ROM #3 Review

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Alessandra Alexakis, Chris Ryall, Christos Gage, comics, David Messina, Dire Wraiths, Earthfall Part #2, IDW Publishing, IDW REVOLOUTION, IDW Revolution, J. H. Williams, Michele Pasta, Micronauts, Rom, ROM #3, ROM #3 review, Rom The Spaceknight

ROM #3

Review by Paul Bowler

ROM the Space Knight’s war with the shape-shifting alien Dire Wraiths continues in ROM #3, having rescued the military soldier Darby Mason and neutralised the Dire Wraith infestation that had taken over her Californian hometown, ROM must now face a new threat after rushing to save Police officer Camilla Byers from the hideous Wrath Stalkers. But the failure of ROM’s analyser and a surprise attack by a Wrath from the Sorcerer Cast has left the Space Knight reeling, and hunted by both the Dire Wraiths and the military…

With the big Revolution event from IDW Publishing kicking off this month, ROM #3 finds our lone Knight of the Solstar Order overpowered and trapped by the dark sorceries of the fearsome Dire Wraith known as D’rge. The exciting plot and script by Chris Ryall and Christos Gage ensures Earthfall Part 3 successful builds on their innovative new take on the popular Space Knight, ROM, based on the original Parker Brothers electronic ROM toy and the fondly remembered Marvel comic book series by Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema.

ROM’s captor delights in tormenting the fabled Space Knight, despite the protestations of the Dire Wraiths minions disguised as human soldiers. D’rgre’s words also give us a further insight into the Dire Wraiths and even the Space Knights themselves. The Police officer Camilla Byers, wounded and infected by a Wraith during ROM’s first battle on Earth against his shape-shifting foes, is also D’rge’s prisoner, and her tainted blood now allows her see through the Dire Wraiths disguises in much the same way as ROM’s analyser.

Chris Ryall and Christos Gage fuel the suspense effortlessly as D’rge’s attention fixates on Camilla, and this momentary distraction gives ROM the opportunity he’s been looking for to find a way to fight back. However, it is in the quieter moments where this issue really shines as Ryall and Gage begin to flesh out the characters more. The Wrathmark that now blights Camilla inadvertently leads to ROM revealing some startlingly gruesome facts about the Dire Wraiths abilities, and her infection could also give them a crucial advantage. We also catch up with Darby Mason after being rescued from the cave by the military. However, with everything she’s been though, trust is now a precious commodity, and the realization of how Darby’s family must’ve succumbed to the Dire Wraiths is a simultaneously chilling and heartbreaking moment for her.

ROM #3 is another great looking issue. David Messina’s bold pencils and colors are ably enriched by Michele Pasta’s stylish ink work, as big splash pages and concisely structured page layouts stylishly convey the fast-paced action. The redesign of ROM’s armor continues to impress, it just looks so good from every angle. The human characters are also well defined and realized, especially Camilla and Darby, who each get to run a gauntlet of emotions as their lives converge with ROM‘s mission. D’rge is an especially creepy looking Dire Wraith, he’s one of the strongest Wraith Sorcerers, and his scenes are brilliantly menacing.

David Messina’s colors and the color assists by Alessandra Alexakis really come into their own this issue: especially as ROM writhes in D’rge’s mystical Eldritch Energies, the monochrome tinged flashback the Sorcerer Wraith forces Camilla to experience of the Dire Wraiths arrival on Earth and their insidious infiltration is also hauntingly portrayed, and the scenes in the lighthouse are awash with a gloriously macabre fusion of tone and shadow.

The lettering by Chris Mowry’s is also of particular note this issue. This issue is pretty intense dialogue wise, Mowry’s clear, concise, and intricate work on ROM #3 is second to none. I especially liked the way D’rge’s dialogue – like all Wraiths – and thoughts are represented with spiky letting and a distinct positive, negative color scheme. It makes this alien character seem even more sinister, and the scene where this lettering is juxtaposed with ghostly precision by Chris Mowry during D’rge’s ethereal communiqué with his “brother” is absolutely exquisite.

Amidst the drama and seamlessly interlaced exposition, ROM #3 certainly has its full quota of action too, and its not long before the crimson rays of ROM’s Neutraliser are cutting swathe though his enemies. We are teased with several tantalizing future plot threads, especially those concerning Earth’s significance to the Wraiths, and the reason for ROM’s solitary voyage. This issue gives us a greater sense of the world that Chris Ryall and Christos Gage are building for ROM as the Space Knight moves towards becoming a major part of the wider IDW universe in this months REVOLUTION #1, REVOLUTION #2, and ROM: Revolution #1.

This issue finally really steps things up a gear, D’rge’s evil machinations help drive the narrative in new directions, and circumstances also see ROM, Darby, and Camilla united at last. With a fun nod to a certain Sci-Fi film, ROM #3 instigates a dangerous plan which will enable ROM and his allies attempt to uncover the full extent of the Wraiths infiltration. This new ROM series continues to reach new heights with each successive issue, the creative team are doing a fantastic job, and ROM #3 is one of their most exciting issues so far!

Publisher: IDW Publishing

Plot and script: Chris Ryall and Christos Gage

Pencils and colors: David Messina / Inks: Michele Pasta

Color Assists by: Alessandra Alexakis / Letters by: Chris Mowry

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ROM #2 Review

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Chris Ryall, Christos Gage, comics, David Messina, Dire Wraiths, Earthfall Part #2, IDW Publishing, IDW REVOLOUTION, IDW Revolution, J. H. Williams, Michele Pasta, Micronauts, Rom, Rom #2, Rom #2 review, Rom The Spaceknight

ROM #2

Review by Paul Bowler

ROM’s arrival on Earth has left the Dire Wraiths reeling, now in ROM #2 the Space Knight must contend with an entire town overrun with Dire Wraiths, but eradicating his ancient enemies isn’t going be easy. These Wraiths are unlike anything ROM has encountered before, but how did they get this way, and what is the secret of their newfound power? ROM faces the shocking truth as he confronts the insidious might of the Dire Wraiths in this thrill packed lead in to next months Revolution event from IDW Publishing!

ROM #2 quickly builds on the events of the series’ premier issue, where ROM, warrior of the galactic Solstar Order, made his dramatic arrival on Earth – which now becomes the new battleground in his 200 year war against his ancient enemies: the Dire Wraiths! Earthfall Part 2 finds ROM and his new found ally Darby Mason, the military soldier currently dealing with PTSD who was on leave visiting her family, taking refuge in the Mason household after discovering her home town in California has been overrun by the Dire Wraiths – evil shape-changing aliens that can assimilate and assume human and other organic identities.

The plot and script by Chris Ryall and Christos Gage skilfully focuses on the growing bond between Darby Mason and ROM, as the Space Knight attempts to help Darby come to terms with the shock of finding out that her whole family had been killed and replaced by Dire Wraiths. We also begin to understand how the dark powers of the Dire Wraiths can undermine societies and tear communities apart from within. ROM desperately needs an ally like Darby Mason to help him adapt to this uncanny new world and its customs, someone who he can trust above all else, but she has an inner struggle of her own to contend with…

This ROM revival has been a long time coming, but now it’s finally here at last! IDW and Hasbro have really delivered the goods with this new ongoing monthly series, its new in so many ways, yet still entirely faithful to the original, and the creative teams unwavering dedication and respect for ROM and the characters enduring legacy shines through on every page.

ROM #2 features gorgeous artwork to match the action packed storyline. With pencils and colors by David Messina, together with inks by Michele Pasta, and color Assists by Alessandra Alexakis, this issue is a veritable roller coaster ride of emotions, drama, and big-action set-pieces. Messina and Pasta excel here as the full extent of the Dire Wraith infestation in Darby’s hometown is spectacularly realized, and it goes far deeper than we could’ve ever suspected. We also become privy to other Wraith castes and their special abilities, and in an interesting spin on the Space Knights abilities and technology, we also get to see the “classic” version of ROM’s Nutralizer in action! The airborne sequences are very exciting, but for me the standout moment this issue was the quiet thoughtful scene between ROM and Darby in a cave where the Space Knight gives a moving account of what happened on his own world when the Dire Wraiths invaded. It’s a powerful scene, one that is sure to strike a cord with long-tem fans, and it is here that Messina’s colors and Alexakis’ color assists lavish every panel with rich tones and shades that match the emotional beats of the story perfectly.

This is another issue filled with excitement, mystery and intrigue on all sides. Indeed, we continue to see how the influence of EDC agents, like Dave Dubosky – who is now also a Dire Wraith – and others like him, have managed to infiltrate the corridors of power, even to the extent of getting under the radar of the elite strike force: G.I.Jo, to manipulate events to deal with ROM. It gives us a good idea of how ROM’s role in IDW Publishing’s forthcoming REVOLOUTION brand-wide event will bring ROM, the Transformers, G.I. Jo, the Micronauts, and M.A.S.K, together and finally reinvent them in a one cohesive, shared universe.

The issue builds towards a nerve jangling cliff-hanger as when we catch up with Police officer Camilla Byers, who was wounded by a Wraith during ROM’s initial skirmish on Earth with his shape-shifting enemies, and is now on the run from the grotesque Wraith Stalkers. However, even with his energy levels depleted and the military closing in, ROM charges to the rescue, but the Wraiths dark magiks are not to be underestimated…

Rom #2 maintains the high standard set by the impressive first issue and successfully elevates it to the next level. This issue is really good for fans and newcomers alike, as it reveals more details about ROM, his past, and the fight against the Dire Wraiths. With its intricately plotted and fast-paced storyline, excellent characterization, dynamic artwork, a wide choice of variant covers, and REVOLOUTION Prelude, ROM #2 is a brilliant all round issue. Chris Ryall, Christos Gage, David Messina, Michele Pasta, Alessandra Alexakis, and Shawn Lee have really done the character proud with this issue, it’s real a thrill to see ROM back at long last, and I can’t wait to see ROM become an integral part of the IDW universe during the REVOLOUTION event!

Publisher: IDW Publishing / Plot and script: Chris Ryall and Christos Gage

Pencils and colors: David Messina / Inks: Michele Pasta

Color Assists by: Alessandra Alexakis / Letters by: Shawn Lee

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