Release: August 2026 | Writer: Robert Kirkman | Artist: Conor Hughes | Colorists: Patricio Delpeche
Solila, Darak and Pythona need helping getting off this new planet. And who better to help than ROM!?
*Void Rivals #33 SPOILERS ahead!*
TIME TO FIGHT BACK
ROM.
Yes, ROM.
Seriously, ROM (and Carpet) stand in front of Darak and Solila as they meet him for the first time. After figuring out the standard language they speak, they have a very friendly meeting. They agree to a partnership, even though Pythona almost ruins that completely, trying to attack ROM from behind.
Luckily, ROM has some knowledge of this planet when a giant creature known as a Mudgroggle appears from underground. He knows just how to soothe this being and calm it down. Avoiding any further fighting or attacks.
While he sends this beast back under the surface, Carpet serves as a useful distraction, showing how good these two work together. This whole sequence looks great. The greens and pinks complement each other so well in these panels.
ROM brings them to a safer location to discuss how he'll help them leave this planet. Meanwhile, on a ship in Deep Space, Skuxxoid is getting closer to arriving at Planet Junkion.
Back to ROM and his new gang of buddies, he takes the initiative to scan the entire planet to see if he can find them an old ship they can repair and use to get back home. Weirdly enough, we see the armor on one of Pythona's soldiers named Bola.
This creature that is on their armor is not just stuck on it, but it's almost as if it's becoming one with it. Causing him to scream out in pain of course when his partner tries to cut it off.
Through all of this, ROM can't find anything that can help them get off this planet. After a brief history lesson of how ROM got his badass organic claw arm. Pythona asks ROM if he can find ANY way to get them back to Earth. To which ROM...has never heard of? Interesting.
On Planet Junkion, Skuxxoid has arrived and he is ANGRY. He wants his Rockerroid and threatens to dismantle every Junkion on the planet, starting with Wreck-Gar if it has been ruined.
CONCLUSION
Another Great Void Rivals in the books. But when isn't it great? Plus ROM is here! Yes, ROM! Very excited to see ROM intermingle with the cast and characters of Void Rivals. This is still an underrated series to me personally, and one of Kirkman's best projects next to Invincible.
Every issue is colorful, has a purpose and is building to something greater. Now with ROM in the mix, I'm curious to see what this Energon Universe can do with him.
The Skuxxoid arc has been a well-built, ever-evolving story that always has you wondering what will happen next. I'll scream it from the rooftops every month that Void Rivals needs to be in your pull list. Especially if you're a fan of the "bin of toys to play with" vibe of the Energon Universe.
It's simply just an absolute fun time to experience.