ROM the Space Knight returns in new series

We first previewed the return of the classic borg series Micronauts here at borg.com back in January. Now borg.com Hall of Fame inductee ROM, the original Hasbro cyborg blinking-eye spaceman action figure made famous in a line of 1970s-1980s Marvel Comics, is returning next month for Free Comic Book Day with an ongoing series beginning in July from IDW Publishing, titled simply ROM.

Rom first appeared in ROM Spaceknight #1 (December 1979) by Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema. Based on the Parker Brothers toy designed by Scott Dankman, Richard C. Levy, and Bryan L. McCoy, the early cyborg action figure was considered a failure in the toy industry, only selling between 200,000 and 300,000 figures. But the comic book series went on to continue in 79 issues.

With a #0 issue as its launch point, ROM is back in a series written by Christos Gage and Chris Ryall with artwork by David Messina and several great cover variants available. ROM faces off against the Dire Wraiths in the first story, “Earthfall”.

Artists creating the covers include Zach Howard, Tom Whalen, Sal Buscema, Michael Golden, and P. Craig Russell, as well as a toy photo cover and a blank sketch cover. Issue #1 includes a 24-page story with interviews and sketch art. Just check out all the great covers (above).