Summary
WARNING! Spoilers ahead forVoid Rivals#9A fan-favoriteTransformerscharacter justmade their debut in the pages ofVoid Rivals, and it could lead to a major storyline in the Energon Universe.Void Rivalswas the title that kicked off Skybound’s new shared universe of Hasbro properties, shocking the world when the first issue ended with thesurprise appearance of the Transformer Jetfire– and it continues to play a pivotal role in expanding the universe.
Void Rivals#9 – written by Robert Kirkman, with art by Lorenzo De Felici – continues the story of Darak and Solila, two warriors from opposite sides in a bitter interstellar conflict. After being thrown together by circumstance, the two find themselves under attack by the Zertonian hunter Proximus.
Solila is badly hurt in the ensuing battle, andVoid Rivals#9 finds the two seeking shelter in a structure they’ve found in the wastelands. There, theyencounter the Autobot Springer, a triple-changer who first appeared in 1986’sTransformers: The Movie.
The Autobots Have A New Enemy In the Energon Universe — Even Worse Than the Decepticons
The Transformers have a brand new enemy in the Energon Universe, as a controversial G.I. Joe faction of villains has declared war on Cybertron.
Autobot Springer Is The Latest To Debut In The Energon Universe
Void Rivals#9 – Written By Robert Kirkman; Art By Lorenzo De Felici, Patricio Delpeche & Rus Wooton
The arrival of Springer also coincides with the reveal that the Sacred Ring ofVoid Rivalsmight have a connection to ancient Cybertron, tying the origin of the Transformers to Kirkman and De Felici’s new title.
As a Transformer with the alternate modes of a helicopter and a futuristic car, Springer has always been a valued member of the Autobots. He quickly proves an equally valuable ally for Darak and Solila, as he protects the two when Proximus comes after them. This is where artist Lorenzo De Felici truly shines; the battle inVoid Rivals#9 is a jaw-dropping display of visual storytelling prowess.The creative team shows how a human-sized warrior can hold their own against the much larger Transformers– which could be a preview of things to come when theG.I. Joe team gets involved.
The arrival of Springer also coincides with the reveal that the Sacred Ring ofVoid Rivalsmight have a connection to ancient Cybertron, tying the origin of the Transformers to Kirkman and De Felici’s new title. With the previousintroduction of Hot Rodin theFree Comic Book Day Energon Universe Special, it sounds likeVoid Rivalswill continue to be a key title for the EU moving forward. Hot Rod claimed to be searching for an ally who had gone off to learn a secret that could save Cybertron, so it would easy to assume that ally is Springer.
Megatron has broken free of his imprisonment from Cobra-La, the G.I. Joe team has been tasked with hunting down Transformers, and the Decepticons are building a bridge from Cybertron to Earth. All of these disparate stories seem to be leading to major storylines for 2024.
Springer Will Play A Large Role in the Energon Universe
With so many significant storylines being set up, it certainly seems like the Energon Universe is going to have an even bigger year than the first.Megatron has broken free of his imprisonmentfrom Cobra-La, the G.I. Joe team has been tasked with hunting down Transformers, and the Decepticons are building a bridge from Cybertron to Earth. All of these disparate stories seem to be leading to major storylines for 2024, perhaps even the Energon Universe’s first major crossover. Now that Springer has joined the cast ofVoid Rivals, the Energon Universe era ofTransformerscontinues to grow in exciting new ways that must not be missed.
