Void Rivals Explained

Schedule:Monthly
Ongoing:y
Scifi:y
Publisher:Skybound Entertainment (Image Comics)
Startmo:June 14,
Startyr:2023
Endyr:present
Issues:11
Writers:Robert Kirkman
Artists:Lorenzo De Felici
Letterers:Rus Wooton
Colorists:Patricio Delpeche
Matheus Lopes
Editors:Ben Abernathy
Sean Mackiewicz
Jonathan Manning
Bixie Mathieu
Creators:Lorenzo De Felici
Robert Kirkman
Matheus Lopes
Subcat:Skybound Entertainment
Sort:Void Rivals

Void Rivals is an American comic book ongoing series written by Robert Kirkman, drawn by Lorenzo De Felici, colored by Matheus Lopes and Patricio Delpeche, and published by Skybound Entertainment, an imprint of Image Comics.[1]

It is the first original 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

Around the Sacred Ring, there is an interplanetary war between planets Agorria and Zertonia. 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.

Publication history

Void Rivals was announced in February 2023 as part of an "all-new shared universe" developed by Skybound Entertainment.

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."

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."

By the time the first issue 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.

Characters

Agorrians

Zertonians

Cybertronians

Quintessons

Other

Overview

TitleIssue(s)Creative teamRelease schedule
Writer(s)Artist(s)Colorist(s)Premiere dateFinale date
Void Rivals1–Robert KirkmanLorenzo De FeliciMatheus Lopes
Patricio Delpeche
June 14, 2023Present
Energon Universe 2024 SpecialOne-shotDaniel Warren Johnson
Robert Kirkman
Joshua Williamson
Lorenzo De Felici
Ryan Ottley
Jason Howard
Annalisa Leoni
Matheus Lopes
Mike Spicer
May 4, 2024 (Free Comic Book Day)[6]

Reception

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

IssueRelease dateCritic ratingCritic reviews
  1. 1
June 14, 20239.0/1011[8]
  1. 2
July 19, 20238.1/1012[9]
  1. 3
August 16, 20238.5/1011[10]
  1. 4
September 27, 20237.9/108[11]
  1. 5
October 25, 20238.9/10[12]
  1. 6
November 22, 20237.9/106[13]
  1. 7
March 6, 20248.4/1010[14]
  1. 8
April 3, 20248.2/107[15]
  1. 9
May 22, 20248.4/109[16]
  1. 10
June 26, 20249.3/10[17]
  1. 11
July 24, 20247.7/104[18]
Overall8.4/1085[19]

Collected editions

TitleMaterial collectedPagesPublication dateISBN
Void Rivals, Volume 1: More than Meets the Eye
  • Void Rivals #1–6
136February 20, 2024
Void Rivals, Volume 2: Hunted Across the Wasteland
  • Void Rivals #7–12
  • Energon Universe 2024 Special
    • Void Rivals story
128September 3, 2024

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: First Comics News . 2023-02-24 . ROBERT KIRKMAN & LORENZO DE FELICI LAUNCH A NEW SHARED COMICS UNIVERSE IN VOID RIVALS #1 . 2023-06-15 . en-US.
  2. Web site: Salmon . Will . 2023-06-14 . Skybound roll out a new shared Transformers and G.I. Joe universe - and it starts today! . 2023-06-15 . gamesradar . en.
  3. Web site: 2023-06-14 . REVIEW: Image Comics' Void Rivals #1 is a Monumental Sci-Fi Epic . 2023-06-15 . . en.
  4. Web site: 2023-05-16 . Walking Dead Creator's New Series Is an Invincible-style Shared Sci-Fi Universe . 2023-06-11 . CBR . en.
  5. Web site: Wigler . Josh . 2018-03-06 . 'Walking Dead' Creator Begins New Chapter With 'Oblivion Song' . 2023-06-12 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  6. Web site: Donohoo . Timothy . 2023-11-14 . Skybound and Hasbro Announce Transformers and G.I. Joe Special . 2023-11-15 . CBR . en.
  7. Web site: Void Rivals (2023) Reviews . 2023-06-22 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  8. Web site: Void Rivals #1 Reviews . 2023-06-18 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  9. Web site: Void Rivals #2 Reviews . 2023-07-19 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  10. Web site: Void Rivals #3 Reviews . 2023-08-16 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  11. Web site: Void Rivals #4 Reviews . 2023-09-27 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  12. Web site: Void Rivals #5 Reviews . 2023-10-26 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  13. Web site: Void Rivals #6 Reviews . 2023-11-22 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  14. Web site: Void Rivals #7 Reviews . 2024-03-08 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  15. Web site: Void Rivals #8 Reviews . 2024-06-04 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  16. Web site: Void Rivals #9 Reviews . 2024-06-04 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  17. Web site: Void Rivals #10 Reviews . 2024-07-15 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  18. Web site: Void Rivals #11 Reviews . 2024-07-25 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.
  19. Web site: Void Rivals (2023) Reviews . 2023-06-22 . ComicBookRoundup.com . en-US.