Void Rivals issue 25

« Void Rivals #25 »
Looks like the Void Rivals have an egghead problem!
Publisher	Image Comics Skybound Entertainment
First published	December 24, 2025
Cover date	December 2025
Written by	Robert Kirkman
Art by	Andrei Bressan
Colors by	Patricio Delpeche
Letters by	Rus Wooton
Editor	Ben Abernathy
Continuity	Energon Universe

Right as the dust has settled after Unity nearly ends them all, the Zertonians and Agorrians are swiftly invaded by the dreaded Quintessons, marking the beginning of the Quintesson War.

Synopsis

In Premiere Zalilak's throne room, he holds a meeting with several Zertonians over the current state of their city after Unity nearly destroyed the Sacred Ring. The meeting is interrupted by a furious Proximus, who has had enough of Zalilak's lies and engages him in a brawl. The fight takes the two outside the castle and down to a city street, just as he is about to deliver a finishing blow, he looks upon a massive spacecraft that has Zalilak distracted, a Quintesson Cruiser! The Cruiser begins to make contact with the surface, prompting Zalilak and Promixus to save and evacuate any nearby citizens. The Cruiser soon lands in Zertonia, devastating the city, and nearly ends the lives of Proximus and Zalilak until it comes to an abrupt halt. Terrified of it's arrival, the two Zertonians stare at the cruiser in disbelief, believing that Zerta has forsaken them.

In Agorria, Handroid and Darak have a conversation in the latter's quarters about the former's true sentience, with Darak calling upon Springer and Hot Rod's sentience as proof that Handroid is truly alive, deepening the bond between the two. Handroid also calls upon Darak's friendship with Solila, with Darak writes off as not really a friendship, to which Handroid reaffirms that Solila is Darak's best friend. Suddenly, an alarm blares, calling all pilots to action.

In Minister Dulin's throne room, he is confronted by Grand General Dukan, seemingly outraged at alack of a medal ceremony for his actions in the war against the Zertonians. The two Agorrians laugh it off, revealing Dukan to be Dulin's brother. Their reunion is cut short, however, as an Agorrian runs inside to warn Dulin of several unknown objects approaching the Sacred Ring.

In Agorrian airspace, Darak is awoken by Handroid, who is still getting accustomed to treating Darak as a friend rather than a mere pilot. Darak calls to his squadron, to which Gamut reports the squadron has successfully arrived. In formation, they all exchange information on what they have been given, agreeing to stay away from Zertonia after "recent events" reminding Garad of his fear of Goliant. Without any time, the squadron is suddenly ambushed by another Quintesson Cruiser, destroying Garad's jumpjet.

In the Temple of Zerta's Light, Solila and her Handroid are trying to figure out how to escape from the restraints, to which Handroid has no luck. Just as Handroid offers a solution, Solila hears the call of Zerta, who orders her to serve one final time now that the Quintesssons have invaded the Sacred Ring.

Featured characters

Characters in italic text appear only in flashbacks.
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Agorrians	Zertonians	Others
Darak (8) Dukan (9) Dulin (10) Gamut (11) Krint (12) Garad (13)	Gulan (1) Mulak (2) Culah (3) Kanela (4) Zalilak (5) Proximus (6) Solila (14)	Red Handroid (7) Zerta Trion (16) Blue Handroid (15)

Notes

Continuity notes

• The Zertonians are still dealing with the aftermath of almost achieving Unity from issue #23.
• Kanela finally returns after last being seen in issue #6.
• Proximus mentions the Sacred Texts, which he has mentioned reading before in issue #7. He also mentions hearing the voice of Zerta, which we saw in issue #21.
• The Quintessons finally arrive to the Sacred Ring, after first coming across it in issue #15.
• Darak calls on the revelations about Zerta, Goliant, and the Zertonians being wrong about it all, all of which we saw from issues #22 through issue #24.
• Darak and Garad mention avoiding Zertonia "in light of recent events", and being scared of Goliant, all seen in issue #23.
• Looks like Garad got a new Jump Jet after his was apparently damaged beyond repair in issue #23. Sadly, his new one gets destroyed immediately at the end of this issue, bummer.

Errors

• On page 22, panel 3, Darak calls on his squadron to report what they're seeing, but his second speech bubble does not include a question mark when he asks "What are we looking at here."

Other notes

• Energon Experience: Presented by Skybound Executive Editor Ben Abernathy
  • Character Spotlight: Dulin
  • Hand it Over!: After a lack of Handroid in recent issues, readers should be happy after his bigger role in this issue. Now that Darak and Solila each have their own Handroid, they should come in real handy!
  • Creator Q&A: Ben asks Andrei Bressan who his best friend and worst enemy would be in Void Rivals. Bressan answers Dukan for his best friend, and Lord Gyconi for his worst enemy.

Covers (11)

• Cover A: Darak and Solila face a Quintesson Judge, by Lorenzo De Felici.
• Cover B: Darak and Solila fight a Sharkticon, by Andrei Bressan and Adriano Lucas.
• Cover C: Solila, by Ben Oliver.
• Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive): Quintesson Bailiff takes down Darak, by Carmine Di Giandomenico.
• Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive): Solila, by Lesley 'Leirix' Li.
• Cover F (1:100 Copy Incentive): Proximus fights a hoarde of Sharkticons, by Ludo Lullabi.
• Cover G: Blank Variant.
• Cover H: Foil Variant of Cover A, by Lorenzo De Felici.
• Cover I: Darak Mask Wraparound Die-Cut Foil, by Andrea Milana and Andres Juarez.
• Cover J: Solila Mask Wraparound Die-Cut Foil, by Andrea Milana and Andres Juarez.
• Cover K: Die-Cut, by Eric Canete.

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Reprints

• Void Rivals Volume 5: Quintesson War (July 21, 2026) ISBN 1534332515 / ISBN 978-1534332515
  • Collects issues #25-30.
  • Trade paperback format.

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  Volume 5: Quintesson War - cover art by Lorenzo De Felici