void’s wasteland, pursued by Proximus.

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: May 22, 2024
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Page Count: 32
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of VOID RIVALS #9:

Robert Kirkman brings the sci-fi spinoff series back to its Cybertronian roots when Darak gets Solila to their destination in the Void’s wastelands and finds a curious being waiting for them. Readers anxious to see how this series connects with the rest of the Energon Universe may get their answer.

When last we left the unlikely allies in issue #8, Darak and Solila continued their long trek through the wastelands when Proximus ambushed them with lethal intent. Darak used Handroid to set off a last-resort explosion that sent Proximus and Solila flying. Unfortunately, Solila landed on Proximus’s spear.

In Void Rivals #9, Darak runs to Solila’s aid while she’s impaled with Proximus’s spear. She manages to pull it out to let her suit seal the wound, but the damage is done.

Elsewhere, the Skuxxoid who originally rescued Darak and Solila from their crash site returns home after an upsetting meeting with the Quintessons. His joyful return, however, is met with a cold empty house. Presumably, the Skuxxoid has nobody to return to.

Solila collapses from her injury, and Darak is forced to carry her to their destination. Eventually, they reach an abandoned depot station Darak remembered when he was lost in the wastelands years ago. There, they find an Autobot named Springer, who has been living in the abandoned facility.

Darak begs Springer for help, but before Springer can lend a hand, Proximus arrives and attacks the Autobot. Assassin and Transformer trash talk and attack, but despite their size, the battle is evenly matched. Elsewhere, the Quintessons make a potentially troubling discovery about the origin of Solila’s home, Zertonia. The name Zerta Trion gets an unhappy reaction.

Character Development:

Darak rises to the occasion when he’s forced to carry Solila through the Wastelands to reach the abandoned depot, showing care for her well-being and safety. Unexpectedly, Skuxxoid earns a moment of sympathy when he returns to an empty house.

Artwork and Presentation: 

Lorenzo De Felici’s artwork hits the nail on the head for alien characters that ring true, look familiar, and are far enough away from humanity to still appear alien. Likewise, Patricio Delpeche’s coloring application is well done, but the color selection is very drab and dark.

Art Samples:

Pacing and Structure:

Kirkman’s story structure and pacing are rock-solid. Darak’s trek to carry Solila through the wasteland could have turned into a tedious chore, but the combination of scene transitions and peppy dialog between Darak and Handroid kept the trudging walk engaging.

In terms of plot, it’s still not clear where this story is headed. The plot progresses in short-term milestones instead of an overarching goal, so the satisfaction levels are bite-sized, which may not sit well with every reader.

Thematic Exploration:

Although it’s not blatantly obvious, the growing theme of this issue, and the series as a whole, is loyalty. Darak increasingly goes to extremes to help Solila, to protect her, and to defend her. It’s unclear if Kirkman intends to establish a romantic relationship between the two, but the potential is there.

The Bigger Picture:

Series Continuity:

Skybound continues to plant the seeds of an expanding Energon Universe, and with this issue, that expansion gets a little wider. To be clear, the events transpiring on Earth between the Transformers and G.I. Joe are still far enough away to not be a factor in the plot here, but the last page of this week’s Cobra Commander #5 may bridge that divide.

Final Thoughts:

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VOID RIVALS #9 delivers engaging spacefaring action, peppy dialog, and the biggest Transformers presence yet in the spinoff series. Kirkman’s script is tight, brisk, and entertaining, and the art team’s visuals are solid, albeit too drab.

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