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Void Rivals #2
Void Rivals, Vol. 2: Hunted Across the Wasteland
For Fans of STAR WARS and SAGA, VOID RIVALS is a sci-fi action adventure about long held secrets that threaten everything our two warring pilots hold dear.
THE ENERGON UNIVERSE CONTINUES HERE!
Darak and Solila traverse the northern wasteland – and there’s no shortage of enemies in their way.
But there’s hope in the form of everyone’s favorite Autobot Triple-Changer, Springer!
The game-changing team of Robert Kirkman, Lorenzo De Felici and Matheus Lopes continue their critically-acclaimed new series exploring the most shocking corners of the Energon Universe.
Collects Void Rivals #7-12.
THE ENERGON UNIVERSE CONTINUES HERE!
Darak and Solila traverse the northern wasteland – and there’s no shortage of enemies in their way.
But there’s hope in the form of everyone’s favorite Autobot Triple-Changer, Springer!
The game-changing team of Robert Kirkman, Lorenzo De Felici and Matheus Lopes continue their critically-acclaimed new series exploring the most shocking corners of the Energon Universe.
Collects Void Rivals #7-12.
128 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2024
21 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Robert Kirkman
2,791 books6,932 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 94 reviews
July 6, 2025
This volume was better than the first! Transformers in the mix is pretty cool!
June 15, 2025
EN As soon as I finished reading Volume 1, I couldn’t wait to jump into this one. I wanted to see if the quality would hold up—and it absolutely does!
I'm really enjoying this new Energon Universe that Kirkman and his team are building. It honestly gives me hope for the future of the American comics industry.
As for this volume: if you liked the first, you won’t be disappointed. It delivers everything that made Volume 1 great—and then some. Kirkman has a real talent for making us care about every character. There are so many compelling personalities and parallel storylines, all handled with care and energy.
Skuxxoid is a blast—he totally reminds me of Benny from Total Recall. I’m pretty sure he was inspired by him.
All in all, a great series and a fantastic second volume!
--
PT Assim que terminei de ler o Volume 1, mal podia esperar para começar este. Queria confirmar se a qualidade se mantinha — e mantém-se totalmente!
Estou a adorar este novo Universo Energon que o Kirkman e a sua equipa estão a construir. Honestamente, devolve-me alguma esperança no futuro da indústria de banda desenhada americana.
Quanto a este volume: se gostaste do primeiro, não vais ficar desiludido. Tem tudo o que tornou o Volume 1 excelente — e ainda mais. O Kirkman tem mesmo um talento especial para nos fazer importar com todas as personagens. Há tantas figuras interessantes e linhas narrativas paralelas, todas tratadas com cuidado e energia.
O Skuxxoid é divertidíssimo — faz-me lembrar imenso o Benny do Total Recall. Tenho quase a certeza de que foi uma inspiração.
No geral, uma grande série e um segundo volume fantástico!
I'm really enjoying this new Energon Universe that Kirkman and his team are building. It honestly gives me hope for the future of the American comics industry.
As for this volume: if you liked the first, you won’t be disappointed. It delivers everything that made Volume 1 great—and then some. Kirkman has a real talent for making us care about every character. There are so many compelling personalities and parallel storylines, all handled with care and energy.
Skuxxoid is a blast—he totally reminds me of Benny from Total Recall. I’m pretty sure he was inspired by him.
All in all, a great series and a fantastic second volume!
--
PT Assim que terminei de ler o Volume 1, mal podia esperar para começar este. Queria confirmar se a qualidade se mantinha — e mantém-se totalmente!
Estou a adorar este novo Universo Energon que o Kirkman e a sua equipa estão a construir. Honestamente, devolve-me alguma esperança no futuro da indústria de banda desenhada americana.
Quanto a este volume: se gostaste do primeiro, não vais ficar desiludido. Tem tudo o que tornou o Volume 1 excelente — e ainda mais. O Kirkman tem mesmo um talento especial para nos fazer importar com todas as personagens. Há tantas figuras interessantes e linhas narrativas paralelas, todas tratadas com cuidado e energia.
O Skuxxoid é divertidíssimo — faz-me lembrar imenso o Benny do Total Recall. Tenho quase a certeza de que foi uma inspiração.
No geral, uma grande série e um segundo volume fantástico!
August 17, 2025
Finally we get much more background as to how Void Rivals ties in with the Transformers. Oh, and much more Skuxxoid!
September 18, 2024
Man, still loving this story. Our two main characters, Darak and Solila, are still on the run. They have sent a super warrior after them which made for a dope battle with them and another transformer named Springer. Both Springer and this warrior, Proximus, were both pretty cool. The leaders from each of the main characters factions are still definitely trying not to let their people unite for some reason. We learn some interesting stuff with energon and how it affects Darak’s and Solila’s people. So excited to see why the powers that be don’t want their people to unite, what happens with Proximus, the new mysterious Zerta Trion, and what Skuxxiod was hired to steal. Also, who was that at the end? Was that who Grimlock kicked the butt of in Transformers the movie?!?!?! 😮😮 Can’t wait for the next volume.
September 22, 2024
Void Rivals keeps up the excitement. While not as "Live and work together or die" this time around I loved the villain chasing them. Super badass ninja/samurai guy but this time we have a Transformer fighting off against him. Both epic and badass at the same time. The ending also leaves me going "OHHHHH" I want to know more. Overall really enjoy this as a companion to the current transformer series but also it's own thing. A 4 out of 5.
November 3, 2024
When the first issue of Void Rivals by Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici was released, it dropped a major bombshell with the appearance of a certain Transformer, specifically the Autobot Jetfire. This was to announce the series as part of Skybound Entertainment’s Energon Universe, which combines new comics based on Hasbro brands Transformers and G.I. Joe. Reading the first volume, it's mostly an original sci-fi narrative that got overshadowed by the Transformers mythos, which is delightful for those who are fans of the franchise.
In the second volume, we see Darak the Agorrian and Solila the Zertonian traverse the northern wasteland, with no shortage of enemies in their way, comprising of warriors from both their home worlds, which has been at war with each other due to a mysterious conspiracy that Darak and Solila are trying to uncover. As the two are specifically being hunted by Proximus, they seek refuge with the help of the Autobot Triple-Changer Springer.
What makes this a step-up from the previous volume is that we get a better understanding on how the world-building integrates the Transformers lore. Not only does it seem like Springer will be among the principal cast, as well as a cameo appearance from Hot Rod (very much of the Luke Skywalker of Transformers), we learn some more secrets about the Sacred Ring with Energon also being an energy source for Darak and Solila’s people, not just for Cybertronians.
For most of these six issues, you are in the company of the two leads wondering in the wasteland, so the storytelling does drag in places. That said, there is plenty of development towards these characters, who are still trying to get to know each other, with Darak being more open than Solila, who is more close-minded due to past traumatic experiences, such as a flashback featuring herself and her brother. There is still a sense that Kirkman had read Saga and wanted to do something that deconstructs the tropes of the space opera, and whilst I don’t think he succeeds, there is enough interest towards supporting players like Proximus and Skuxxoid to see where their arcs lead in subsequent issues.
There is much to praise about Lorenzo De Felici’s art, which perfectly visualises an alien world that looks used and lived-in, as well as illustrating the various races from the Transformers: Generation 1 toy line. Although Patricio Delpeche takes over colouring duties, providing more vibrant flourishes, this volume puts more emphasis on action and thus De Felici’s art can look rough in places. We may have some Transformers action here with Springer wielding a sword and showing off his triple-changing skills, but you might as well as read Daniel Warren Johnson’s Transformers run, which is the standout title from the Energon Universe.
Whereas the first volume was a decent start to this new shared universe, Void Rivals improves greatly with its second volume that makes the main narrative more compelling, whilst better showcasing the world-building, which makes it exciting in how it unfolds.
In the second volume, we see Darak the Agorrian and Solila the Zertonian traverse the northern wasteland, with no shortage of enemies in their way, comprising of warriors from both their home worlds, which has been at war with each other due to a mysterious conspiracy that Darak and Solila are trying to uncover. As the two are specifically being hunted by Proximus, they seek refuge with the help of the Autobot Triple-Changer Springer.
What makes this a step-up from the previous volume is that we get a better understanding on how the world-building integrates the Transformers lore. Not only does it seem like Springer will be among the principal cast, as well as a cameo appearance from Hot Rod (very much of the Luke Skywalker of Transformers), we learn some more secrets about the Sacred Ring with Energon also being an energy source for Darak and Solila’s people, not just for Cybertronians.
For most of these six issues, you are in the company of the two leads wondering in the wasteland, so the storytelling does drag in places. That said, there is plenty of development towards these characters, who are still trying to get to know each other, with Darak being more open than Solila, who is more close-minded due to past traumatic experiences, such as a flashback featuring herself and her brother. There is still a sense that Kirkman had read Saga and wanted to do something that deconstructs the tropes of the space opera, and whilst I don’t think he succeeds, there is enough interest towards supporting players like Proximus and Skuxxoid to see where their arcs lead in subsequent issues.
There is much to praise about Lorenzo De Felici’s art, which perfectly visualises an alien world that looks used and lived-in, as well as illustrating the various races from the Transformers: Generation 1 toy line. Although Patricio Delpeche takes over colouring duties, providing more vibrant flourishes, this volume puts more emphasis on action and thus De Felici’s art can look rough in places. We may have some Transformers action here with Springer wielding a sword and showing off his triple-changing skills, but you might as well as read Daniel Warren Johnson’s Transformers run, which is the standout title from the Energon Universe.
Whereas the first volume was a decent start to this new shared universe, Void Rivals improves greatly with its second volume that makes the main narrative more compelling, whilst better showcasing the world-building, which makes it exciting in how it unfolds.
September 14, 2024
Really digging this series and looking forward to seeing what happens with these people. This feels like the kind of story that has been told time and time again, but Kirkman really excels at character work, so this one is reading very well!
October 29, 2024
Void Rivals feels pretty derivative, but if you are a Transformers fan, then there is enough here to keep you reading to the end. Quintessons, and Springer, and trions, oh my!
3.5/5
3.5/5
July 7, 2025
I enjoyed this continuation from the first volume in the series. Some things are a bit opaque, at least to me, but the story and art continue to be riveting.
October 4, 2025
A fair continuation of Void Rivals, with better explanations for why Transformers are running all over, leaving it less opaque than its predecessor. With that said, it also drags a bit, with the entire volume focused on a pretty singular trek across a wasteland. It only picks up in the last issue, which really opens up the possibilities for what's next.
October 14, 2024
The war divided the people of this planet and I am still uncertain how exactly the Transformers fit in but the first appearance by one giant robot is sweet- a fun story and interested to see where it goes
Cannot say enough about Kirkmans writing - he is absolutely one of the best comic writers alive no doubt
Cannot say enough about Kirkmans writing - he is absolutely one of the best comic writers alive no doubt
February 7, 2025
See review of first volume. Kirkman keeps hitting.
February 12, 2025
“Well, crap. It really felt like we were going to live through this for a minute there.”
My trek back through the toy comics brings me back in the orbit of the Void Rivals! Where now Hot-Rod and Springer are making cameos as our literally star-crossed leads start off on another harrowed journey to bring unity back to the ring-world they live on!
Much to the chagrin of the evvvvvil QUINTESSENCE!
I still think this might be the least essential of the EU books so far, but I do still very much appreciate it it cornering its own section of all this stuff while everyone else gets to play with the bigger, more recognizable toys. While this makes me care about Skuxxoid and Zetra Trion. It’s wonderful. I’m never going to Pooh/pooh that sort of stuff outright.
And it looks tremendous too still! This one has a lot more action and it’s got a very specific, neon infused cosmic looking visual language that it’s leaning more and more into this arc. Love love love that.
Again, though, it’s still not had like the Big Issue or thee moment that’s made me think of this has a major effort in the line like ARAH or Transformers or hell even the new new Joe and the lead up minis. Those all felt splashy and crazy BUT had some real juice as they all added a big deal piece of storytelling into the ongoing books.
This is still doing its own thing and that own thing is very fun I just like…idk, I just wish it had a standout moment or specific issue I could be like “oh THIS one got me”. I feel like that would probably put it a lot closer to my current pull list.
My trek back through the toy comics brings me back in the orbit of the Void Rivals! Where now Hot-Rod and Springer are making cameos as our literally star-crossed leads start off on another harrowed journey to bring unity back to the ring-world they live on!
Much to the chagrin of the evvvvvil QUINTESSENCE!
I still think this might be the least essential of the EU books so far, but I do still very much appreciate it it cornering its own section of all this stuff while everyone else gets to play with the bigger, more recognizable toys. While this makes me care about Skuxxoid and Zetra Trion. It’s wonderful. I’m never going to Pooh/pooh that sort of stuff outright.
And it looks tremendous too still! This one has a lot more action and it’s got a very specific, neon infused cosmic looking visual language that it’s leaning more and more into this arc. Love love love that.
Again, though, it’s still not had like the Big Issue or thee moment that’s made me think of this has a major effort in the line like ARAH or Transformers or hell even the new new Joe and the lead up minis. Those all felt splashy and crazy BUT had some real juice as they all added a big deal piece of storytelling into the ongoing books.
This is still doing its own thing and that own thing is very fun I just like…idk, I just wish it had a standout moment or specific issue I could be like “oh THIS one got me”. I feel like that would probably put it a lot closer to my current pull list.
May 25, 2025
Darak i Solila s’internen en la zona desolada que separa les nacions de Zertònia i Agòrria, fugint des de la primera a la segona. A meitat camí els interceptarà Proximus, un enemic temible que sembla tindre alguna relació amb el passat de Solila. Alhora, trobaran també un poderós aliat. Continua l’acció i el desvetllament de secrets que només fa que enfrontar al lector a nous misteris, per a la revelació dels quals caldrà llegir la propera entrega de la sèrie. El canvi de dibuixant respecte al volum anterior es fa notar amb un dibuix més tosc, però efectiu.
March 11, 2025
As with every Robert Kirkman read, one must consider the caveat for volumes after the first: there will be no catch-up material. Either you memorized the first volume, or you're lost.
So, I was lost with this second Void Rivals volume. I still liked it, I think. Darak and Solila are stuck in the wasteland between their separate realms and are trying to escape. They battle powerful villains and meet . Elsewhere, aliens discuss various metal alloys (possibly Energon related?) and the rulers of the two realms scheme.
What's it all building toward? I'm not entirely sure. Darak and Solila have both encountered some mysterious Zelda/Zolat/Z-word force that beckons them somewhere to potentially achieve Unity. The pacing is great and the art is frenetic, but satisfying. I just wish there were any sort of reminder of what's come before.
So, I was lost with this second Void Rivals volume. I still liked it, I think. Darak and Solila are stuck in the wasteland between their separate realms and are trying to escape. They battle powerful villains and meet . Elsewhere, aliens discuss various metal alloys (possibly Energon related?) and the rulers of the two realms scheme.
What's it all building toward? I'm not entirely sure. Darak and Solila have both encountered some mysterious Zelda/Zolat/Z-word force that beckons them somewhere to potentially achieve Unity. The pacing is great and the art is frenetic, but satisfying. I just wish there were any sort of reminder of what's come before.
December 1, 2024
This series continues to be great ~ 4 stars,... 5 stars, ...it is difficult to say,
but the characters and story
really draw me in, and make me care, despite how sci-fi-strange it is.
I would give this 4.5 stars.
but the characters and story
really draw me in, and make me care, despite how sci-fi-strange it is.
I would give this 4.5 stars.
December 24, 2024
I loved this one even more! I just love how Kirkman writes characters so much and how he does pacing and world building. It would also be unfair not to praise Lorenzo De Felici's cerebral art. I guess I just love it all!
November 14, 2024
This continues to be a very interesting comic and the art is very very good. Guess I'm still invested in the Energon Universe.
July 19, 2025
3.6 (biblio)
July 22, 2025
I was captivated while reading this. The blend of drama, action, and heart was terrific. The world is so interesting. I can't wait to read the next volume.
October 9, 2024
Continuing in the solidly entertaining vein of the previous volume, keeping the focus on the original characters (to include a new villain) while weaving in more Transformers lore (to include introducing a familiar post-Movie face as supporting cast). Also an ominous surprise twist at the end... (B+)
February 25, 2025
Yup, as I suspected. Which doesn't mean it's predictable, it's just well-written and leads you toward natural conclusions. I'm surprised how much i love this book, and how badly I want a Skuxxor action figure.
May 29, 2025
Il secondo volume di Void Rivals mi è piaciuto decisamente di più rispetto al primo! Continuo ad apprezzare molto l'estetica generale: 'ambientazione e design dei personaggi ( soprattutto delle nuove comparse ); ho anche apprezzato molto di più le relazioni tra i personaggi e la trama che si fa più intrigante, con ramificazioni socio-politiche che mi hanno affascinato e messo una grande attesa per il terzo volume di questa saga.
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November 27, 2024It's still essentially a drabber, more militaristic Saga enlivened by Transformers cameos, but I'm really enjoying this, helped by what a quick read it is (though if I were paying for it rather than taking advantage of libraries, that might feel different). Bonus points for the incredibly 2020s panel "It could be worse. I'm having trouble thinking of exactly how, but that doesn't mean it couldn't."
June 27, 2024
Slows down in the middle, revs up at the end, strong finish
September 4, 2024
Absolutely fascinating and totally distinct main characters Generic Man Hero Character and Generic Woman Hero Character are on the run for alien treason. Kylo Ren-wannabe Proximus is dispatched to kill them. Couple of Transformers cameo. Do not read Void Rivals while operating heavy machinery!
Robert Kirkman’s Energon Universe endeavour is so well-received that last month Transformers outsold all of DC’s titles, including Batman - which says a lot about the popularity of this Energon thing and also how unutterably dismal Batman is these days. So it’s ironic that Kirkman himself is writing the least interesting series in the Energon Universe, Void Bowels.
I don’t care the least bit about the characters or their story. I’ve seen characters like Darak and Solila in dozens of other similar comics and their story of running away from danger is so boring. They did it in the first book and they’re still doing it in the second. And the Romeo and Juliet angle is so trite. Kirkman’s also trying to make minor characters like the pig alien a thing and those characters’ subplots are even worse.
Proximus is a crappier version of Kylo Ren with a worse weapon (laser bow and arrows instead of laser sword) and the Thanos-lite character is a snooze. Most of the book is pointless fighting - it’s so dull.
Maybe it’s because I prefer the series or because they seem so much more compelling in comparison to the rest of this title’s drab cast but the Transformers cameos were what saved this book for me. Not so much Hot Rod (though he is one of the few Transformers I recognise from my childhood, so that was nice) but Springer, who plays a bigger role in this book than Jetfire or Hot Rod, and explains more of what Energon is.
Springer looks cooler than the main cast, has some mystique to him, and just feels like a character with more agency and purpose than anyone else. The only times my attention rose above comatose-levels was when he was on the page.
I don’t dislike Lorenzo de Felici’s art but it doesn’t seem that special to me and the comic as a whole is quite boring to look at - it’s basically the same washed-out purple wasteland with a black space background nearly the whole time.
Kirkman and de Felici’s bad Star Wars impression Void Rivals remains the worst title in the Energon Universe. It underlines that fact by continuing to rely on Transformers cameos to have fans of that series pay attention to it, otherwise it’d be the most disposable series in the line! Void Rivals, Volume 2: Bored Across the Wasteland is a comic void of excitement.
Robert Kirkman’s Energon Universe endeavour is so well-received that last month Transformers outsold all of DC’s titles, including Batman - which says a lot about the popularity of this Energon thing and also how unutterably dismal Batman is these days. So it’s ironic that Kirkman himself is writing the least interesting series in the Energon Universe, Void Bowels.
I don’t care the least bit about the characters or their story. I’ve seen characters like Darak and Solila in dozens of other similar comics and their story of running away from danger is so boring. They did it in the first book and they’re still doing it in the second. And the Romeo and Juliet angle is so trite. Kirkman’s also trying to make minor characters like the pig alien a thing and those characters’ subplots are even worse.
Proximus is a crappier version of Kylo Ren with a worse weapon (laser bow and arrows instead of laser sword) and the Thanos-lite character is a snooze. Most of the book is pointless fighting - it’s so dull.
Maybe it’s because I prefer the series or because they seem so much more compelling in comparison to the rest of this title’s drab cast but the Transformers cameos were what saved this book for me. Not so much Hot Rod (though he is one of the few Transformers I recognise from my childhood, so that was nice) but Springer, who plays a bigger role in this book than Jetfire or Hot Rod, and explains more of what Energon is.
Springer looks cooler than the main cast, has some mystique to him, and just feels like a character with more agency and purpose than anyone else. The only times my attention rose above comatose-levels was when he was on the page.
I don’t dislike Lorenzo de Felici’s art but it doesn’t seem that special to me and the comic as a whole is quite boring to look at - it’s basically the same washed-out purple wasteland with a black space background nearly the whole time.
Kirkman and de Felici’s bad Star Wars impression Void Rivals remains the worst title in the Energon Universe. It underlines that fact by continuing to rely on Transformers cameos to have fans of that series pay attention to it, otherwise it’d be the most disposable series in the line! Void Rivals, Volume 2: Bored Across the Wasteland is a comic void of excitement.
June 3, 2025
It’s clear that Kirkman is trying to set up his own Sci-Fi odyssey with this series but it still hasn’t hooked me…
The main things holding this book back at this point are the main characters and a plot that is too reliant on prophecies. The characters have moved past having what could have been an interesting rivalry dynamic (that the previous volume didn’t take advantage of) and what remains is a generic male action protagonist who doesn’t understand his worth and a generic female action protagonist who’s a warrior and hard ass. These characters still feel viscerally underdeveloped and their MCU-esque witty interactions… just don’t do it for me.
However, even if Kirkman hasn’t stuck the landing, there is SOMETHING here because when the book takes steps away from Solila and Darak, I find that there is actually solid work to chew on here.
This volume takes side quests to characters like the slimy but lonely Skuxxoid, and introduces new characters to the main dynamic like the direct but kind Transformer, Springer, which expand the scope of the narrative and helped push me through. These characters have more agency, more interesting personalities and more interesting stories happening in their own corner of the universe. I just need this with the leads.
Really what will have me continuing this series (at least for another volume or two) is the potential that is set up.
The new links to Cybertron actually surprised me in a good way and the link and potential history between the two is interesting, even if Kirkman did tie in a generic prophecy. Hot Rod and the Quintessons are looking to have a significant role in the series which could be exciting. I even like Proximus’ possible new dynamic mentoring the kid who betrayed Solila and Darak. Mainly, I’m hoping that since the leads are separating for a bit, following the end of Volume 2, that they’ll become more interesting away from each other or at least develop further as their new individual stories play out.
I really want to like this series… but Kirkman hasn’t hooked me… yet.
The main things holding this book back at this point are the main characters and a plot that is too reliant on prophecies. The characters have moved past having what could have been an interesting rivalry dynamic (that the previous volume didn’t take advantage of) and what remains is a generic male action protagonist who doesn’t understand his worth and a generic female action protagonist who’s a warrior and hard ass. These characters still feel viscerally underdeveloped and their MCU-esque witty interactions… just don’t do it for me.
However, even if Kirkman hasn’t stuck the landing, there is SOMETHING here because when the book takes steps away from Solila and Darak, I find that there is actually solid work to chew on here.
This volume takes side quests to characters like the slimy but lonely Skuxxoid, and introduces new characters to the main dynamic like the direct but kind Transformer, Springer, which expand the scope of the narrative and helped push me through. These characters have more agency, more interesting personalities and more interesting stories happening in their own corner of the universe. I just need this with the leads.
Really what will have me continuing this series (at least for another volume or two) is the potential that is set up.
The new links to Cybertron actually surprised me in a good way and the link and potential history between the two is interesting, even if Kirkman did tie in a generic prophecy. Hot Rod and the Quintessons are looking to have a significant role in the series which could be exciting. I even like Proximus’ possible new dynamic mentoring the kid who betrayed Solila and Darak. Mainly, I’m hoping that since the leads are separating for a bit, following the end of Volume 2, that they’ll become more interesting away from each other or at least develop further as their new individual stories play out.
I really want to like this series… but Kirkman hasn’t hooked me… yet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2025
Again, maybe the fastest I’ve ever plowed through a series, and this is definitely the new record for plowing through a full volume for me. I was done with it in like an hour and a half. Like I said before, that’s not really impressive per se, but it’s notable coming from me. I don’t read quickly, I’m rather notorious for it. I like to take my time.
This book just makes me so frantically impatient I want to turn the page before I’ve finished it! In the best way possible. I’m urging my eyes to move faster.
Still nothing drastically revelatory here, it’s just incredibly well-done. This volume in particular doesn’t feel like it’s moved things along nearly as much as I expected, but we’re establishing more elements that are needed for later while we’re slowing down for our Empire Strikes Back. Just as much talking, just as much walking, but a good deal more action this time, even if it’s not action to progress the story so much as it’s progressing the characters.
This whole volume effectively feels like the third act I didn’t realize was missing from the first trade. But with the way it ends, I expect the next volume will just feel like the natural conclusion to this overall story. This is overarching, decompressed storytelling done right, and knowing now that Kirkman takes over the Transformers book after a while, I’m so freaking onboard. I’m fairly certain I’m seeing the seeds of Unicron, and I’m thinking Kirkman just didn’t feel like writing the G1 remake in order to get to his cool Unicron story, so he handed it to someone who did. Incredibly companion pieces that get more and more fascinating the more they’re starting to intersect.
It’s not unlikely that I try to plow through the whole next volume tonight, I’m enamored with this story. The only minor negative I have is that the action in this volume is sometimes drawn in a way that I’m not fully following what was supposed to have happened, but I get the gist enough that I don’t really care that much. I consider this a nitpick this round.
This book just makes me so frantically impatient I want to turn the page before I’ve finished it! In the best way possible. I’m urging my eyes to move faster.
Still nothing drastically revelatory here, it’s just incredibly well-done. This volume in particular doesn’t feel like it’s moved things along nearly as much as I expected, but we’re establishing more elements that are needed for later while we’re slowing down for our Empire Strikes Back. Just as much talking, just as much walking, but a good deal more action this time, even if it’s not action to progress the story so much as it’s progressing the characters.
This whole volume effectively feels like the third act I didn’t realize was missing from the first trade. But with the way it ends, I expect the next volume will just feel like the natural conclusion to this overall story. This is overarching, decompressed storytelling done right, and knowing now that Kirkman takes over the Transformers book after a while, I’m so freaking onboard. I’m fairly certain I’m seeing the seeds of Unicron, and I’m thinking Kirkman just didn’t feel like writing the G1 remake in order to get to his cool Unicron story, so he handed it to someone who did. Incredibly companion pieces that get more and more fascinating the more they’re starting to intersect.
It’s not unlikely that I try to plow through the whole next volume tonight, I’m enamored with this story. The only minor negative I have is that the action in this volume is sometimes drawn in a way that I’m not fully following what was supposed to have happened, but I get the gist enough that I don’t really care that much. I consider this a nitpick this round.
January 9, 2025
Fairly critical though I was to the first volume of Void Rivals, I've since come around on the series. Re-reading the issues leading up through this second arc, I appreciate the challenge Kirkman took on for crafting an original setting with new characters amidst a universe filled with existing IP characters. The first volume introduced Darak and Solila, two members from warring factions. Their worlds both revolve around the Sacred Ring, a void in space. War has raged between Argorria and Zertonia for centuries spanning generations, with no one quite knowing why. Darak and Solila, stranded on a distant planet together, decide to work together to save their own lives, even at the cost of abandoning their own culture. The first volume ends with the pair heading into the wastelands of Zertonia, and the hunter known as Proximus sent after them.
Void Rivals Vol. 2 further builds out the Kirkman spearheaded Energon Universe, with the heroes teaming up with the Autobot Springer to survive. This volume features some nice action sequences from artist Lorenzo De Felici, who might be taking notes from Daniel Warren Johnson's Transformers series with respect to how to draw the robot transformations. The coloring also looks more sharp this arc, which helps De Felici's thin linework pop more. Overall, I'm a fair bit more invested in this series and am starting to buy into Kirkman's vision for this new shared universe of stories.
Void Rivals Vol. 2 further builds out the Kirkman spearheaded Energon Universe, with the heroes teaming up with the Autobot Springer to survive. This volume features some nice action sequences from artist Lorenzo De Felici, who might be taking notes from Daniel Warren Johnson's Transformers series with respect to how to draw the robot transformations. The coloring also looks more sharp this arc, which helps De Felici's thin linework pop more. Overall, I'm a fair bit more invested in this series and am starting to buy into Kirkman's vision for this new shared universe of stories.
November 6, 2024
Another great volume of my current favorite space opera in comics. The Energon Universe continues to wow me with solid story telling and impressive takes on characters I grew up with. There are some great appearances in this book from Transformers characters fans will be surprise to see. One of the surprise cameos gave me Transformers animated movie vibes. Kirkman seems to be weaving a great mystery in void Rivals which I hope will have great pay offs once when all the Energon Universe titles start to cross over. I loved the character development we get between Darak and Solia. The mythology that is being built up in this volume was well done. The book continues to be well drawn and well paced . There is a great mix of action and dialogue. It is hard to decide if this my favorite series in the universe because the creators are doing such a great job in these books. I just a sucker for a space adventure and between this and Rook it is a great time to be a comic book reader. Looking forward to Volume 3.
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