Transformers Will Return to Comic Books Next Week in Image's Void Rivals #1
Friday, June 9th, 2023 11:40AM CDT
Category: Comic Book NewsPosted by: ScottyP Views: 42,454
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Void Rivals' first issue arrives next week on June 14th with writing by Robert Kirkman - yes, the one you've heard of from The Walking Dead - and artwork from Lorenzo De Felici. Image's website teases the book with the following description:
The blockbuster OBLIVION SONG team of ROBERT KIRKMAN & LORENZO DE FELICI debut the biggest new comic book series of 2023 with the launch of AN ALL-NEW SHARED UNIVERSE and a SURPRISE you won't see coming!
War rages around the Sacred Ring where the last remnants of two worlds have collapsed around a black hole in a never-ending war.
However when pilot Darak and his rival Solila both crash on a desolate planet these two enemies must find a way to escape together. But are they alone on this strange planet? And what dark forces await that threaten the entire universe?
It's hard not to think of IDW Publishing's ill-fated attempt at a shared universe of Hasbro properties that began with 2016's Revolution series when reading this news as Transformers fans have not been especially keen on following non-Transformers comic series alongside the franchise's own books. Of course, we also don't yet know what other series may follow in the near future related to Void Rivals, or how many of those there will be ("Would G.I. Joe fancy a team-up with M.A.S.K.?"), but if the story's good enough those secondary concerns really don't matter.
Regardless of any past history, the fact remains that Transformers will return to comic books next week, and that's pretty exciting.
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Posted by Bumblevivisector on June 9th, 2023 @ 12:05pm CDT
Then a minute later, Image's history makes me assume this reboot is going to make us all appreciate just how good IDW was in hindsight, Revolution included.
And just next week? Were there any specific whispers of this earlier?
Posted by TheChrisGlass on June 9th, 2023 @ 12:23pm CDT
Even on Comic Geeks, discussion on the premier itself was confused. Only today did the pieces come together.
But the creator has done this before.
https://undeadwalking.com/2022/11/28/ho ... comic-end/
With The Walking Dead, he ended the series by pretending to solicit fake issues months out, so when it ended in #193, there was still supposedly months to go, but no one knew until it hit the shelves. This feels like the same, only done at the start.
Posted by AcademyofDrX on June 9th, 2023 @ 1:08pm CDT
Bumblevivisector wrote:Seeing Robert Kirkman's name in this article is automatically making me picture a new AMC show where Chris Hardwick discusses TF and Joe lore with a celebrity guest panel, then cuts to Kevin Smith and friends trying for the umpteenth time to clarify what Transformers even is.
Then a minute later, Image's history makes me assume this reboot is going to make us all appreciate just how good IDW was in hindsight, Revolution included.
And just next week? Were there any specific whispers of this earlier?
There's been speculation for months, and hints that there was going to be a license reveal based on communication between Kirkman and comics retailers as part of the marketing of Void Rivals. Twitter searches and TFW forum posts are rabbit holes available if you want to go down those.
Posted by Mr.MicroMaster on June 9th, 2023 @ 1:08pm CDT
Posted by AcademyofDrX on June 9th, 2023 @ 1:24pm CDT
This event immediately kicked off the rumors, though I'm shocked that they didn't get more explicit until last week.
https://twitter.com/RobertKirkman/statu ... 6seVQ&s=19
Robert Kirkman on May 13:
"Very grateful to all the awesome comic shop retailers who joined our big VOID RIVALS call last Thursday. We revealed our super secret shared universe to them and it was great to get a first look at what it's like when people learn the surprise."
Posted by -Kanrabat- on June 9th, 2023 @ 2:26pm CDT
Corporate comics and their bad art went above and beyond.
Oh well, back to Manga.
A shame that Transformers is considered a brand for "only" little kids in Japan because lately (if ever), all the TF manga were funny parodies and that's it.
I might as well just sail the Seven Seas and look for the classic G1 Marvel comics.
Posted by bluecatcinema on June 9th, 2023 @ 3:01pm CDT
Posted by ScottyP on June 9th, 2023 @ 4:38pm CDT
I'm apprehensive about whatever Void Rivals' main thing is, or whatever Yoseph Joseph is doing out in space with probably Bumblebee or someone. It already looks too darn serious and after the blase Ruckley run that tried and failed to be high drama, I was hoping for some fun.
Will be delighted to be wrong about this. Not expecting much from VR 1 though, TFs are probably a last page reveal.
Posted by Stormshot_Prime on June 9th, 2023 @ 5:33pm CDT
Regardless, it seems people are pretty pro-Kirkman so far, and I definitely count myself as a big fan of his. Can’t wait to see what we’re in for this time around
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on June 9th, 2023 @ 8:10pm CDT
Posted by Seibertron on June 9th, 2023 @ 8:52pm CDT
D-Maximal_Primal wrote:I know nothing about this story or publisher, so i really don't know what to think yet
It's Robert Kirkman and Image Comics.
Kirkman is one of the biggest names to hit pop-culture in the past 20 years. Having read Kirkman's entire Walking Dead series thanks to originally liking the TV show when it first came out, then giving the original comics a try, and then getting pissed off at the TV show, and became a bigger fan of the comic than I was the TV show in the end. Kirkman is really good at world building, regardless if you like Walking Dead or not.
Image Comics is, well, Image Comics and #3 in the industry. Just leaves Dark Horse and DC of the big 5 to have a go at Transformers.
Posted by Burn on June 10th, 2023 @ 4:20am CDT
Posted by ScottyP on June 10th, 2023 @ 9:51am CDT
Presumably so, but since it's a brand new thing that doesn't even release until Wednesday, no one knows so yet.Stormshot_Prime wrote:I’m a bit confused as to the where and how anything TF/Joe fits into this story we’re being presented. Is this story itself setting up a bunch of other titles, including TF?
Posted by AcademyofDrX on June 10th, 2023 @ 6:43pm CDT
https://www.tumblr.com/decepti-thots/71 ... urce=share
Posted by snavej on June 10th, 2023 @ 10:03pm CDT
Posted by o.supreme on June 14th, 2023 @ 10:46am CDT
IDW for the most part was lackluster and soured me on the idea of TF comics. The whole concept just wasn't for me. I'm not rushing out and purchasing Image's books day one like I have every other iteration of TF. I'll wait and see. If my local shop gets any copies, I may flip through and see if it has any potential.
It's odd because I know I've had the very contrarian opinion of saying DW had the best iteration of TF in comics, despite the fact that it was left unfinished, and had a corrupt head; the stories and artwork I thought were really great (yeah people make fun of Pat Lee's wonky style, but the other artists like Figueroa did some great work).
But as I browse Seibertron and other forums, and look at comments, and people in chats/podcasts, I realize I'm not alone. Sure we are far, FAR from the majority. But I do find it interesting that the further we get from DW in time, it seems the more they are missed, but at least I can say I've missed them since I picked up the first issue of IDW in late 2005 and found it to be instantly inferior to DW.
Posted by partholon on June 14th, 2023 @ 3:17pm CDT
Ya get basically 2 pages of jetfire to acknowledge the TFs exist and thats about it.
kinda surprised the other info on this hasnt been posted yet and thats that Daniel Warren Johnson is slated to write AND draw the book beginning in October of this year
he's behind the indie book murder falcon (iirc) and is probably best known for his run on beta ray bill for marvel.
i'll be honest his style ISNT to my liking but the pic he put of of prime does have a nice geoff senior-esque feeling to it so who knows. apparently he's meant to be a fan but in media EVERYONE would say that about a book their doing .
guess well find out in 4 months.
Posted by partholon on June 14th, 2023 @ 3:29pm CDT
Seibertron wrote:D-Maximal_Primal wrote:I know nothing about this story or publisher, so i really don't know what to think yet
It's Robert Kirkman and Image Comics.
Kirkman is one of the biggest names to hit pop-culture in the past 20 years. Having read Kirkman's entire Walking Dead series thanks to originally liking the TV show when it first came out, then giving the original comics a try, and then getting pissed off at the TV show, and became a bigger fan of the comic than I was the TV show in the end. Kirkman is really good at world building, regardless if you like Walking Dead or not.
Image Comics is, well, Image Comics and #3 in the industry. Just leaves Dark Horse and DC of the big 5 to have a go at Transformers.
dunno how much involvement in the book kirkman will actually HAVE.
BUT if he does i think the fact he also wrote INVINCIBLE bodes well for handling a sci/fi war story.
Posted by Burn on June 14th, 2023 @ 6:07pm CDT
partholon wrote:dunno how much involvement in the book kirkman will actually HAVE.
He's writer for Void Rivals #1, and gets an editorial page at the back of the book talking about the shared universe he's creating. So while he may not be writing Transformers, he'll be overseeing the shared universe.
Having read this issue, I look forward to what's to come with a bit of optimism. The low point for me was the Zertonian/Agorian reveal..it was predictable, but otherwise, a solid book.
But the issue did the one thing it was meant to do, and that was leave enough carrot dangling to make you want to see where this is going.
Overall, a good read, and with Kirkman overseeing things it might just be a half decent shared universe.
Posted by william-james88 on June 15th, 2023 @ 10:14pm CDT
Comic book fans who picked up their copies of Void Rivals #1 in comic shops today were the first to learn the news, as the blockbuster Oblivion Song team of writers Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) and artist Lorenzo De Felici (Kroma), along with colorist Matheus Lopes (Step By Bloody Step) and letterer Rus Wooton, revealed that the highly anticipated series was actually a stealth launch of this new shared “Energon Universe” with the surprise first appearance of iconic Transformers character Jetfire.
Three upcoming releases, alongside Void Rivals, mark the beginning of the interconnected “Energon Universe” featuring both the characters and franchises you know and love, along with entirely new concepts developed in partnership by Hasbro and Skybound.
“It's a tremendous honor to be able to reintroduce this world to a new audience under the Skybound banner,” said Robert Kirkman. “I've loved these characters for most of my life and to have the opportunity to add to the already rich tapestry Hasbro has built with the all-new Void Rivals is an unbelievable opportunity. If you look at everything done with Transformers and G.I. Joe, you can see the inkling of a vast universe with tremendous potential for crossovers and interaction that will enhance the fan experience while staying true to the individual identities of both concepts. I look forward to exploring that potential for years to come.”
“When we first discussed plan for the surprise reveal in Void Rivals #1, I never expected it would be a secret we could keep for over a year,” said Michael Kelly, Hasbro’s VP of Global Publishing. “Now that it is finally here, we are all excited to finally be able to talk about all the amazing stories to come from our great new partners at Skybound.”
Launching in October, Transformers #1 begins an all-new era for the iconic robots in disguise from superstar creator Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb, DC’s Wonder Woman: Dead Earth) and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater). Optimus Prime was supposed to have led the Autobots to victory. Instead, the fate of Cybertron is unknown, and his allies have crash-landed far from home, alongside their enemies—the Decepticons. As these titanic forces renew their war on Earth, one thing is immediately clear: the planet will never be the same. New alliances are struck. Battle lines are redrawn. And humanity’s only hope of survival is Optimus Prime.
“To my readers, retailers, and fellow transformer fans: GET READY! I've only been drawing Optimus Prime and the rest of this amazing cast since I was in FIRST GRADE,” said Daniel Warren Johnson. “This is a dream project for me, and I'm so glad to be adding a new chapter to the decades long celebration of robots turning into cars. Also, cab-over trucks are so fun to draw!”
The new Energon Universe expands in December with Duke #1, a limited series from Joshua Williamson (DC’s Superman, Dark Ride), Tom Reilly (The Thing) and Jordie Bellaire (W0rldtr33), that tells the story you’ve never read before – the origins of G.I. Joe and Cobra in a world grappling with the arrival of the Autobots and Decepticons. When Conrad S. Hauser (codename DUKE) investigates the mysteries behind The Transformers, the answers will lead to the birth of forces for good and evil that the world never imagined.
Duke will be the first of four G.I. Joe limited series coming from Skybound, setting the stage for a fresh new take on G.I. Joe, Cobra and the iconic characters that you only think you know!
"Childhood dreams come true! Get hyped! Tom and I are bringing you a new take on Duke and the formation of G.I. Joe that honors all that we love about the characters but takes it into a new and exciting direction,” said Joshua Williamson. “It's been awesome working with Skybound and Hasbro to bring this new take on the G.I. Joe franchise. For the last few years, I've been picking up all of the new G.I. Classified figures, so I am pumped to contribute to this new world of G.I. Joe and Transformers!"
“I’m super excited to be working with Josh and the team at Skybound to usher in a new beginning for these iconic characters,” said Tom Reilly. “The Joes have a rich history in comics, one that we look forward to adding something new and exciting to. It’s going to be a fun ride!”
This will be followed by the launch of Cobra Commander #1 in January 2024, from Joshua Williamson, Andrea Milana (Impact Winter: Rook) and Annalisa Leoni (Oblivion Song). In a world where Cobra doesn’t exist, one man’s sinister plans to utilize the mysterious alien substance known as Energon will send shockwaves across the globe.
“My first comic was G.I. JOE, and I couldn’t be more excited to unite the Transformers and G.I. Joe into one universe,” said Sean Mackiewicz, SVP, Publisher. “This line is being guided by the best comic creators in the world and features the same action-packed, surprise-filled, emotional storytelling you expect from all Skybound comics.”
Void Rivals #1 (JAN238443) is available today at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play.
Fans can pre-order their copies of Transformers #1, Duke #1, and Cobra Commander #1 right now at their local comic book shops.
Below is Transformers #1 Cover A by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
Posted by DaveTheRave137 on June 16th, 2023 @ 5:26pm CDT
Posted by AllNewSuperRobot on June 18th, 2023 @ 4:40am CDT
Humanity’s only hope of Survival is Optimus Prime
Instead, the fate of Cybertron is unknown, and his allies have crash-landed far from home, alongside their enemies—the Decepticons. As these titanic forces renew their war on Earth, one thing is immediately clear: the planet will never be the same.
Retreadacon sighted!
Adding the Joes to the mix and my interest in this new series is as long as it was for IDW's dull last effort.
Posted by WiseMan on June 21st, 2023 @ 9:29pm CDT
Posted by william-james88 on June 24th, 2023 @ 8:56pm CDT
The Hugely Anticipated New Series Launches This October
LOS ANGELES 06/23/2023 — Today Skybound, in partnership with toy and game company Hasbro, announced the full lineup of Autobots team members that will appear in writer/artist powerhouse Daniel Warren Johnson’s Transformers, launching with issue #1 October 4, 2023.
Teasers of each character appeared on Skybound social channels this week, showcasing the all-star team of Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Cliffjumper, Arcee, and Wheeljack. Fans should stay tuned to Skybound social channels next week, as the Decepticon team will be unveiled daily.
In the recent surprise heard ‘round the world, Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici’s Void Rivals #1 launched the all-new shared “Energon Universe” with the surprise first appearance of iconic Transformers character Jetfire. The stealth launch introduced the historic new partnership between Hasbro and Skybound, with Transformers and G.I. Joe comics finding a new home with the publisher.
Transformers #1 (Lunar Code 0623IM805) begins an all-new era for the iconic Robots in Disguise from Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb, DC’s Wonder Woman: Dead Earth) and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon). Optimus Prime was supposed to have led the Autobots to victory. Instead, the fate of Cybertron is unknown, and his allies have crash-landed far from home, alongside their enemies—the Decepticons. As these titanic forces renew their war on Earth, one thing is immediately clear: the planet will never be the same. New alliances are struck. Battle lines are redrawn. And humanity’s only hope for survival is Optimus Prime.
Transformers #1 (Lunar Code 0623IM805| $4.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.
Posted by Rodimus Prime on June 25th, 2023 @ 12:02am CDT
I was hoping they might put some lesser used characters front and center, instead of the same old crew, but at least Bumblebee is not in the starting lineup. Getting tired of him.
Curious about the Cons. Probably Megatron, Shockwave, Starscream, Soundwave and 1 more random well-known character.
It's still weird to see Ratchet with a white helmet and black crest instead of a red helmet and white crest in a comic.
Posted by Bumblevivisector on June 25th, 2023 @ 3:06am CDT
Agreed. Conjures up memories of Dreamwave; when I saw Ratchet in Sunbow colors on a printed page, I had a bad feeling that someone at the helm just didn't get it. Show-accuracy is fine for the rest of the original Ark crew, but Ratchet and Prowl were iconic because of their Marvel characterization. There were much bigger problems in the first DW series, but that detail gave me a sense that this new TF Universe was going to crash and burn before its time, and that's not just hindsight bias.Rodimus Prime wrote:It's still weird to see Ratchet with a white helmet and black crest instead of a red helmet and white crest in a comic.
Here though, on the cover of a restart comic that just has to be different enough from IDW instead of bringing all of G1 back from the dead in an appeal to old fans who'd considered it to have been so for over a decade...could work. We'll see.
Posted by Cheetron on June 25th, 2023 @ 5:58am CDT
Posted by Halfofme07 on June 25th, 2023 @ 9:23am CDT
Posted by Stormshot_Prime on June 25th, 2023 @ 12:24pm CDT
That all being said, I am so excited. The lack of TF comics lately has really felt like a hole in my life.
Posted by Silver Wind on June 25th, 2023 @ 4:58pm CDT
Edit: Fixed link as it seems Moylan since changed his website to a redirect to his DeviantArt page.
Posted by Rodimus Prime on June 25th, 2023 @ 11:41pm CDT
As long as they don't keep it slave to the G1 cartoon, or wings universe or whatever asinine thing they're calling it. Let it be its own thing, like IDW was.Bumblevivisector wrote:Agreed. Conjures up memories of Dreamwave; when I saw Ratchet in Sunbow colors on a printed page, I had a bad feeling that someone at the helm just didn't get it. Show-accuracy is fine for the rest of the original Ark crew, but Ratchet and Prowl were iconic because of their Marvel characterization. There were much bigger problems in the first DW series, but that detail gave me a sense that this new TF Universe was going to crash and burn before its time, and that's not just hindsight bias.Rodimus Prime wrote:It's still weird to see Ratchet with a white helmet and black crest instead of a red helmet and white crest in a comic.
Here though, on the cover of a restart comic that just has to be different enough from IDW instead of bringing all of G1 back from the dead in an appeal to old fans who'd considered it to have been so for over a decade...could work. We'll see.
Regardless, as a comic book fan, I'm really looking forward to it, especially after the Brian Ruckley schiffshow we got.
Posted by Big Grim on June 26th, 2023 @ 4:01am CDT
Rodimus Prime wrote:Regardless, as a comic book fan, I'm really looking forward to it, especially after the Brian Ruckley schiffshow we got.
Man, I hear that! I've picked most of that nonsense up and even when you have it all together, it's damned slow going.
Looking forward to new creators.
~ Grim
Posted by sol magnus on June 26th, 2023 @ 7:24pm CDT
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on June 26th, 2023 @ 8:27pm CDT
i will read the wiki, just as I did for IDW2019. If just to keep up with anything interesting.
Posted by TulioDude on June 27th, 2023 @ 10:53am CDT
Kinda wish they used different designs.
Posted by ScottyP on June 28th, 2023 @ 7:55am CDT
Also, how long until Megatron shows up in some form? Furman made us wait an entire four issues in Infiltration, so let's call the over/under 5.5 issues with safer money on the under
Posted by TulioDude on June 28th, 2023 @ 11:11am CDT
Posted by AcademyofDrX on June 28th, 2023 @ 11:18am CDT
Posted by Rodimus Prime on July 1st, 2023 @ 12:13pm CDT
1 thing I don't like is the writer proclaiming "Optimus Prime the savior of Earth." That part is the same old. Personally I would really love it if finally Ultra Magnus got to be the main character of an entire series. He's like Optimus, except more interesting. G1 Prime is basically a 2-note tune. Getting boring after 40 years.
Posted by Supreme Convoy on July 21st, 2023 @ 10:58pm CDT
Posted by Supreme Convoy on July 23rd, 2023 @ 2:07am CDT
And they gave away a panel exclusive Transformers ashcan! I love Mike Spicer's coloring but they really could sell black & white versions of DWJ's comic and I'd buy it.
Posted by Supreme Convoy on July 28th, 2023 @ 8:12pm CDT
Posted by snavej on August 10th, 2023 @ 6:43am CDT
Maybe they could kill off Cliffjumper every month only to have him resurrected by magic by the next month?!
'Oh my God, they killed Cliffy!' as South Park would have it.
Posted by Supreme Convoy on August 17th, 2023 @ 11:31pm CDT
Posted by wyokid on August 20th, 2023 @ 6:43pm CDT
The art was great, I'm really getting invested in the characters and the amount of Transformers love we're getting has me positively giddy. I love what they're doing with Skuxxoid, hopefully he can get a miniseries at some point. Overall I think this universe is exactly what Transformers needs right now and its nice to have a comic I can look forward to every month again.
Lastly, there was a three page preview for Daniel Warren Johnson's book and man, this might be the best Transformers has ever looked in comic form. The pages had me floored.
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on August 21st, 2023 @ 6:18am CDT
Posted by Fricknmaniac on August 26th, 2023 @ 10:05am CDT
The first one I tracked down to Things From Another World Exclusive by Fred (Frederic Pham Chuong).
The second is art by Santa Fung, but I haven't found who the original seller is yet (neither Ebay listing is by them).
Any ideas on where to get the second one and/or has anyone spotted any other exclusives yet?
Posted by Fricknmaniac on August 29th, 2023 @ 8:04am CDT
So far I've found two confirmed (Stadium Comics and TFAW) and two potentially teased on Facebook (Big Time Collectibles (wouldn't ship until November at the earliest, though) and Singapore based Comic Grail Vault).
In the past I always waited to pick up the IDW incentives and exclusives, but this time around I think I'm going to try and get them all at launch if I can.
Posted by Supreme Convoy on August 30th, 2023 @ 11:32pm CDT
Francis Manapul!
Cliff Chiang!
Ryan Ottley! Probably my favorite of the covers not by DWJ so far.
Posted by bluecatcinema on August 31st, 2023 @ 2:28pm CDT