Rom #4 Review: The Strange Secret Of Camilla Byers

The Dire Wraiths are deeply entrenched in the U.S. military. Rom, Camilla Byers and Darby Mason undertake a desperate gambit to infiltrate them. But have they risked too much?

Rom #4

Writers: Christos Gage & Chris Ryall

Artist & Colorist: David Messina

Inker: 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

IDW’s engaging new science fiction series centered around Hasbro’s iconic robot kicks off another issue. The opening arc is wrapped up with a finale which offers a lot of depth, action, and secrets. It showcases how in this struggle between species, nothing is black and white and everyone has secrets. The Space Knight Rom has been forced to allow himself to be at the mercy of the Dire Wraiths, with ex-cop Camilla Byers and ex-soldier Darby Mason along for the ride.

Image by IDW Publishing

As revealed in the previous issue by D’urge, the shape changing Dire Wraiths have infiltrated Earth society for roughly two centuries. The U.S. in particular seems to be a hot bed for them, especially their powerful military. Due to this, they have established the Earth Defense Corp to use exotic technologies to defend “their” planet from invaders or enemies, such as Rom. Darby has suggested a Trojan Horse gambit to gain access and learn how they can hide from Rom’s Analyzer.

Good Thing There Were No iPhones at Area 51!

Corporal Leonard Song earns the ire of E.D.C. leader David Dubosky with stolen footage of Rom’s capture. Through Song’s eyes, we gain access to the inner sanctum of the E.D.C., as David sees Song as a mere “foot-soldier” in their larger war. Rom has been imprisoned in a cage made of both Dire Wraith magic and off-world technology, while Camilla Byers’ infection is examined. Wraiths can not only replace people, they can transform them into their own kind via an infected “bite.”

Image by IDW Publishing

Darby Mason is reunited with her commanding officer and therapist as she plays her role in the trap. Once she frees Rom from the cage, the real chaos begins as both Wraiths and Space Knight do battle. Leonard gets a first-hand look at how deep the alien crisis is. Meanwhile, Camilla Byers and Dubosky meet for the first time. Like D’urge, Dubosky seems to be a high ranking Dire Wraith with additional powers. Maybe all the higher chaste Wraiths have names that begin with “D.”

Image by IDW Publishing

For the moment, Camilla Byers is in a tenuous situation. The Dire Wraith virus will eventually transform her into a monster. In the meantime, she’s able to psychically detect the Wraiths in a way Rom cannot. As a result, the pair have formed an unlikely partnership. Unfortunately, her meeting with Dubosky has revealed that she is probably his mole within Rom’s little squad. As a result, the Dire Wraith inside her is biding its time to take full control of her body.

Do the Space Knights Have Space Therapists?

Meanwhile, the ethical wartime debate between Darby and Rom continues. Linking the two via military service and post traumatic stress disorder is a fascinating angle. If only a few years in combat can mentally scar Darby, imagine what two centuries of war has done to Rom. Hence, readers once again see how brutal Rom can be as he engages in torture to get information. As much as Darby wants to help save the world, she can’t abide by Rom and Camilla Byers’ methods.

Image by IDW Publishing

Once again, Cage and Ryall have combined to craft a smart yet action-packed script. The series does more than show a robot blast aliens, it explores psychological conflicts. The Dire Wraiths see Earth as their new home, and are doing what they feel must be done to protect it.  Due to Rom fighting an ancient war, he is therefore stuck in ancient ways. As a human slowly transforming into a Wraith, Camilla Byers is caught in an identity crisis. And Darby’s concerns cut to Rom’s core.

Image by IDW Publishing

Crossovers and Creative Teams Done Right!

The artwork by Messina and Pasta is another triumph. Smooth lines, sleek colors, and well-paced action scenes abound. In addition, the pair also make all of the emotional scenes work as well. One panel of Darby reacting to Rom executing a defeated Dire Wraith speaks more than any narration could. Rom and the Wraiths have never looked better. Messina is leaving the series to work on the annual, and his pencils will be sorely missed in issue five. This book’s visuals had become his.

Image by IDW Publishing

There’s a big Revolution banner on the title, indicating the IDW crossover that Rom has become a part of. In fact, this issue actually takes place before the Revolution: Rom one shot that shipped last month. After some initial misgivings, so far the crossover has done nothing to hamper the main Rom title. All it has done is establish that Rom exists in the same world as most of the other Hasbro licensed books (Transformers in particular). This is an ideal way to establish world building.

Image by IDW Publishing

Rom Really Has It All!

Most noteworthy, the cast of Rom continues to expand. Leonard wouldn’t have been so solidly introduced for a minor role. And as the final page shows, Rom won’t be the only Space Knight on earth anymore. The Dire Wraiths have speculated that he may have gone rogue, and it’ll remain to be see if that’s true. Considering how many comic books are criticized for a lack of diversity, Rom also makes such things as effortless as they should be. It is an especially relevant series.

Image by IDW Publishing

In addition to diversity, one of the many differences between this Rom series and the old one from Marvel are the uniforms. The original series had a cast of civilians set in a small town. Here, every character is either an active or retired soldier, a cop, or affiliated with one or the other. It makes sense given the Dire Wraith infiltration, but it would be good to meet characters of other professions. Darby and Camilla Byers are engaging, and it looks like more characters’ll be coming.

Image by IDW Publishing

Next: Check out the last issue and the Revolution one-shot

IDW has been making and creating licensed comics look easy for years, and Rom is no exception. What could have become a nostalgia trip has instead been remade into a cutting edge science-fiction action series. Every character including Rom himself has many layers to explore, and the war between worlds isn’t as clear-cut as it seems. Comic readers who want to have a “space comic” outside of Green Lanterns or Guardians of the Galaxy should definitely pick this series up!