Void Rivals #25 — Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard Launch the Quintesson War
The fragile peace between Darak and Solila shatters as the Quintesson War begins. Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard deliver a seismic shift in Void Rivals #25, where two former enemies must unite to survive an assault that will forever change their world.
There’s a specific kind of tension that builds when two characters who have survived everything else finally find a moment of peace. In Void Rivals, that peace was always going to be temporary, but the way Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard prepare for its end in issue #25 is nothing short of breathtaking. This isn’t just the next step in the saga; it’s the point where the story stops looking inward at Darak and Solila’s relationship and explodes outward into a galaxy-spanning catastrophe. If you’ve been riding this wave with them, you’re in for the ride of your life.
For those who joined the journey on this barren planet, the core premise remains deceptively simple: two warriors from opposing ancient racial factions crash-landed together, forcing them into an uneasy alliance that slowly hardened into something resembling trust. They built a life, a community, a fragile stability on the rocks. But that stability is about to be obliterated. The publisher description hints at the 'Sacred Ring' coming under siege, and that’s the key. The Quintessons are coming, and they don’t do subtle.
What makes this issue particularly thrilling is the creative team’s ability to balance the intimate history of these characters with the scale of the incoming threat. Jason Howard’s art has never been more vital. You can feel the weight of the world on Darak and Solila’s shoulders as they are tasked with leading their people through the deadliest war they’ve ever faced. The dynamic between the two artists, Andrei Bressan and Patricio Delpeche, continues to bring a kinetic, visceral energy to the combat, making every punch and explosion feel consequential.
This is the moment where the status quo gets shattered, and that’s a gift for any reader. We know these characters, we know their fears, and we know the bonds they’ve forged. Seeing them pushed to their absolute limits by an external force that doesn’t care about their history is pure comic book catharsis. The dust that settles after this issue won’t be the same dust that was kicked up at the beginning of the series. Everything changes here.
For those looking to dive in or catch up, the current shelf has a good run of copies moving fast, especially with the Jason Howard variant cover catching eyes. It’s a bold, striking piece of art that perfectly captures the gravity of the situation. If you’ve been on the fence about joining the Void Rivals journey, this is the volume that demands you take a closer look. It’s a masterclass in escalating stakes, and it’s waiting for you on the shelf.