Void Rivals

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Void Rivals
Issue #1, cover A.
Publication information
PublisherSkybound Entertainment (Image Comics)
ScheduleMonthly
FormatOngoing series
Genre
Publication dateJune 14, 2023 – present
No. of issues7
Main character(s)Energon Universe
Creative team
Created byLorenzo De Felici
Robert Kirkman
Matheus Lopes
Written byRobert Kirkman
Artist(s)Lorenzo De Felici
Letterer(s)Rus Wooton
Colorist(s)Patricio Delpeche
Matheus Lopes
Editor(s)Ben Abernathy
Sean Mackiewicz
Jonathan Manning
Bixie Mathieu

Void Rivals is an American comic book ongoing series written by Robert Kirkman, drawn by Lorenzo De Felici, colored by Matheus Lopes, and published by Skybound Entertainment, an imprint of Image Comics.[1] It is the first installment in the Energon Universe, a shared universe that combines new Transformers and G.I. Joe comics developed by Skybound, in collaboration with Hasbro.[2] The series debuted on June 14, 2023.[3]

Premise[edit]

Around the Sacred Ring, there is an interplanetary war between Agorrians and Zertonians. In the middle of this, two survivor enemies get lost on a planetoid and must work together to return home, but they also discover their war is based on a cycle of secrets and lies.[1]

Publication history[edit]

Void Rivals was announced in February 2023 as part of an "all-new shared universe" developed by Skybound Entertainment.[1] The series is being written by Robert Kirkman, drawn by Lorenzo De Felici and colored by Matheus Lopes.[4] Kirkman and De Felici had previously worked together in another comic titled Oblivion Song.[5]

Kirkman said, "With every project I do, I’m always trying to challenge myself. One thing I’ve always loved doing is starting small with a story and expanding the depth, scope and stakes as we progress. With Void Rivals we’ll be going bigger than I ever have and at a much faster pace. This project is going to be monumental. I can’t wait for people to see what Lorenzo and I have cooking."[4]

Sean Mackiewicz, publisher and SVP for Skybound Entertainment, also added, "Void Rivals takes every element fans expect from Skybound comics—incredible worlds, dynamic characters, and jaw-dropping twists—and kicks off our first shared universe. This comic is the start of something we’ll be talking about for years to come."[4]

By the time issue 1 was published, Skybound announced the series to be part of the Energon Universe, which combines new comics based on Hasbro brands Transformers and G.I. Joe.[2]

Characters[edit]

Agorrians[edit]

  • Darak
    • Handroid
  • Minister Dulin

Zertonians[edit]

  • Solila
  • Zerta
  • Premier Zalilak
  • Mistress Vill
  • Kanela
  • Ultum
  • Proximus

Cybertronians[edit]

  • Jetfire
  • Shockwave

Quintessons[edit]

  • Judge
  • Prosecutor
  • Scorpia
  • Allicons

Other[edit]

  • Goliant
  • Skuxxoid

Overview[edit]

Title Issue(s) Creative team Release schedule Ref.
Writer(s) Artist(s) Colorist(s) Premiere date Finale date
Void Rivals 1– Robert Kirkman Lorenzo De Felici Matheus Lopes (1–4, 6)
Patricio Delpeche (5, 7–)
June 14, 2023 Present [1]
Energon Universe 2024 Special One-shot Daniel Warren Johnson
Robert Kirkman
Joshua Williamson
Lorenzo De Felici
Ryan Ottley
TBA May 4, 2024 (Free Comic Book Day) [6]

Reception[edit]

The series received positive reviews, with critics praising the surprising guest appearance of several Transformers characters in each issue.[7]

Issue Release date Critic rating Critic reviews Ref.
#1 June 14, 2023 9.0/10 11 [8]
#2 July 19, 2023 8.0/10 9 [9]
#3 August 16, 2023 8.6/10 11 [10]
#4 September 27, 2023 7.9/10 8 [11]
#5 October 25, 2023 8.8/10 7 [12]
#6 November 22, 2023 8.2/10 6 [13]
#7 March 6, 2024 8.5/10 [14]
Overall 8.4/10 47 [7]

Collected editions[edit]

Title Material collected Pages Publication date ISBN
Void Rivals, Volume 1: More than Meets the Eye
  • Void Rivals #1–6
136 February 20, 2024 1684158958, 978-1684158959
Void Rivals, Volume 2: Hunted Across the Wasteland
  • Void Rivals #7–12
128 September 3, 2024 1534328378, 978-1534328372

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d First Comics News (2023-02-24). "ROBERT KIRKMAN & LORENZO DE FELICI LAUNCH A NEW SHARED COMICS UNIVERSE IN VOID RIVALS #1". Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  2. ^ a b Salmon, Will (2023-06-14). "Skybound roll out a new shared Transformers and G.I. Joe universe - and it starts today!". gamesradar. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  3. ^ "REVIEW: Image Comics' Void Rivals #1 is a Monumental Sci-Fi Epic". CBR. 2023-06-14. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  4. ^ a b c "Walking Dead Creator's New Series Is an Invincible-style Shared Sci-Fi Universe". CBR. 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  5. ^ Wigler, Josh (2018-03-06). "'Walking Dead' Creator Begins New Chapter With 'Oblivion Song'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  6. ^ Donohoo, Timothy (2023-11-14). "Skybound and Hasbro Announce Transformers and G.I. Joe Special". CBR. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  7. ^ a b "Void Rivals (2023) Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
  8. ^ "Void Rivals #1 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2023-06-18.
  9. ^ "Void Rivals #2 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  10. ^ "Void Rivals #3 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  11. ^ "Void Rivals #4 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  12. ^ "Void Rivals #5 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  13. ^ "Void Rivals #6 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  14. ^ "Void Rivals #7 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2024-03-08.