A surprise cameo in today’s issue of Void Rivals makes it clear: Image Comics is bringing Rom back into the fold sooner than many readers expected. The appearance not only ties into recent blind-bag releases but also drops a wink to long-time franchise fans — a reference that traces back to the 1986 Transformers animated movie.
Rom first resurfaced earlier this year as an unexpected inclusion in the blind-bag release alongside M.A.S.K. #1, part of the shared Energon Universe from Image and Skybound. Publishers later confirmed a wider reprint of that Rom story for August, signaling a planned lead-up to the character’s next storyline.
Solicit listings for upcoming issues have already hinted at what’s next: covers for Void Rivals #33 and #34 make clear Rom will be more than a blink-and-you-miss-it guest. The blurbs in the solicitations keep one element under wraps, but the visuals and issue descriptions leave little doubt.
Then comes today’s issue, Void Rivals #32, from Robert Kirkman, Conor Hughes and Patricio Delpeche. Readers who opened the comic found an early arrival — a brief but unmistakable moment that references the alien chant that fans of the 1986 film will remember, and which has winked back in later games and adaptations.
Why this matters now: Rom’s reintroduction deepens the crossover threads inside the Energon Universe and strengthens the link between Image’s new shared world and older, license-rich properties. For collectors and continuity watchers, those early clues and the planned reprint make these next few issues ones to watch.
- Void Rivals #32
By Robert Kirkman, Conor Hughes, Patricio Delpeche.
Darak and Solila remain on the run after the Quintesson War; a surprise visitor appears in this issue. Published 7/22/2026 — $3.99.
- Void Rivals #33
By Robert Kirkman; art by Conor Hughes and Patricio Delpeche.
Solicits promise a redacted surprise encounter for Darak and Solila — covers reveal Rom’s presence. Street date: 8/3/2026 — $3.99.
- Void Rivals #34
By Robert Kirkman; art by Conor Hughes and Patricio Delpeche; cover by Lorenzo De Felici.
The issue teases a confrontation between Rom and the Predacron, suggesting the guest role expands into a more central clash. Street date: 9/23/2026 — $3.99.
Expect more connective tissue between previously separate licensed characters as Image and Skybound roll out the Energon Universe. The quick succession — from a blind-bag reveal to a scheduled reprint and then a named presence in an ongoing series — indicates a deliberate plan to build momentum and lure both new readers and long-term fans back into the continuity.
For now, the clearest sign of that plan is small but pointed: an Easter egg in Void Rivals #32 that nods to the broader history of the franchise. Whether Rom’s return leads to full integration into the shared universe or a limited guest arc will become clearer as the August and September issues arrive.
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Hello, I’m Jax. I guide you through the latest comics releases and enrich your geek universe.