Line #31 ComicBook/RomIDW


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rom_1_cvrria.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:The Space Knight returns.]]
3
4	''[[SpaceOpera Far, far away, in another galaxy,]] the knights of the Solstar Order, [[KnightInShiningArmor defenders of justice and truth]], have been ambushed by the evil magicians, the Dire Wraiths. The Solstar Order has prevailed and is now seeking out their scattered enemies. One of these knights has followed the trail of the Dire Wraiths all the way to Earth. This one, the Dire Wraiths [[TheDreaded fear more than all others]]. This one has hounded them and kept them underground for centuries. This one alone could wipe them off the face of creation.''
5
6	''He is [[KnightErrant Rom, Lord of the Solstar Order]]. [[RedBaron Rom, the Wraithslayer]]. '''ROM, the Space Knight!'''''
7
8	''But he must be careful. [[TheyLookLikeUsNow The Dire Wraiths can assume any form they wish...]]''
9
10	Launched in May 2016, ROM is Creator/IDWPublishing's [[ContinuityReboot reboot]] of ''ComicBook/RomSpaceKnight'', set in a DarkerAndEdgier (though not by much) universe. The comic is penned by {{Ascended Fanboy}}s Chris Ryall and Christos Gage, with art by David Messina and Paolo Villaneli.
11
12	As a Creator/{{Hasbro}} licensed property, the comic is part of the ComicBook/HasbroComicUniverse, and crossed over with the other series as part of ''ComicBook/{{Revolution\|2016}}''. The comic ended with issue 14, and was {{retool}}ed after ''First Strike'' as ''Rom and the ComicBook/{{Micronauts\|IDW}}''. A three-issue spin-off/prequel miniseries titles ''Rom: Dire Wraiths'' was published in 2020.
13
14	----
15	!!Tropes:
16	* AdaptationSpeciesChange: Since IDW can't use any concepts that were created for the Marvel comic, Rom's race is changed from Galadorian to Elonian, with the different alien race established by his unarmored self changed from a {{Human Alien\|s}} to be a blue-skinned {{Rubber Forehead Alien\|s}}.
17	* AlienBlood: The Wraiths have green blood in the ''Transformers'' Revolution one-shot but red in the ''G.I. Joe'' one.
18	* AlwaysChaoticEvil: The Dire Wraiths, save for one or two exceptions, live to conquer.
19	* AmazingTechnicolorPopulation:
20	** The Elonians have blue skin as do the Wraiths (or green or brown DependingOnTheArtist) and Orphion's race. All three have a different shade of blue however.
21	** Livia has red skin depite also being an Elonian. Different ethnicity?
22	* AmbiguousSituation: [[spoiler:The ultimate fate of the Dire Wraiths and the Solstar Order is left unclear with the end of the Hasbro shared universe. Both sides have sustained heavy losses with no clear path to victory for either side.]]
23	* BadassBookworm: Rom, [[RedBaron the Wraithslayer]], was originally a geologist before he joined the war effort.
24	* BearsAreBadNews: Nikomi, a member of the Solstar Order, is a giant alien bear who wears a DominoMask. Bad news for Dire Wraiths, but no worse than any DrillSergeantNasty for Space Knights.
25	* BigBad: The Wraith Sorcerer D'rge.
26	* BodyHorror: In issues 5 and 6 when Camilia is mutating into a Dire Wraith.
27	* BothSidesHaveAPoint: When it comes to [[spoiler:destroying Earth in issue 7. Orphion highlights the large presence of Dire Wraiths on the planet while Rom points out that Earth is a Cybertronian colony and destroying it might spark a war with the Cybertronians.]]
28	* BrainsEvilBrawnGood: The Dire Wraith D'rge lampshades this. Rom himself seems to agree as he realizes that the Knights have no idea of any long term plans the Wraiths might have due to simply killing them all instead of interrogating them. The Wraith Priest in issue 10 mercilessly lampshades it to Orphion.
29	* CanonWelding: Rom's armor is implied to be [[spoiler:formed from [[ComicBook/TheTransformersDarkCybertron Regenesis ore]].]]
30	* ContinuityReboot: This series is totally separate from ''ComicBook/ROMSpaceknight'' and can't use anything from the original (save Rom and the Wraiths) forcing IDW to totally reimagine the universe.
31	* CrisisOfFaith: Orphion has been in one since the Wraiths invaded his world, feeling that if gods existed, they wouldn't have let such atrocities happen.
32	* CurbStompBattle: Rom effortlessly takes down [[spoiler: Beach Head]] in issue 7.
33	* DarkIsEvil: While he's not evil, Orphion's armor is a noticeably darker hue than his fellows signifying his more trigger happy nature.
34	* DeathByOriginStory: Rom lost his younger brother and mothers to the Dire Wraiths before becoming a Space Knight.
35	* DependingOnTheArtist: Though it could be due to the shapeshifting and caste system, the appearance of the Dire Wraiths changes radically in the main series and ''Revolution''.
36	* DidYouJustScamCthulhu: [[spoiler: Baron Karza ultimately betrays the God of the Wraith's at the end of Rom and the Micronauts as the heroes gain the upperhand, stealing its power and using it to dispel the Entropy Cloud in Microspace.]]
37	* TheDreaded:
38	** Rom himself is this to the Dire Wraiths.
39	** The Dire Wraiths. Though it's not quite clear whether alien powers such as the Decepticons fear them or are just disgusted by them to the point of wanting nothing to do with them. Whichever the case, ''Megatron'' was stated to have loathed them so much he avoided a Wraith-infested area dubbed the Dark Nebula. Another reason might be that a fleet of Worldsweepers- as in, those ''giant'' Decepticon symbol ships- went missing in there.
40	** The Wraiths are also pretty wary of engaging Cybertronians.
41	* EarthIsTheCenterOfTheUniverse: Rom believes that the war will end on Earth. Orphion comes to agree [[spoiler:but is unsure whether Earth being special is a good or bad thing.]]
42	* {{Expy}}: Livia is seemingly one of Starshine, given that she is a female Space Knight who used to be in love with Rom.
43	* FantasticCasteSystem: The Dire Wraiths. They're ok with it.
44	* FantasticRacism:
45	** The Solstar Order hates both Dire Wraiths and [[ComicBook/TheTransformersRobotsInDisguise Cybertronians]]. The latter is slightly downplayed for Rom. ''Slightly''.
46	** The Wraiths do ''not'' like humans. They view just about every other sentient race as prey.
47	* FauxAffablyEvil: The Dire Wraiths are prone to feigning amiability to bait their victims.
48	* TheFederation: The Solstar Order looked to be this before the Wraiths invaded.
49	* FlyingBrick: The Spaceknights.
50	* ForeverWar: The Wraiths and Solstar Order have been fighting for 200 years.
51	* TheFriendNobodyLikes: Among the other Hasbro characters, Rom seems to be this with no one really trusting him and being glad to have him leave, only putting up with him due to his Analyzers. Some members of [[spoiler:G.I. Joe even want to kill him.]]
52	** This fades with time as Rom befriends Bumblebee and the Micronauts during his crossovers with those books.
53	* GeneralRipper: Orphion cares not about the risk of collateral damage on other worlds when combating the Dire Wraiths, which puts him at odds with Rom due to Rom not wanting to risk harming innocents.
54	* GreaterScopeVillain: The Dire Wraith God mentioned in issue 10. [[spoiler: It's also hinted that [[ComicBook/TheTransformersDarkCybertron one of Shockwave's ores]] may be responsible for the war between Wraiths and Knights in the first place.]]
55	* HappyEndingOverride: [[spoiler: Rom and the Micronauts ends with most of the Wraiths revealed and being subdued by humanity. [[ComicBook/TheTransformersUnicron Then Unicron devours Elonia]].]]
56	* HeWhoFightsMonsters: The Solstar Order, particularly Orphion, is heading in this direction.
57	* HeroicWillpower: They are incredibly rare, but individuals with the strength to halt and resist Wraith infections do exist. Rom's ally, Camilla Byers demonstrates this ability. Later, [[spoiler: Ultra Magnus and Acroyear manage to halt their infections as well]].
58	* HeroWithBadPublicity: Rom. Unsurprisingly, seemingly killing random people doesn't help with PR. Even after ''Revolution'', some rogue members of [[spoiler: G.I. Joe]] still hunt him. Averted in issue 10 where people acknowledge Rom's heroism and thank him and his fellow knights for protecting Earth[[spoiler:...all the while thinking the Space Knights are Autobots.]]
59	* HumanityIsInfectious: And in Orphion's opinion, not in a good way as it's made Rom soft.
60	* HumansAreBastards: Orphion read the internet and quickly came to this conclusion.
61	* HumansAreSpecial: Rom's opinion of us. As said above, Orphion disagrees but eventually gives Rom a chance to prove it.
62	* {{Hypocrite}}:
63	** D'rge scolds Rom for viewing the Dire Wraiths as a RedShirtArmy. D'rge has very little compassion for his minions.
64	** As Soundwave points out in ''Revolution'', for all that the Solstar Order looks down on Cybertronians for endless war, they're caught in one themselves and kill without mercy or trial.
65	* LargeHam: Just read the way Rom talks.
66	* MagicVersusScience: Like in ''ComicBook/ROMSpaceknight''.
67	* MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch:
68	** The Dire Wraith who calls himself Ruan Sablik has no interest in war and just wants to live on Earth in peace. Another Wraith known as [[ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye CONS4EVA]] also expressed this feeling.
69	** [[spoiler:''Rom'' seems to be heading this way, noting that the Knights seem more interested in continuing the war than ending it.]]
70	* MythologyGag: In the Annual, the earlier Neutralizers are based on the original ROM toy.
71	* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Orphion's insistence on [[spoiler:destroying Earth]] allows the Wraiths to absorb the energy of his Neutralizer when he fires it down one of their facilities in an attempt to destabilize the core.
72	* OhCrap: Happens a lot.
73	** To the Wraiths whenever Rom shows up.
74	** In issue 2, when Rom realizes the Wraiths are searching for ways to cloak themselves from the Analyzer.
75	** In the ''Revolution'' one shot, Rom freaks out when he sees the mutated form of Axiom and that the Wraiths are merging magic and technology.
76	** Several in the ''Reinforcements'' arc. [[spoiler:In issue 5, Rom finds Camilia partially mutated into a Dire Wraith. In issue 6, he has to stop Orphion from killing Camilia. In issue 7, when Rom sees ''how many'' Wraiths are on Earth before G.I. Joe attacks. Then when Orphion decides to destroy Earth. Finally in issue 9 when Livia nearly dies and the Absence makes itself known.]]
77	* OneHitKill: The Neutralizer has this effect on Wraiths. [[spoiler: As of issue 10 however, things may get a bit harder for the Knights.]]
78	* OneRiotOneRanger: Subverted. It looks like this is the case with Rom flying solo, but Spaceknights are supposed to have partners. Rom's died and he never requested a new one. Orphion chews Rom out for this.
79	* OriginsEpisode: The Annual serves to explain how Rom became a Solstar Knight and how the rest of the Solstar Order was formed.
80	* PowerTrio: Starting in ''Reinforcements'', Rom seems to form one with Orphion and Livia.
81	* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Rom gives one to [[spoiler: Orphion in issue 9, though it can also be mixed with WhatTheHellHero.]]
82	-->'''Rom''': Orphion! You cite honor and duty for your every action. But I say you ''profane'' the words! Our code is a guide. You use it as an ''excuse''. An excuse not to think. Not to feel. Not to make painful decisions for yourself! You cite responsibility to ''absolve'' yourself from responsibility. But I will hold you to account! Livia is your partner...your ''friend''. If you let her die when you could save her...if you destroy Earth when its people should be our allies...you are no longer a Solstar Knight. And no longer a ''man''.
83	* RedEyesTakeWarning: Inverted for the Knights but played straight for the Wraiths.
84	* ReptilesAreAbhorrent: Averted with Orphion, who is not evil per se, and in issue 10, [[spoiler: a young girl gives him a flower as thanks for protecting Earth.]] Although, his GeneralRipper tendencies do put him at odds with Rom.
85	* RunningGag: People mistaking Rom for a Cybertronian. Deconstructed slightly as the government, particularly G.I. Joe, is quick to blame Optimus Prime for anything Rom does until it's cleared up. It continues however in issue 10. Livia rolls with it while Orphion couldn't be more displeased.
86	* ShellShockedVeteran: There are more than a few hints that Rom is this. Darby Mason is clearly this.
87	* ShoutOut: Darby references ''[[Franchise/StarWars Star Wars]]'' and the Trojan War while explaining her plan to sneak Rom into an EDC base.
88	** The town of Cooper's Mill contains Mantlo Park, named after the writer of the original Marvel runs of ''ROM'' and ''Micronauts'', [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Mantlo Bill Mantlo]], who has been in the hospital since 1992, when he was hit by a car while rollerblading and subsequently fell into a coma; he's since come out of it, but has suffered irreparable brain damage.
89	* SnakePeople: Orphion, and presumably the rest of his species.
90	* SuperSoldier: The warrior caste of Wraiths.
91	* SquishyWizard: As shown in the ''Revolution'' one shots of ''Transformers'' and ''G.I. Joe'', standard bullets will kill Dire Wraiths just as well as Neutralizers.
92	* SwissArmyWeapon: The Neutralizers have a number of settings for all scenarios.
93	* TranslatorMicrobes: Rom’s Analyser allows him to speak any language after hearing a few words of it.
94	* TriggerHappy: The default reaction of a Spaceknight to anything strange is to shoot it.
95	* VoluntaryShapeshifting: The Dire Wraiths though they need to 'infect' something first before taking its form.
96	* WhatMeasureIsANonHuman: In ''Revolution'' #3, when Soundwave calls out Rom for the killings in Portland, Rom doesn't deny he killed but retorts that he hasn't killed any ''humans''. Soundwave points out that, regardless of the race, Rom still killed sentient beings without any mercy or trial.

Context ComicBook / RomIDW