Things in Void Rivals have continued to escalate with Darak and Solila on split journeys. Now the connection this series has to the greater Energon Universe will grow as Autobot’s Hot Rod is joining the cast. This is after we’ve already seen the Autobot Springer and Pythona of Cobra-La being part of the cast already. With the connections to Transformers and G.I. JOE constantly growing what will it mean for Darak and Solila’s journeys? Find out with our advance review of Void Rivals #15.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Lorenzo De Felici
Colorist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Rus Wooton
VOID RIVALS #15 SOLICITATION
“Everyone’s favorite Autobot, Hot Rod, finds his way to the Sacred Ring! What news of Cybertron does he bring to Springer? How dire are things? And how much trouble can two Autobots cause in Agorria? Tons!” – Image Comics & Skybound
REVIEW
With all of the connections to the Transformers and G.I. JOE that this series has had Void Rivals #15 brings all those elements together more than ever. These connections that are being drawn to the rest of the Energon Universe makes this series feel big. Which is certainly needed as it is the new franchise contending with two others that have built-in readership already. That speaks to how special Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici continue to make Void Rivals feel.
The connection to the greater Energon Universe is made early on with Pythona of Cobra-La opening the issue. Thus far Pythona and her groups inclusion to Void Rivals has felt very minor. So it was refreshing that we her become more part of the story. The character that she ends up interacting with by the end of her portion of this issue will hopefully lead to greater development for Pythona role in the story.
Similarly, Kirkman and Felici waste no time in making sure to carry the momentum of Hot Rod’s introduction forward. Given the nationalist attitude the Agorrian’s have shown themselves to be the introduction to Hot Rod gets the reaction you expect. It does drive home how insular the Agorrian’s are and how different Darak is.
More than anything, Void Rivals #15 exemplifies how much Darak has grown from interacting with Solila and the experience they’ve had. Darak has been able to get out of his bubble and it has led to growth that has distanced himself from the rest of his people. Though to Darak’s credit he isn’t disowning his people, but rather trying to find ways to open up the Agorrians to grow as well.
The inclusion of Hot Rod also once again highlights how the Transformers franchise is having the biggest impact on the Energon Universe. There are so many elements from the Transformers franchise that continue to be brought up beyond its own series. That is further show with the possible game changing discovery that Solila made in Void Rivals #15. The discovery certainly opens up where things could go with all the Transformers and G.I. JOE characters involved.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Void Rivals #15 delivers a chapter that progresses various plotlines running concurrently. The way these stories progress provide a good idea of how everything will eventually collide. This in turn makes Darak and Solila continue to be compelling leads as their importance to that progress is always at the top of mind. It was a strong way to end the year and set up 2025 for even greater success for the Energon Universe.
Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Check out the other covers for Void Rivals #15 by clicking here.
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