The news of Skybound and Image Comics now publishing Transformers and G.I. Joe comic books is big news. Them coming together in a new shared universe named “Energon Universe.” Void Rivals #1 being the start of the Energon Universe easily made it one of the biggest comic book releases of 2023. Now with so much momentum behind the newest comic book by Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici how will things go next? Let’s find out with Void Rivals #2.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Lorenzo De Felici
Colorist: Matheus Lopes
Letterer: Rus Wooton
SOLICITATION
“After the jaw-dropping reveal in the debut issue everything Darak and Solila thought they knew about the Sacred Ring’s never-ending war has changed. To deliver the truth back home they must first get off this deadly planet-by any means necessary.” – Image Comics
REVIEW
After all the big revelations delivered by the first issue Void Rivals #2 takes a measured step. Credit to Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici not letting the hype of the Energon Universe supersede the series lead in Darak and Solila. It would’ve been easy for that to happen but it is a smart long-term choice the main narrative of Void Rivals is not lost.
With Void Rivals #2 Kirkman and Felici take the foundation they built on the first issue with Darak and Solila to deliver deep dive on both series lead. In the process we get to learn about the Agorrians and Zertonians people that Darak and Solila are, respectively, part of. We get enough information to know why the Agorrians and Zertonians that give context for why when Darak and Solila first met they immediately started fighting.
This all makes the amount of time Darak and Solila spend together in Void Rivals #2 so fascinating to see play out. Kirkman does a great job at showing the growth in Darak and Solila’s chemistry through their dialogue. In the process there is a sense of time passing to get you invested in both series leads ongoing journey. It all leads to Void Rivals #2 story to have a natural pace to get the story in the new Energon Universe to its next logical place.
Felici artwork in Void Rivals #2 is even better that it was in the first issue. With how much we dive into the mythology of Agorrians and Zertonians we get a lot of cool sci-fi elements showcased. The design for both the Agorrians and Zertonians also was done in a way that showed how they were each other’s opposites in every way.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Void Rivals #2 is an excellent follow-up to everything established in the first issue. Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici create even greater investment in the journey Darak and Solila have found themselves on in the new Energon Universe. It all comes together for a can’t miss reading experience.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10