Rom the Space Knight Returns in New IDW Comic Series
IDW Publishing and Hasbro have officially announced that Rom the Space Knight, one of the first LED-driven action figures in the late 1970s, is coming back with a new comic book series. Marvel Comics previously published the old beloved Rom the Space Knight Series.
According to the announcement, the new series kicks off with Rom the Space Knight #0, which will debut on the first Saturday of May for Free Comic Book Day. Rom the Space Knight #0 will be IDW’s “Gold” offering. The comic will be co-written by IDW Chief Creative Officer/Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall and acclaimed comic-book/TV writer Christos Gage. David Messina will serve as the artist for Issue No. 0, and the Wild Blue Yonder Team of Zach Howard and Nelson Daniel will be providing the cover art.
Speaking on the news, Chris Ryall stated: “It’s no hyperbole for me to say that launching a new Rom comic is one of the things we’ve most wanted to make happen for fans. I know this because I’m one of them. The character has been absent from comics for too long and we can’t wait to introduce this all-new version to the world.”
The story will follow Rom, a member of the benevolent Solstar Order and the greatest of the Space Knights, interstellar soldiers who are locked in a centuries-old war with the Dire Wraiths. The Wraiths are alien invaders who have destroyed many worlds, and they have no infiltrated Earth for sinister purposes.
The Issue No. 0 story for Rom will feature an introductory 10-page story of Rom’s arrival on planet Earth. The incident sets up the ongoing Rom series, which will launch later in July 2016. Details on the creative team for the ongoing series have not yet been revealed.
Ryall added: “Many people have only heard of Rom but that’s it. And those that do know of his past iteration might have some preconceived notion of what this series will be. And while we can promise that the DNA of the character as established with the original toy remains intact, there will be surprises galore as people experience a new universe built entirely around Rom and company.”
The Free Comic Book Day issue will also have some added content, including character sketches, creator interviews and a glimpse of things to come. You can check out the cover artwork for the first issue below: