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Void Rivals (Single Issues)
Void Rivals Volume 4: First Chosen
The Energon Universe shows no signs of letting up as the superstar team of Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) and Conor Huges reveal long awaited answers in VOID RIVALS VOL.4.
WILL SOLILA AND DARAK COMPLETE THEIR MISSIONS?
After everything they’ve done together, now Solila and Darak are on their own. Can they find their way back to each other?
Meanwhile, the secrets of Skuxxoid are revealed, just in time for the infamous Wreck-Gar and the Junkions to arrive at the Sacred Ring.
The game-changing team of Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, Invincible) and Conor Hughes (White Ash) continue their critically acclaimed series exploring the most unexpected corners of the Energon Universe.
Collects VOID RIVALS #19-24
WILL SOLILA AND DARAK COMPLETE THEIR MISSIONS?
After everything they’ve done together, now Solila and Darak are on their own. Can they find their way back to each other?
Meanwhile, the secrets of Skuxxoid are revealed, just in time for the infamous Wreck-Gar and the Junkions to arrive at the Sacred Ring.
The game-changing team of Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, Invincible) and Conor Hughes (White Ash) continue their critically acclaimed series exploring the most unexpected corners of the Energon Universe.
Collects VOID RIVALS #19-24
136 pages, Paperback
Published December 9, 2025
About the author
Robert Kirkman
2,569 books7,073 followersRobert Kirkman is an American comic book writer best known for his work on The Walking Dead, Invincible for Image Comics, as well as Ultimate X-Men and Marvel Zombies for Marvel Comics. He has also collaborated with Image Comics co-founder Todd McFarlane on the series Haunt. He is one of the five partners of Image Comics, and the only one of the five who was not one of the original co-founders of that publisher.
Robert Kirkman's first comic books were self-published under his own Funk-o-Tron label. Along with childhood friend Tony Moore, Kirkman created Battle Pope which was published in late 2001. Battle Pope ran for over 2 years along with other Funk-o-Tron published books such as InkPunks and Double Take.
In July of 2002, Robert's first work for another company began, with a 4-part SuperPatriot series for Image, along with Battle Pope backup story artist Cory Walker. Robert's creator-owned projects followed shortly thereafter, including Tech Jacket, Invincible and Walking Dead.
Robert Kirkman's first comic books were self-published under his own Funk-o-Tron label. Along with childhood friend Tony Moore, Kirkman created Battle Pope which was published in late 2001. Battle Pope ran for over 2 years along with other Funk-o-Tron published books such as InkPunks and Double Take.
In July of 2002, Robert's first work for another company began, with a 4-part SuperPatriot series for Image, along with Battle Pope backup story artist Cory Walker. Robert's creator-owned projects followed shortly thereafter, including Tech Jacket, Invincible and Walking Dead.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 1, 2026
EN I have said it before and I will say it again: Void Rivals, Transformers, and G.I. Joe are among the best titles the American industry is producing at the moment. Everything within the Energon Universe is simply of high quality.
Here we finally conclude the saga we have been following since the beginning of the series, but there is still much to come, with several threads unfolding in parallel and promising future developments.
--
PT Já o disse e volto a dizê-lo: Void Rivals, Transformers e G.I. Joe estão entre os melhores títulos que a indústria americana está a produzir neste momento. Tudo o que integra o Universo Energon é, pura e simplesmente, de grande qualidade.
Aqui concluímos finalmente a saga que acompanhámos desde o início da série, mas ainda há muito por acontecer, com vários acontecimentos a decorrer em paralelo e a prometer desenvolvimentos futuros.
Here we finally conclude the saga we have been following since the beginning of the series, but there is still much to come, with several threads unfolding in parallel and promising future developments.
--
PT Já o disse e volto a dizê-lo: Void Rivals, Transformers e G.I. Joe estão entre os melhores títulos que a indústria americana está a produzir neste momento. Tudo o que integra o Universo Energon é, pura e simplesmente, de grande qualidade.
Aqui concluímos finalmente a saga que acompanhámos desde o início da série, mas ainda há muito por acontecer, com vários acontecimentos a decorrer em paralelo e a prometer desenvolvimentos futuros.
April 14, 2026
Non male come storia, ma l'unico personaggio interessante apparso per una manciata di pagine nei volumi precedenti è Jetfire... Void Rivals è decisamente la peggior serie dell'Energon Universe, per i miei gusti.
Almeno i disegni sembrano essere migliorati un pochino, ma per 22 euro a volume, se non comprate le edizioni variant, non ne vale decisamente la pena.
Salvo ripensamenti dell'ultima ora, e confido sempre che Kirkman riesca a farmi ricredere in futuro, mi sa che la chiudo qui.
Mah.
Almeno i disegni sembrano essere migliorati un pochino, ma per 22 euro a volume, se non comprate le edizioni variant, non ne vale decisamente la pena.
Salvo ripensamenti dell'ultima ora, e confido sempre che Kirkman riesca a farmi ricredere in futuro, mi sa che la chiudo qui.
Mah.
March 14, 2026
Skuxxoid rocks! A heavily Skuxxoid centric arc. This series keeps getting better and better.
January 12, 2026
Who doesn't love a good Wreck-Gar cameo?
March 5, 2026
Pretty good
February 16, 2026
A lot of unusual and unexpected twists in this volume, both with the A-plot and the increasing number of B-plots. Plus, the always-fun Junkions and even more late-G1 lore gets thrown into the mix. (B+)
December 5, 2025
The previous volume of Void Rivals ended with a few revelations, not least the truth behind the manipulative war between their planets Agorria and Zertonia as the Sacred Ring was built so that the planet-sized Goliant could not escape from his imprisonment. As Zerta Prime gives whatever power she has left over Solila to end Goliant and to unite her people, Solila heads to Agorria where she is reunited with Darak, but is there still an alliance between them?
A lot of the interactions between our two protagonists in this volume features a great deal of talking as the two must convince one another about what the fate of the Sacred Ring should be, with Solila trying to achieve the task that Zerta has left her with, whilst Darak is leaning to his father’s beliefs that the release of Goliant is instant destruction for their people. Seeing the two leads together again brings back some of the initial joy from this series, where they are somewhat butting heads with each other, while their respected Handroids serve as a fun third wheel.
As the series has progressed, Robert Kirkman has been writing quite the intergalactic epic with ties to the wider Energon Universe, with this particular volume that juggles three separate storylines, the book can be too unwieldy with the amount of storytelling going on. One continuing subplot is Skuxxoid, who just wants to get back to his wife and kids, only to be taken to a planet of his own race that is actually regenerative clones ruled by Skuxxoid Alpha. Considering that this was a very minor character from the 80s Transformers cartoon, Kirkman has made Skuxxoid into a breakout character, introduced somewhat as a comic relief to now going through a compelling character arc.
The Transformers lore remains a delight throughout the series, from the buddy dynamic between Hot Rod and Springer, to the debut of Wreck-Gar and the Junkions, who are hilarious and TV-obsessed as you remembered them from 1986’s The Transformers: The Movie. We even get the introduction of Wheelie who, along with non-Cybertronian robots, escapes from the clutches of the Quintessons and joins Pythona and her soldiers from Cobra-La during their cosmic journey. Although there is uncertainty about where this subplot is going, one thing is for certain, which is the Quintessons are heading to war, setting up the next big storyline.
Although Patricio Delpeche remains as the colourist, Conor Hughes takes over art duties following the departure of original artist Lorenzo De Felici. While you can see the subtle differences between the art-styles as Hughes doesn’t quite capture De Felici’s more detailed work and use of shadows, he still maintains a lot of the comic’s overall aesthetics, specifically the various alien worlds. More action-packed than any of the previous volumes, Hughes’ approach to spectacle is impressive, from the kinetic choreography that showcases Solila’s skills as a warrior, to the Star Wars-like climax that features a big space battle with some Transformers thrown in for good measure.
However, despite the huge battle at the end, this is not the end of Void Rivals as the goal to unity for the Sacred Ring may not be as clean-cut as some characters thought, and based on their actions, sets the stage for a huge event that could leave a major impact for the Energon Universe as a whole.
A lot of the interactions between our two protagonists in this volume features a great deal of talking as the two must convince one another about what the fate of the Sacred Ring should be, with Solila trying to achieve the task that Zerta has left her with, whilst Darak is leaning to his father’s beliefs that the release of Goliant is instant destruction for their people. Seeing the two leads together again brings back some of the initial joy from this series, where they are somewhat butting heads with each other, while their respected Handroids serve as a fun third wheel.
As the series has progressed, Robert Kirkman has been writing quite the intergalactic epic with ties to the wider Energon Universe, with this particular volume that juggles three separate storylines, the book can be too unwieldy with the amount of storytelling going on. One continuing subplot is Skuxxoid, who just wants to get back to his wife and kids, only to be taken to a planet of his own race that is actually regenerative clones ruled by Skuxxoid Alpha. Considering that this was a very minor character from the 80s Transformers cartoon, Kirkman has made Skuxxoid into a breakout character, introduced somewhat as a comic relief to now going through a compelling character arc.
The Transformers lore remains a delight throughout the series, from the buddy dynamic between Hot Rod and Springer, to the debut of Wreck-Gar and the Junkions, who are hilarious and TV-obsessed as you remembered them from 1986’s The Transformers: The Movie. We even get the introduction of Wheelie who, along with non-Cybertronian robots, escapes from the clutches of the Quintessons and joins Pythona and her soldiers from Cobra-La during their cosmic journey. Although there is uncertainty about where this subplot is going, one thing is for certain, which is the Quintessons are heading to war, setting up the next big storyline.
Although Patricio Delpeche remains as the colourist, Conor Hughes takes over art duties following the departure of original artist Lorenzo De Felici. While you can see the subtle differences between the art-styles as Hughes doesn’t quite capture De Felici’s more detailed work and use of shadows, he still maintains a lot of the comic’s overall aesthetics, specifically the various alien worlds. More action-packed than any of the previous volumes, Hughes’ approach to spectacle is impressive, from the kinetic choreography that showcases Solila’s skills as a warrior, to the Star Wars-like climax that features a big space battle with some Transformers thrown in for good measure.
However, despite the huge battle at the end, this is not the end of Void Rivals as the goal to unity for the Sacred Ring may not be as clean-cut as some characters thought, and based on their actions, sets the stage for a huge event that could leave a major impact for the Energon Universe as a whole.
April 26, 2026
Solila discuteix amb Darak i el ministre Dulin d'Agòrria amb la intenció de convèncer-los de la necessitat d'arribar a la Unitat dels seus dos pobles per una via pacífica. En canvi, Zalilak envia a l'exèrcit zertonià, liderat per Proximus, a atacar Agòrria, amb també amb l'objectiu d'assolir la Unitat, però mitjançant la guerra i la submissió dels agorrians.
Entremig, continuen les aventures d'altres personatges com Skuxxoid (realment sorprenents les revelacions d'aquest volum sobre el seu origen), els autobots, els malvats quintessons o els Cobra-La; eixa curiosa espècie, mig serp mig humana, que basa tota la seua tecnologia en la biologia i que rebutja totalment els components mecànics, considerant als transformers i qualsevol altra espècie mecànica una abominació.
Continua el ritme trepidant, les revelacions i girs de guió sorprenents i un dibuix que encaixa molt bé amb eixes premisses. Aventura espacial sense complexos.
Entremig, continuen les aventures d'altres personatges com Skuxxoid (realment sorprenents les revelacions d'aquest volum sobre el seu origen), els autobots, els malvats quintessons o els Cobra-La; eixa curiosa espècie, mig serp mig humana, que basa tota la seua tecnologia en la biologia i que rebutja totalment els components mecànics, considerant als transformers i qualsevol altra espècie mecànica una abominació.
Continua el ritme trepidant, les revelacions i girs de guió sorprenents i un dibuix que encaixa molt bé amb eixes premisses. Aventura espacial sense complexos.
December 12, 2025
Wow, like the transformers, what an ending. They do feel different however. This one feels a lot more open, ushering in the next phase much more easily. Between the Skuxxoid stories and those on the sacred ring, I’m excited to see how they’ll continue and (hopefully!) intertwine.
So many more transformers additions in this one that I loved, but ones that all added to the universe and stories well. Seeing so many of the mysteries solved now and how they wrapped up was very satisfying, none of the answers felt cheap or lazy. They all amounted to good character building and storytelling in fact. I can only hope the Quintesson war keeps that going.
So many more transformers additions in this one that I loved, but ones that all added to the universe and stories well. Seeing so many of the mysteries solved now and how they wrapped up was very satisfying, none of the answers felt cheap or lazy. They all amounted to good character building and storytelling in fact. I can only hope the Quintesson war keeps that going.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2025
The Skuxxoid subplot completely takes over this volume. I'm very interested to see how this plays out even if it does seem relatively unattached to the central story taking place on the Sacred Ring.
Knowing what comes next in this series, it does feel like we're treading water until the next big throw down event. There's yet more back and forth as to who are the good guys, so much so that I'm losing track myself.
I did enjoy the ongoing cameos of Springer and Hot Rod. Hopefully, we will see them in the main Transformers series soon.
Knowing what comes next in this series, it does feel like we're treading water until the next big throw down event. There's yet more back and forth as to who are the good guys, so much so that I'm losing track myself.
I did enjoy the ongoing cameos of Springer and Hot Rod. Hopefully, we will see them in the main Transformers series soon.
April 10, 2026
Great Wrap-up! Everyrhing comes into play in Vol. 4 of Void Rivals. I felt this book began in a very ineresting place as we discover a very disturbing secret concerning our favorite space hopping dirt bag, Skuxxoid. Robert Kirkman does a great job of giving the alien races in this space opera a uniqueness and the book has quite an interesting feel compared to all the other Energon universe books. What makes this series so intriguing is how Kirkman incorporates so much of the Transformers lore seamlessly into a concept that is very new. Solila and Darak have their work cut out fo them as an instellar conflict spirals out of control and we get peak at the larger challenge looming on the horizon for our heroes. I am very curious about where Pythona and the Cobra-La factions are going. Once again Kirkman does a great job of capturing the voices a feel of many of thecharacters I have not seen since the original animated Transformers: The Movie animated film. Conor Hughes pencils are not quite as good as Lorenzo De Felici but they do not hinder the story. This series has really grown on me. It has everything I love in a good space opera. This arc has come to an end with many of secrets revelaed and the people of the Sacred Ring still in a stalemate as one civilzation clearly has advantage over the other. The is peace for now but this coudl just be the quiet before the storm.I am looking forward to Solila & Darak's next adventure. If you are looking for great space adventure comics checkout: Flash Gordon (2024) Vol. 1: Escape from Planet Death!, Space Ghost Vol. 1: With Only Ghosts to Comfort Us, Starlight, Kirby: Genesis: Captain Victory Volume 1, Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Vol. 1 & Star Wars: Vader Down.
April 25, 2026
WAR! And Unity?
Highlights:
- The Quintessons officially declare war against the Sacred Ring and leave Quintessa to fight
- The characters from Cobra-La find out about the Quintessons new focus and decide that maybe Cybertron isn't the largest threat. They follow to the Sacred Ring
- Skuxxoid has an amazing arc! Taken to a cell filled with other Skuxxoids, he defeats them in combat then is taken before Skuxxoid Prime. As he begs for information about his family, Skux Prime declares their fate a forbidden topic, and rejects Skuxxoid. Taken to be "sliced", meaning that he will be divided into parts where each piece creates a new Skuxxoid, he is divided several times, then escapes. He kills the slicer and unites his recent pieces as a group to go against Skuxxoid Prime.
- Zalilak speaks directly to Zerta (or at least he thinks he does) and ralies the troops for war.
- Darak and Solila join forces and their people fight and come together in one place. As they fight, the process of Unity begins and all forces are assaulted mentally as Goliant begins to come out of the black hole. Solila sees Goliant's release as being unifying, but also would destroy their two races and the Sacred Ring to do it. The forces divide to save themselves, Goliant slips back into the black hole, and Solila gets taken away by Zerta Trion.
- Dulin and Zalilak speak about keeping their people separate, but easing the hatred between them
- Solila gets her powers taken away and will be kept as a prisoner
- Springer and Hot Rod are given lots of Energon for helping and they leave. (Hopefully we will see them soon back in the pages of Transformers)
A wild, action packed Volume. Anxious to see how they will stand against the might of the Quintessons coming.
Recommend.
Highlights:
- The Quintessons officially declare war against the Sacred Ring and leave Quintessa to fight
- The characters from Cobra-La find out about the Quintessons new focus and decide that maybe Cybertron isn't the largest threat. They follow to the Sacred Ring
- Skuxxoid has an amazing arc! Taken to a cell filled with other Skuxxoids, he defeats them in combat then is taken before Skuxxoid Prime. As he begs for information about his family, Skux Prime declares their fate a forbidden topic, and rejects Skuxxoid. Taken to be "sliced", meaning that he will be divided into parts where each piece creates a new Skuxxoid, he is divided several times, then escapes. He kills the slicer and unites his recent pieces as a group to go against Skuxxoid Prime.
- Zalilak speaks directly to Zerta (or at least he thinks he does) and ralies the troops for war.
- Darak and Solila join forces and their people fight and come together in one place. As they fight, the process of Unity begins and all forces are assaulted mentally as Goliant begins to come out of the black hole. Solila sees Goliant's release as being unifying, but also would destroy their two races and the Sacred Ring to do it. The forces divide to save themselves, Goliant slips back into the black hole, and Solila gets taken away by Zerta Trion.
- Dulin and Zalilak speak about keeping their people separate, but easing the hatred between them
- Solila gets her powers taken away and will be kept as a prisoner
- Springer and Hot Rod are given lots of Energon for helping and they leave. (Hopefully we will see them soon back in the pages of Transformers)
A wild, action packed Volume. Anxious to see how they will stand against the might of the Quintessons coming.
Recommend.
December 5, 2025
Solila and Darak come face to face once again, only for the shit to hit the fan as the two halves of the Sacred Ring go to war. Plus, more Transfomers madness, and...what the hell's up with Skuxxoid?
I really wasn't sure about this book when it started, but it's oddly compelling these days. I like the Transformers stuff on the periphery, and we get some Cobra stuff as well to tie into the larger Energon universe, but this story remains firmly about the Sacred Ring and our main two characters, as well as their faiths, and how they feel about the lives they've led up until now. There's a big status quo change midway through the book that I think's going to reverberate nicely, and the final page cliffhanger definitely sets us up for some fun going forward.
We swap out Lorenzo De Felici for Conor Hughes for six issues, and while you do lose something as a result, it's not too bad of a shift overall. It still feels like Void Rivals, even if the vibes are a bit different.
I really wasn't sure about this book when it started, but it's oddly compelling these days. I like the Transformers stuff on the periphery, and we get some Cobra stuff as well to tie into the larger Energon universe, but this story remains firmly about the Sacred Ring and our main two characters, as well as their faiths, and how they feel about the lives they've led up until now. There's a big status quo change midway through the book that I think's going to reverberate nicely, and the final page cliffhanger definitely sets us up for some fun going forward.
We swap out Lorenzo De Felici for Conor Hughes for six issues, and while you do lose something as a result, it's not too bad of a shift overall. It still feels like Void Rivals, even if the vibes are a bit different.
Read
May 13, 2026There are familiar Kirkman tics creeping in here, from the unwitting clone to the apparent absence of proofreading, and the erstwhile leads are to some extent getting edged out of their own story. But they were always a fairly generic across-the-barricades pair, and most of the screentime they've lost has been reallocated to characters from one of the great bookends to Orson Welles' film career, Transformers: The Movie. Yes, I know it was Bambi's mum for an earlier generation, and now it's probably a Labubu falling in a Skibidi toilet or something, I don't know what kids like. But this was the first film that made me cry in the cinema, so I am incapable of feigning objectivity when those associations are triggered. Though with hindsight Wreck-Gar's nipple cannons were a bold choice.
November 14, 2025
I didn't expect so much time spent with Skuxxoid but I kind of dug it. Anyway, another great volume of Void Rivals mixing in Transformers from the movie and the oddball Cobra-La stuff and yet it all works. All of the stuff with the two divisions of people and why they are kept apart are resolved and not how I expected. It was nice to see Conor Hughes take over on art. If you're never checked out White Ash, you should.
February 18, 2026
For a series I never really felt like offered big surprises outside of the initial reveal of an Autobot, this last volume was anything but predictable. I’m glad this isn’t the end, even if certain aspects might feel concluded in a way. But if it were the conclusion, it would be such a shocking one. Thematically, I’m not sure how I like the breakdown yet (I need more time to process what Goliant is really a metaphor/analogy for), but that reveal was quite something.
Also, my prediction about the Ring being a piece of Unicron was wrong… but even better, Goliant is the weapon made by the Quintessons to fight Unicron. Badass…! I’m sure we are building to a giant Unicron arc across all three titles before it’s all said and done. I can’t wait.
I’m officially caught up in trade on the Energon Universe (minus Scarlet, I can go back later if I really feel the need). This is the first time I’ve read current in any series, and I couldn’t be happier with these. This is simultaneously comfort food while also being really investing and thought-provoking. Awesome stuff that I want to write an essay about when the whole thing is finished one day.
Also, my prediction about the Ring being a piece of Unicron was wrong… but even better, Goliant is the weapon made by the Quintessons to fight Unicron. Badass…! I’m sure we are building to a giant Unicron arc across all three titles before it’s all said and done. I can’t wait.
I’m officially caught up in trade on the Energon Universe (minus Scarlet, I can go back later if I really feel the need). This is the first time I’ve read current in any series, and I couldn’t be happier with these. This is simultaneously comfort food while also being really investing and thought-provoking. Awesome stuff that I want to write an essay about when the whole thing is finished one day.
January 9, 2026
Not bad, i don't understand why it’s labeled (single issue) but 🤷🏽.
Im a huge ANTI multi-verse person. Fandom is just not in my genetic profile. But these a re fun reads so far. Im sure once they start merging with gi joe and whatever i will be no longer entertained. Hopefully they finish this story before adding it to another🙄
3.3🌟
Im a huge ANTI multi-verse person. Fandom is just not in my genetic profile. But these a re fun reads so far. Im sure once they start merging with gi joe and whatever i will be no longer entertained. Hopefully they finish this story before adding it to another🙄
3.3🌟
January 10, 2026
A great first arc.
The finale was a bit anticlimactic but it leaves room for interesting development in the future.
I love the worldbuilding and the skuxxoids are brilliant.
I’m excited to see how the other Energon titles tie in to this, especially transformers, since there are some autobots in this book.
Robert Kirkman is the goat 🐐
The finale was a bit anticlimactic but it leaves room for interesting development in the future.
I love the worldbuilding and the skuxxoids are brilliant.
I’m excited to see how the other Energon titles tie in to this, especially transformers, since there are some autobots in this book.
Robert Kirkman is the goat 🐐
April 30, 2026
There is a lot going on with this volume. All the elements introduced in the previous volume collide in a way which makes for epic battle while at the same time setting up for event more events coming down the line. It's amazing how Kirkman is able to address all the different story elements without making it feel like some plot thread isn't getting the attention it deserves.
January 2, 2026
There is a lot happening here, with a major focus on the mistery behind Skuxxoid, and the fight between Zertonians and Agorrians. In the background, the Quintessons plot war. The best Energon Universe title at the moment.
November 22, 2025
sigue entretenida, pero kirkman estira mucho la trama
January 3, 2026
Very cool.
January 6, 2026
It feels like this series is starting to lose the plot.
January 28, 2026
Plenty has been said already, so I’ll just say this:
Skuxxoid is life.
Skuxxoid is life.
February 8, 2026
Pointless. Not worth reading anymore since it is still not anywhere close to uniting with the other two titles in the shared 'verse.
March 6, 2026
Great accumulation of previous arcs and a nice set up to thing to come.
March 10, 2026
Cobra fanatics in the background. Skuxxoids are multiplying. The ring almost unites. War is imminent.
April 3, 2026
Void Rivals has been a fun series with lots of cameos by Transformers and strange, intersecting side plots from across the Energon Universe.
3/5
3/5
April 6, 2026
A lot of time spent on what seems like a side character, so Kirkman doing more Kirkman things. I actually enjoyed that plot line and the action pieces for the main plot were great too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews