As revealed at MTV, the fan favorite/cult classic hero ROM: The Space Knight is returning this year just in time for his 35th anniversary — but not in a new comic, but rather a Mighty Mugg toy.
Originally designed as a toy, the character was given life and legend in the epic halls of Marvel continuity in the “ROM” ongoing that launched, written by Bill Mantlo and illustrated by Sal Buscema. The character in the comics ran for 75 issues and four annuals and became, in his way, a Marvel Comics staple, hanging out with the Heroes for Hire and even attending the wedding of Rick Jones. However, in 1986 the book was cancelled when Marvel’s rights to ROM ended and Parker Brothers went bankrupt, and while all of the things that were introduced into Marvel continuity during the epic run remained such as the Space Knights, ROM himself could not.
Now Hasbro have apparently secured the rights to publish a new ROM toy for San Diego, priced at $22.99 and made up of 100% recycled material. You can pick these up at Booth #3329, and by that I mean please stay far away from Booth #3329 until I get there (unless you’re going to pick up one of these for me in advance, in which case I’ll allow it).
Of course, what’s interesting about this is that ROM has been gone from the public eye for so long that, while his popularity still abounds in fans of the series like myself or perhaps even you, there’s no comic to go with him anymore — and it was the comic that really made a name for ROM, not the toy. With Hasbro now apparently securing the rights to the character, is a comic all that far behind? Especially when there’s a publisher that has a relationship with Hasbro, who publishes comics based on toys that Hasbro owns the rights to — like, say, IDW’s “GI Joe” and “Transformers”?
At the very least, I think we’re long overdue for an omnibus of “ROM” at this point. It’s about time we all talk about how great Bill Mantlo’s run on that book was.
Speaking of Bill, by the way, it does feel prudent to make mention of our Guardians Month here at Multiversity, a month-long benefit for Bill Mantlo. All month, we’re posting Guardians of the Galaxy-related pieces created by some of our favorite artists, and at the end of the month there will be an auction of many of the pieces of original art to benefit Mantlo, creator of Rocket Raccoon. Please read more about Bill and his story here, and if you feel moved to donate to Bill yourself, you can do so by clicking here.
When the show ends, a few remaining stock will be placed on HasbroToyShop.com, and by that I mean please stay far away from HasbroToyShop.com if I can’t get myself a ROM Mighty Mugg at the convention (unless you’re going to pre-order one of these for me in advance, in which case I’ll allow it).
