Void Rivals issue 4
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 Looks like the Void Rivals are discovering a conspiracy. | |||||||||||||
| Publisher | Image Comics Skybound Entertainment | ||||||||||||
| First published | September 27, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Cover date | September 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Written by | Robert Kirkman | ||||||||||||
| Art by | Lorenzo De Felici | ||||||||||||
| Colors by | Matheus Lopes | ||||||||||||
| Letters by | Rus Wooton | ||||||||||||
| Editor | Sean Mackiewicz | ||||||||||||
| Continuity | Energon Universe | ||||||||||||
Darak and Solila have returned to the Sacred Ring, but what awaits them now that they know the truth about their war?
Synopsis
As Solila begins to take the Nebulan ship towards Zertonia, the Handroid activates on Darak’s still unconscious body, knocking her out and grabbing hold of Darak’s laser pistol. Handroid orders her to set a course for Agorra. Unfortunately, it’s in no position to make demands, as Solila has her spear pointed at Darak’s chest. Meanwhile, In Zertonia, an elder Zertonian seeks an audience with Premier Zalilak, hoping to ask for more water for their people. However, it is interrupted by one of the guards, who reports that Solila has arrived.
Back on the ship, Solila has handcuffed Darak, who admits that he thought - after everything they’d been through together - the two were really friends. Solila says that she doesn’t consider them friends or enemies, but rivals. The pair agree to keep what they’ve learned about each other secret until they can figure out who to trust. The ship lands in Zertonia, greeted by Zalilak, a phalanx of guards, and a crowd of citizens. The guards haul Darak away as the crowd hurls insults at him. Solila apologizes to Zalilak for failing her mission, but Zalilak assures her she has brought Zertonia a gift.
On Cybertron, Skuxxoid has brought his Quintesson prisoner before Shockwave, expecting the Decepticon to pay for one of their hated enemies. Shockwave, however, is outraged at his presence and says that even if he wanted a Quintesson prisoner, he has no currency with which to pay; he barely has enough energon for himself, and his fellow Decepticons are all currently in stasis. Skuxxoid tries to barter some sort of trade, but Shockwave simply tells him to leave before he takes the Rockeroid to strip for parts. In his chambers, Zalilak tells Solila that he knows about Darak’s status as Agorra’s greatest pilot. He believes that he will make a valuable asset to trade in exchange for resources. Solila expresses her relief that he won’t be harmed, prompting Zalilak to question why she would care for an Agorrian. She feigns it as merely respect after surviving their ordeal together. Zalilak then asks if she ever saw his face. Solila hesitates.
Having been taken to a cell, Darak tries to figure a way out. Handroid tells him that it detects no structural weaknesses, but that it is likely he’s being kept alive for use as a bargaining chip. This somewhat relieves Darak when the doors to his cell open up and two Zertonian guards throw Solila in with him. She says that the Premier could tell she knew the truth before she could even answer, and that whoever is keeping this secret goes all the way to the top. Darak can’t help but laugh at what’s become of her after double-crossing him. Solila curls up in the corner and tells Darak she hates him.
Zalilak ventures down to a secret room within his chambers. He removes his helmet and calls Minister Dulin on a secure channel, informing him of the situation - that a Zertonian warrior returned with an Agorrian pilot, and they’ve seen each other’s faces. Zalilak tells Dulin that he will deal with Solila in the manner they agreed. Dulin says that he knows what must be done and tells Zalilak to carry on. Zalilak tells Dulin that the pilot is his son, but Dulin tells him to do what he will; his son was lost to him long ago. Dulin ends the call and hangs his head in silent grief.
Featured characters
Characters in italic text appear only in flashbacks.
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Decepticons | Agorrians | Zertonians | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
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Quotes
"I thought we were friends."
"Friends?! No. I’m sorry, but there’s just too much at stake for my people. I will admit, I no longer consider us enemies. But friends? No. More like… rivals."
"Hah. I like that. Okay. Rivals it is."
- —Darak and Solila define their relationship.
Notes
Continuity notes
- The Zertonians’ need for was established back in Void Rivals issue 2.
- This issue gives us our first look at the planet Cybertron, as well as hints at the status of the Autobot-Decepticon war and Cybertron's history with the Quintessons.
- Dulin’s cold relationship with Darak was first glimpsed in issue 2.
Transformers references
- Hey kids, it’s SHOCKWAVE! The cyclopean Decepticon makes his debut as the second appearance by a Transformer in the Energon Universe. Like Jetfire before him, Shockwave appears to be fulfilling a similar role to his Generation 1 cartoon counterpart, standing watch as lone sentinel of Cybertron.
Other trivia
- This issue contains a three-page preview of Transformers #1.
Covers (5)
- Cover A: Premier Zalilak sits on his throne, by Lorenzo De Felici.
- Cover B: Zalilak sentences Darak, by Diberkato.
- Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive): Darak and Solila’s masks partially removed, by Yeijin Park.
- Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive): Shockwave looms large, by Karen S. Darboe.
- Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive): Zertonian Guards haul Darak away, by Alvaro Martinez.
Advertisements
- A new era of Transformers starts here!
- The Energon Universe continues in Void Rivals #5
