ROM Special # 1
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Lorenzo De Felici
Colorist: Matheus Lopes
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Cover Date: August 2026
Rating: 8.5/10
ROM: The Spaceknight makes a triumphant return, thanks to Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici, who weave the legendary hero into the cosmic framework of the Energon Universe to great delight.
This standalone story follows ROM on a perilous cosmic rescue to save two captured children. However, his mission takes a turn when Kulgith the Devourer captures and imprisons him. Inside his cell, ROM encounters a robotic cellmate named Kranix—an Easter egg for Transformers fans—who reveals the grim reality: Kulgith sorts his prisoners by separating organic beings from cybernetic ones. Though this issue is a one-shot, Kirkman offers new readers a compelling entry by skipping the typical backstory and plunging ROM into an action-packed adventure full of energy and momentum from start to finish. Carpet, a witty and sentient robot who assists ROM, serves as a humorous foil reminiscent of his original series. Since the end of his Marvel series in 1986, longtime fans have eagerly awaited ROM’s return, and Kirkman and De Felici deliver a story that honors the character. De Felici’s art adds a sleek yet gritty tone that complements Kirkman’s dynamic script. This one-shot marks a welcome comeback for ROM, which could have benefited from further exploration—fans will have to wait for “Void Rivals” to see how his story continues. While new readers might take time to get familiar with ROM, seasoned fans will appreciate this tribute to an iconic figure from the 1970s, celebrating his legacy and showing that even comic fans love a great comeback story.
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