Rom #3 Review: One Space Knight May Not Be Enough
By Alex Widen
Rom and Camilla Byers have had a busy week! They meet both a living hybrid weapon from the military as well as one of the Dire Wraiths’ lead sorcerers. What will it take to survive?
Rom #3
Writers: Chris Ryell & Christos Gage
Artist: David Messina
Inks: Michele Pasta
More from Comics
- X-Men: 6 reasons why Marvel’s mutants are the best superhero team
- Harley Quinn renewed for a fifth season on Max (and it’s well-deserved)
- Marvel Comics announces seven important X-Men comic books
- The X-Men were betrayed by Captain America in Uncanny Avengers
- Spider-Man: Miles and Peter team-up for their first ongoing series
Ever since its debut in July, Rom has hit the ground running (or flying) without any sign of slowing down. This week is no exception as not only the third issue of the ongoing series has dropped, but a one-shot tying into IDW’s broader Revolution crossover. Juggling character development and crossover obligations can challenge even the most talented creative teams, but so far everyone involved has used it to add onto Rom’s adventure.
Image from IDW Publishing
Rom may have two centuries of experience fighting the Dire Wraiths, but his mission on Earth has gone wrong almost from the start. The Wraiths have been ready for him and are already deeply entrenched into Earth society and infrastructure. As this issue begins, both Rom and his ally Camilla Byers are at the mercy of D’rge, a high ranking Dire Wraith sorcerer. Having been infected by a Wraith virus, Camilla is able to form psychic connections to the aliens, and thus has an edge.
Image from IDW Publishing
D’rge goes on an extended monologue detailing the Dire Wraith perspective. Having come to earth centuries ago, they seek to make America (and the rest of the world) into their new home world. D’rge is also in no rush to kill Rom, as he wants to discover the secrets of his armor and whether the Solstar Order even knows where he is. The implication is that Rom has wandered far from his mission and has all but gone rogue. Can soldiers from space get PTSD?
Escape the Scourge of D’rge!
Rom ultimately escapes and reunites with ex soldier Darby Mason (whose family and entire hometown were revealed as Dire Wraiths). After some initial distrust of Camilla, she hatches a plan to breach the military compound giving them trouble. With the hire ranking Dire Wraiths able to hide themselves from his Analyzer, Rom has to rely on them more. Camilla’s psychic link may be the only way to track down the Dire Wraiths.
Image from IDW Publishing
Messina’s artwork is astoundingly good and the story is top notch. Ryall and Gage know when to play to a reader’s expectations, and when to avert them. Pairing Rom with characters like Camilla (a cop) and Darby is also wise, as each one brings their own perspective to the table. D’rge as well as the entire Dire Wraith cause are embellished here, which is good to keep them from being simplistic. Rom’s presented in a way where his own sanity and perceptions may be questionable.
Bonus Review of Revolution: Rom!
Image from IDW Publishing
Also shipping this week was the Revolution: Rom one shot. It was also written by Ryall and Gage, but drawn by Ron Joseph with colors by Jay Fotos. It takes place between the second and third issues of Rom and details the arrival of Axiom. A creation of Dire Wraith magic and a combination of human and Cybertronian technology, Axiom is the ultimate weapon. He’s sent by general Joe Colton to take down the Space Knight as well as test this new fusion of alien resources.
Able to predict where enemy attacks are coming, Axiom is difficult to harm. Being a mixture of both human and alien techniques also causes Rom to feel conflicted. The Space Knight has vowed to avoid harming humans unless absolutely necessary, and Axiom is still partly human. Manipulating a hapless human scientist into becoming a living weapon may be the Dire Wraiths’ first attempt to recreate a Space Knight. Most of the issue focuses on Rom’s duel with him, and it is engaging.
Image from IDW Publishing
Overall, the double dose of Rom this week is an effective one-two punch. The Revolution tie in offers another new adversary rather than forcing anyone to buy more comics. Rom may be in the same universe as a half dozen other franchises, but is still allowed to stand alone. Ryall and Gage have successfully relaunched the Space Knight for a new generation while still paying homage to the old. With the stakes against him, it will be riveting to see what is in store for the Space Knight and his allies.