Things have been getting more complicated with each passing issue of Void Rivals. The deeper we’ve gotten into this series we’ve seen how the greater Energon Universe, specifically Transformers, factor into the series. That has added all sorts of complications our leads in Solila and Darak. With even more difficult decisions ahead of them and others involved in this series what will happen next? Find out with our review of Void Rivals #22.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Conor Hughes
Colorist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Rus Wooton
VOID RIVALS #22 SOLICITATION
“It’s a showdown: SPRINGER VS PROXIMUS! Meanwhile… what exactly is Skuxxoid planning?” – Skybound Entertainment & Image Comics
HIGHLIGHTS OF VOID RIVALS #22
Springer vs Proximus Lives up to the Hype
Robert Kirkman and Conor Hughes don’t disappoint with the big fight of Springer vs Proximus. With that being the leading selling point of this issue that is a must or else it would feel like we had the rug pulled from under us. Luckily that doesn’t happen as we get our first extended battle between a Transformer and a non-Transformer in the Energon Universe. Proximus is the perfect opponent to get this opportunity as their strength has been well established. And with this fight Proximus became the speedster using his agility and abilities to counter Springer’s size and strength. It is a good foundation setter for future fights Transformers get into when involved with the rest of the Energon Universe
Agorrians vs Zertonians Massive Scale
While the Springer vs Proximus was the headliner the true story was the massive battle between the Agorrians and Zertonians. Hughes absolute nails the massive scale of what having the armies of both sides battle it out. The fighting was intense but never cluttered. Even though we really only get a few pages highlight the massive battle it is enough to get over how much they hated each other. It all works to set-up what happens at the end of Void Rivals #22.
Solila Continues to Step Up
Undoubtably the standout character for Void Rivals continues to be Solila. Yes, Darak has done a good job being an entertaining lead. But it is really with Solila we see step up to claim the #1 lead spot. We this again with how Solila ends up facing off against Proximus. Even though their fight is short it did get over how far Solila has come. Previously she and Darak struggled against Proximus. This time Solila was more than able to stand on her against Proximus and possibly even defeat him if it wasn’t for his final move.
Skuxxoid Sub-Plot Continues to Get Better
As interesting as the Agorrians and Zertonians, as intriguing of a story is what is going on with the Skuxxoids. Kirkman has done a really good job at building up the Skuxxoid drama as attention grabbing as anything there is on Void Rivals. Seeing Skuxxoid Beta breakdown as he realizes that Skuxxoid Alpha has his complete memory drove home the investment Kirkman has created with this sub-plot. That investment makes the interest higher how this sub-plot will merge with the main story.
What Will Results Does Finding Unity Mean
Kirkman is really the master of hook endings as he has Proximus pull off the ultimate move of beginning the process of “Unity” for Agorrians and Zertonians. And as expected there is a bit of a horror spin on this as we see all of the Agorrians and Zertonians in visible pain by the process Proximus begins. Hughes does a great job with the presentation of this ending. Particularly, the final shot really drives home Proximus as the main antagonist of this story.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK IN VOID RIVALS #22
Pythona & Cobra-La Have Lost All Momentum
Unlike the Skuxxoids sub-plot, the Cobra-La sub-plot has completely lost steam. Kirkman has spent very little time making Pythona and Cobra-La a part of the series. That has caused Cobra-La to be constantly be forgotten about. Because of that when Kirman does return to Cobra-La in Void Rivals #22 it comes across as a distraction. There is no investment in what is going on. Even when Pythona has to deal with saving one of her crew members there’s not much to get care about. Which is simply because we’ve gotten very little of them up to this point.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Void Rivals #22 delivers a massive scale battle between the Agorrians and Zertonians with Springer vs Proximus as the headliners. It is everything that is promised with the scale being massive. It all leads to Proximus pulling off a move that can be game changing if successful. The way Robert Kirkman and Conor Hughes built up to this ending gets you even more invested to find out where this series will go next.
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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