IDW digging in their heels on their version of ROM

Two things I want to get to but first up here's a sketch I did earlier today as a way to further illustrate something closer to what I would have preferred as an updated ROM design. This is actually more what I thought a full view of ROM would look like based on the cover art for the zero issue when it was released on the internet late last year. As you can see this look has some obvious updates from the 80s version but at the same time doesn't deviate as far from the original as IDW's design. And best of all it's devoid of any Japanese anime influence and in general is less clunky looking. Basically, this is an updated design concept for 2016 that feels more like "ROM" to me.

The following is a copy and paste of the letter I fired off to IDW early this morning and their reply which came only a few hours later. I'm kinda thinking they're not gonna print my letter : )

I'm an old school ROM fan who had given up long ago on any hope of Marvel bringing back our favorite spaceknight by the time IDW Publishing had made it's ROM come back announcement last year. At the time I certainly thought a ROM revival by some fellow old school fans at IDW would be the next best thing, now I'm not so sure. I'll get straight to the point about what has disappointed me specifically with IDW's new direction. But first, in general the art work in the 13 page zero issue story was very flat, uninspiring and in some panels looked almost down right amateurish. 

I also think you guys went over board with ROM's armor redesign for 2016. The cover art of the zero issue suggested something that was less drastic and done in better taste then what appears to be the finalized version as seen in the interior art in which he looks too "clunky". There's even a ROM#1 cover variant that features him stepping from a fiery crater which like the zero issue cover art also reflects a redesign that looks closer to the original but with updates done in good taste. I also don't like the new design of the neutralizer it looks like some kind of bizarre kitchen appliance or a high tech back massager from an infomercial. The new concept for ROM's energy analyzer as being these HAL from 2001 A Space Odyssey looking electronic red eyes on his wrists also doesn't work for me. I understand that the success of the new series won't depend alone on the fans who grew up with the original series but was it really necessary to so drastically change the character from a visual stand point in order for this new series to have broad readership appeal!?

 See, the changes to us don’t seem that drastic at all. Some changes were necessary or required but we tried to keep the spirit of the character as much as possible.

And if you miss the old Neutralizer, well… hope you stay tuned, at least til issue 2...

IDW Letters

letters@idwpublishing.com

May 15th Update

Why couldn't those assholes from IDW make ROM's armor design look like this when it came to the interior art!? Instead this is just for a full page promo ad for the series coming in July and for those of you who have seen Chris Ryall's twitter feed lately you'll see ROM #1 has more of the same shit from the crappy zero issue. And speaking of which for a more insightful review of the zero issue allow me direct you all to . . .
http://littlethingsincomics.blogspot.com/2016/05/iexpectedasmuch.html

Onyx "The Arrival"

 I'm hastily throwing up this posting before I hit the sack tonight. For now just check out this very interesting article about the character known as Onyx. It'll be pretty obvious right away why ROM fans might want to take notice. Updates for this posting to come for sure especially if I decide to get a copy of #1 http://www.sidekickcast.com/is-onyx-more-than-just-a-rom-spaceknight-knockoff/

After doing a bit more online research I also found this 5 page promo that was running in several IDW titles leading up to the first issue of Onyx. So what do you folks think of Onyx so far based on this promo clip art along with the opening pages of issue #1 as seen in the link above? . . . .
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/05/02/onyx-0-a-5-page-preview-from-chris-ryall-and-gabriel-rodriguez-for-free-comic-book-day/

July 31st Update:
So I picked up a copy of Onyx #1 yesterday and I'll have all of you know it's the first time in about two years that I've bought a brand new comic book. The last time I bought a new comic I was excited about I saw Galador get destroyed within the first 7 pages (Infinity#1) and I was like "fuck this shit!". I'm not gonna do a review here because if you've read the pages that the links above go to then you pretty much have the story line in the issue save perhaps a little more action and character development.
But there are a couple other cool things I wanted to bring to your attention. Did you happen to notice the thank you message on the front inside cover that included among others Sal Buscema & Bill Mantlo along with information on how to help Mantlo with his ongoing medical care? And speaking of our Pal Sal one of the back pages features a gallery of all 9 cover variants for Onyx #1. One of which was done by Sal and it bears a strong resemblance to a certain cover done by Frank Miller in 1979 for another silver cyborg who had just made planet fall on Earth. Last but certainly not least in the back pages is an editorial page summarizing all the influential sources in the making of Onyx but none of them get as many mentions as ROM spaceknight. All that aside I thought the issue was a fairly good read on it's own merits as a sci-fi comic and thus far I intend on picking up issue #2 unless something drastically changes like steve ditko taking over the penciling duties or some shit like that.

Wraith War tribute fan art with some "Vision"

What a difference a nice chill weekend makes when it comes to bringing out the best in you artistically. The 3 or 4 of you who took the time to read my last posting have some idea what inspired this piece. But aside from the Wraith War events and references in the pages of Avengers 243, 244, 245 and 251 we also see The Vision and other members of The Avengers among the large collection of Marvel Superheroes appearing in the final show down in ROM#65 and 66. If your memory on that is a bit hazy here's a splash page to clear things up even though it was unfortunately rendered by steve ditko who's work at the time was absolutely horrible http://www.itsadansworld.net/2010/03/moments-in-cool-cap-leads-heroes-of.html

You got the touch so left click to enlarge

June 24 Update: Just a little something I did as a thank you gift for someone who's also a big Transformers fan. I think that's gonna do it for June, nothing as of yet for July postings but let's see if anything turns up in the coming weeks.

4th of July Update: Well folks get ready for the next disastrous attempt by marvel comics to publish more ROM related continuity. Apparently there's another "ROMless" spaceknight series over the horizon. But now that marvel has also destroyed Galador (Infinity #1 2013) one wonders what kind of crap their gonna come up with this time to further sully ROM's legacy. . .  http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/06/29/marvel-to-publish-a-rom-less-space-knights-series/

BIG WOW Comic Con San Jose CA. 2015

So just this past weekend I went to the BIG WOW Comic Con in San Jose which I've gone to for the past 2 years (not counting this year's) now. Off hand it was cool this year for me because this time I was able to go sporting the ROM t-shirt I ordered from Redbubble last Fall. I had a few random people through out the day there give me my props when they saw it . . .
http://romspaceknightart.blogspot.com/2014/09/gods-of-galador-my-new-rom-t-shirt-fits.html
Ironically I didn't get a chance to take a close look at the official convention program book until just this afternoon when I noticed something under the artist guest list I didn't catch in the previous years. That's pretty cool that among the huge breadth of work Golden has had over the decades that ROM and The Micronauts was included on this short list of art credits. Same goes for The She-Hulk as far as I know like with ROM he only ever did some of the cover art for that title too.

Left click to enlarge

April 23 Update: In keeping with the local theme of this posting I decided to do something with ROM in another S.F. Bay Area city. But don't forget part of the story from ROM #48 (see August 12, 2012 posting) actually takes place in San Francisco so in a way this is something of a tribute piece to that issue.

April 26 Update: Ok one last thing before we close out this month. Last night I was doodling while in a  "fuck marvel - hasbro" kinda mood and it actually started to come out as a pretty good sketch. It makes me feel better when I just some times don't have the words or don't want to repeat myself.

ROM vs The Brood, the full picture

So here it is, the completed ROM vs The Brood sketch art. Didn't think I'd get to it this soon a couple of weeks ago the idea of finishing this felt like such a chore. But sometimes when the time is right what felt like a drag before becomes a slam dunk.

And continuing the ROM cover easter eggs on the big screen from the last posting here's the first time I've ever come across a Robocop review video on youtube that calls out the various ROM covers (as well as a copy of Iron Man) spotted during the liquor store hold up scene which we see at the 2:50 mark . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvqU9fhsxoQ

Why our pal Sal left ROM in his words

Greatest and smoothest of The Spaceknights

So just yesterday I bought online from TwoMorrows Publishing a copy of BACK ISSUE #32 (last posting) but unfortunately #16 was only available in digital format. The reason why I wanted that one too was because of another great article it had with Sal Buscema and Jackson Guice in which we find out in Sal's own words why he left ROM which was a tragic moment in the anals . .oh wait I meant to say annals of Marvel 80s history . . .

Back Issue mag. #16

You can read more of the article here . . .  http://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=98_54&products_id=382


Jan. 27 Update: Just got my copy of BACK ISSUE #32 in the mail this past weekend and it's a real humdinger! There's much more in the article then what you see in the online preview and worth every penny since it only cost me  just a bit over $8 with A+H and tax. This issue is a must have for ROM, Bill, Sal and Al Milgrom fans here's an excerpt from my published copy.

Back Issue mag. #32

Fan art that's worth a second look and The Torpedo's movie debut . . sort of

Yesterday this guy over at deviant art left a comment under one of my recent submissions about how cool a Deathlock vs ROM match up would be. Although it seems like the prevailing cybernetic throw down among comic book fans would be between Deathlock and The Teen Titan's Cyborg. Anyways, that got me thinking of this sketch art that was on deviant art for a while there but as far as I can tell it seems to be gone now. Fortunately I knew another source where I could procure this art work.

I think in the past I've resisted posting this because of the unfinished nature of this work. But in spite of that you can tell whoever did this has some serious illustration skills he/she hits all the major points: figure composition, perspective, foreshorting and shadowing it's a real pity they never finished this. If I recall correctly from when this art work was still on deviant art the other fellow in this sketch is Morbius The Living Vampire. I have no idea if this art work is still any where on social media but I'm going to also give it a home here where fans can see it.

So early yesterday morning I got an enthusiastic email from my good buddy Gary Martin Jr. (perhaps you've heard of him?) that included some screen shots taken from youtube videos of scenes from a Disney movie (Big Hero 6) he had just taken his family to recently. As you can see, someone who was involved in the making of this movie seemed to be really intent on showcasing a number of lesser known Marvel characters along with The Torpedo we can also see Orca, Black Talon and Sleepwalker. Although not seen in these screen shots Gary assures us that the actual movie scene does feature several seconds of a more full body view of The Torpedo. Good ol Brock Jones, gone but not entirely forgotten it would seem.

Left click to enlarge

Nov. 16 Update: Speaking of Easter Eggs, most of you know about ROM being scene briefly in that god awful ill fated Silver Surfer cartoon (episode 5) back in the 90s right? Well thanks to the wonders of modern technology (photoshop) we can now have ourselves a ROM easter egg in a good Saturday morning cartoon from marvel . . .
http://csuhsux.deviantart.com/art/Spiderman-and-his-Amazing-Friends-with-ROM-494916285

FAN ART FURY!

Left click to enlarge

I know most of you have seen this stuff already but I've met some nice people on deviant art in recent weeks and along with some of the stuff I've done recently I'm gonna give their work a bit more brag space by posting it here which I think this blog is still a good resource for once in a while now that I think about it. The ROM vs Thanos was a 20 minute sketch art piece and the other one below it was done by a nice lady up in Canada who found my recent work and got nostalgic enough to do some ROM fan art of her own.

Nice, this one just turned up yesterday (Oct. 19) on DA . . .

Ok I gotta add this also to the posting even though now it's Oct. 24. We've seen a lot of Torpedo customs over the years but this is the first packaged one I believe. According to Gary Martin Jr. this sold on ebay for only a measly 50 bucks! The altered packaging comes from Hasbro's Avengers action figure line which pisses me off to know that the two companies currently have a number merchandising deals but all ROM fans get is some stupid heromugg.

New commission fan art from our pal Sal!

Left click to enlarge

I just found this on comicartfans.com last night. I tell ya, I don't know what's more tragic sometimes. The fact that Bill and Sal couldn't finish up the ROM spaceknight series together (creative differences apparently) or marvel and hasbro not having been thus far been able to work out a Rom return deal.
This is probably the best chance we'll ever get in a very long time to make a push at marvel and hasbro to put their heads together on getting ROM back into the Marvel Universe. If you have any means you have to contact anybody at either company I'd say go for it. In the past I was successful in contacting the editor of Avengers Academy during the Hybrid story line a couple of years ago. Email him at  mheroes@marvel.com and be sure to write "Ok to Print" in the subject line. keep your message short and too the point but feel free to email the same thing from more then one address if you can.

Left click to enlarge

And this was found on farcebook just earlier this morning. Actually Gary Martin Jr. gave me a heads up on this as well as an Ikon spaceknight HeroClix figure a couple of days ago but we just couldn't locate any good images to post. I couldn't tell ya anything about this whole HeroClix thing other that some of the figurines are kinda cool. I see loose ones here and there a from time to time I'll definitely grab a Dire Wraith and Ikon if I ever come across them.

Left click to enlarge

Holy shit look what else I just turned up on farcebook! This amazing piece of digital fan art comes to us from professional artist Hal Laren. This is pretty impressive for a number of reasons. First of all it the image pops I mean it really dazzles your eyes with the use of color and lighting. Second, the guy has a good grip on figure composition that pose looks really good and it's dynamic. The image is slightly stylized but not overly so to the point where it looks too abstract. Pretty much my kinda fan art in every way.

7/29 Update: I just got this message in response to an email I sent earlier this morning about hasbro revisiting the idea of a deal with marvel comics for Rom spaceknight and or new collectibles for him from hasbro. If nothing else at least this shows they actually read their mail. But if more people were to email them ya never know what might come of it (hint hint).

CustomerService@HasbroToyShop.com

The fan art that could have been a variant cover

I believe that the artist of this piece is a fellow by the name of John McCrea. I don't think that when I first saw it on twitter I gave it it's due credit but after a second look I started to like it more. I dunno what can I say that sort of thing happens sometimes with the fan art I find. It also reminds me of the cover art of issue 36 where you have Rom pissed off as Hell going all Terminator on the Dire Wraiths.

HYBRID! plus, new Sal Buscema commission art

Finally I have some good fan art to share but this actually is from way back in 2007 and it's by a fellow by the name Guillaume Prevost. I came across this art work on comicartfans.com a while back but I dunno why I didn't pick it up at the time. As you can see this is pretty good Prevost definitely captures the whole "mucusy " menacing creepiness that is Hybrid.

Also, check this out you'll get a kick out of this blog posting from last year it's got something for you to laugh at for Rom fans and fans of Marvel 80s in general
http://gone-and-forgotten.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-only-avengers-left.html  And now here's something much more recent from our pal Sal this is just all sorts of awesome . . .

Sal Buscema 2014 commission (left click to enlarge)

A couple more things before I go. That ebay Rom custom auction will be finished sometime this afternoon so you might want to be sure to check it out and see how it ended. Also, I'll be going to see Captain America (ironic that Sal has Rom and Cap. standing next to each other) tomorrow so I'll probably update this posting with some spoiler free feed back on what I thought.

Winter Soldier: Just got back from seeing this today (Sat.) and I thought it was pretty good. It had a lot going on so I'm still digesting it so to speak my only criticism off hand is that I wish they had given the Maria Hill character more to do. I'm sure I'll have more to say about it in the next few days.

Rom and Captain Marvel take on the Super Skrull

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I remember seeing these comic book bag sets in liquor stores and dime shops back in the early 80s, good memories. Special thanks to Gary Martin Jr. for providing a photo image of the 3 pack bag set with Rom 45 in it.

Ya know you can never be too sure when you're gonna all of a sudden be able to just sit down and start putting pencil to paper and get something pretty good cranked out which I was able to finally do again yesterday afternoon on my day of. I guess this resulted between all the new fan art that turned up this past weekend and the nice chill day I had Sunday. This took me about 3 hours or so to do I hope you all like it.
Also, see the latest Rom and Micronauts fan art from Dann Phillips http://dannphillips.deviantart.com/

I can't think of a good posting title for today

I neglected to mention that the fan art I posted last week as well as what you see above was passed along to me from Gary Martin Jr. so you can all thank him for that. Tell me this cool sketch piece here doesn't remind you of Bill Sienkiewicz's style. Or maybe Berni Wrightson from the early Swamp Thing days? It's by a fellow by the name of Shamus Murphy and after a closer look I think it's an interpretation of the first page of issue 1 in which Rom emerges from the impact point of his arrival.  
I suspect this one may have been around for a while now but just largely unknown. This one here has been around in variant versions in black n' white which I've posted here before but it just recently turned up as a color painting it's quite excellent from in terms of use of color and figure composition . . .
 http://www.deviantart.com/art/Rom-Spaceknight-432394852

Did you know that the Starhawk character was co-created by Sal Buscema? Which gives me reason to believe he may have had a lot to do with the character's design which I've always thought was one of the coolest in Marvel since seeing him in a copy of  issue 10 (vol.1) of The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe I had back in the day. His entry was penciled by Al Milgrom who also did the cover art for numerous issues of the Rom series.
In spite of all that I've always found Starhawk's origins a bit convoluted apparently like Firestorm he's actually two people. Also, I've never been a big fan of The Guardians of The Galaxy both in regards to the original and the current group (so sue me). Still though, cool character design and great rendering by Milgrom.

P.S. I just started another brutal work schedule like I had last month. It's gonna last the rest of this week and possibly for most of February so I may not have much time for this internet stuff for a little while.

Rom Liefeld . . er I meant to say Rom drawn by Rob Liefeld

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A big thanks to The King if Thessaly for giving me a heads up on this art work that turned up a day ago on Rob Liefeld's Instagram account. What a great find this is exactly the sort of thing this blog was made for. This would seem to confirm some speculation about Rob Liefeld being something of a ROM fan.

These images were picked up from a posting on Rob Liefeld Rom homage covers posted by Ptor from the Santcum Sanctorum last year March 13. So although the fan/sketch art at the top of the posting may be the first ever art for Rom by Liefeld it would seem he's had Rom on his mind for a while now.

Also, some new Rom originals just turned up on ebay recently. They're not bad for the most part but the Randy Green piece is my favorite: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-ART-AVENGERS-SKETCH-COVER-variant-ROM-SPACEKNIGHT-BY-randy-green-/330961849487?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d0edd0c8f