BotTalk Reviews

Void Rivals Needs To Support Its Wife And Kids! It does and it continues here with issue # 16! Void Rivals is Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici’s sci-fi comic that tells the tale of two crumbling planets linked by a “Sacred Ring” (it’s not Halo), their peoples at war for generations. When a member of each culture are stranded together, the two find they must put aside their differences if they want to survive. This story takes place in the so-called “Energon Universe”, Skybound Entertainment’s initiative to relaunch properties like Transformers and G.I. Joe within a shared universe that also happens to include the original characters and setting of Void Rivals. In this sixteenth issue, we get Cobra-La VS the Skuxxoid! Darak VS his father! And Solila VS Handroid’s helpful advice! No Transformers though? Welllll… maybe. The last page is a cliffhanger that will certainly raise some questions. The main action here is the Cobra-La VS Skuxxoid fight, which ends in a fatality! I’m not cer...

Time to devastate and brutalize?? Uh, sure. With Robert Kirkman’s Void Rivals having launched Skybound’s Energon Universe, noted writer/artist rolled-into-one Daniel Warren Johnson takes the reins on the linchpin of this initiative, the flagship Transformers comic series! Well, he maintains the reins on the writing of this series at least, as does Mike Spicer on colors. Jorge Corona has taken over regular penciling duties with a style all his own. In this sixteenth issue, the two Decepticon factions clash, Cliffjumper joins the Autobot resistance on Cybertron, a new Autobot joins the ranks on Earth, and Laserbeak discovers what Soundwave had sent him to look for! So Devastator and Bruticus go at it, right? Yes. For like… two panels and a splash. Their fight is a mere backdrop to the character dramas unfolding during the smaller Decepticon skirmish. It was honestly kind of disappointing considering how it was built up (and the covers dedicated to it.) Soundwave and Starscream fight some...

Void Rivals has The Touch! It does and it continues here with issue # 15! Void Rivals is Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici’s sci-fi comic that tells the tale of two crumbling planets linked by a “Sacred Ring” (it’s not Halo), their peoples at war for generations. When a member of each culture are stranded together, the two find they must put aside their differences if they want to survive. This story takes place in the so-called “Energon Universe”, Skybound Entertainment’s initiative to relaunch properties like Transformers and G.I. Joe within a shared universe that also happens to include the original characters and setting of Void Rivals. In this fifteenth issue, Hot Rod and Springer reunite for the first time! Darak runs interference for his new giant robot friends! Pythona and the Skuxxoid cross paths! Proximus recovers! And Solila reaches her destination! Sooo, another staggered advance of subplots? Yes! There’s a lot of different perspectives to focus on here, so Kirkman does...

Creators : Joshua Williamson (writer), Tom Reilly (artist), Jordie Bellaire (colorist), Rus Wooton (letterer) Story : Picking right up after last issue, Rock 'n Roll is down and the Joes are cornered but Duke comes in on a Cobra F.A.N.G. to help out.  Despite a valiant fight, Cobra is able to head off with the Shard/Energon Tech, though Duke is able to recognize Mercer. Cobra Commander sends in his elite "Valkyries" to finish the job (who kill any wounded) and remote detonates the laser guns so they aren't captured (upsetting Destro as he didn't know that feature was built in).   In the hospital, we find out Stalker and Cover Girl have pretty serious injuries, Rock 'n Roll is dead and Clutch is missing in the rubble.  General Hawk introduces Guerrero La Caza aka Risk, a CIA operative (seen last issue) to the team, upsetting Duke and they get into a fight.  Back at Springfield, Destro would like some more answers about the origin  of the Energon Tech but Cobra...

Time to break out Starscream’s Brigade? You bet! With Robert Kirkman’s Void Rivals having launched Skybound’s Energon Universe, noted writer/artist rolled-into-one Daniel Warren Johnson takes the reins on the linchpin of this initiative, the flagship Transformers comic series! Well, he maintains the reins on the writing of this series at least, as does Mike Spicer on colors. Jorge Corona has taken over regular penciling duties with a style all his own and returns to them after a two-issue absence. In this fifteenth issue, Arcee and Beachcomber depart on a quest, Cliffjumper links up with the Autobot Resistance roaming the chunk of Cybertron he’s stranded on, and Soundwave and Starscream’s factions go to war! What kinda quest? What kinda war? A MAGNUS Quest, a CIVIL war! Arcee and Beachcomber are off with Spike and Carly to locate Ultra Magnus and bring him back. Meanwhile, the two Decepticon factions are about to clash head-to-head. Also, Optimus Prime tries to help humanity recover fr...

Void Rivals has The Touch! It does and it continues here with issue # 14! Void Rivals is Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici’s sci-fi comic that tells the tale of two crumbling planets linked by a “Sacred Ring” (it’s not Halo), their peoples at war for generations. When a member of each culture are stranded together, the two find they must put aside their differences if they want to survive. This story takes place in the so-called “Energon Universe”, Skybound Entertainment’s initiative to relaunch properties like Transformers and G.I. Joe within a shared universe that also happens to include the original characters and setting of Void Rivals. In this fourteenth issue, Darak and Solila continue their separate journeys and come closer to learning the secrets behind the conspiracy that keeps their peoples apart. Also, the Skuxxoid continues being depressed and Hot Rod shows up on the trail of his buddy Springer! Depressed Skuxxoid, eh? Yeah, what’s the deal with that? What is Kirkman doi...

Creators : Joshua Williamson, Tom Reilly, Jordie Bellaire Story :  Duke is leading the G.I. Joe team on some training exercises - Clutch, Stalker, Cover Girl, Rock 'n Roll and the Baroness, while giving a bit of background on each.  The Baroness does struggle working with the crew and Duke feels they are not ready yet. In Springfield, Destro shows off his newest gun to Cobra Commander who is very impressed with it.  In Abu Dhabi, G.I. Joe agent Risk (the one missing a part of his left pinkie) beats up some people and tells them not to sell to M.A.R.S. Industries.  Back at the Pit, Hawk and Duke talk it over on what it means to be a leader and what the team needs. They then get their first mission; to retrieve a piece of Cybertronian tech while at the same time Cobra is going after it.  While the Joes are retrieving the tech, they come under attack by Cobra forces, who seem to have them outgunned and out-technologized with their new laser rifles.   Writing ...