REVIEW: 'Void Rival's #1 by Robert Kirkman, Lorenzo De Felici, and Matheus Lopes

 VOID RIVALS #1 

Writer: Robert Kirkman

Artist: Lorenzo De Felici, Matheus Lopes

Letters: Rus Wooten

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: June 14, 2023

Cover Price: $3.99

SERIES PREMIERE

The blockbuster OBLIVION SONG team of ROBERT KIRKMAN & LORENZO DE FELICI debut the biggest new comic book series of 2023 with the launch of AN ALL-NEW SHARED UNIVERSE and a SURPRISE you won't see coming!    

War rages around the Sacred Ring, where the last remnants of two worlds have collapsed around a black hole in a never-ending war.    

However, when pilot Darak and his rival Solila both crash on a desolate planet, these two enemies must find a way to escape together. But are they alone on this strange planet? And what dark forces await that threaten the entire universe?

Score:

★★★★☆ (4/5)

QUICK REVIEW: Skybound/Image was so excited about the reveal at the end of 'Void Rivals' #1 that they spoiled it with a press release announcing it before the issue became available that same day. The news sort of eclipsed a fine first issue of enemies stranded and forced to work together to survive. Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici reunite after working on 'Oblivion Song' together to create a very intimate sci-fi adventure that features only two characters, Darak the Agorrian and Solila the Zertonian. Both are forced to crash land on a desolate planet after a brief dogfight and after some continued hand-to-hand combat on the ground, they realize if they don't work together they'll both die. It's very reminiscent of the 1985 film 'Enemy Mine' that featured a similar plot. But with great dialogue and wonderful visuals by Lorenzo De Felici and Matheus Lopes, the issue is engaging and fast-paced. The reveal is a shocker because it comes out of nowhere but it's a clever twist in a comic that didn't need it. And so the “Energon Universe” is born with more crossovers to come. As for 'Void Rivals', it may be a Trojan horse for the exciting team-up of two beloved franchises but it stands on its own as an entertaining first issue created with superior execution by a passionate creative team.