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{{Comicstory
{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Void Rivals]]'' #1
|seriesissue=''[[Void Rivals]]'' #1
|prev=
|next=Void Rivals issue 2
|next=Void Rivals issue 2
|prev2=
|next2=Transformers (2023) issue 1
|next2=Transformers (2023) issue 1
|image=VoidRivals01A Cover.jpg
|image=VoidRivals01A Cover.jpg
|caption=Looks like the Void Rivals are doing a marketing stunt.
|caption=Looks like the Void Rivals are doing a marketing stunt.
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]]<br>[[Skybound Entertainment]]
|publisher=[[Image Comics]]<br>[[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[June 14]], [[2023]]
|date=[[June 14]], [[2023]]
Line 16: Line 13:
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Bixie Mathieu]]
|editor=[[Bixie Mathieu]]
|design by=[[Andres Juarez]]
|production by=[[Jillian Crab]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
|chronology=
}}
}}


'''Two enemies from opposite sides of a galactic war find themselves stranded together on a desolate world and discover a shocking secret that changes everything they know.'''
'''Two enemies from opposite sides of a galactic war find themselves stranded together on a desolate world, where they discover a shocking secret that changes everything they know.'''


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
The [[Agorrian]] [[Darak]] crash lands on a remote planetoid. Unconscious, his [[Handroid]] glove takes control of his body, dragging him to a nearby medpack and using a reviver to awaken him. When Darak asks where they are, the Handroid reports that, following the battle with a [[Zertonian]] [[Star Wing|ship]] that shot down his, each ship was caught in the gravitational pull of a comet and Darak was slingshotted into an uncharted region of space, far away from the [[Sacred Ring]]. Darak examines the wreckage of his [[Jump Jet|ship]], deeming it unlikely he'll be able to get it flying again, only to be attacked by the aforementioned Zertonian, [[Solila]]. The two enemy combatants fight, with Darak gaining the upper hand. He ultimately decides to spare her, reasoning that if the two work together, they can repair one of their ships and return to the Sacred Ring.
The [[Agorrian]] [[Darak]] crash-lands on a remote planetoid. Unconscious, his [[Handroid]] glove takes control of his body, dragging him to a nearby medpack and using a reviver to awaken him. When Darak asks where they are, the Handroid reports that, following the battle with a [[Zertonian]] [[Star Wing|ship]] that shot down his, the gravitational field of a comet pulled in each fighter. Darak was slingshotted into an uncharted region of space, far away from the [[Sacred Ring]]. Darak examines the wreckage of his [[Jump Jet|ship]], deeming it unlikely he'll be able to get it flying again, only to be attacked by the aforementioned Zertonian [[Solila]]. The two enemy combatants clash, with Darak gaining the upper hand. He ultimately decides to spare her, reasoning that if the two work together, they can repair one of their ships and return to the Sacred Ring.


[[File:VoidRivals1 Jetfire leaves.jpeg|thumb|left|I have to go now. My planet needs me.]]
[[File:VoidRivals1 Jetfire leaves.jpeg|thumb|left|I have to go now. My planet needs me.]]


The pair begin to make repairs to Solila's cruiser, stripping the remains of Darak's for spare parts. Solila notes how little modification is needed for the parts to be integrated, something Darak attributes to Zertonian spies stealing Agorrian tech. However, during the process, Solila attaches the wrong cable to their [[Energon|energy source]], causing the ship to explode. Darak saves her life, and she returns the favor by putting out the fire on his jacket. Believing their situation hopeless, Solila leaves, refusing to die with an Agorrian.
The pair begin to make repairs to Solila's cruiser, stripping the remains of Darak's for spare parts. Solila notes how slight modification is needed for the parts to integrate, something Darak attributes to Zertonian spies stealing Agorrian technology. However, during the process, Solila attaches the wrong cable to their [[Energon|energy source]], causing the ship to explode. Darak saves her life, and she returns the favor by putting out the fire on his jacket. Believing their situation hopeless, Solila leaves, refusing to die with an Agorrian.


After several hours of sulking, Darak decides to once again try salvaging the Zertonian craft, only for Solila to return, having found what appears to be a crashed spaceship buried in a nearby valley. Handroid confirms that it is neither Agorrian nor Zertonian in origin, and Darak speculates it may have been buried for thousands of years. The two use their energy cores to try and activate the ship; as soon as they do, parts of the ship begin to move and shift. The two stare in awe as it converts before their eyes into a giant robot—the [[Transformer|Cybertronian]] scientist [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]! Jetfire tells the two that he means them no harm, and inquires as to how long he's been offline, which neither of the soldiers can answer. Upon examining himself, Jetfire concludes that he must have been buried for millions of years and must return to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. He apologizes to the two as he transforms back to jet mode and flies into space, leaving them behind.
After several hours of sulking, Darak decides to try once again to salvage the Zertonian craft, only for Solila to return, having found what appears to be a crashed spaceship buried in a nearby valley. Handroid confirms that it is neither Agorrian nor Zertonian in origin, and Darak speculates it may have been buried there for thousands of years. The two use their energy cores to try to activate the ship; as soon as they do, parts of the ship begin to move and shift. The two stare in awe as it converts before their eyes into a giant robot—the [[Transformer|Cybertronian]] scientist [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]! Jetfire tells the two that he means them no harm and inquires as to how long he's been offline, which neither of the soldiers can answer. Upon examining himself, Jetfire concludes that he must have been buried for millions of years and must return to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. He apologizes to the two as he transforms back to jet mode and flies into space, leaving them behind.


With their one hope of getting off the planet gone, Solila begins to sulk, but Jetfire's transformation has given Darak an idea: using components of each of their [[flight armor]]s to convert the wreckage into a spacecraft. Solila refuses, as taking off their helmets violates each of their people's sacred decrees, but Darak counters that it's better than dying. The pair remove their helmets... revealing them to be of the same race.
With their one hope of getting off the planet gone, Solila begins to sulk. Still, Jetfire's transformation has given Darak an idea: using components of each of their [[flight armor]]s to convert the wreckage into a spacecraft. Solila refuses, as taking off their helmets violates each of their people's sacred decrees, but Darak counters that it's better than dying. The pair remove their helmets... revealing them to be of the same race.


Darak is stunned; this is just like his vision. A confused Solila asks what vision he's referring to.
Darak is stunned; this is just like his vision. A confused Solila asks what vision he's referring to.
Line 45: Line 44:
* [[Solila]] (3)
* [[Solila]] (3)


|h6=Others||c6=
|h6=Others|c6=
* [[Handroid]] (2)
* [[Handroid]] (2)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (4)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (4)
Line 51: Line 50:


==Quotes==
==Quotes==
"'''''Please?!''''' Are you begging me to spare you? Would any of '''your''' people '''ever''' spare my kind? Well?! '''Would you?!'''"<br>
"'''''Please?!''''' Are you begging me to spare you? Would any of '''''your''''' people '''''ever''''' spare my kind? Well?! '''''Would you?!'''''"<br>
"... Probably not."<br>
"... Probably not."<br>
"''Huh.'' An honest Zertonian... What are the odds of '''that?'''"
"''Huh.'' An honest Zertonian... What are the odds of '''''that?'''''"
:—'''Darak''' and '''Solila'''
:—'''Darak''' and '''Solila'''


Line 62: Line 61:
==Notes==
==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
===Continuity notes===
* ''Void Rivals'' gives us our first glimpse at the brand new [[Energon Universe]] from Skybound. However, much of the status quo of this new universe is left in the dark, so as to not give away the surprise.
* ''Void Rivals'' gives us our first glimpse at the brand-new [[Energon Universe]] from Skybound. However, much of the status quo of this new universe is left in the dark, so as not to give away the surprise.
* That said, one major clue can be gleaned: Jetfire appears to feature no [[insignia]] on his body, [[Autobot]], [[Decepticon]], or otherwise. As is revealed later, Jetfire left Cybertron long before war broke out and thus remains unaware of the factional split, something which will have [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|serious consequences later]]...
* That said, one major clue is visible: Jetfire appears to feature no [[insignia]] on his body, [[Autobot]], [[Decepticon]], or otherwise. [[Transformers (2023) issue 13|As revealed later]], Jetfire left Cybertron long before the war broke out and thus remains unaware of the factional split, an oversight that will have [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|serious consequences later...]]


===Transformers references===
===''Transformers'' references===
* Hey kids, it's '''JETFIRE!''' The Cybertronian scientist makes a quick cameo in this issue as part of the surprise reveal of the Energon Universe. His being woken up after millions of years asleep and with no visible faction logo echoes the character's introduction in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode, "[[Fire in the Sky]]". His design is also that of his Generation 1 cartoon counterpart.
* Hey kids, it's '''JETFIRE!''' The Cybertronian scientist makes a quick cameo in this issue as part of the surprise reveal of the Energon Universe. His resurfacing after millions of years in stasis, with no visible faction logo, echoes the character's introduction in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode, "[[Fire in the Sky]]". His design is also that of his Generation 1 cartoon counterpart.
* While it's never outright stated, the implication is that the fuel used for the Zertonian ship and to revive Jetfire is [[energon]]. However, it is notably colored yellow, as opposed to the more common pink or blue.
* While it's never outright stated, the implication is that the fuel used for the Zertonian ship and to revive Jetfire is [[energon]]. However, it is notably colored yellow, as opposed to the more common pink or blue.


===Other trivia===
===Other trivia===
* ''Void Rivals''{{'}} status as the launch for the Energon Universe was kept secret for almost the entirety of the comic's promotion, with Skybound only revealing its existence to retailers just before the first issue's FOC date. It would ultimately be leaked by Bleeding Cool five days before this issue's publication.
* ''Void Rivals''{{'}} status as the launch for the Energon Universe was kept secret for almost the entirety of the comic's promotion, with Skybound only revealing its existence to retailers just before the first issue's FOC date. Bleeding Cool would ultimately leak this issue's surprise five days before publication.
* The copyright notice for the book, placed on page 27 with a text epilogue by Kirkman away from the rest of its indicia on page 1, reads "VOID RIVALS and all related characters are trademarks of [[Hasbro]] and are used with permission. © 2023 Hasbro...Licensed by Hasbro." and sports the Hasbro logo.
* The copyright notice for the book, placed on page 27 with a text epilogue by Kirkman away from the rest of its indicia on page 1, reads "VOID RIVALS and all related characters are trademarks of [[Hasbro]] and are used with permission. © 2023 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. Licensed by Hasbro." and sports the Hasbro logo.


{{Comicstub|Retailer exclusives}}
===Covers (49)===
===Covers (39)===
* '''Cover A:''' Darak and Solila in parallel, with the Sacred Ring looming ominously, by Lorenzo De Felici.
* '''Cover A:''' Darak and Solila in parallel, with the Sacred Ring looming ominously, by [[Lorenzo De Felici]].
* '''Cover B:''' Darak attacking Solila, by [[Ethan Young]].
* '''Cover B:''' Darak attacking Solila, by [[Ethan Young]].
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Darak's wrecked ship, with the giant heads of Darak and Solila, by [[Matteo Scalera]] and [[Moreno Dinisio]].
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Darak's wrecked ship, with the giant heads of Darak and Solila, by [[Matteo Scalera]] & [[Moreno Dinisio]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Solila plugged into some sort of machinery, by [[Karen S. Darboe]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Solila plugged into some machinery, by [[Karen S. Darboe]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' Darak emerges from the wreckage, with the giant head of Solila and the Sacred Ring still looming ominously, by [[Jim Cheung]] and [[Jay David Ramos]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' Darak emerges from the wreckage, with the giant head of Solila and the Sacred Ring still looming ominously, by [[Jim Cheung]] & [[Jay David Ramos]].
* '''Cover F (Blank Sketch Cover):''' Get your favorite artist to actually make this thing seem Transformers-relevant!
* '''Cover F:''' Blank Sketch variant. Get your favorite artist to make this thing seem ''Transformers'' relevant!
* '''Cover G (1:100 Copy Incentive):''' Jetfire towers over Darak, by [[Daniel Warren Johnson]] and [[Mike Spicer]]; advertised as a secret spoiler cover, with no official images of the cover art made available before release.
* '''Cover G (1:100 Copy Incentive):''' Jetfire towers over Darak, by [[Daniel Warren Johnson]] & [[Mike Spicer]]; advertised as a secret spoiler cover, with no official images of the cover art made available before release.
* '''ComicTom101 exclusive:''' Black and white variant of main cover A. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Second Printing Cover A:''' Jetfire, by [[Jason Howard]].
* '''Stadium Comics exclusive:''' by [[Ainsworth Lin]]. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Second Printing Cover B:''' Jetfire as [[Wikia:Muppet:The Monster at the End of This Book|the ''Transformers'' Bot at the end of this Comic]], by [[Marz Jr.]], after Michael J. Smollin.
* '''Wanted Comix / Rupps Comics / JJ's Comics & Art / Big Clutch exclusive A:''' by [[Maria Lopez]] and Mike Spicer. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Third Printing Cover:''' Jetfire, by [[Ryan Barry]] & Mike Spicer.
* '''Wanted Comix / Rupps Comics / JJ's Comics & Art / Big Clutch exclusive B:''' Virgin variant. Limited to 500 copies.
* '''Fourth Printing Cover:''' Darak, Jetfire, and Solila, by [[Flaviano Armentaro]].
* '''Jonathan Comics exclusive:''' by [[Tri Vuong]]. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Fifth Printing Cover:''' Jetfire towers over Darak and Solila, by [[Jahnoy Lindsay]].
* '''Whatnot/San Diego Comic-Con exclusive:''' by [[Alex Riegel]].
* '''Sixth Printing Cover:''' by [[Dylan Burnett]].
* '''The Comic Mint exclusive:''' by [[Matthew Roberts]]. Limited to 800 copies.
* '''Seventh Printing Cover:''' by [[Daniele Di Nicuolo]].
* '''San Diego Comic-Con exclusive:''' by [[Daniel Warren Johnson]] and Mike Spicer.
* '''Eighth Printing Cover:''' by [[Martín Morazzo]].
* '''Second Printing Variant Cover A:''' Jetfire and the Autobot insignia, by [[Jason Howard]].
* '''Ninth Printing Cover A:''' by [[Filya Bratukhin]] & [[Rex Lokus]].
* '''Second Printing Variant Cover B:''' Jetfire as "[[Wikia:Muppet:The Monster at the End of This Book|The ''Transformers'' Bot at the End of This Comic]]", by [[Marz Jr.]] after Michael Smollin.
* '''Ninth Printing Cover B:''' by Filya Bratukhin.
* '''Third Printing Variant Cover:''' Jetfire, by [[Ryan Barry]] and Mike Spicer.
* '''Tenth Printing Cover A:''' by Lorenzo De Felici.
* '''Fourth Printing Variant Cover:''' Darak, Solila, and Jetfire, by [[Flaviano]].
* '''Tenth Printing Cover B:''' by Lorenzo De Felici.
* '''Fifth Printing Variant Cover:''' Jetfire towers over Darak and Solila, by [[Jahnoy Lindsay]].
* '''Tenth Printing Cover C:''' by Lorenzo De Felici.
* '''Sixth Printing Variant Cover:''' by [[Dylan Burnett]].
* '''Tenth Printing Cover D:''' by Jason Howard.
* '''Seventh Printing Variant Cover:''' by [[Daniele Di Nicuolo]].
* '''Tenth Printing Cover E:''' by Jason Howard.
* '''Eighth Printing Variant Cover:''' by [[Martín Morazzo]].
* '''Tenth Printing Cover F:''' by [[Andrea Milana]].
* '''Ninth Printing Variant Cover A:''' by [[Filya Bratukhin]] and [[Rex Lokus]].
* '''Tenth Printing Cover G:''' by Daniel Warren Johnson.
* '''Ninth Printing Variant Cover B:''' by Filya Bratukhin.
* '''Tenth Printing Cover H:''' by [[E. J. Su]].
* '''Tenth Printing Variant Cover A:''' by Lorenzo De Felici.
* '''Tenth Printing Cover I:''' by [[Andrei Bressan]].
* '''Tenth Printing Variant Cover B:''' by Lorenzo De Felici.
* '''Tenth Printing Cover J:''' by [[Conor Hughes]].
* '''Tenth Printing Variant Cover C:''' by Lorenzo De Felici.
* '''Eleventh Printing Cover:''' by [[Ryan Ottley]] & [[Annalisa Leoni]].
* '''Tenth Printing Variant Cover D:''' by Jason Howard.
* '''Twelfth Printing Cover:''' by [[Howard Porter]] & [[Giovanna Niro]].
* '''Tenth Printing Variant Cover E:''' by Jason Howard.
* '''Tenth Printing Variant Cover F:''' by [[Andrea Milana]].
* '''Tenth Printing Variant Cover G:''' by Daniel Warren Johnson.
* '''Tenth Printing Variant Cover H:''' by [[E. J. Su]].
* '''Tenth Printing Variant Cover I:''' by [[Andrei Bressan]].
* '''Tenth Printing Variant Cover J:''' by [[Conor Hughes]].
* '''Eleventh Printing Variant Cover:''' by [[Ryan Ottley]] and [[Annalisa Leoni]]
* '''Twelfth Printing Variant Cover:''' by [[Howard Porter]] and [[Giovanna Niro]]
* '''Sound Chip Edition Cover:''' Foil Autobot Insignia.
* '''Sound Chip Edition Cover:''' Foil Autobot Insignia.
* '''San Diego Comic-Con 2025 exclusive:''' by [[Marcelo Matere]].
* '''Stadium Comics Cover:''' by [[Ainsworth Lin]]. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Big Clutch / JJ's Comics and Art / Rupp's Comics / Wanted Comix Cover A:''' by [[Maria Lopez]] & Mike Spicer. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Big Clutch / JJ's Comics and Art / Rupp's Comics / Wanted Comix Cover B:''' Virgin variant. Limited to 500 copies.
* '''Jonathan Comics Cover:''' by [[Tri Vuong]]. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Whatnot San Diego Comic-Con 2023 Cover:''' by [[Alex Riegel]]. Limited to 500 copies.
* '''The Comic Mint Cover:''' by [[Matthew Roberts]]. Limited to 800 copies.
* '''San Diego Comic-Con 2023 Cover:''' by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer.
* '''Bird City Comics Cover:''' Virgin variant. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Retailer Exclusive Cover:''' Black & White variant. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Big Time Collectibles Tenth Printing Cover:''' by [[John Giang]]. Limited to 500 copies.
* '''Big Time Collectibles New York Comic Con Tenth Printing Cover:''' Foil Virgin variant. Limited to 500 copies.
* '''TopShelfComic Series 1 Mystery Packs Tenth Printing Cover:''' by [[Livio Ramondelli]], after [[Jim Lee]]. Limited to 300 copies.
* '''American Library Association Cover:''' Chapbook variant.
* '''Carnivore Comics Cover:''' Black & White variant. Limited to 500 copies.
* '''Forbidden Planet Cover:''' Virgin variant. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''[[Hasbro Pulse]] San Diego Comic-Con 2025 Cover:''' by [[Marcelo Matere]].
* '''Whatnot Seventh Printing Cover A:''' by [[Tom Whalen]].
* '''Whatnot Seventh Printing Cover B:''' Foil variant.
* '''Whatnot Seventh Printing Cover C:''' Foil Virgin variant.
 
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:VoidRivals01A Cover.jpg|
File:VoidRivals01A Cover.jpg
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File:Void Rivals 1 2nd Ptg Cover A.jpg
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File:VoidRivals01 Maria The Wolf Cover A.jpg|
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File:Void Rivals 1 10th Ptg Cover F.jpg|
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File:VoidRivals01 SDCC2025 cover.jpg|
File:Void Rivals 1 Sound Chip Cover.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 Sound Chip Cover.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 Stadium Comics Cover.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 Maria Lopez Cover A.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 Maria Lopez Cover B.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 Jonathan Comics Cover.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 Alex Riegel Cover.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 The Comic Mint Cover.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 SDCC 2023 Cover.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 Ethan Young Cover A.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 Ethan Young Cover B.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 John Giang Cover A.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 John Giang Cover B.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 Livio Ramondelli Cover.jpg
File:VoidRivals01A Cover.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 Lorenzo De Felici Cover B.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 Lorenzo De Felici Cover C.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 Marcelo Matere Cover.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 Tom Whalen Cover A.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 Tom Whalen Cover B.jpg
File:Void Rivals 1 Tom Whalen Cover C.jpg
</gallery>
</gallery>


Line 162: Line 180:


===Reprints===
===Reprints===
* '''''Void Rivals Volume 1: More Than Meets The Eye''''' <small>([[February 21]], [[2024]]) ISBN 153439818X / ISBN 978-1534398184 </small>
* '''''Void Rivals Volume 1: More than Meets the Eye''''' <small>([[February 21]], [[2024]]) ISBN 153439818X / ISBN 978-1534398184</small>
** Collects issues #1–6.
** Collects ''Void Rivals'' issues #1–6.
** Trade paperback format.
** Trade paperback format.
* '''''Void Rivals Deluxe Edition Book 1''''' <small>([[May 21]], [[2025]]) ISBN 1534328246 / ISBN 978-1534328242</small>
** Collects ''Void Rivals'' issues #1–12 and the [[Void Rivals Energon Universe 2024 Special story|''Void Rivals'' story]] from ''[[Energon Universe 2024 Special]]''.
** Hardcover format.
** Variant covers:
*** '''Direct Market Exclusive:''' by Lorenzo De Felici. <small>ISBN 978-1534332508</small>


<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Void Rivals V1.jpg|'''''Volume 1: More Than Meets The Eye''''' – cover art by [[Lorenzo De Felici]]
File:Void Rivals V1.jpg|'''''Volume 1: More than Meets the Eye''''' – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
File:Void Rivals B1.jpg|'''''Deluxe Edition Book 1''''' – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
File:Void Rivals B1 DM Cover.jpg|'''''Deluxe Edition Book 1'' Direct Market Exclusive''' – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
</gallery>
</gallery>


==External links==
==External links==


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 13:36, 9 August 2025

Void Rivals #1 »
»

Looks like the Void Rivals are doing a marketing stunt.
Publisher Image Comics
Skybound Entertainment
First published June 14, 2023
Cover date June 2023
Written by Robert Kirkman
Art by Lorenzo De Felici
Colors by Matheus Lopes
Letters by Rus Wooton
Editor Bixie Mathieu
Production by Jillian Crab
Design by Andres Juarez
Continuity Energon Universe

Two enemies from opposite sides of a galactic war find themselves stranded together on a desolate world, where they discover a shocking secret that changes everything they know.

Synopsis

[edit]

The Agorrian Darak crash-lands on a remote planetoid. Unconscious, his Handroid glove takes control of his body, dragging him to a nearby medpack and using a reviver to awaken him. When Darak asks where they are, the Handroid reports that, following the battle with a Zertonian ship that shot down his, the gravitational field of a comet pulled in each fighter. Darak was slingshotted into an uncharted region of space, far away from the Sacred Ring. Darak examines the wreckage of his ship, deeming it unlikely he'll be able to get it flying again, only to be attacked by the aforementioned Zertonian Solila. The two enemy combatants clash, with Darak gaining the upper hand. He ultimately decides to spare her, reasoning that if the two work together, they can repair one of their ships and return to the Sacred Ring.

I have to go now. My planet needs me.

The pair begin to make repairs to Solila's cruiser, stripping the remains of Darak's for spare parts. Solila notes how slight modification is needed for the parts to integrate, something Darak attributes to Zertonian spies stealing Agorrian technology. However, during the process, Solila attaches the wrong cable to their energy source, causing the ship to explode. Darak saves her life, and she returns the favor by putting out the fire on his jacket. Believing their situation hopeless, Solila leaves, refusing to die with an Agorrian.

After several hours of sulking, Darak decides to try once again to salvage the Zertonian craft, only for Solila to return, having found what appears to be a crashed spaceship buried in a nearby valley. Handroid confirms that it is neither Agorrian nor Zertonian in origin, and Darak speculates it may have been buried there for thousands of years. The two use their energy cores to try to activate the ship; as soon as they do, parts of the ship begin to move and shift. The two stare in awe as it converts before their eyes into a giant robot—the Cybertronian scientist Jetfire! Jetfire tells the two that he means them no harm and inquires as to how long he's been offline, which neither of the soldiers can answer. Upon examining himself, Jetfire concludes that he must have been buried for millions of years and must return to Cybertron. He apologizes to the two as he transforms back to jet mode and flies into space, leaving them behind.

With their one hope of getting off the planet gone, Solila begins to sulk. Still, Jetfire's transformation has given Darak an idea: using components of each of their flight armors to convert the wreckage into a spacecraft. Solila refuses, as taking off their helmets violates each of their people's sacred decrees, but Darak counters that it's better than dying. The pair remove their helmets... revealing them to be of the same race.

Darak is stunned; this is just like his vision. A confused Solila asks what vision he's referring to.

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(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Agorrians Zertonians Others

Quotes

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"Please?! Are you begging me to spare you? Would any of your people ever spare my kind? Well?! Would you?!"
"... Probably not."
"Huh. An honest Zertonian... What are the odds of that?"

—Darak and Solila


"Cybertron... After all these years... I'm sorry. I have to get home."

—Jetfire

Notes

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Continuity notes

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  • Void Rivals gives us our first glimpse at the brand-new Energon Universe from Skybound. However, much of the status quo of this new universe is left in the dark, so as not to give away the surprise.
  • That said, one major clue is visible: Jetfire appears to feature no insignia on his body, Autobot, Decepticon, or otherwise. As revealed later, Jetfire left Cybertron long before the war broke out and thus remains unaware of the factional split, an oversight that will have serious consequences later...

Transformers references

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  • Hey kids, it's JETFIRE! The Cybertronian scientist makes a quick cameo in this issue as part of the surprise reveal of the Energon Universe. His resurfacing after millions of years in stasis, with no visible faction logo, echoes the character's introduction in the Generation 1 cartoon episode, "Fire in the Sky". His design is also that of his Generation 1 cartoon counterpart.
  • While it's never outright stated, the implication is that the fuel used for the Zertonian ship and to revive Jetfire is energon. However, it is notably colored yellow, as opposed to the more common pink or blue.

Other trivia

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  • Void Rivals' status as the launch for the Energon Universe was kept secret for almost the entirety of the comic's promotion, with Skybound only revealing its existence to retailers just before the first issue's FOC date. Bleeding Cool would ultimately leak this issue's surprise five days before publication.
  • The copyright notice for the book, placed on page 27 with a text epilogue by Kirkman away from the rest of its indicia on page 1, reads "VOID RIVALS and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2023 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. Licensed by Hasbro." and sports the Hasbro logo.

Covers (49)

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  • Cover A: Darak and Solila in parallel, with the Sacred Ring looming ominously, by Lorenzo De Felici.
  • Cover B: Darak attacking Solila, by Ethan Young.
  • Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive): Darak's wrecked ship, with the giant heads of Darak and Solila, by Matteo Scalera & Moreno Dinisio.
  • Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive): Solila plugged into some machinery, by Karen S. Darboe.
  • Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive): Darak emerges from the wreckage, with the giant head of Solila and the Sacred Ring still looming ominously, by Jim Cheung & Jay David Ramos.
  • Cover F: Blank Sketch variant. Get your favorite artist to make this thing seem Transformers relevant!
  • Cover G (1:100 Copy Incentive): Jetfire towers over Darak, by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer; advertised as a secret spoiler cover, with no official images of the cover art made available before release.
  • Second Printing Cover A: Jetfire, by Jason Howard.
  • Second Printing Cover B: Jetfire as the Transformers Bot at the end of this Comic, by Marz Jr., after Michael J. Smollin.
  • Third Printing Cover: Jetfire, by Ryan Barry & Mike Spicer.
  • Fourth Printing Cover: Darak, Jetfire, and Solila, by Flaviano Armentaro.
  • Fifth Printing Cover: Jetfire towers over Darak and Solila, by Jahnoy Lindsay.
  • Sixth Printing Cover: by Dylan Burnett.
  • Seventh Printing Cover: by Daniele Di Nicuolo.
  • Eighth Printing Cover: by Martín Morazzo.
  • Ninth Printing Cover A: by Filya Bratukhin & Rex Lokus.
  • Ninth Printing Cover B: by Filya Bratukhin.
  • Tenth Printing Cover A: by Lorenzo De Felici.
  • Tenth Printing Cover B: by Lorenzo De Felici.
  • Tenth Printing Cover C: by Lorenzo De Felici.
  • Tenth Printing Cover D: by Jason Howard.
  • Tenth Printing Cover E: by Jason Howard.
  • Tenth Printing Cover F: by Andrea Milana.
  • Tenth Printing Cover G: by Daniel Warren Johnson.
  • Tenth Printing Cover H: by E. J. Su.
  • Tenth Printing Cover I: by Andrei Bressan.
  • Tenth Printing Cover J: by Conor Hughes.
  • Eleventh Printing Cover: by Ryan Ottley & Annalisa Leoni.
  • Twelfth Printing Cover: by Howard Porter & Giovanna Niro.
  • Sound Chip Edition Cover: Foil Autobot Insignia.
  • Stadium Comics Cover: by Ainsworth Lin. Limited to 1,000 copies.
  • Big Clutch / JJ's Comics and Art / Rupp's Comics / Wanted Comix Cover A: by Maria Lopez & Mike Spicer. Limited to 1,000 copies.
  • Big Clutch / JJ's Comics and Art / Rupp's Comics / Wanted Comix Cover B: Virgin variant. Limited to 500 copies.
  • Jonathan Comics Cover: by Tri Vuong. Limited to 1,000 copies.
  • Whatnot San Diego Comic-Con 2023 Cover: by Alex Riegel. Limited to 500 copies.
  • The Comic Mint Cover: by Matthew Roberts. Limited to 800 copies.
  • San Diego Comic-Con 2023 Cover: by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer.
  • Bird City Comics Cover: Virgin variant. Limited to 1,000 copies.
  • Retailer Exclusive Cover: Black & White variant. Limited to 1,000 copies.
  • Big Time Collectibles Tenth Printing Cover: by John Giang. Limited to 500 copies.
  • Big Time Collectibles New York Comic Con Tenth Printing Cover: Foil Virgin variant. Limited to 500 copies.
  • TopShelfComic Series 1 Mystery Packs Tenth Printing Cover: by Livio Ramondelli, after Jim Lee. Limited to 300 copies.
  • American Library Association Cover: Chapbook variant.
  • Carnivore Comics Cover: Black & White variant. Limited to 500 copies.
  • Forbidden Planet Cover: Virgin variant. Limited to 1,000 copies.
  • Hasbro Pulse San Diego Comic-Con 2025 Cover: by Marcelo Matere.
  • Whatnot Seventh Printing Cover A: by Tom Whalen.
  • Whatnot Seventh Printing Cover B: Foil variant.
  • Whatnot Seventh Printing Cover C: Foil Virgin variant.

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Reprints

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  • Void Rivals Volume 1: More than Meets the Eye (February 21, 2024) ISBN 153439818X / ISBN 978-1534398184
    • Collects Void Rivals issues #1–6.
    • Trade paperback format.
  • Void Rivals Deluxe Edition Book 1 (May 21, 2025) ISBN 1534328246 / ISBN 978-1534328242
  • Volume 1: More than Meets the Eye – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
    Volume 1: More than Meets the Eye – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
  • Deluxe Edition Book 1 – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
    Deluxe Edition Book 1 – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
  • Deluxe Edition Book 1 Direct Market Exclusive – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
    Deluxe Edition Book 1 Direct Market Exclusive – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
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References

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