This is a repost, with some updates, from the original Godmera's Fandom site.

Rom the Spaceknight is a character and cosmic superhero created by Scott Dankman, Richard C. Levy, and Bryan L. McCoy for Parker Brothers, currently a subsidiary of Hasbro. Rom appeared in the American comic book Rom: Spaceknight (December 1979 – February 1986) by Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema, and published by Marvel Comics. In July 2015, IDW Publishing began publishing a new Rom comic book series. In December 2015, it was announced that a live-action film version of Rom was in development by Allspark Pictures and Paramount.

​As a result, the final product had very few points of articulation, and twin red LEDs served as Rom's eyes instead of the originally envisioned green, which were more expensive to produce.

Not long after its debut, Rom appeared in the corner box of the cover of Time magazine's December 10, 1979, issue. It was also featured in the interior article, "Those Beeping, Thinking Toys," which decried Rom's lack of articulation and predicted it would "end up among the dust balls under the playroom sofa."

ROM was licensed to Palitoy in the UK to extend the "Space Adventurer" line of Action Man, appearing in their 1980 catalog.

​A new action figure of Rom was released for the 2017 San Diego Comic Con and at HasbroToyShop.com in limited quantities as part of the IDW Revolution set alongside figures of Jetfire (a repaint of the previously released Transformers Thrilling 30/Legends LG-07 Leader Class Jetfire figure), Roadblock, Action Man, Leoric, characters from the Micronauts, a Dire Wraith and Matt Trakker.

On May 7, 2016, having licensed the character from Parker Brothers' parent company, Hasbro, IDW Publishing debuted a brand new Rom #0 as part of Free Comic Book Day. The free issue serves as a prologue to a new ongoing series which began in July 2016. Rom continued to be part of the Hasbro Comic Book Universe until 2018, following the Transformers: Unicron event.

On July 18, 2019, during San Diego Comic-Con, IDW announced a new series titled Rom: Dire Wraiths, which will be written by Chris Ryall and drawn by Luca Pizzari, Guy Dorian and Sal Buscema.

Fictional character biography
Marvel Universe
In the comic book, Rom is more than a simple cyborg, being originally from a utopian society on a planet called Galador. The series details Rom's defeat of an invading alien race known as Dire Wraiths, and the continuation of their battle on Earth and other planets. Unlike the technologically advanced Galadorian civilization, the Dire Wraiths rely primarily on dark magic and their power to change their appearance.
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Some years before Rom's arrival on Earth, Galador is threatened by a fleet of ships manned by the Dire Wraiths. Galador's ruler, the Prime Director, calls for volunteers to be transformed into cyborg warriors called 'Spaceknights', so that they can defend the planet from the invaders. The volunteers are promised that their "humanity" (that is, the body parts that would be removed to accommodate the bionic armor) would be preserved and restored to them after the danger was over. Rom was the first to volunteer, and was transformed into a large, silver humanoid that at first glance appeared to be totally robotic. Rom was also given Galador's greatest weapon - the Neutralizer - which on one setting could banish the Wraiths into the dimension known as Limbo forever. Inspired by his example, a total of 1,000 Galadorians volunteered and were transformed into Spaceknights, each with his or her own unique armour, powers and code names.

The Spaceknights succeeded in stopping the Wraith invasion, although Rom decided to follow the remnants of the fleet back to their home planet – Wraithworld – which orbited a black sun. The Wraiths panicked, and after a futile counter-attack abandoned the planet and scattered throughout space. Unable to stop Rom, the Wraiths successfully used their sorcery to trick him into allowing their escape. Rom now felt responsible for spreading the Wraiths’ evil across the universe, and swore he would not reclaim his humanity until all Dire Wraiths had been vanquished. His fellow Spaceknights, including comrades Starshine and Terminator, swore the same oath and left Galador.

​During his time on Earth, Rom fights and banishes thousands of Wraiths. The increasingly desperate Wraiths also create new foes for Rom, such as the sorcerous Hellhounds, robotic Watchwraiths and Firefall - a fusion of human and Spaceknight. Two of Rom's greatest foes are the aptly named Hybrid (a hideous result of a union between Wraith and human), and Mentus (a suit of Spaceknight armor occupied by the dark side of the Prime Director's psyche). Many other opponents were more traditional and hailed from the Marvel Universe proper, such as the Mad Thinker, the Space Phantom, and the herald of Galactus, Terrax. Rom was one of the many heroes transported into an arena in space for the Contest of Champions though he was not chosen to participate.

At one stage, Rom's war against the Wraiths takes a turn for the worse - a new breed of Wraith appeared on Earth, and appeared to be far deadlier than the first variety. It is later revealed that these are female Wraiths, who rely on sorcery, as opposed to the weaker males who placed their faith in science. Unlike the males, the female Wraiths chose not to act in secrecy and openly attack Clairton while Rom is away, killing everyone (including Steve Jackson and superhero ally the Torpedo) with the exception of Brandy Clark. Furthermore, they also attack S.H.I.E.L.D.'s mobile headquarters, the Helicarrier, which gave Earth authorities clear evidence of the existence and threat of the Dire Wraiths. Rom manages to banish all Dire Wraiths on Earth to Limbo with the aid of his super-powered allies and members of the U.S. military.

​The remaining Spaceknights, their humanity now lost, set out to explore the universe, except for a few others that remained on Galador to protect Rom and Brandy. During the wedding of Rick Jones to Marlo Chandler, the now human Rom returned to Earth, together with Brandy, as guests at the ceremony, and Rom greeted the Hulk with a friendly handshake.

Starlin miniseries
In the Spaceknights miniseries (Oct. 2000 - Feb. 2001) written by Jim Starlin it is revealed that Rom took the name Artour (a reference to Brandy's love of Arthurian legends, and perhaps in memory of his own encounter with King Arthur's ghost), and that he and Brandy had two sons. However, Rom himself is not actually seen in the series, nor is he mentioned by that name or shown in his spaceknight form (no doubt to skirt the fact that Marvel no longer held the license from Parker Brothers, which had retained the copyrights on Rom's name and armored likeness); his ship is attacked off panel just prior to the start of the story, with Rom himself missing and presumed dead.

Hasbro Comic Book Universe
Rom plays an important role in the Hasbro Comic Book Universe by IDW Publishing.

• Life on Elonia
• Revolution on Earth
• Alliance with the Micronauts
• Arrival of Unicron

​Neutralizer 
Rom's primary weapon, which is designed to banish Dire Wraiths to Limbo by opening a dimensional portal. Unfortunately, the process leaves considerable waste material that makes it appear that the weapon kills its target to an uninformed observer. In addition, the Dire Wraiths unsuccessfully explored the possibility of examining the gun to find some means of returning its victims to the normal dimension. This handheld weapon could fire energy beams that can be deadly at a high setting if Rom chose to select it and it can neutralize various forms of energy. This device was designed so that only Rom would be able to discharge it. The mutant Wolverine once tried to use the weapon and received a numbing blast of energy feedback. Rom's Neutralizer would inspire a similar creation by the mutant Forge when the US government tasked him with constructing a weapon against the Wraith horde. It is notable that his neutralizer for a time cost Storm her mutant abilities.

Analyzer 
Allowed Rom to see shape-changed Dire Wraiths in their true form and could assess the energy and potential of any object/entity. It could also be used on an item which represented a world, such as a globe, and would display lights corresponding to Dire Wraith infestations at that point on the planet. Unfortunately, the device resembles a handgun, and Dire Wraith imposters have taken advantage of this fact to fool others into thinking that Rom is attacking them. Rom once arranged an ally to have the equivalent kind of vision, but the Dire Wraiths counteracted that by magically blocking his mind from recognizing that particular visual data. Regardless, Rom allowed SHIELD to examine the Analyzer in hope of creating equivalent devices among the Spaceknight's human allies.
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Universal Translator 
Allowed Rom to instantly learn the language of any creature, irrespective of their origin. This device was also used to scan and store printed information from an encyclopedia in Rom's memory banks for future use.

​In 2006, Marvel reprinted the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe as part of their Essentials line of trade paperbacks, including the Rom entries.
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In The Avengers 12.1 (2011), the super-villain group, The Intelligencia, was seen working with a 'spaceknight' that had actually been hosting the Ultron A.I.

Reprint controversies
Legal issues regarding the reprinting of Rom guest appearances in other comics have led to complications. Brief cameos such as a holographic version of the character appearing as a distraction in Uncanny X-Men #187 have remained intact as have the Rom entries in the Essential Marvel trade paperbacks for the original Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe and its deluxe edition sequel. The cover of the Essential Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe removed Rom from the artwork used for the cover of the collection.

Several appearances by Rom have been outright omitted. Power Man and Iron Fist #73, which featured Rom was omitted from Essential Power Man and Iron Fist vol. 1, and similarly Marvel Two-in-One #99 was omitted from Essential Marvel Two-in-One vol. 4, while The Incredible Hulk: Regression trade paperback features a heavily edited version of The Incredible Hulk #296, removing Rom's entire appearance in the issue. Furthermore, Rom #72, which was a tie-in to the Secret Wars II series, was omitted from the Secret Wars II Omnibus.

Discover Rod Serling’s Unproduced Script For The Iconic Film Brought To Life For The First Time in August 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 10, 2018) – BOOM! Studios and 20th Century Fox Consumer Products present a first look at PLANET OF THE APES: VISIONARIES, a new Original Graphic Novel, releasing in August 2018 as part of the 20th Century Fox Uncovered collection.

BOOM! Studios searched the 20th Century Fox film archives and unearthed the first screenplay for the original Planet of the Apes (1968) movie, written by Rod Serling, and adapted this radically different vision of the franchise into comic book format for the first time as a part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the film from acclaimed actor/comedian/writer Dana Gould (The Simpsons) and Chad Lewis (Avengers Origins).

The first Planet of The Apes (1968) film is an adaptation of the French novel La Planète des Singes. On the road to making the landmark science-fiction classic, 20th Century Fox commissioned Rod Serling to adapt the source material. However, Serling’s first draft was drastically revised before filming the version of the film that the one the world has come to know and love. 

“Fans all over the world have wanted to experience Rod Serling’s original Planet of The Apes and this graphic novel is an incredible realization of that vision,” said Dafna Pleban, Senior Editor, BOOM! Studios. “Dana Gould and Chad Lewis have brought a new dimension to the story you only think you know, delivering a timely, ambitious and unflinching original graphic novel perfect for every reader, whether a long time fan or new to these characters.”

PLANET OF THE APES: VISIONARIES is the latest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint, home to a world-class group of licensed comic book series and ambitious original series, including Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, WWE,  Victor LaValle’s Destroyer, Abbott, Mech Cadet Yu, Grass Kings, and Klaus.

Print copies of PLANET OF THE APES: VISIONARIES will be available for sale in August 2018 at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one) and book stores. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and the BOOM! Studios app.
 
For continuing news on PLANET OF THE APES: VISIONARIES and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to www.boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter.

About Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products
20th Century Fox Consumer Products licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of 20th Century Fox Film, 20th Century Fox Television and FX Networks, as well as third party lines.  The division is aligned with 20th Century Fox Television, the flagship studio leading the industry in supplying award-winning and blockbuster primetime television programming and entertainment content and 20th Century Fox Film, one of the world’s largest producers and distributors of motion pictures throughout the world.

About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios was founded by Ross Richie in 2005 with the singular focus of creating world-class comic book and graphic novel storytelling for all audiences. Through the development of four distinct imprints—BOOM! Studios, BOOM! Box, KaBOOM!, and Archaia—BOOM! has produced award-winning original work, including Lumberjanes, The Woods, Giant Days, Klaus, and Mouse Guard, while also breaking new ground with established licenses such as WWE, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Cartoon Network, and The Jim Henson Company properties. BOOM! will also bring their original series to life through unique first-look relationships with 20th Century Fox for film and with 20th Television for the small screen. Please visit www.boom-studios.com for more information. 
 
Web: www.boom-studios.com
Twitter: @boomstudios
Facebook: @BOOMStudiosComics
Instagram: @boom_studios
Tumblr: boomstudios.tumblr.com

Check out the pics below and the Kong NYCC Poster here.

Planet Of The Apes

Here is just a sample of some great gifts for the kaiju fan in your life for the upcoming holidays.

Pacific Rim Kaiju Mutavore 7-Inch Ultra Deluxe Action Figure
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So much for the anti-Kaiju wall. Just when the world thought that the alien invasion was over, this Category IV kaiju emerged from the breach and easily broke through Sydney's Anti-Kaiju Wall.

At over 8-inches tall x 6-inches wide, Mutavore is massive! This movie-accurate Pacific Rim Kaiju Mutavore 7-Inch Scale Ultra Deluxe Action Figure features over 30 points of articulation and is to scale with other Jaeger action figures.

Pacific Rim Ultimate Striker Eureka 7-Inch Action Figure

The towering mech from Down Under gets the "ultra" refurbishment. This Ultimate Striker Eureka's open chest of rockets is actually an interchangeable piece that swaps out to show a fiery missile launch! There's even a nuclear payload that attaches to the back of the figure.

​The 7-inch scale Australian mech is made from the actual digital files utilized by ILM in the creation of Pacific Rim for exacting accuracy and detail. The Pacific Rim Ultimate Striker Eureka 7-Inch Action Figure comes in collector-friendly deluxe window box packaging with an opening flap.

Godzilla 6-Inch Pop! Vinyl Figure
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The King of the Monsters gets the Pop! vinyl treatment! This Godzilla Pop! Vinyl Figure features the classic monster as he first appeared in the classic 1954 film.

Add Godzilla to your collection and he'll tower over your regular Pop! vinyl collection, as this figure stand 6-inches tall! Ages 14 and up.

Godzilla Vinyl Wars King Ghidorah Sofubi Vinyl Figure EE Ex.
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Here comes the three-headed terror formerly known as Monster Zero!
Color variant of King Ghidorah from the classic Godzilla series!
Don't miss this exclusive Sofubi vinyl figure!
Handcrafted limited edition of just 100 pieces and stands about 13 3/4-inches tall!
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Entertainment Earth Exclusive! This handcrafted, hand-painted Godzilla Vinyl Wars King Ghidorah Sofubi Vinyl Figure - Entertainment Earth Exclusive, inspired by the designer toy movement, will hold a place of honor in your collection. King Ghidorah's appearance from the classic Godzilla series is stunningly captured in this variant colorway - extra shiny in a gold paint scheme! The Godzilla Vinyl Wars King Ghidorah Sofubi Vinyl Figure - Entertainment Earth Exclusive is a limited edition of only 100 pieces. Don't miss it!

Godzilla: Vinyl Wars is a collaboration between Japan's classic Sofubi manufacturers and cutting-edge toy maker Medicom Toy. 

Godzilla 1954 Version 12-Inch Head to Tail Action Figure
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Run, it's Godzilla! This Godzilla 1954 Version 12-Inch Head to Tail Action Figure is based on the original black-and-white movie, Godzilla, released in 1954.

​The figure stands over 6-inches tall, with a head-to-tail measurement of over 12-inches long. Godzilla features incredible detail, a bendable tail and nearly 30 points of articulation! Ages 14 and up.

Godzilla Rodan 1993 Vinyl Figural Bank

Whether you be a friend, foe, or Godzilla himself, beware the coming of Rodan! The giant winged pteranodon began his film career as a threat to Godzilla and the world, but since then has become one of Godzilla's occasional allies, battling invaders from outer space to protect his home planet.

​This 8-inch tall vinyl bank is based on Rodan's appearance in 1993's Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, and has a wingspan of 10-inches wide. The coin slot is on the back and features a removable head Sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios.

Godzilla: Rulers of Earth Volume 6

The Trilopods arrive, and no monster is safe! Will Godzilla be able to help save the planet?

And which Kaiju will help or hinder him? Collects the conclusion of the series issues #21-25.

Jurassic World

The Jurassic World theme park lets guests experience the thrill of witnessing actual dinosaurs, but something ferocious lurks behind the park's attractions – a genetically modified dinosaur with savage capabilities.  

When the massive creature escapes, chaos erupts across the island.  Now it's up to Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) to save the park’s tourists from an all-out prehistoric assault.

Yongary, Monster From the Deep (1967)

A monstrous creature creates destruction throughout Korea... as scientists running against time create a refrigerant that maybe the only weapon to stop the monster before it destroys the whole country. This cult-classics was Korea's first entry into the kaiju movie genre, made famous by the Japanese with classics Godzilla and Gamera. After a nuclear test causes a massive earthquake, scientists realize that the quake is the least of their problems… the intense radiation has awoke the legendary reptilian monster, Yongary. Martial law is declared and cities are evacuated as the armed forces battle the fearsome creature with all the arsenal firearms available to them. 

Special Features: Audio Commentary by Film Historian Steve Ryfle and Genre Journalist Kim Song-ho | Phantom From 10,000 Leagues "Trailers From Hell" with Joe Dante | Trailers​

Below are a number of pics of the "kaiju" related highlights from NYCC (including a very "nice" Mothra cosplay), there was also a few interesting tidbits (besides the big news of the 50th Anniversary Gamera film and teaser trailer). First was with Diamond's X-Plus line, Space Godzilla will included a light up feature, also there will be a number of Godzillas released including '54, '14, '95, among others. Note this is what I was told. Another interesting thing that I heard was King Kong Vs. Godzilla is actual in the planning stage and that Kong: Skull Island will take place in the same "universe" as Godzilla 2014, again don't hold me to this again this is what I was told I'm still skeptical about this.

For as long as there has been monsters fans have craved them battling one and other, some battles were bound to happen Godzilla battling Rodan or Mothra even having Varan or Baragon show up in the same film were almost forgone conclusions since they were all under the umbrella of Toho Studios. But it's the monsters from different studios/production companies that we we only dream would battle one and other. 

We got one such "dream" when Toho got rights to use King Kong in a film, and we were given the classic King Kong Vs. Godzilla in 1962. The film featured a Toho version of Kong (man in suit) that was either loved or hated by many cause the suit looked, in some sense, like it had been through the ringer and there was always the controversial ending of who really won. But most fans loved the fact we got to see the two famous monsters battle it out.   

Since then fans had hoped for more especially a Godzilla/Gamera crossover, it was believed Daiei (owners of Gamera) were on-board but not Toho and the crossover never happened. There were teases along the way a re-release for the 35th Anniversary of King Kong Vs. Godzilla on video had what looked like the '70's Kong along with Godzilla, the images of Godzilla were also newer versions. We have since only had updated versions of these monsters in there own universes that was till recently, Legendary Pictures has become the studio home, to some extant, of a number of monsters causing fans imagination to run wild.  

In 2013 they released Guillermo Del Toro's/Legendary Pictures Pacific Rim, a film featuring numerous kaiju as well as Jaegers (giant robots) that battled them. Then they released Gareth Edwards' Godzilla. Both films were green lighted for sequels. Then came word of a Kong film from the studio, Kong: Skull Island.

Fans quickly started rumors of possible crossovers between the three but there was never any proof just rumors, that was till Del Toro stated in an interview how he would love to do a Pacific Rim/Godzilla crossover. The fact is there is a lot of roadblocks to trying to do any crossover between the three franchises despite being under the same studio. 

First is rights, Toho has been known to be very inflexible in allowing Godzilla to be used, it was actually a surprise that they allowed other classic monsters to be used by Legendary in the planned Godzilla sequels at all and not force them to come up with other original monsters like the Mutos, Kong is owned by Universal and the characters in Pacific Rim most likely by Legendary or Del Toro. 

The second issue is size, Godzilla is 350 ft tall, the largest Godzilla by far, while we are not sure exactly how big Kong will be rumor is the new film will be a sequel to the 2005 film in that Kong was 25 ft tall, meaning a considerable size difference. The characters of Pacific Rim are far closer to Godzilla's size, Gispy Danger the main Jaeger in the film is 260 ft tall and Slattern the only category 5 kaiju is 585 ft ((est) not sure if this is height or length), so there is some feasibility this could work. 

Third is story wise and how they could be brought together, the breach in Pacific Rim would be the perfect way to bring them together since the beings from it could be said to be from another world or dimension they could open a breach in the "Godzilla" universe that would explain their kaiju fighting Godzilla but it wouldn't really help explaining how the Jaegers could get there. With Kong if the timelines that have been talked about are correct using the 2005 film's timeline of the 1930's as starting point and the new film in taking place in the 1970's there is some possibility of it working since Godzilla was found in 1954 and kept in secret till he shows up to fight the Mutos.

In all cases those who may make a crossover film would have there work cut out for them but as with any scifi/fantasy movie sometimes it's easier not to explain completely how things happen. As of now all the crossover talk is simple rumors and wishful thinking but weirder things have happened all we need to do is throw Gamera or maybe some Jurassic World dinos into the mix and we might be asking for real trouble or maybe not (wink). We here just are look forward to all the forthcoming kaiju films and we will be enjoying the ride as should all the fans and let the crossovers happen if they do.

Warner Bros/DC Comics recently announced it's slate of films for the next five years which makes an already crowded field of action movies even more crowded. A lot of people have focused on the battle between DC and Marvel, with Marvel pushing there next wave of films against DC trying to establish there cinematic universe, but the fact is there is a lot more than just their movies hitting theaters in the next five years.
 
Fox who has the rights to other Marvel properties, Spider-man, X-Men, and Fantastic Four among others, plans to continue to push those going forward. And then there is the sci-fi movies particularly Star Wars and Star Trek films, we know we are getting a new Star Wars trilogy as well as solo character films and at least a third Star Trek film and possible more. 

And if all that wasn't enough there is the "kaiju" craze, started with Pacific Rim (2013) and Godzilla (2014), there will be sequels to both as well as the Skull Island (King Kong), and Jurassic World films. Godzilla is confirmed for two more films Pacific Rim a good possibility for two and it would not surprise for Skull Island and Jurassic World to get a sequels too. 

And lets not forget the next Planet of the Apes film(s) and possible sequels and reboots of other properties (like Terminator, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers, etc.). Comics Alliance posted a timeline for the "superhero films" which counts, at least, 35 films alone just for those. Add in the others and we have easily over 50 films in a five year span, not even counting all the other films that will be released. 

Some may said that isn't a lot since this year we had quite a few similar films but this was the exception not the rule, and remember these are only a part of all the films that will come out. 2013 had fewer films of this type than this year and 2012 even less. There is also the expectations, box office takes etc., most of these films may need to do very well to break even especially with the cost of all the special effects, marketing, and salaries of the stars, especially in the sequels. 

It looks to be a great time for fans, but the movie studios could be living on the edge especially if multiple films perform poorly. It may also hurt the films that are good films but get over shadowed by others. The movie industry may need to more closely at the numbers to judge if a movie was a success and do a better job of marketing there films. Time will tell if they can come through this with more success than failure, if they do the next five could be even more exciting.