Hey all, Crooker here again with another issue of Skybound’s Void Rivals, by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Conor Hughes! This is issue #24, marking a full two years worth of comics for the book that launched the Eisner Award-winning Energon Universe. We’ve come a long way in such a relatively short time. This issue marks a bit of a shift, so let’s explore that.
First off, sad to say that Springer and my special favorite boy Hot Rod have left the book officially as of this issue, saying their goodbyes to the Sacred Ring and flying off. A huge bummer, as for me, Hot Rod showing up was one of the main things that elevated Void Rivals for me from being just a good sci-fi book to something I felt I couldn’t miss. But that’s just the Transformers fan in me talking, and with Kirkman having taken over the main Transformers book now, and his shared love of Hot Rod… well… let’s just say I’m expecting a The Transformers: The Movie cast reunion with Arcee and Ultra Magnus sooner rather than later. Fingers crossed!
Skybound
The over major development that’s exciting is the rise of Skuxxoid and the start of the Quintesson War arc gearing up. With the Autobots gone, Solila disenfranchised with her role and locked away, and the cultures of the Ring more divided than ever, the Quints swoop in at the end in a great teaser that shows that all-out war is sooner rather than later. I’m really excited to see Kirkman play with the Quintessons, and how they tie into Goliant. I swear to god, if Kirkman brings back Primacron in any way, shape or form I’m gonna jump out of my seat and cheer. Bring in more obscure G1 season 3 lore the fans hated in the ’80s, Robert! I wanna see people begrudgingly made to care about the wackiest, dumbest nonsense possible. It would bring me so much joy.
Skybound
Art wise, this is still very good. I really love Hughes’ work on this book so far – as I’ve previously stated, it’s a style that feels extremely similar to what we’re used to for the book but with a slightly more cartoonish bend. Hughes is obviously a lot more comfortable drawing the alien robots, which makes it a shame that they’ve already left the book, but oh well. C’est la vie. I’m sure there’s gonna be plenty of opportunity for that in the Quint arc. Also, his expression work is honestly extremely well done in this one, it’s a subtle thing compared to De Felici’s take but I noticed it and felt I should point it out. A lot of expression in both facial remarks and body posture, it’s an often understated artistic skill but an impressive one, so I just wanted to mention that.
Void Rivals #24 is a really good issue, all things considered. I think it’s a shame we’re losing our Autobot supporting cast, but I can’t imagine Kirkman would give up writing his favorite Transformer without a plan for him to show up again soon somewhere. I know I wouldn’t, and since we have the same favorite I can be somewhat confident in that assumption (ha). While nothing particularly mind shattering happens, it feels like a great “finale” to the first two years of the book, with things now in a very different place, ready for the next “season” to begin with the Quints arriving. I can’t help but be hopeful for more deep cut G1 season 3 stuff, since Kirkman clearly shares my love of its lore idiosyncrasies. I’m excited to see where it goes!
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