ROM: SPACE KNIGHT Makes Long-Awaited Return To Marvel Comics For New Omnibus And Facsimile

It's been four decades, but Rom: Space Knight is heading back to the Marvel Universe later this year. Is it leading to something bigger for the character in comics and beyond? Here's what we know so far...

By JoshWilding - May 23, 2023 09:05 PM EST

Filed Under: Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics has announced (via SFFGazette.com) that Rom is finally returning to the Marvel Universe! Well, sort of.

It's been four decades since we last saw Rom: Space Knight assembling alongside Earth's Mightiest Heroes. The character was initially incorporated into the Marvel Universe after a deal between the comic book publisher and Hasbro saw the popular toy line folded into the world called home by heroes like Spider-Man and The Avengers, but the deal ended in 1986 after 75 issues and a number of annuals.

Marvel Comics bid a final farewell to Rom in 1994's Incredible Hulk #418, though the renamed Spaceknights continued to make sporadic appearances (Venom joined the group's ranks back in 2015).

However, a new deal will see his classic adventures reprinted for a modern audience.

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 will also be able to pick up a facsimile edition of Rom's comic book debut, 1979's Rom #1, this September.

IDW Publishing has a deal with Hasbro and last released a story featuring Rom in 2020. With that in mind, it's unclear whether we'll now see the character make an appearance in any current Marvel Comics titles (or even a new solo series set in the Marvel Universe).

You can check out the covers below, including the exemplary original Rom #1 cover art by Frank Miller. In addition, we have never-before-seen Rom artwork from industry legend George Pérez’s archives.

Could Rom eventually join the MCU? We'll see!

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33 Comments

KaptainKhaos - 5/23/2023, 9:31 PM

Hell yeah! I love ROM!!, If Hasbro was smart they would do a Legends Rom figure!

dracula - 5/23/2023, 9:35 PM

Linkara is going to love this

dracula - 5/23/2023, 9:36 PM

Just when it seems like there is a possibility something could be worked out. Gunn leaves marvel

PeterDarker121 - 5/24/2023, 12:04 AM

@dracula - I KNOW, right

dracula - 5/24/2023, 12:19 AM

@PeterDarker121 - isnt going to be able to adapt the space knights, maybe he can adapt the atomic knights at dc

PeterDarker121 - 5/24/2023, 11:09 AM

@dracula - It's definitely right up Gunn's alley, but Gunn's been on record saying how much he loves the Rom saga. I know the timing sucks on this now that he's with DC, but if ROM does in fact become MCU-available, I can't see him adapting a ROM-"like" property for the "competition" lest everybody calls foul. I can't see him wanting to do that either, but I could be wrong.

vtopa - 5/23/2023, 10:09 PM

ROM rules. If Kevin Feige is smart, he will introduce him, Rich Rider (NOVA), Darkhawk, Quasar, Moondragon, and Beta Ray Bill as the ultimate Cosmic Avengers (and maybe have them face off with the new GOTG in a Captain America Civil War redux).

JohnPain - 5/24/2023, 7:49 AM

@vtopa -

There’s no indication film-rights is part of the deal, only publishing rights for the ROM stories Marvel own.

RolandD - 5/23/2023, 10:12 PM

Long awaited? If you say so. When I was a kid I liked toys based on comics, not comics based on toys. That still stands for me.

RolandD - 5/23/2023, 10:12 PM

@RolandD - For the record, I don’t play with toys anymore although maybe I should.

clintthahamster - 5/24/2023, 9:11 AM

@RolandD - Oh man, in the 80s, toy-based comics were the shit. Most were kinda disposable, but GI Joe was legit good. Never got into ROM, just a hair before my time, but I've always been curious.

RolandD - 5/24/2023, 2:52 PM

@ClintThaHamster - I never gave them a try. I bought a couple of issues of Micronauts but never really got into it.

soupysales - 5/24/2023, 2:53 PM

@ClintThaHamster - it was cool...and the villians, the Dire Wraiths, freaked my little ass out...and i agree, loved some of the toy comics, the micronaughts, rom...never got into gi joe or transformers...but i did watch all the cartoons

blitzkreg - 5/23/2023, 10:57 PM

ABOUT TIME !!! GREW UP READING ROM IN THE 80S. I WILL DEFINITELY BUY THIS OMNIBUS !!!

PeterDarker121 - 5/24/2023, 12:36 AM

@blitzkreg - SAME HERE

PeterDarker121 - 5/24/2023, 12:34 AM

This is the best news I've read in a long time...ROM is legit one of the best series in the history of Marvel Comics and I will be buying this Omnibus day ONE

Fogs - 5/24/2023, 4:59 AM

Plus what the hell is that last art from george perez?
Never thought I'd see a Frank Miller one and find it better, lol.

dragon316 - 5/24/2023, 5:14 AM

@Fogs - last one is heritage Perez you can see his name

Fogs - 5/24/2023, 5:20 AM

@dragon316 - yeah and it looks like crap.

clintthahamster - 5/24/2023, 9:13 AM

@Fogs - Looks like someone fished a $20 convention sketch out of their closet.

Fogs - 5/24/2023, 9:24 AM

@ClintThaHamster - yeah, exactly. Looks more like a doodle.

clintthahamster - 5/24/2023, 1:35 PM

@Fogs - Cripes, it is actually a convention sketch.
https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=1475558

Fogs - 5/24/2023, 2:42 PM

@ClintThaHamster - Bingo! Nice eye there.

dragon316 - 5/24/2023, 5:14 AM

I may buy this maybe

marvel72 - 5/24/2023, 8:40 AM

Didn't Hickman's run of Avengers do something with The Space Knights?

Might have to purchase this.

FlixMentallo21 - 5/24/2023, 10:22 AM

In the words of Lizzo, it’s about damn time!

This might be the first-ever omnibus I ever purchase.

NGFB - 5/24/2023, 7:17 PM

Marvel, cast Hugh Jackman as Rom.

cadunovaes01 - 5/28/2023, 1:20 AM

Rom is great. When I was a kid, names like Rom and Shang Chi are hard to find here in Brazil, our comic Market here was terrible, just a few titles was availble…

ROM: SPACE KNIGHT Makes Long-Awaited Return To Marvel Comics For New Omnibus And Facsimile

It's been four decades, but Rom: Space Knight is heading back to the Marvel Universe later this year. Is it leading to something bigger for the character in comics and beyond? Here's what we know so far...

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