Roy of the Rovers – Rebellion Books Check List

A guide to Rebellion’s Roy of the Rovers graphic novels and collections. Links where available are AmazonUK Affiliate Links – using these helps support downthetubes, thank you

• Roy of the Rovers Official Site: royoftheroversofficial.com

This post was last updated 28th February 2024

ROY OF THE ROVERS BOOKS: SEASON ONE

Scouted (Book 1)
by Tom Palmer
Released: 4th October 2018

Roy of the Rovers: Scouted

Times are tough for Melchester Rovers. Languishing at the bottom of League Two, the once-proud powerhouse of British football is out of money and out of luck.
 
Sixteen-year-old Roy Race always dreamt of playing up front for Rovers. Oozing with natural talent and possessing a powerful left foot, Roy may just be the answer to all of Melchester’s prayers.
 
Can Roy break into the Rovers first team and bring back the glory days of old? Or will the pressure of problems on and off the pitch prove too much for the young prospect?
 
The epic footballing saga begins here!

Read the first chapter via the official Roy of the Rovers web site

Buy it from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

Kick-Off (Graphic Novel 1)
by Rob Williams and Ben Willsher
Released: 1st November 2018

Roy of the Rovers: Kick-Off

Roy of the Rovers, the greatest fictional footballer ever to kick a ball, is back!

Times are tough for Melchester Rovers. Languishing at the bottom of League Two, the once-proud powerhouse of British football is out of money and out of luck.

Sixteen year old Roy Race always dreamt of playing up front for Rovers. Oozing with natural talent and possessing a powerful left foot, Roy may just be the answer to all of Melchester’s prayers.

Can Roy break into the Rovers first team and bring back the glory days of old? Or will the pressure of problems on and off the pitch prove too much for the young prospect?

The epic footballing saga begins here!

Buy it from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

Read the preview pages via the official Roy of the Rovers web site

Teamwork (Book 2)
by Tom Palmer
Released: 7th February 2019

Roy of the Rovers: Teamwork

Roy Race has it all: all the skill, all the talent, and all the eyes on him now he s broken into the Melchester Rovers first team at only 16 years old.

Except, of course, there s more to life than football. His dad s in a wheelchair and needs looking after, his mum is working all hours, and his sister? His sister Rocky wants to play football too, and she won’t leave Roy alone until he helps her do something about it…

Join us for amazing scenes, incredible tekkers, and all the thrills, sprills and drama of football!

The new era of Roy of the Rovers continues!

Read the first chapter via the official Roy of the Rovers web site

Buy it from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

Foul Play (Graphic Novel 2)
by Rob Williams and Ben Willsher
Released: 7th March 2019

Roy of the Rovers - Foul Play

After an astonishing breakthrough into the Melchester Rovers first team, 16 year old superstar-in-waiting Roy Race must now battle it out for survival in the tough ranks of professional footballers. Competition, injuries, and the demands of the fans are mounting can Roy cope?

Read the preview pages via the official Roy of the Rovers web site

Buy it from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

Going Up (Graphic Novel 3)
by Rob Williams and Ben Willsher
Released: 27th June 2019

Roy of the Rovers - Going Up

Roy and the team have battled through a tough season, but have they got enough left to get promoted? Or will they fall at the final hurdle and see the club sold by its greedy owner?

Read the first chapter via the official Roy of the Rovers web site

Buy it from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

Play-Offs (Book 3)
by Tom Palmer
Released: 27th June 2019

Roy of the Rovers - Play-Offs

The end of the season is here, and it’s make or break for Roy Race and Melchester Rovers.

Against all odds, Roy and his teammates are closer to getting Rovers promoted. However, if they fail to reach League One, then Rovers’ owner Barry Cleaver plans to sell up, destroying Melchester Rovers for good!

Now it’s crunch time: either Rovers make it through to the play-off finals, or it’s over – for the club, for the fans, and for Roy…

Buy it from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

Read the preview pages via the official Roy of the Rovers web site

SEASON TWO

On Tour (Book 4)
by Tom Palmer, illustrated by Dan Cornwell
Released: 3rd October 2019

Roy of the Rovers - On Tour

Roy Race is living the dream. After a whirlwind season that saw him become centre forward for his beloved Melchester Rovers and score a bagful of goals, helping them secure promotion into League One, he’s now recognised as one of the best young footballers in the country.

But something strange is afoot. As Rovers head off on a pre-season tour, Roy’s treated differently, and kept apart from the team. What’s going on, and why are Rovers bringing in new players?

With his family life hitting a rough patch and everything in flux at Mel Park, it’s time for Roy of the Rovers to fight for his team, his family – and his career in football…

Read the first chapter via the official Roy of the Rovers web site

Buy it from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

Transferred (Graphic Novel 4)
By Rob Williams and Lisa Henke
Released: 14th November 2019

Roy of the Rovers - Transferred

Thanks to a mighty team effort, Melchester Rovers have reached the dizzy heights of League One. For Roy Race however, the final had a bittersweet taste to it both he and Paco Diaz have been transferred to Melchester Rover’s bitter rivals, Premiership champions, Tynecaster.

As Roy tries to adjust to a new footballing life at the Tayir Stadium, Melchester are defying the odds and topping the table after a string of early victories. But behind the scenes chaos ensues thanks to the unscrupulous nature of the club’s chairman, Barry ‘Meat’ Cleaver.

And while the future of Mel Park may still be in doubt, it seems that Johnny Dexter’s days are well and truly numbered…

Read the first chapter via the official Roy of the Rovers web site

Buy it from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

From The Ashes (Book 5)
by Tom Palmer, illustrated by Dan Cornwell
Released 20th February 2020

Roy of the Rovers - From the Ashes

Roy Race watched Mel Park, the home ground of his beloved Melchester Rovers, burn to the ground.

The club is in serious trouble off the pitch. But when it comes to football, somehow they’re holding it together.

It’s nothing short of a miracle, given that Roy – the greatest Rovers player in a generation – was sold by cash-strapped Melchester, to their greatest rivals: Tynecaster.

Roy needs to find a way back to Rovers, and fast – or there won’t be a club left to return to…

Read the preview pages via the official Roy of the Rovers web site

Buy it from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

All To Play For (Graphic Novel 5)
by Rob Williams and Lisa Henke
Released: 19th March 2020

Melchester Rovers are in a dark place. Due to Barry ‘Meat’ Cleaver’s underhand business practises, the team find themselves faced with a thirty-point deduction and have tumbled from the top to the bottom of League One. If that wasn’t bad enough, a fire has decimated Mel Park leaving the team with nowhere to play their home games. Rovers’ captain, Vic Guthrie is increasingly feeling the pressure and is starting to unravel.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel though – star goal scorers Paco Diaz and Roy Race are back from their brief stint in the Premiership to help the Rovers survive the drop. Meanwhile, Melchester’s female team, Sowerby, are going from strength to strength and new coach Johnny Dexter has found a kindred spirit in young defender Rocky Race…

Read the preview pages via the official Roy of the Rovers web site

Buy it from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

Rocky (Book 6)
by Tom Palmer, illustrated by Dan Cornwell
Out: 29th October 2020

Roy of the Rovers - Rocky

The final pulse-pounding story in the second scintillating season of the smash-hit phenomenon reboot, and the first ever Roy of the Rovers title to be told from the perspective of a female footballer Rocky Race, Roy’s younger sister.

A struggling student and brilliant footballer, Rocky Race is many things, but to most people she’s just Roy Race’s little sister. It’s not much fun especially as Melchester Rovers head to the League Cup Final.

Rocky’s sick of everyone knowing her through Roy, she’s had enough of school, and she’s even started having panic attacks.

Now it’s up to Rocky to find her own way as a person and a player and she’s going to need all her grit and determination to do it…

Read the first chapter via the official Roy of the Rovers web site

Buy it from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

Pressure (Graphic Novel 6)
by Rob Williams and Lisa Henke
Out: 29th October 2020

Roy of the Rovers: Pressure

The final pulse-pounding story in the second scintillating season of the smash-hit phenomenon reboot!

Having had their thirty point deduction rescinded, Melchester Rovers find themselves back in the top half of the table with a chance of promotion to the Championship.

For joint-captain Roy Race, things are still far from good. With a League Cup final looming and every point vital in their quest to attract new ownership, Roy has hit a patch of rough form and can’t find the back of the net!

Prepare for a nail-biting finale as the final whistle blows on another action-packed season!

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SEASON THREE

Sudden Death (Book 7) 
ISBN: 9781781089521
by Tom Palmer
Illustrated by Elkys Nova
Out: 30th September 2021
Pages: 288

Roy of the Rovers - Sudden Death

After a dramatic season that saw Roy Race and teammates suffer a heart-breaking loss in the League Cup final, their beloved stadium burning to the ground, and an ownerless Rovers on the brink of being shut down, things were looking bleak despite securing promotion to the Championship…

A fresh season brings fresh hope though in the form of dedicated new owners, intent on rebuilding Mel Park and restoring Melchester Rovers as one of the biggest clubs in Europe, in both the men’s and the women’s game!

But a new start means new challenges for Roy, Rocky, their family, and their teammates, and with Roy’s Dad’s condition getting worse, things aren’t about to get any easier both on and off the field…

Get ready for another scintillating season of Roy of the Rovers!

Roy of the Rovers: New Digs
ISBN: 9781781089361
Out: 28th October 2021
Price: £12.99
Pages: 72
Format: Paperback
Dimensions: 259×187mm

Roy of the Rovers: New Digs - Final Cover

It’s the start of a terrific new season for Melchester Rovers. They are now a Championship club with a new kit, new owners and a fabulous new stadium. With Sowerby now fully integrated into the club, Rocky and Roy Race couldn’t be happier.

But a personal tragedy and an appalling incident during a Melchester Rovers match in Europe, will push the footballing siblings to the limit.

Game Changer: A Rocky of the Rovers Novel (Book 8)
by Tom Palmer, illustrated by Elkys Nova
Released: 22nd May 2022

Game Changer: A Rocky of the Rovers Novel

The newly formed Melchester Women’s team are going from strength to strength in their first full season of professional football, lead by the tenacious Rocky Race. But behind the scenes, the morale of the club is low.

After a shocking incident in a men’s European game, and the recent Race family tragedy, Rocky, her brother Roy, and the whole club is struggling to deal with the aftermath. What’s more, she’s fighting with Ffion her friend and there’s even talk of sending her out on loan!

Can she maintain her match-winning performances? How is she supposed to deal with everything that’s happened? And just where does her footballing future lie?

Roy of the Rovers: The £100 Million Game (Graphic Novel, Volume 8)
By Rob Williams (Writer) and David Sque (Artist)
Released 21st July 2022

Roy of the Rovers: The £100 Million Game (Graphic Novel, Volume 8)

It has been a tumultuous three seasons since Roy Race first joined Melchester Rovers. Through financial difficulties, injuries, the near-loss of their manager, new ownership and the destruction of their old ground, the Rovers have defied all expectations and now find themselves on the brink of promotion into the Premiership, having also secured a place in the cup final. As club captain and top striker, Roy has been instrumental in the Rover’s success. But although he’s found glory on the pitch, behind the scenes he has battled tragedy and heartbreak.

Now, as the season draws to a close, will Roy be able to lead his team to victory?

THE SOCCER DIARIES

The Soccer Diaries is a new series starring Rocky Race, looking to make it big in a US soccer school. Perfect for fans of Up For Air and Squad Goals.

Soccer Diaries Book 1: Rocky Takes L.A.: Volume 1
By Tom Palmer
Published 28th September 2023
Paperback, 256 Pages
ISBN: 978-1837860234

Soccer Diaries Book 1: Rocky Takes L.A.: Volume 1 by Tom Palmer (Rebellion, 2023)

Rocky Race is going to be the best soccer player in the world!

Rocky Race is not your average fourteen year old. She’s determined, ambitious and the best football player you’ve ever seen. So, when she gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a prestigious soccer camp in California, she takes it. But far from home, Rocky suddenly finds herself out of her comfort zone. Fake friends, her own anxieties and a brand new world with strange rules all threaten to derail her new life before it’s even started – does Rocky have what it takes to succeed?

The Soccer Diaries Book 2: Rocky’s Big Move 
By Tom Palmer
Published 9th May 2024
Paperback, 250 Pages
ISBN: 978-1837861002

The Soccer Diaries Book 2: Rocky's Big Move by Tom Palmer (Rebellion, 2024)

Rocky Race is living the dream: she’s won a scholarship to a prestigious high school in Los Angeles, where she gets to play soccer and train for going pro. She’s got an amazing best friend, and a supportive mum and brother back home in the UK. But living away from home isn’t easy, and fitting in with American kids in high school is scary and new. Not to mention she has to keep her grades up if she wants to stay on the pitch! Will Rocky survive high school?

Soccer Diaries Book 3: Rocky Goes for Goal: Volume 3
By Tom Palmer
Scheduled for 26th September 2024
Paperback, 250 Pages
ISBN: 978-1837862665

Soccer Diaries Book 3: Rocky Goes for Goal: Volume 3

Can Rocky Race lead her team to victory?

Now that Rocky has her grades under control, she can focus on the most important thing: she is going to the California Soccer Championships! With only weeks to go until the big match, Rocky is starting to… get nervous? But she never gets scared before a match! So why is she having nightmares, and dreading training after school? Everyone is counting on her, and she knows that winning the championship gives her a better chance of going pro. With so much pressure, will Rocky be able to step up and take the winning shot?

The exciting sequel in The Soccer Diaries series starring Rocky Race, a British footballer looking to make it big. Perfect for fans of Up For Air and The Kicks!

ROY OF THE ROVERS – SPECIALS

2020 Roy of the Rovers Summer Special Cover

Roy of the Rovers Summer Special 2020
Published 10th June 2020

The 2020 Roy of the Rovers Summer Special has all the football action you and your kids need, featuring characters old and new in thrilling new comic strips, fantastic features – including the return of iconic Roy of the Rovers artist David Sque.

This Summer Special jam-packed with fab football action – perfect for football fans of all ages – and is available from the Roy of the Rovers web shop here.

No Euros? No worries!

Roy of the Rovers Cup Heroes Special

Words: Josh Millar
Art: Ben Willsher

Published 23rd January 2019

The print edition of the Roy of the Rovers Cup Hero Special wasn’t widely available – just sold at a few football clubs) – but is available to download for free for those registering online, here on the official ROTR web site.

Roy of the Rovers and The FA team up for this exclusive one-off celebration of the FA Cup Fourth Round!

Gillingham, Barnet, Oldham, Newport – there were giant-killings aplenty in the Third Round of the 2018/19 FA Cup, and more than one commentator (and the odd manager!) called it “real Roy of the Rovers stuff”.

And how right they were! To celebrate the great wins of the last round, we’ve put together this one-off Roy of the Rovers Cup Hero Special. Here’s hoping there’s lots more Roy of the Rovers stuff yet to come in this year’s tournament!

Roy of the Rovers 65th Anniversary Special

Roy of the Rovers: 65th Anniversary Special
By Barrie Tomlinson and Joe Colquhoun
Edited by Rob Power

An incredible and historic SoftBank and limited edition hardcover, celebrating 65 years of iconic character, Roy of the Rovers.

In 1954, an unassuming young footballer named Roy Race made his debut for Melchester Rovers in the pages of Tiger. Seven decades later, Roy of the Rovers is a household name and a footballing institution, and Rebellion celebrated with the Roy of the Rovers 65th Anniversary Special, delivering all the goals and glory from seven decades of iconic football action.

Buy the Roy of the Rovers: 65th Anniversary Special from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

ROY OF THE ROVERS – REBELLION CLASSIC COLLECTIONS

Roy of the Rovers: Best of the 1950s
By Frank Pepper and Joe Colquhoun
Released 25th June 2019

Roy of the Rovers - Best of the 1950s

Celebrate 65 years of the greatest football comic ever!

They don’t come much more iconic than Roy of the Rovers. The Melchester Rovers striker of legend first appeared in the weekly Tiger comic 1954, and went on to become beloved of millions of British boys across decades of footballing adventures.

Celebrating 65 years of goals and glory in 2019, this first in a spectacular new luxury treasury series collected the very best stories from the first decade of Roy of the Rovers comics.

THE BIRTH OF AN ICON!

Roy Race is only a schoolboy – but the scouts from the mighty Melchester Rovers have spotted his talent, and now he’s on his way to a career as professional footballer! But how will Roy settle into the ranks at Rovers? Can he deal with the competition, the pressure, and the fan’s expectations?
One thing’s for certain: if he’s going to become a club legend, he better get his scoring boots on…

The legend begins here! An icon of British comics and sporting history is born, with his origin presented in glorious hardback for the first time!

Buy Roy of the Rovers: Best of the 1950s from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

Roy of the Rovers: The Best of the 1960s
By Derek Birnage, Joe Colquhoun, Fred T Holmes and Bobby Charlton

Roy of the Rovers - Best of the 1950s

They don’t come much more iconic than Roy of the Rovers. The Melchester Rovers striker of legend first appeared in 1954, and went on to become a genuine sporting hero for generations of fans, with his story spanning decades of footballing adventures.

THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND!

Roy Race, Melchester Rovers captain and star striker, strides into the greatest decade of British football: the 1960s!

League glory, European campaigns, foreign tours and a little thing called the World Cup are all on the horizon as Roy of the Rovers cements his footballing legacy.

Buy Roy of the Rovers: The Best of the 1960s from AmazonUk (Affiliate Link)

Roy of the Rovers: The Best of the 1970s – The Tiger Years
By Tom Tully, Yvonne Hutton and David Sque
On sale 11th June 2020

Roy of the Rovers: The Best of the 1970s: The Tiger Years

The 1970s was a very turbulent time in Britain. Following on from the optimism of the 1960s, the country faced a decade of strikes and power cuts. Luckily for the fans of Melchester Rovers, Roy Race and his loyal time mates provided great moments of glory for their fans, starting with European Cup final win in 1973 in the year that the club celebrated its 50th anniversary.

It was the decade in which footballers became real superstars – a time when Melchester goalkeeper Charlie Carter had to choose between staying at the club or perusing a burgeoning career as a pop singer. And it was a period when Roy Race truly cemented himself as the heart, soul and brain of the club by taking on the role of player manager.

Order Roy of the Rovers: The Best of the 1970s – The Tiger Years from AmazonUK

Roy of the Rovers: The Best of the 1970s Volume 2 – The Roy of the Rovers Years: Volume 2
Creators: Tom Tully, David Sque
Out: 4th March 2021
Hardcover

Roy of the Rovers: The Best of the 1970s Volume 2

This volume collects the best stories from the last half of the seventies. With storylines ranging from Roy highlighting and taking a stand against Football hooliganism to the alternate history of joining a World Cup qualifying England team in 1978 it’s a perfect gift for footy fans young and old!

Roy of the Rovers: The Best of the 1980s – Who Shot Roy Race?
By Tom Tully (Writer) and David Sque (Art)
ISBN: 9781781088968
Release date: 10th June 2021
Price: £19.99
Pages: 176
Format: Hardcover
Dimensions: 210x276mm

Roy of the Rovers: The Best of the 1980s - Who Shot Roy Race?

Collecting the most sensational storyline from Roy of the Rovers history! The dawn of this new decade was one that Melchester Rovers would want to forget. The 80/81 season was far from their finest hour with the threat of relegation snapping at their heels all throughout the season and exits from the F.A. Cup and the European Cup leaving the trophy cabinet bare.

But for star striker Roy Race it couldn’t be worse. His obsession with the team had caused a strain on his marriage and fractured his relationship with teammates like the hot-headed Vic Guthrie. And then there was an attempt on his life…

After being shot in December 1981, Roy lay in a coma for several weeks while Sir Alf Ramsey stepped into the dugout for Melchester. Life in a lower division beckons, but at least the Rovers will be the most stylish team on the pitch with their new Gola sponsored kits!

• Roy of the Rovers Official Site: royoftheroversofficial.com

Roy of the Rovers © 2020 Rebellion Publishing Ltd



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