Back in 2010, I talked about my favorite comic book back when I was a kid, ROM: Spaceknight. MARVEL’s Love Letter to ‘50s Science Fiction movies was solidly in my wheelhouse with nods to Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), and even I Married a Monster from Outer Space (1958). If you’re unfamiliar with ROM you can go back and read my aforementioned blog or the article I wrote for the September 2016 issue of Scary Monsters Magazine. The seventy-five issue (plus four Annuals) series ran from 1979 to 1986 before falling into obscurity a.k.a. Licensing issues. Although IDW had their own ROM series for a while, it bore little resemblance to the one I’d grown up with and didn’t resonate with me as MARVEL’s had. At the same time, MARVEL couldn’t legally mention his name and while most of their titles got collected in trade paperback or hardcover Omnibus editions, ROM was never given the honor. That is, until now.
Early last year, I was watching the YouTube Channel Near Mint Condition when the “Uncanny Omar” made one of his regular announcements of upcoming MARVEL Omnibus collections. When the image of ROM appeared on the screen, I about jumped out of my chair. It seems that MARVEL, by some small miracle, had regained the Rights of my favorite hero and was about to take full advantage. His entire series would be collected in a total of three volumes titled “ROM: The Original MARVEL Years” with the first finally landing in my mailbox last week. I’ve been collecting MARVEL omnibi for years but not since Roger Stern’s “Spider-Man” had I been this excited to read one and finished it up in just a few days.
ROM Onibus front Cover and Dust Jacket!
ROM Onibus back Cover and Dust Jacket!
I opted for the standard cover which depicts the (uncredited) art of Frank Miller on the cover of issue #1. This was, I might add, Miller’s very first cover. MARVEL also released a Facsimile (a comic that reprints the entire original issue including the old ads) version of ROM’s first issue last summer which included a foil and “blank” variant. Apparently, blank variant covers have now become a thing since my old collecting days.
ROM #1 Facsimile “Blank” variant
There are four different covers for this omnibus including the cover of ROM issue #17 (also created by Frank Miller), a George Perez variant, and a rather unique one drawn by ROM’s original artist, Sal Buscema, depicting the arrival of ROM (a.k.a. the first page of his first issue). Although I don’t mind buying variant covers with comic books on occasion, I’ve never double-dipped with the more expensive Omnibi. If I did decide to, however, it would be the Buscema cover.
ROM has also been appearing on the cover of other title’s variant covers including The Amazing Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, Guardians of the Galaxy, Thanos, and the Invincible Iron Man. That’s another new feature since my old collecting days – variant covers that have absolutely nothing to do with what’s inside the book. As of this date, I’ve only found a couple in the wild but will keep my eyes out for the rest. ROM also received his first trade paperback featuring his team-ups with the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.
The colors are much more vibrant than my old, faded comic books, and it was like rereading them for the first time. ROM re-reads for me are like my rewatches of the entire Buffy the Vampire Slayers series – done about every 3-5 years. So having them all in three volumes is a godsend.
My complete collection of MARVEL’s ROM series may now stay protected in their box.
My only complaint with this reread is that there is way too much recapping going on. Somehow, I’ve never noticed that almost every issue has at least three panels dedicated to updating readers on past stories. Even the characters are prone to unnecessary exposition which, although I understand it’s for the benefit of new readers, can be a bit much. It’s like if I’m going to the grocery store and there’s a big thought bubble over my head reading, “Alas…it is Aldi! A store I have been to many times this week. Had it not been for the quick reflexes of a nearby stock boy, I may have been hit in the head by a rogue box of cornflakes during my last visit!”
The second volume is scheduled to be released in June and will contain my favorite ROM 
stories. This is when ROM makes a transition from sci-fi to abject horror and I was there for it. Sadly, ROM’s return to MARVEL didn’t coincide with James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy films as the Director stated on numerous occasions his desire to include him in the series. Ah well…Better to focus on what might be rather than what could have been. That being said, a 6” ROM MARVEL Legends figure anyone?
~Dave
Terror from Beyond the Dave 
Ya I hated those retreds/ flashbacks every issue too. But ya stan was correct on why he used to include those in many of the Silver Age/Bronze Age comics for first time readers. I have butchered letter in issue #29 too. Third one on the left I believe. It was like three or four sentnces. They made it one saying Bring back Nova. LOL Oh we’ll I had others in Bob Layton’s Ironman run in the mid 80’s. And in Todd mcFarlanes first issue of the hulk too. Incredible Hulk #331.
As for the MCU may it rest in pieces. My hope is director Sam Raimi of the first three Sony SM movies. And Dr.Strange II. Will indeed do a Spider-Man 4. But also a trilogy of ROM Spaceknight movies. Covering this great series. But giving it a strong 1979-84 vibe sound track to it. Rom ended in Nov of 84 too. At least it tied everything up at the end. My favorites issues myself were #1- #32 and #49-#66. I was bummed Torpedo was killed off. But loved the end when the Skrulls came. Not to invade but to help save the earth! To Infinity & Beyond! For GALADORE!!
Thanks for the great comments! That’s so awesome you had a printed letter (now immortalized in a hardcover). I remember hating the way they just sent Nova home powerless.
My favorite issues were 39-50. I have to say I loved the arrival of the female Dire Wraiths and the (SPOILER ALERT) subsequent massacre of Clairton. I’d never seen a comic get get that brutal with their supporting cast before. That being said, I can not wait for the second volume to come out.
Ya I was in the Marines from 82-88. But was still buying/collecting comics. It was a shock Mantlo wiped out the supporting cast. But the stories were kind of on vapors. I didn’t like all the guest stars myself. To the point of Rom was like the guest star in his own title.
True and, aside from The X-Men, his guest stars weren’t exactly on Marvel’s A List either.
I didn’t mind lesser known/populsar heroes appearing. It was just almost every issue. I’d rather seen more character development with Torpedo. Or the citizens of the small city interacting more with Rom in some way.
Yeah, poor Torpedo definitely got the short end of the stick. Every time he was in charge, the Wraiths took over and then he’s killed. He never was developed much as a character nor prove himself as a hero.
HUGE fan from#1! Bought for Years. Then a teenager moves on… Loved him!
Some of us never moved on, lol. Thanks for the comments!
Look at Rom drawing in all these comments. This was a great memory lane piece to read. Rom the character was interesting both as a sci-fi man from another world and as horror character. I have clear memory of picking up issues off of the spinner rack at 7-11. The Omnibus format would be great even without the letters page, but is even better to carry the letters pages. The Mantalo/ Buscema pairing is one of the solid and sturdy creative squads of early 80s Marvel. I’ll hope that one day a movie works out for Rom. I think with some of the tone of The Terminator and the CGI that makes Iron Man or Silver Surfer work, that something might work out.
For, a readability perspective , do you prefer reading Epic Collections or Omnibus ? The ROM Epic Collection Vol 1 comes out next year. I’m decided on whether or not I should wait for the Epic Collection since I want to re-read the series on my recliner, not just collect the collection.
Great question, Major. If you aren’t an Omnibus collector, and are looking for a more physically comfortable read, then the upcoming EPIC Collections are definitely the way to go. My only concern is that since ROM is licensed, you want to hope MARVEL maintains these rights long enough to release the four volumes it will need to cover the complete ROM MARVEL series. I believe in the past there was an issue with that concerning CONAN but could be wrong. Hope that helps.
it does. I hope they eventually release Marvel Masterworks as that is my favorite format.
The Near Mint Condition youtube channel reviewed The Savage Sword of Conan: The Original Comics Omnibus Vol.2, so maybe things will go well.
That helps . I hope that they eventually release a Marvel Masterworks version since that is my favorite format.
Near Mint Condition recently reviewed The Savage Sword of Conan: The Original Comics Omnibus Vol.2 , so maybe things will go well.