Void Rivals #11: Let Me Lend You A Hand-roid

Void Rivals #11 is the penultimate issue of the second arc for the series which sees all of Darak and Solila’s actions culminating in a fight for survival against the Zertonian forces. With Springer at their side, the two protagonists engage in a very action packed adventure, with the full display of all of their capabilities. Meanwhile, Suxxoid is on yet another scummy adventure as the Quintessons and Hot Rod come even closer to locating the key that Solila stole at the end of the last arc.

Robert Kirkman is on full display here as all of his Kirkman-isms come to the forefront here. We have witty banter, insane and violent action, a bizarrely complex science fiction premise and setting, and a plot tied together by heart, friendship, and betrayal. Those familiar with Kirkman’s style will know that this often spells out a recipe for success, and Void Rivals #11 puts that all on full display. The action is constantly broken up by the witty banter between Darak and Springer, with Handroid throwing in some of his own lines as well. This all works so well because the plot never gets too far away from itself, with Kirkman constantly throwing in mentions of the greater mystery, slowly building the world in a constructive and logical manner. This is the kind of issue that can be dissected to exemplify the aspects of Kirkman’s writing that has made him resonate with fans for so long.

Of course, Void Rivals #11 would not be nearly as good without the pencils from Lorenzo De Felici. With the entire Energon Universe sharing and exploring the various aspects of the Cybertronians, there is a sense of wonder when characters like Springer and Hot Rod show up, especially when they are placed against the backdrop of this interstellar conflict between two other races. Felici really captures this in the most wholesome way, highlighting the scale and otherness of the large robotic creatures, while also showing the humility within. These core concepts help drive the action of it all, with the sense of scale creating a very unique battle that works in every aspect.

Additionally, Patricio Delpeche does an outstanding job in coloring Void Rivals #11, especially as the battles kick in. When these larger than life Transformers are placed into this landscape, there is a ton of room for things to just fall apart; however, Delpeche is able to use tones and shading to engrain Springer in this world, showcasing all of his facets and unique colors without making him feel like the center of attention. This is such a pretty book to look at, and Delpeche brings out all the best aspects of Felici’s pencils to create some of the best looking action so far.