The Spaceknight returns!
Didn’t see this coming: ROM, the Hasbro toy, is returning to its Marvel roots with a comprehensive omnibus series launching in 2024 and a ROM #1 Facsimile Edition coming in September 2023.
Dig this press release from Marvel:
ROM, THE GREATEST OF THE SPACEKNIGHTS, RETURNS TO MARVEL COMICS IN ALL-NEW OMNIBUS COLLECTIONS!
Starting next year, new ROM: THE ORIGINAL MARVEL YEARS OMNIBUS collections will reprint the entire comics run of ROM for the first time ever! Plus, a brand-new FACSIMILE EDITION of ROM #1 on sale in September!
New York, NY— May 22, 2023 — Marvel Comics is thrilled to announce an exciting new collaboration with Hasbro, a global leader in play, that will result in brand-new collections and reprints of Rom’s original comic book adventures!
ROM Omnibus, Sal Buscema cover
The popular toy turned comic book superstar headlined his very own solo series throughout the 80s, igniting readers’ imaginations for 75 issues. Set in the main Marvel Comics universe, Rom was a full-fledged Marvel icon who had memorable team-ups with the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men, and even battled bravely against the likes of Galactus and the Skrulls! These incredible stories by industry legends Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema, along with various Rom guest appearances, will be reprinted for the first time ever in ROM: THE ORIGINAL MARVEL YEARS OMNIBUS VOLUME 1, on sale January 2024. In addition to this long-awaited collection, fans can pick up a facsimile edition of Rom’s comic book debut, 1979’s ROM #1, this September!
ROM Omnibus, Frank Miller cover
ROM: THE ORIGINAL YEARS OMNIBUS VOLUME 1 will collect ROM (1979) #1-29 and POWER MAN AND IRON FIST (1978) #73. He strikes from outer space…and nothing can stop him! Marvel Comics is proud to present the iconic early adventures of the greatest of Spaceknights — Rom! Centuries ago, Rom pledged his life to protect his planet, Galador, from the evil Dire Wraiths. Now, Rom has tracked these vile creatures across the cosmos to Earth, where they have infiltrated the highest levels of power — including S.H.I.E.L.D. itself! Armed with his energy analyzer, only Rom can see the Wraiths’ true form — and with his neutralizer, he can blast them into Limbo! But what will Earth make of this armored invader? Will Rom’s quest be aided or hindered by encounters with the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, Jack of Hearts, Nova, and Power Man and Iron Fist? And when Galactus targets Galador, can Rom and his fellow Spaceknights save their homeworld from destruction?
Facsimile Edition
ROM #1 FACSIMILE EDITION boldly re-presents ROM (1979) #1, one of the all-time great Marvel comic books, in its original form, ads and all! Long ago, Rom offered his life to serve his planet of Galador as a Spaceknight — an armored warrior, sworn to protect his people from the vile alien invaders known as the Dire Wraiths. Now, his solemn vow brings him to Earth — the latest front in an ancient cosmic conflict! The Wraiths can assume human form, and they’ve been worming their way into our society. Only Rom’s trusty energy analyzer can detect them — and with his powerful neutralizer, he can banish them to Limbo! In this landmark first issue, Rom blasts his way into the Marvel Universe, meets his future ally Brandy Clark and begins his quest to free Earth from the Dire Wraiths’ invisible infiltration!
Check out the covers now, including the exemplary original ROM #1 cover art by Frank Miller. In addition, view never-before-seen Rom artwork from industry legend George Pérez’s archives. Received from his estate, this piece will serve as a Direct Market Exclusive Variant Cover!
ROM Omnibus, George Perez cover
Experience these beloved and rare stories all over again or for the very first time when ROM #1 FACSIMILE EDITION hits stands in September and when ROM: THE ORIGINAL MARVEL YEARS OMNIBUS arrives next year! For more information, visit Marvel.com.
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MORE
— While You Wait for the Omnibus, Dig These Far Out 13 ROM COVERS. Click here.
— First ROM, Now MICRONAUTS Is Getting MARVEL OMNIBUS Collections. Click here.
May 22, 2023
Sold! Micronauts can’t be far behind I hope.
May 24, 2023
Michael Golden really shined in Micronauts!
May 22, 2023
This is completely unexpected. I’ve heard about the Rom character through the internet, but never have I imagined that Marvel and Hasbro would team up to republish all of Marvel’s stories about the legendary Spaceknight. 🙂
May 22, 2023
Never thought I’d see the day!
May 22, 2023
This is excellent news (and oh how I wish it could lead to Micronauts and Shogun Warriors and Godzilla too). Okay, DC, the gauntlet’s been thrown. High time for an Atari Force Omnibus!!!
May 22, 2023
Love Rom ! The first 12 issues are the best.
I own a page from Issue 2. Those Michael Golden covers are awesome.
May 22, 2023
AWESOME! I wish I did too.
May 22, 2023
Figures I’m have but bummed too. I’ve got like four almost five complete runs all mint of this series. I hope Marvel gets the Micronauts, Godzilla and the Shogun Warriors soon too. I just hope we get a Rom trilogy of movies soon. Directed by Sam Raimi.
May 23, 2023
Unexpected is right. After Conan didn’t work out, I thought marvel might drop the whole licensed character thing. Good to be wrong for once. It’s been years since I read ROM, but I remember liking it.
One thought though, is that this sucks for the handful of EPIC collections that previously had to skip ROM appearances. I think there was a Marvel Two-In-One and possibly a Power Man & Iron Fist one…