Void Rivals issue 11

« Void Rivals #11 »
Looks like the Void Rivals have better things to do tonight than die.
Publisher	Image Comics Skybound Entertainment
First published	July 24, 2024
Cover date	July 2024
Written by	Robert Kirkman
Art by	Lorenzo De Felici
Colors by	Patricio Delpeche
Letters by	Rus Wooton
Editor	Ben Abernathy
Continuity	Energon Universe

Darak, Solila, and Springer must contend with the Zertonian army, unaware that even greater dangers await them across the galaxy.

Synopsis

As the Zertonian army begins to fire on them, Springer endeavors to protect Darak and Solila, transforming into helicopter mode to try and escape. However, the gravity of the wastelands proves too strong to achieve lift. Realizing they have nowhere to run, Solila instead decides to engage their attackers, with Springer and Darak providing backup. Though Darak has trouble with shooting, seeing Springer kick one of the Zertonian tanks gives him the idea to recover his old Edgewalker unit, and while it is not as physically strong as Springer, it does give them the added muscle they need to turn the tide. As the Zertonians begin to retreat, Darak realizes that this might be their only chance to tell Zertonia what they’ve learned about Energon and how they can use it. He calls out to one of the soldiers and asks Springer to take him into his lab to share the process. Solila is concerned that Darak would give up his people's advantage, but Darak argues that since learning the truth about themselves, he doesn't see the sides anymore, just the lives of people who need help. Solila apologizes before the Zertonian soldier comes running out of the lab to join his retreating comrades, carrying a data drive provided by Springer with instructions on how to refine Energon.

Meanwhile, on the planet Chaar, Skuxxoid meets with a new client, Bosch, to discuss stealing an item for him on the planet Monacus. Skuxxoid senses that they are being watched, but Bosch insists that no one would come to Chaar unless they had to. Little does he know that Skuxxoid is right: their meeting is being observed by a mysterious robotic figure, who says that Skuxxoid would be a perfect addition to "his lord's" ranks.

Elsewhere in space, a Quintesson Cruiser reports to Quintessa from the asteroid field where Skuxxoid found Darak and Solila's patchwork ship, looking for a trail to Zertonia. While the leaders worry this mission will waste their precious Energon, the Captain assures them to have faith. At that moment, their faith appears rewarded as another vessel enters the region, piloted by Hot Rod, still searching for his lost ally. He tracks the decaying energy signature of the Nebulan transport ship that Skuxxoid gave to the rivals, allowing him to trace the way to the Sacred Ring. Aboard the Quintesson Cruiser, the Captain gives the order to follow the Autobot ship.

Back on the Sacred Ring, as the platoon returns to Zertonia, the soldier examines the data Springer gave him. As the tanks continue on their path, Proximus pulls himself from beneath the sand and clings to one, allowing it to take him home. Back at Springer’s lab, Darak asks the Cybertronian for his help getting him and Solila to the Agorrian border, as well as a data drive to share with his own people. Springer readily agrees, but Solila reluctantly informs Darak that this is where they must part ways.

Featured characters

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

Autobots	Agorrians	Zertonians	Others
Springer (1) Hot Rod (11)	Darak (3)	Solila (2) Zertonian soldiers (4) Proximus (12)	Handroid (5) Skuxxoid (6) Bosch (7) Mysterious figure (8) Quintesson Judges (9) Quintesson Scientists (10)

Quotes

"This one is not like the others… He has an unrivaled level of ambition. I suspect he will make a worthy addition to your ranks."

—Mysterious figure

Notes

Continuity notes

• Darak’s Edgewalker was lost to the wasteland ten years ago, as seen in issue #7. We saw it amongst that which Springer had scavenged in issue #9.
• Darak first learned about the conditions faced by the Zertonians in issue #6.
• The Quintessons refer to Zerta Trion only as “the Unspoken One.” Their refusal to acknowledge her name was established in issue #9.
• This issue follows up on some of the teases from the Energon Universe Special, with Hot Rod following the trail given to him by Skuxxoid and the robotic figure still following Skuxxoid for its yet-unknown master.

Transformers references

• The planet Chaar first appeared in the Generation 1 cartoon episode "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1", as the planet that the Decepticons fled to following their defeat in The Transformers: The Movie. Bosch makes oblique reference to this by commenting that “no one comes to Planet Chaar unless they are made to.”
• Bosch himself, along with Monacus and Lord Gyconi comes from the Generation 1 cartoon episode "The Gambler" (the same episode that introduced Skuxxoid’s friend Slizardo.)
• Hot Rod is sparring with the auto-combatant he was seen sparring with back in The Transformers: The Movie.

Covers (7)

• Cover A: Darak and Solila escape the Zertonian army aboard Springer’s copter mode, by Lorenzo De Felici.
• Cover B: Solila and Darak take cover, by Vasco Georgiev.
• Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive): Connecting cover, by André Lima Araújo and Chris O'Halloran.
• Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive): Darak and Solila, unmasked, by Wes Craig.
• Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive): Springer shields the Void Rivals, by Matteo Cremona & Mike Spicer.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Advertisements

• Explore the Energon Universe in Transformers #10, Scarlett #3, and Destro #3.
• Codename: G.I. Joe continues in Scarlett!
• The Cobra threat continues in Destro!
• Experience the Energon Universe in the trade paperbacks for Void Rivals, Transformers, Duke, and Cobra Commander.
• Invincible: The Hero-Building Game
• Skybound Insiders
• “Choose Your Side” campaign for Skybound Insiders

Reprints

• Void Rivals Volume 2: Hunted Across the Wasteland (September 18, 2024) ISBN 1534328378 / ISBN 978-1534328372
  • Collects issues #7–12.
  • Trade paperback format.

• 
  Volume 2: Hunted Across the Wasteland – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici