Robert Kirkman is a creator when they announce a new comic book series I’ll always try his new series. Kirkman’s latest series, working alongside Lorenzo De Felici, looks to be starting off big. As we learn in Void Rivals #1 solicitation the first issue will feature two rival survivors facing off after the destruction of their worlds due to an ongoing war. That definitely sounds as though Void Rivals #1 will start off big. We got the chance to check out an early copy of the first issue by Skybound Entertainment and Image Comics. Find out how the first issue turned out with our advance review of Void Rivals #1.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Lorenzo De Felici
Colorist: Matheus Lopes
Letterer: Rus Wooton
SOLICITATION
“War rages around the Sacred Ring where the last remnants of two worlds have collapsed around a black hole in a never-ending war. However when pilot Darak and his rival Solila both crash on a desolate planet these two enemies must find a way to escape together. But are they alone on this strange planet? And what dark forces await that threaten the entire universe?” – Image Comics
REVIEW
Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici make sure that when you finish Void Rivals #1 you are left wanting more. They do this from the start by having the high stakes with our two rival survivors, Darak and Solila, being forced into a situation neither is prepared for. From there it’s just a game of survival that leads to the final few pages delivering a surprise to both our lead characters and us as the readers.
Void Rivals #1 does some of the best work you’ll find in a comic book to capture the lost-in-space vibe. Kirkman and Felici make you as the reader feel the sense of isolation that Darak and Solila are faced with through the writing and artwork. With them being survivors from warring planets the tension between the two adds to how alone they each feel.
Felici’s artwork elevates the story with how Darak and Solila are established in their designs and setting as individual characters. Everything about the setting keeps at the top of the reader’s mind that the story is taking place somewhere in space. The setting allows the armor designs for each character to pop off the page even more. Even through their helmets, Felice makes the characters emote during the up-close panels complimenting the words each character speaks. That’s where Matheus Lopes as the colorist really shines as the characters are always the focus even in the wide shots drawn by Felici.
Kirkman takes everything that Felici and Lopes deliver with the artwork to make the interactions between Darak and Solila characters you want to learn more about. Kirkman does a good job of showing the reader how these aren’t just two random characters from different planets. Darak and Solila are both adult characters who have a lot of experience. The way they approach talking to one another and the situation they find themselves in showcases that.
All that strong character work elevates the shocking developments towards the end of Void Rivals #1 a home run. It is something that could have been guessed for the direction this series could go. Even after reading it, I had to go back and read Void Rivals #1 just to make sure I did not imagine it. Once you realize those final pages are real you will be left with pure hype to find out what it all means for the future of this story.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici deliver a comic book with compelling characters and a storyline that is made better by an ending that leaves you excited to read the next issue as soon as possible. Void Rivals #1 is a comic book you do not want to miss out on reading.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10