Void Rivals #31: Skuxxoid Forever

Void Rivals #31 picks up with the Skuxxoid storyline that has been slowly unfolding throughout the series since the very first issue. For those who may not remember all the details, Skuxxoid was revealed to be a clone of an alpha version of himself, one of seemingly countless clones who serve the original. After learning the truth, Skuxxoid sparked an uprising, demanding equality for his brothers rather than the servitude that had been forced upon them.

As the issue begins, the battle is already underway, pitting Skuxxoid against Skuxxoid in a conflict between brothers. The result is both entertaining and heartbreaking, as the motivations of the various characters are explored and the reality of their situation begins to sink in. Without spoiling too much of the outcome, the themes and conflicts at the center of this storyline appear to be setting up a character arc that forces Skuxxoid to confront his own shortcomings and become humbled. There are certainly hints of a larger plot developing in the background, particularly in relation to the broader events of the series. Even so, these detours from the main narrative have served as excellent palate cleansers and have consistently been a joy to read.

While not part of the issue’s story itself, there is some amusing commentary in the letters pages, specifically from editor Ben Abernathy. Abernathy jokes that Skuxxoid now has more individual issues focused on his story than Megatron does in the pages of Transformers. Since Void Rivals is the only major property within this shared universe that is built around completely original characters, it’s nice to see some of its cast receiving a level of prominence comparable to the franchise’s more recognizable icons. Regardless of the highs and lows of the series as a whole, the Skuxxoid chapters have consistently been among its strongest and most enjoyable installments.

Looking ahead, there are clear indications that Skuxxoid’s story is about to reconnect with the main narrative after several chapters of relative separation. Given that this arc appears to be centered on humbling the character, there is reason to hope that he adopts a more heroic, or at least less adversarial, approach in his future interactions with the main cast. The biggest surprise, and perhaps the most exciting possibility, would be seeing him appear in books beyond Void Rivals, further strengthening the interconnected nature of this shared universe.