Void Rivals #27: A Turning Point

Void Rivals #27 is the midpoint of the significant “Quintesson War” story arc, which has been anticipated for nearly a year. Fortunately, this installment sees an escalation in the narrative, with developments in the war potentially affecting the broader Energon Universe beyond this series. The storyline advances with Solila’s return, equipping Darak with the means to collaborate with his father on devising a strategy to ensure the survival of the Sacred Ring’s citizens against the Quintesson assault. Concurrently, writer Robert Kirkman and artist Andrei Bressan revisit previous subplot elements, featuring the undercover Cobra-La agent Pythona emerging from within a Quintesson vessel, poised to strike. These events culminate in a pivotal moment for the conflict, along with an unexpected revelation that hints at future plot developments.

In her last appearance, Solila was captured and taken to Zerta-Trion, where she faced imprisonment for thwarting the unity that could have vanquished Goliant but also annihilated the Sacred Ring. Presently, due to the imminent Quintesson attack and the heightened threat of Goliant’s arrival, Solila has been liberated and possesses crucial knowledge on effectively combating this seemingly invincible army. In contrast, Darak is celebrated as a hero among his people and gains recognition from his father for perhaps the first time in his life. The differing circumstances of these two characters add a poetic nuance to the series, enriching it with the complexity that initially contributed to its popularity.

Returning to the ongoing war, this issue significantly enhances the storytelling compared to the earlier parts. However, some dialogue remains somewhat exaggerated, particularly a monologue from a Quintesson leader boasting about the ease with which their forces have defeated the Aggorians and Zertonians and claiming ample reserve forces yet to be deployed. This speech, intended to be laced with satire and irony, unfortunately comes off as overly blatant, thereby diminishing the subtlety of the situation.

The critical turning point in this arc occurs when Solila reveals that the Aggorians and Zertonians can attain substantial power enhancements by infusing themselves with Energon. Not only does Energon serve as a powerful energy source capable of replacing electricity, but it also endows the inhabitants of the Sacred Ring with extraordinary abilities, allowing them to effortlessly overpower the Quintesson forces. Despite the prior monologue indicating that the Quintessons possess numerous additional troops, witnessing characters receive such significant power boosts dramatically shifts the dynamics of the conflict.