Void Rivals, Vol. 5: The Quintesson War

Void Rivals

by Robert Kirkman, Andrei Bresson (Artist), Patricio Delpeche (Colorist)

THE QUINTESSON WAR IS HERE—AND NOTHING WILL BE THE SAME!

A new era of VOID RIVALS begins...but who will survive?

Just as Solila and Darak think the worst has come...the Quintessons arrive in the Sacred Ring to wage all-out war.

ROBERT KIRKMAN (THE WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE) and ANDREI BRESSAN (DESTRO, X-Men) kick off this massive new epic revealing the deepest secrets of the TRANSFORMERS and more in the Energon Universe.

Collects VOID RIVALS #25-30

Genres: Comics, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels

136 pages, Paperback

First published August 18, 2026

About the author

Robert 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.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Quintessans are here. Time for all out war. 'Nuff said.

[Bill Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent arc featuring the Quintessons. These just keep getting better and better.

[Bertazzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andrei Bressan rules!

[B.A.G. Studios · Rating 3 out of 5]

This might be the first time I’ve stepped away from a Skybound volume rather disappointed. Not to say what’s here isn’t really good, it is. But it is so incredibly rushed that it makes Game of Thrones Season 7 look like a 2000s Bendis book. There are moments where a character meeting that I would say is important is just completely glossed over because one of our two protagonists was unconscious. It skips what could’ve been a whole issue’s worth. Comparing this pacing to that of the first volume, it’s like whiplash. I like what’s here, but it’s breezing by so quickly that I feel like we didn’t spend any time with anyone doing anything. Lots and lots of action, and it’s all well-done. The visuals are often stunning. I don’t recall for certain if we knew a particular detail about this species before this or not, but I don’t think so, I think it was just me predicting it. If I remember right, then the reveal here in this book is super chilling. But I’m left very confused about Zerta Trion and I think this is too bombastic to stop and answer my questions. I hope they pump the brakes pretty hard.

(I also think there’s one too many issues between arcs. I don’t think we had to get to a status quo at the end of last volume if this is just going to plunge straight back into warfare. Couldn’t we have just had a semi-resolve last volume and then the corkscrew ship shows up? That might’ve given more time for decompressing this story if you didn’t have to undo the status quo we just established.)

[Silas Pelkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like that it's not all wrapped up by the end because this is very obviously the climax of the story so far, and I feel like having an entire war last 6 issues would be too small.

I think the politics are paper thin, at the beginning of the book Proximus can just jump into the throne room and kill the Zertonian leader with very little help from anyone else, and there's not that many emotional moments, like Proximus remembers his sister but he's just like "I'll worry about that later" and keeps fighting.

I get Skuxxoid not being in it, but I'm surprised Wheelie didn't make an appearance, and Cobra-La has kinda just been dicking around since they crossed over so it's nice to see them actually get stuff done. And I don't like that Zerta just went back right away on her decision at the end of last volume. I like the Tribunal.

over all, it's a little satisfying but mostly slightly disappointing.

[Jim Furey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where Skuxxoid stole the show in Vol. 4, The Tribunal, aka the Quintesson War Judge, steals the show here.

There are times in Vol. 5 where Robert Kirkman’s storytelling seems to wander, but ultimately it just keeps building as he slowly ties all of the Energon Universe titles together.

Andrei Bressan joins the creative team as artist and doesn’t miss a beat. Some panels are a bit overcrowded for my liking, yet still convey the confusion and chaos of war.

Also, Sharkticons have to be the goofiest boots on the ground military grunts ever devised. Just pure lethal insanity.

My Goodreads rating: 3.5/5 stars.

Note: this is not a review of an advanced reader copy. I purchased this from my local comic book shop the week it was released to the direct market.

[Anthony Wendel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume is where it feels like the overall story is in good hands. Many people have been hard on Kirkman as he took over Transformers seeming to forget he has been around in the beginning and helping with the Energon Universe. This volume showcases how he crafting a multiple story series and working to bring together all the franchises in an incredible final war which may be on the levell of Avengers: Endgame. At the very least, this feels like another great installment in the Energon Universe.

[Martijn Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a real gamechanger for the Void Rivals series. But because of the time in between volumes i did not feel the emotional impact and the ever expending Energon Universe is becoming to big to re-read.

Overall i liked The Quintesson, mostly knowing them from the Transformers Movie and finding them weird, they pose a real treath here. Also Kudos to Cobra-la, can't wait to find out what happend with them next.

So overall good, but did not really have the impact it could've had.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Quintessons crashing the party feels like a proper event, and Kirkman + Bressan keep the energy high across these six issues. The Transformers crossovers land well, the action is clean, and the Sacred Ring politics get some welcome depth.

Not every beat hits as hard as the series’ best moments, but it’s consistently entertaining and leaves the Energon Universe in a more interesting place. Easy recommend if you’ve been following along.

[Jed Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halfway through this I thought to myself, “Man, I sure hope this war doesn’t start and end here.” Boy I’m glad it didn’t, and I felt pretty excited with the way it ended. Seeing the way different characters came together and where they ended up was great, and it did a good job picking up the characters’ arcs from the last 4 tpbs. I especially love where Darak and Solila ended up in regard to Zerta Trion and Minister Dulin… so stoked for the next volume!

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Quintessons have arrived, and the Sacred Ring must unite as best they can to hold off the villains. Darak and Solila have their own problems, while Promixus and Zalilak attempt to fight a war with each other at the same time as the invaders. Add in some Cobra-La faces, some Transformers, and an unexpected ending, and Void Rivals just got a shot in the arm even without needing it.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good pick up from where we last left off, and we actually got to learn a bit more about the Quintessions. There’s the promise of more transformers later down the road, so I’m excited to see who they bring out.

4/5 stars

[James Bowman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A major game-changer, though the volume also feels like it's in kind of a hurry (and the major B-plot just feels like it's along for the ride). We do get to see a different side of the Quintessons, for sure. (B+)

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as single issues

[Joe Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Released on 7/22 but Goodreads makes it impossible to fix incorrect publishing information.

Read as single issues and purchased as full volume.

[Graham Bradley · Rating 2 out of 5]

If it weren't for the rest of the EU dragging this series along, I wouldn't even bother. But it's connected.

If you expect this to be as good as the Dreadnok War, you'll be let down.

[Matthew Sparrock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid addition to the energon universe

[Mee Too · Rating 3 out of 5]

Semi epic battle.
Nerdy humor
Quick read

3.2✨

[Mateusz Nowowiejski · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

10.2026

[Isaiah (aka Isaiah Ward) Herrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Quints are brutal but logical. "If you surrender we won't kill all of you." Devastating war and a mission leaves to get help from other worlds. This is building towards a great crossover.