« Void Rivals #12 »
Looks like the Void Rivals gotta go their own way.
Publisher	Image Comics Skybound Entertainment
First published	August 28, 2024
Cover date	August 2024
Written by	Robert Kirkman
Art by	Lorenzo De Felici
Colors by	Patricio Delpeche
Letters by	Rus Wooton
Editor	Ben Abernathy
Continuity	Energon Universe

With the fate of the Sacred Ring in their hands, Darak and Solila must embark on separate paths to save their worlds.

Synopsis

Premier Zalilak reports to Minister Dulin that he has failed to capture Darak and Solila, and that the job of preventing unity now rests in his hands. Dulin reminds his counterpart that they've had close calls before, but the Agorrians have always cleaned up Zalilak's messes in the past. As Zalilak leaves his chamber, one of his troops reports that their scientists have begun to examine the data pad they received from the soldiers in the wastelands and that the information contained within could change everything for the Zertonians. Zalilak orders the soldier to notify him when the findings are confirmed.

In the streets of Zertonia, Ultum finds Proximus lying in an alley, thinking he is dead due to his missing limbs. Ultum reveals that he was abandoned by the Unifiers for his betrayal and has since been made a cadet by the Zertonian army, with the promise that they would find his mother. However, Ultum is pretty sure she’s dead, a belief Proximus echoes. As Ultum begins to cry, Proximus tells him to stop, lest the soldiers hear. Ultum apologizes and asks if he can hide with Proximus, a request the hunter reluctantly acquiesces.

On Monacus, Skuxxoid finds himself in a high-speed pursuit as he flees from Lord Gyconi. He manages to escape with his prize for Bosch, but as he prepares to leave the asteroid, he looks up at the stars, wondering to himself what he still does this for.

In Springer's base in the wasteland, Solila prepares to depart on her journey to find Zerta Trion, though Darak objects to her going alone. However, Solila insists that if their people are to be reunited, Darak needs to continue to Agorria with Springer and find the Unifiers there. Still not wanting her to face the journey alone, Darak gives her his Handroid, much to the glove’s objections. Solila tells Darak that he reminds her of her brother, and warns him that she doesn’t want him ending up like he did.

As they say goodbye, she presses her forehead to his, and their mind eyes touch. Inside the black hole at the center of the Sacred Ring, a giant mechanical figure awakens, turning its glowing green eyes outward. And as soon as the two separate, the figure returns to its slumber.

Featured characters

Characters in italic text appear only in flashbacks.
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Quotes

"Good luck with your people.'"
"Luck? I don’t need luck! I traded you in for a giant killer robot. He’s got a sword and everything. I’m good."

—Solila and Darak

Notes

Continuity notes

• Zalilak and Dulin were first revealed to be working together to prevent the reunification of their people in issue #4.
• Springer gave the Zertonians data on Energon and its effects on the Zertonians/Agorrians (as seen in issue #10) last issue.
• Though Proximus hitched a ride with the Zertonian army after getting his mechanical limbs removed by Springer in issue #10, he appears to have chosen not to return to being Zalilak's prisoner as he was in issue #7.
• Ultum betrayed Kanela and the other Unifiers to the Zertonian army in issue #6. It was during their escape that Solila promised to get Kanela's data packet to their counterparts on Agorria, a mission she asks Darak to fulfill for her in this issue.
• Solila was first told of her sacred mission by Mistress Vill in issue #5, and she references both her and Darak having heard Zerta's voice in issues #10 and #2, respectively.
• Springer asks Darak to tell him about his encounter with Jetfire from back in issue #1.

Transformers references

• Monacus and Lord Gyconi come from the Generation 1 cartoon episode "The Gambler".
• A giant mechanical figure in some kind of spherical shape at the center of a black hole with glowing green eyes? Is this the legendary Goliant we’ve heard about… or something worse?

Real-world references

• Skuxxoid comments that "Bosch better have my money", a sly nod to a famous quote from blaxploitation film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, which later became the titles of songs by AMG and Rihanna. (Because "Bosch" sounds a bit like... well, you get it.)

Covers (5)

• Cover A: Darak and Solila part ways, by Lorenzo De Felici.
• Cover B: A Quintesson Judge, by Stefano Simeone.
• Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive): Connecting cover, by André Lima Araújo and Chris O'Halloran.
• Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive): Solila and Zalilak, Darak and Dulin, and a Quintesson looming, by Chris Stevens.
• Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive): Springer lays fallen as Solila holds her spear in triumph, by Jorge Fornés.

Advertisements

• Explore the Energon Universe in Scarlett #4, Transformers #12, and Destro #4.

Impact Winter

• Experience the Energon Universe in the trade paperbacks for Void Rivals, Transformers, Duke, and Cobra Commander.
• “Choose Your Side” campaign for Skybound Insiders
• Invincible: The Hero-Building Game

Reprints

• Void Rivals Volume 2: Hunted Across the Wasteland (September 18, 2024) ISBN 1534328378 / ISBN 978-1534328372
  • Collects issues #7–12.
  • Trade paperback format.

• 

  Volume 2: Hunted Across the Wasteland – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici

External links

References