Image Comics reviews 9/24/25 – Hyde Street 9, Void Rivals 23

Void Rivals 23

Void Rivals 23 was a pretty wild installment of the series with a payoff that, to borrow a tagline from another corner of the Energon Universe, might be more than meets the eye.

Writer Robert Kirkman has been building to this big reveal in Void Rivals 23 and it delivered big time while also raising a whole new slew of questions.

Since the start of the series, the Agorrians and Zertonians have been warring factions. That dynamic shifted when Darak and Solila crash landed on the same planet and were forced to work together. That unlikely partnership led to a long hidden secret — the Agorrians and Zertonians weren’t that different at all.

Darak’s father revealed the secret text both groups believe — they cannot come together and create a Unity, lest both factions be wiped out.

Void Rivals 23 shows exactly what happens when The Unity is achieved and it doesn’t look good for either group.

Kirkman hasn’t done a bunch of storylines where faith is a major component. It’s interesting to see how big an element it plays in Void Rivals 23.

As Agorria starts to shatter and both armies are rocked by the seeming destruction of the Sacred Ring, ultimately it’s a matter of Solila’s faith in Zerta Trion. And if Zerta is worthy of that trust. It’s a fascinating idea Kirkman is tackling with Solila and Zerta Trion.

Void Rivals 23 also has some intriguing subplots playing out.

Pythona and her Royal Guard are on Quintessa where they encounter some creatures as well as a very familiar Autobot.

Skuxxoid is facing what actually be his final fate at the hands of a great divider and his odds of surviving this one doesn’t look great.

Artist Conor Hughes has done an exquisite job of retaining the artistic quality of the series. Void Rivals 23 provides some of his best work on the title yet.

Colorist Patricio Delpeche mixes some interesting blends this issue working in some strong lighting effects along with the usual striking color palette. Letterer Rus Wooton delivers his elite sound effect fonts and clean dialogue arrangements.

Void Rivals 23 shows a title nearly two years in still surging creatively with a number of surprises and compelling storylines. It remains one of the strongest titles in all of comics.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Photo Credit: Image Comics

Check out the third trade in the saga with Void Rivals Volume 3: The Key to Vector Theta available for pre-order at Amazon.

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