Evolution of an Action Figure

Just a little something I whipped up after inspiration struck yesterday.  It's the evolution of Rom the Space Knight, action figure.  (Click to enlarge.)

We start with the drawing from Bing McCoy et al.'s patent application for a "multi-mode doll".  Then the Egyptian mystic toy that no toy company would touch.  Then Cobol, the cyborg toy that Parker Brothers finally bought.*  Then the original, green-eyed Rom from a sell sheet.  And finally, the well-known red-eyed Rom from his box front.

It hadn't really occurred to me before I did this that Rom had another logo before the one that appeared on the box.  (Which was later modified for the comic book logo.)  True, that first logo only appeared on the sell sheet, which was only aimed at those in the toy industry, but still.  Kind of cool.

If you want to know more about the evolution of Rom, read my interview with Bing McCoy on Rom, Spaceknight Revisited.  Prototype photos and sell sheet scan courtesy Bing McCoy.

* In the case of the Egyptian mystic and Cobol, because they were prototypes, the actual electronics are contained in the cabinet attached to the figure.  Once actual production began, Parker Brothers was able to reduce the circuitry down to something that would fit inside an action figure.

Another Robb Waters Piece

After last week's post, I unexpectedly came by this while looking through my numerous Rom-related downloads.  It's another Rom painting by Robb Waters!  This one comes from a 2007 eBay sale.  The seller stated it was colored acrylic on heavy paper measuring 16" x 14".  It was sold for $49.99 via Buy It Now.

Rom "fan art" by Robb Waters

Over the years, I've built a up a backlog of Rom items to tell people about. Originally, they were to be featured on my website, Rom, Spaceknight Revisited. For various reasons -- okay, mainly because I'm lazy -- I've sat on them. Well, now I'm digging around through old e-mails and files to finally release them on the Internet.

I start with a painting of Rom by Robb Waters of Irrational Games. I don't really want to admit how long ago Mr. Waters sent this to me, but will say that at the time he was best known for his work on the computer game Freedom Force. Sorry, Mr. Waters, for taking so long to post this.

There's not much story behind this. There I was, minding my own business when I get an e-mail saying:

i came across your site and thought you might enjoy seeing my rom painting.

Needless to say, this sort of thing is why I try to keep RSR going. I've begun my Rom catch-up with this image because a) it's perhaps the oldest thing I've been meaning to post, b) it's a quick and easy one, but mostly c) I figure it'll make David over at that other Rom blog jealous. :-)