Void Rivals #22: All Out War

Void Rivals #22 picks up with the battle readers have been waiting for since the very first issue, the war for the Sacred Ring. Zalilak has enlisted Proximus to wage a final battle for unity across the Ring, sending the Agorrians into a frenzy with the assistance of Darak’s Autobot companion Springer and his ally, Hot Rod. Meanwhile, the Cobra-La fleet makes its way toward a Quintesson ship, setting up a conflict that promises to rear its head in the next major arc of the series: the Quintesson War. And don’t forget everyone’s favorite Skuxxoid, who recently discovered he is an offshoot of the original Skuxxoid and now confronts his superior version in an attempt to bargain for his release.

To call Void Rivals #22 action-packed would be putting it mildly. This issue stands as the highlight of Conor Hughes’ current tenure on the book, bringing nearly every character we’ve been following into the fray. It almost feels strange that this isn’t the finale, given how much unfolds, but Hughes unleashes his full talents here. Watching waves of Agorrian and Zertonian soldiers clash while Autobots are mangled in the chaos delivers on the promise of the shared Energon Universe in a spectacular way.

One of the key focal points of the issue is the rematch between Springer and Proximus, a battle so intense that even Hot Rod can’t believe it isn’t one-sided. It was revealed earlier that Proximus is more machine than man (Zertonian?), with cybernetic enhancements replacing everything from his jaw to his limbs. This gives him a formidable advantage in what proves to be the highlight battle of the issue. What makes it truly exciting, however, is not just the action itself but the sense of history: these two combatants have faced off before, and their reunion elevates the moment into something epic. Dragon Ball Z fans, rejoice, this is the kind of showdown that makes the book shine.

As the issue draws to a close, it’s important to remember that this arc will conclude in just two more installments. That leaves only two opportunities to resolve the problem of “Unity” and what it truly means for the Sacred Ring, unless writer Robert Kirkman intends to prolong the mystery. The ending of this issue suggests answers are near, teasing resolution through the rise of unity. Where the book goes next is anyone’s guess, but because this corner of the Energon Universe isn’t as tightly bound to preexisting source material, it feels like the most exciting part of all.