Things have certainly escalated in the pages of Void Rivals with each passing issue. The latest story arc of the series saw the inclusion of Pythona of Cobra-La into what is going on. Adding character from the G.I. JOE side of the Energon Universe is on top of all the characters from the Transformers franchise that have played a key role in Void Rivals. How will this factor into where things will go for Darak and Solila? We got a chance to get an early look at where things go next in Void Rivals #14. Find out how things turned out with our advance review.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Lorenzo De Felici
Colorist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Rus Wooton
VOID RIVALS #14 SOLICITATION
“Darak isn’t back in Agorria for ONE DAY before they send him back out into space to get shot at. Darak’s loyalty to Agorria is put to the test as he’s forced to prove himself.” – Skybound & Image Comics
REVIEW
The best thing that has happened for Void Rivals is to have Darak and Solila split up on their own adventures. As much as their chemistry has grown and shined throughout this series that both have grown to carry scenes on their own. That is proven with how things go in Void Rivals #14.
The strength of this lates Void Rivals issue is the timing. Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici make sure to give every scene time to breathe. Its enough time to get invested in the characters we are seeing interacting with each other. None of them overstay their welcome so there is this constant desire to get more content around each character.
This is especially helpful with the different positions Darak and Solila find themselves in. With Darak we get to see more of the politics side expanded on. His chemistry with those in power on Agorria gives us a different look at the politics, now with one of our protagonists involved. How Darak maneuvers through it all shows how his greatest strength is his way with words. There is a charisma with Darak that others can’t help but buy into his words. At the same time, there is a sense that the trust is not fully there.
Darak’s side of things is contrasted well with where Solila is throughout Void Rivals #14. Felici’s artwork does a great job at giving the sense of isolation she finds herself in. Her adventure is a complete unknown and that is characterized by how Felici draws her in the environment she is journeying through.
Darak and Solila’s respective adventures made where Pythona and Skuxxoid even more interesting. With each of these villains, there is a sense of unknown of how exactly they will factor into what Darak and Solila are doing. It creates a wild card aura for both these villains that makes the potential of the different combination of characters we could see interact with each other more enticing. The fact we don’t know who will interact with who adds to that anticipation.
Which is something we get as a payoff in a way at the end of Void Rivals #14. The way Kirkman and Felici continue to integrate both G.I. JOE and Transformers franchises to create such strong hook endings is a joy to experience. The best part is that they aren’t letting the cameo aspect be what carries these moments. Void Rivals feels like it is strongly connected to the G.I. JOE and Transformers worlds through so when they interact with each other it feels like a natural part of the Energon Universe.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici impressively balances out multiple story angles to create a cohesive package. The storytelling through both the character dynamic and each environment creates a strong investment in every scene in Void Rivals #14. It’s an investment that makes the final few pages developments get you even more intrigued in where everything will eventually lead to in the Energon Universe.
Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
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