Retro Comic Review: ROM: Spaceknight Annual #2

 Hi everyone,

Today I'll be writing about Marvel Comics' second ROM: Spaceknight Annual. The cover was typical for the company's annuals in 1983, featuring a black background and a title headline positioned directly above the character portrait, which was once again drawn by Bill Sienkiewicz. The story was titled "To Save a Spaceknight!"

The tale began on a Dire Wraith Drakillar spaceship. where a wraith leader ordered warp witches to draw more power from their spells to enable their fleet to evade their mortal enemies, the Galadorian Spaceknights. A subordinate warned of the witches' decimating ranks and that they dare not push themselves much more than they already were. 

Wraiths were afraid that their fleet would be lost. One of them in the lead ship detected the presence of a pursuer. That entity was revealed by wraith magic to be ROM, the greatest of the Spaceknights. The Dire Wraiths leapt to their defenses, but the silver Spaceknight was already on the attack, causing drakillars to explode and sending several of his foes to limbo with his neutralizer. Several wraiths conjured up deathwings, but not even those horrible creatures were able to subdue ROM for very long. The wraith ships started to flee, thinking that their enemy could be defeated by their fellow beings on Wraithworld. 

One of the witches set up a link with their planet, and learned that their fellow wraiths were preparing for the Galadorian's arrival. One of the drakillars descended towards its surface, allowing ROM to follow it. The neutralizer's ray sang once more and caused the wraith ship to crash into their fortress. Wraiths on the ground prepared both physical and magical assaults on the silver Spaceknight. 

As ROM neared the wraith fortress, a trio of wraith witches began preparing in earnest. They started work on a spell that would make their opponent fight a never-ending battle, an enchantment that would make him think that he was constantly under attack by wraiths, even after hostilities had actually ceased. It was an impressive spell that was the focus of this issue's plotline. 

Back on Galador, the planet's Prime Director called up several Spaceknights to his chamber. Their mission would be to find and save ROM, who had led them to win their initial battles defending their world. Tarm the Seeker, Raak the Breaker, Plor the Pulsar, Unam the Unseen, Vola...Trapper and Skera the Scanner made up the Spaceknight Squadron, who set off in search of their comrade. The group soon came across remnants of wrecked wraith ships, close to their foes' black sun. Scanner picked up the trail, and Seeker led his friends to Wraithworld.

Seeker rushed into the planet's atmosphere despite Tracker's warning of an impending trap. The brazen Spaceknight flew headlong into corrosive chemical clouds but was freed by Pulsar. Raak then led the team toward their objective. Once they reached the surface, more threats arose. The squad was besieged by rocks that rose from the ground toward them, swarms of insects, wolf-looking animals who leapt to attack, strange birds who mounted an aerial assault, and even what looked like Earth quicksand. 

Raak broke free from the stones underneath him, while Pulsar's blasts kept the dogs at bay. Unam turned invisible to slip free from the insects, as Pulsar fired again to save Trapper. Vola's net saved Unam from another insect attack. Vola also used her nets to free Seeker from the birds, and he then dove into the quagmire to free Scanner. As they flew to safety, we learned that those two particular Spaceknights were brother and sister. 

Scanner used her senses to point her fellow Spaceknights in the right direction, and they moved onward toward the wraith tower. Elemental beings made of rock, fire, and water soon formed a defensive wall in front of the Galadorians. Raak and Pulsar teamed up to defeat the stone elemental. Raak's microwave rays started the water elemental boiling. Vola's net ensnared the fire elemental, and she used another net to trap the water elemental. She then pulled the nets toward one another, resulting in the beings' destruction.

After the battle was over, the Spaceknight Squadron made their way inside the wraith building. Before long, they heard the familiar cry of ROM's neutralizer. They found their friend firing at nonexistent enemies. ROM was still entranced and now thought that the new arrivals were Dire Wraiths. Seeker assaulted his fellow Spaceknight, while Trapper was able to see what ROM saw, and recoiled in horror. Raak also fired at the first of the Spaceknights, who still didn't believe their claims that he was one of their own.

It was then time for Unam the Unseen to stand in front of ROM and break the spell. After a few moments, ROM extended his hand to Unam to thank him for his bravery. Later, ROM rallied his fellow Spaceknights, acknowledging that the wraiths had fled their home planet, but were still a menace to other worlds. It was a danger that they must pledge to defeat, as it was their duty to carry on the conflict and fulfill their purpose as Spaceknights. 

I did enjoy seeing new Spaceknights and getting to learn more about their individual abilities in this tale of Galador's past. They would go on to have other adventures with ROM in later issues of the monthly comic. However, I would have liked to have also seen other Spaceknight supporting characters like Hammerhand, Javelin, and Rainbow, who last appeared after Galactus had moved their planet from its original place in the galaxy. This was a still solid story, and Buscema's artwork only continues to improve over time. We also found out that the new strange-looking wraiths are witches with magic powers and are the females of the wraith species.

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the forty-eighth issue of Marvel's ROM: Spaceknight. In that issue, we'll see ROM and Starshine address his despair and doubt about continuing the mission. We'll also see a standoff between the male, science-based wraiths and their female, magic-based wraith counterparts. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: ROM: Spaceknight #47

 Hi everyone,

Today, I'll be writing about the forty-seventh issue of the first ROM: Spaceknight monthly comic. The cover, drawn by Bill Sienkiewicz, shows a new creature. While we don't know just what it is yet, it's hinted that it may have something to do with Dire Wraiths. The story was titled "One Man's Toys...Are Another Man's Terror!" The issue had a cover date of October 1983.

On the first page, we see a pink version of the same type of entity from the cover. We learn that it's not an adult and that it is hunting. If this strange being is successful, it may enter adulthood. The alien is busy observing its prey, which happens to be a pair of humans. 

The humans in question are a young man and woman standing by a car that the man is hunched under the hood of to find the reason why it stopped working. The woman presumes that the car's breakdown was an excuse for her date to spend time with her, and makes it clear that she didn't want to go out with him in the first place. Her attention is diverted by the smell and then the presence of the alien, who approaches her before the male can look up from his work. Its barbed tongue causes the young woman to shriek in terror, finally gaining Johnny's attention.

Johnny looks up in horror and advises Mary Lou to run. Before he can do anything more, the man is grabbed with one hand before the alien's tongue pierces his forehead. Johnny screams in pain, and his body begins to fail before Mary Lou's eyes. The alien then removes its tongue from the dessicated human and begins to take his form and voice. Mary Lou tries to flee, but is quickly caught by another similar alien, one who does the same to her as her now deceased date. 

Meanwhile, ROM and Starshine are flying together hand in hand, after having experienced another adventure, this time in Russia (in the last two issues). Although the pair are very much in love with each other, the Galadorian states that their love is unnatural, mainly because they are both encased in cyborg Spaceknight armor. They cannot love one another as normal humans would. ROM states his fear that he can no longer become human again, just as they fly over a rather unusual-looking island (one that longtime Marvelites might recognize). 

As Starshine (Brandy Clark) pursues her love, neither of them is aware that they are being watched. We see a white gloved hand adjust a dial on a telescope before we get a closer look at him. We find out that it's a white fleshed being wearing a sorcerer's outfit, and talking to his master, whose skeleton occupies a throne behind him. Master of Kung Fu readers will identify these beings as the robot Brynocki and his long-dead mentor Mordillo. Brynocki has plans for these intruders and quickly changes into a military outfit before taking action.

Starshine continues to fly after ROM, hoping that he will eventually listen to reason. They glide over a clearing just before a flying machine piloted by Brynocki (with Mordillo riding shotgun) approaches them from behind. Starshine's warning of impending danger shakes the silver Spaceknight from his resolute mood, as a trio of artificial insects open fire on him and Brandy. The first salvo strikes ROM, and he crashes to the ground below. Starshine mounts a defensive attack and makes short work of the machines. Brynocki and Mordillo don parachutes after their craft is destroyed and escape safely. 

ROM revives right before a quartet of armed toy soldiers fire at him. He realizes that these artificial beings pose no real threat, and they're swiftly defeated. Not far from him, Brynocki keeps his master safe and changes outfits as he makes his way back to their headquarters. An artificial Humpty Dumpty falls toward Starshine, only to have her be saved by ROM. The Spaceknights realize the insanity of the attacks and finally see their attacker in person. Brynocki dispatches another armed robot, which ROM defeats with ease. 

Brynocki then dons a frontier outfit and shoots at the silver Spaceknight with his musket. ROM evades the shots and finds Brynocki in another disguise, this one being that of a blond curly-haired girl. The Galadorian continues pursuing the robot (who changes costumes throughout the chase) further into the castle, until Brynocki admits that he attacked the Spaceknights because he thought they were trespassers, just like Shang-Chi and his companions. Having met Shang and his friends, ROM knew that Brynocki's statements were not true. He then flew away, with Starshine soaring after him. After they left, Brynocki ran off to find Mordillo, and we see one of the skeleton's hands floating atop a nearby body of water. 

Master of Kung Fu writer Doug Moench created Brynocki to be a comic foil to Shang-Chi and the rest of his book's supporting characters from time to time, and it was good to see him being used in another comic after that title was cancelled. This was also a major shift for Dire Wraiths. Up until this issue, they were only portrayed as the same type of pasty white creatures that my brother and I used to make out of Play-Doh when we were younger. They appeared to have more menacing abilities and would prove to be much more dangerous in upcoming issues.

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about Marvel's second ROM Annual. That issue will take place in the past, as our hero continues to battle the wraith threat. We'll also see more Spaceknights for the first-but definitely not the last-time. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: ROM: Spaceknight #46

Hi everyone,

Today, I'll be writing about the forty-sixth issue of Marvel's ROM: Spaceknight title. The cover shows the titular character ensnared in a mass of tentacles of varying sizes and colors. The story was called "Bestiary!" The issue had a cover date of September 1983. 

The action began on Russian soil as wraith hellhounds attacked ROM, Starshine, and their new allies, the Soviet Super Soldiers. Although their coloring was lighter than in previous appearances in this comic, the hellhounds were no less formidable. The Galadorian was used to their attacks by now, and his neutralizer swiftly sang its song of banishment. Starshine's lighteye rays disintegrated the wraiths, leaving their Earthly hound counterparts behind. 

Ursus Major took on a pack of hellhounds that were part of a dog sled team led by what appeared to be a human being. His sheer savagery left his teammates in awe, as did the revelation that their leader was a Dire Wraith who turned into ash after being defeated by their comrade. Afterward, the hero quintet resumed the battle. They fought their way toward the building in the vicinity. They eventually came across more wraiths disguised as humans, as revealed by ROM's energy analyzer. He quickly replaced the analyzer with his neutralizer and sent them to limbo, signifying the end of the conflict. 

While ROM and his companions regrouped, Ursus Major explained how he had been injured (as shown last issue). He had followed the Gremlin into the compound. He crept inside carefully and was stunned by what he saw. Before him was a large pit in the ground. Men were forced to work around it by aliens who he now knew were Dire Wraiths. Before he could discover what was in the pit, Ursus was attacked by wraith hellhounds. He held them at bay and allowed the Gremlin to continue on, knowing that he was not the enemy in this situation.

The heroes made their way to the installation, only to find the humans that Ursus had just talked about were lying dead in front of the pit. They were then attacked by a wraith ray from above. As ROM and his companions worked to find a way out of the force field they had just been entrapped in, Vanguard noticed movement coming from the hole in the earth. Elephants, rhinos and other long-dead animals arose from the opening and moved to attack the Spaceknights and Soviet superheroes. 

During the conflict, several animals began collapsing, as their advanced ages finally caught up with them. The securasphere eventually dissipated, after the Gremlin deactivated the wraith device. More wraiths attacked, but were soon sent to limbo by ROM's neutralizer. After the battle was over, the Soviet heroes decided to keep the building as their base. Vanguard, Darkstar and Ursus Major asked the Gremlin to join them in their cause. He agreed, and was glad to finally have a place where he felt accepted. They bid ROM and Starshine farewell, as they moved on to meet the growing wraith threat elsewhere on Earth.

I felt that this was a satisfying conclusion for this two-part story. I liked the fact that the Gremlin, a former enemy of the Hulk, becamse a hero and the former outcast found people who accepted him for who he was. It also showed Brandy becoming more accustomed to her Spaceknight abilities.

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the forty-seventh issue of Marvel's monthly ROM title. In that issue, we'll see a significant change in the Dire Wraith species. ROM and Starshine will also encounter another established Marvel character that you might remember from another one of their since-cancelled books. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: ROM: Spaceknight #45

 Hi everyone,

Today I'll be writing about the forty-fifth issue of Marvel Comics' ROM: Spaceknight title. The Akin/Garvey cover depicts our hero in a literal bear hug by Major Ursus as his fellow Soviet Super Soldiers, Vanguard and Darkstar, look to attack. The tale was titled "Cry, The Mother Country!" The issue had a cover date of August 1983. 

The story started on a somber note as ROM held his lifeless clone in his arms, as he, Starshine, and the Gremlin stood over an open grave, in preparation for giving it a proper burial. As the Galadorian laid the clone to rest, he thought about the first time part of his humanity was lost, when the portion that was stolen by the rogue Spaceknight Terminator perished in battle with Galactus over their homeworld. The thought of losing part of his humanity once more drove ROM slightly mad, as he lashed out on the nearby ground with a burst from his neutralizer. The madness swiftly passed, and the silver Spaceknight was once more remorseful.

ROM and Starshine embraced for the first time since Clark was merged with her Spaceknight armor. They were finally able to profess their love for one another in person, an emotion whose strength and intensity impressed the Gremlin, since he was unaccustomed to such devoted affection. ROM then promised his love that he would find a way for both of them to regain their humanity once the accursed wraith war was finally over. 

Since the Gremlin knew little about the Dire Wraiths' invasion of Earth, ROM explained how they first arrived from their own dark nebula to attack his planet of Galador some 200 years ago. He went on to say that the wraiths continued to infect other worlds, including this one. The Gremlin thought about what he'd just heard and realized that some of the things he'd experienced lately began to make sense. 

The Russian acknowledged that his people had always been a suspicious lot. Their paranoia made them fearful of their own citizens at times. Gremlin observed how self-destructive that type of behavior was and how it had rid his country of some of its most brilliant people. He was usually left alone, since the government was more afraid of him than any outside threat, at least, until recently. The Gremlin became aware of spies who were monitoring his every move. He eventually discovered the spies and learned something so horrifying that he fled for his life since he was not willing to accept the changes he had witnessed in his comrades at the time. After hearing ROM's tale, the Gremlin now knew that the changes were because Dire Wraiths had infested his government. The Galadorian explained that the purpose of that was to destabilize his government. 

Meanwhile, inside one of the Russian government buildings in Moscow, one of those government agents was in the middle of a discussion with more Russian agents: the Soviet Super Soldiers known as Major Ursus, Vanguard, and Darkstar. The trio of Russian heroes were open to hearing what he had to say, but cautious before agreeing to anything (after their previous mission when they encountered the Hulk in issues 258 and 259 of ol' Jade Jaws' comic). Darkstar reminded her comrade, Vanguard, that they had pledged to serve the motherland, and the military agent (who we later learned was a Dire Wraith in disguise) convinced the heroes that the threat was an enemy of the state who was using the Dead Zone as a base. 

Vanguard argued that they had vowed never again to assist the Soviet government, and recounted how they were used to help them, much like their father (which they learned during their encounter with the Incredible Hulk, the Red Guardian, and the man known as the Presence, who was revealed to be Darkstar and Vanguard's father). Ursus Major went on to say how their mentor, Professor Phobos, turned the trio against the state. It was Darkstar's concern for the Russian people that convinced her partners to join her to find this so-called enemy. 

Several miles away, ROM, Starshine, and the Gremlin were transported right outside a building that the Russian had thought was a wraith base. He didn't know why it was constructed, but the silver Spaceknight intended to find out. He fired his neutralizer, just as the Soviet Super Soldiers were materializing in front of them. Vanguard's hammer and sickle deflected the blast back at its originator. 

While recovering from the neutralizer blast, ROM told Brandy that she could use her lighteyes in much the same way as his energy analyzer. She flew to meet the Russians and found herself locked in battle with Darkstar. Meanwhile, the Galadorian had just recovered when he was caught in a bear hug from Ursus Major. ROM finally managed to evade his grasp when he was struck from behind by Vanguard. While everyone else fought, the Gremlin slowly made his way toward the buildings. 

During the struggle, Starshine learned that Darkstar was two beings in one. Darkstar called out to Vanguard for assistance. He hurled his hammer at the golden Spaceknight, who soon fell to the snow below. Stunned by this, ROM retaliated by firing his neutralizer at her male opponent. Darkstar begged ROM not to slay her brother. Instead, the Galadorian used his energy analyzer to learn that their foes were mutants, not too dissimilar from the X-Men and Brotherhood of Evil Mutants whom he had encountered earlier. 

Darkstar asked about their companion, the Gremlin, referring to him as a traitor. ROM denied that accusation and pointed to the buildings that were not constructed by human hands. He stated that wraiths had constructed them, which was confirmed by Ursus Major, who returned to the fold, bearing injuries before returning to his human form. He stated that horrible things were residing in the complex, some of which swiftly came into view. 

I always enjoyed seeing the Soviet Super Soldiers. I read their earlier tale in the Incredible Hulk and knew that Darkstar had been part of the superhero team the Champions before that title's demise. I also liked the return of the Gremlin. This was an enjoyable issue, and it was good to see Brandy learning more about her newfound Spaceknight abilities.

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the forty-sixth issue of Marvel's ROM: Spaceknight series. In that issue, the battle with wraiths continues on Russian soil. We'll also find out what happened to the Gremlin and what the wraiths' plans were for the Soviet Union. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: ROM: Spaceknight #44

 Hi everyone,

Today I'll be writing about the forty-fourth issue of Marvel Comics' ROM: Spaceknight. On the cover, we see the silver Spacenight locked in combat with a green-garbed human known as the Devastator. The story was called "It Takes Two to Tango!" The issue had a cover date of July 1983. 

The tale began with Starshine (aka Brandy Clark) holding the body of her love ROM just outside of Quasimodo's cave as a cadre of Russian soldiers looked on. A series of flashback panels explains how Clark came to occupy Starshine's Spaceknight armor, her battle with Quasimodo (who had removed ROM from his own armor), and ROM's confrontation with Doctor Dredd, the late wraith witch who was able to merge Clark with Starshine's armor in exchange for her vow to rob ROM of his life essence. They led up to the present moment, where Clark thought that she had lost the man that she fought so desperately to love as he was.

Starshine soon realized that they were not alone. Clark turned and focused her lighteye beams on the Russian soldiers, melting the guns in their hands before they could even fire them. She knew from their uniforms that they were now in Russia and transported ROM inside Quasimodo's cave. There she stood in front of his silver cyborg armor, as his human body lay next to it. ROM explained that his cloned body was dying rapidly, and pointed to the stasis cube that held his remaining humanity. Starshine feared all was lost, until a voice from behind them doubted that sentiment. Clark turned to see the Gremlin behind her. The small man said that he could restore her lover if she accepted his assistance. 

Several beings flew from Moscow to the site where the Russian soldiers had come across ROM and Starshine. They identified themselves as Devastator and his Soviet Super Troopers. They were quickly debriefed and took off to find the individuals who had destroyed the soldiers' weapons. 

Meanwhile, the Gremlin worked on restoring ROM's humanity to his Spaceknight armor. As he worked, he explained to the heroes why he became an enemy of the state and talked about his encounters with the Hulk. After his last battle with the jade giant, his headquarters were destroyed, and Soviet military leaders believed that the Gremlin was dead. However, he was indeed very much alive and was shocked to learn that his father (the Gargoyle) died saving Bruce Banner, the American scientist who had cured him (way back in Incredible Hulk #1), which was contrary to what the Gremlin had believed. Feeling betrayed, the boy genius fled to his current location. He then told Starshine that he would cure ROM if she agreed to participate in his vengeance against the Soviet state. 

No sooner had those words been uttered than the Devastator and his troops soared into the cave and began their attack. The Gremlin asked Starshine to protect them while he continued his work. Brandy's attacks were effective, but she was outnumbered. Just as she squared off against Devastator, ROM was reunited with his cyborg armor. He rose from the table and noticed that both he and the cloned body next to him existed simultaneously. After that brief recognition, ROM flew to confront the Gremlin's enemies and soon found the Super Troopers to pose little threat to him. 

Starshine stayed behind, wondering how two ROMs could exist. The Gremlin explained that the human version lying in front of them was a clone created by Quasimodo, who had kept the original preserved in a stasis cube, waiting to be regenerated. Meanwhile, ROM found himself face-to-face with the Devastator. The human's power gauntlets were quickly destroyed, along with the orbiting satellite that powered them. Afterward, the Galadorian remarked that he'd made his opponent just a man, and that he envied him. ROM returned to his companions, just to see his clone die in their arms. Part of his humanity expired for the second time.

The Cold War between the United States and the former Soviet Union was a regular source of influence for many works of fiction in the Eighties, and this comic was no exception. There would continue to be more of that theme in upcoming issues. It was nice to see the Gremlin and the Devastator for the first time since their Herb Trimpe-drawn appearances in the Incredible Hulk comic. In the last issue, ROM wondered if he would ever meet the Hulk in person, something that would happen, but only in issue #296 of the Hulk's mag. If you're wondering what happened to Steve Jackson, the Torpedo and other residents of Clairton, West Virginia, you'll see them sooner rather than later in upcoming issues, leading up to the anniversary issue #50. 

This was another good issue. I felt that the story was fast-paced and focused on ROM, Starshine, and the Gremlin. It was interesting how the former Hulk enemy befriended the Spaceknights and would eventually become a hero for the motherland that had previously shunned him. Akin and Garvey's covers continued to get better, including the one for this issue. 

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the forty-fifth issue of Marvel's ROM comic. In that issue, we'll find out the final fate of ROM's clone. ROM and Starshine will also encounter other Soviet superbeings, and of course, there will be a few Dire Wraiths thrown into the mix for good measure. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: ROM: Spaceknight #43

 Hi everyone,

Today I'll be writing about the forty-third issue of Marvel's ROM: Spaceknight. On the cover, we see the familiar Spaceknight armor lying empty on the ground, as a man is transposed above it, declaring that he is finally ROM: Spaceman. The story was aptly named "Rom--Spaceman." The issue had a cover date of June 1983. 

On the first page, we see ROM rejoicing after regaining his humanity in an apparent paradise in Russia. He reaches down to smell flowers, stops to marvel at birds, and sees his reflection in the water below him. He also sees what he believes to be a reflection of Brandy Clark, the human that he's loved since he first landed on Earth. 

ROM decides to take a swim and emerges from the water feeling refreshed and invigorated. Unknown to our hero, he is being observed by Quasimodo, the being who granted his request to become human (in the last issue), and several Dire Wraiths. Quasimodo pointed to the remainder of ROM's humanity held in a stasis cube behind him. His alien companions demanded that their hated enemy suffer, and Quasimodo vowed to make that happen, but he would not have his allies around to witness it. 

The wraiths were puzzled by this remark, until Quasimodo noted that it would they would likely deem him to be too dangerous one day, and try to remove him from the armor. He then summoned ROM's neutralizer from subspace and sent his companions to limbo. While Quasimodo gloated about his imperviousness to harm, two figures began to materialize behind him. 

As ROM continued to walk, he thought about his plan to profess his love to Brandy, until he realized that his friend Steve Jackson also loved her. He also thought about the wraith war, which was far from over. He vowed to let other heroes take on that responsibility. ROM continued to marvel at the beauty of his surroundings until he noticed his new friends, whose bodies seemed to be decomposing in front of his very eyes. He ran to them, wondering what had happened. One man explained that Quasimodo lied, and that he could not prevent them from dying, but instead merely delayed their demises temporarily.

ROM ran from them in terror. He couldn't believe that what had happened to them would happen to him. However, when he looked into the water once more, he saw that his body was already beginning to erode. The Galadorian curled into a ball, unaware that Quasimodo was looking on and laughing at him in his Spaceknight armor. Quasimodo soon learned that he was not alone, as Doctor Dredd and Starshine announced their presence. Starshine obeyed Dredd's commands and immediately attacked the silver Spaceknight. Quasimodo heard Dredd say that he had merged Clark into the Starshine armor, and knew that he was not her intended target, and that the wraiths who could have explained the situation were in limbo after he banished them there.

Quasimodo used ROM's neutralizer to attack his foe, but was again weakened by Starshine's light eyes energy blasts. He fled the chamber and soared out of the cave, right past ROM. Seeing this, the Galadorian wondered if his remaining humanity was still intact. Starshine and Dredd ran past him, unaware that he was the one they were really after. ROM didn't need his armor to know that Dredd was a wraith, and lunged at him. Dredd realized that his opponent was the real ROM.

Meanwhile, Starshine pursued Quasimodo and continued to follow her orders to strip the silver Spaceknight of his life essence. She essentially did just that, as Quasimodo chose not to face further punishment and fled the suit of armor, which collapsed to the ground afterward. Seeing what she had accomplished, Clark was overwrought with grief. She returned to Dredd, only to find him locked in combat with what appeared to be a decomposing human. ROM defeated the wraith witch, who turned to dust as he passed away. The Galadorian then reached out to his beloved, who realized who he really was and rushed to his failing body. 

This was another interesting issue. A classic tale of how good things often come with strings attached, or other similar kinds of consequences. It was good to see Quasimodo again in this two-party story and I think that Mantlo wrapped up both storylines nicely. This issue was also promoted in the Bullpen Bulletins column, and it was well worth reading just to see how ROM reacted to his second chance at becoming human.

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the forty-fourth issue of Marvel's monthly ROM: Spaceknight title. In that issue, we'll find out what happened to ROM and Starshine. We'll also see appearances by a few characters that previously appeared in issues of the Incredible Hulk. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: ROM: Spaceknight #42

 Hi everyone,

Today I'll be writing about the forty-second issue of Marvel Comics's ROM: Spaceknight. The Joe Jusko cover shows the silver Spaceknight on a table, as a beam of wispy green energy emanates from a protruding ray above him. The tale was titled "Lead Me Not Into Temptation!" The issue had a cover date of May 1983. 

The story began back in the issue where ROM and Doctor Strange battled their respective opponents in the previous issue. Those conflicts were over, and the Galadorian wondered what his mortal enemies, the Dire Wraiths, would do next. ROM explained to the sorcerer why he arrived on Earth and talked about the superheroes that he met along the way. Strange asked to see proof of the wraith infestation, and the silver Spaceknight used his energy analyzer to display pockets of wraith activity around the planet. 

ROM pointed to one such activity cluster, which happened to be in the Soviet Union. Strange transported the Spaceknight there, while he returned to his sanctum sanctorum. Strange realized the wraith threat, but realized that he could be more effective in combating the menace in his own way. 

In Russia, the Galadorian is astounded by the horrible state of his surroundings. The area looks like it had been hit by a bomb blast. ROM's energy analyzer didn't detect any traces of Dire Wraiths, but he continued on in pursuit of them. As he did so, the silver Spaceknight was unaware that he was being watched on a monitor in an undisclosed area by someone as yet unknown to the readers.

Before long, ROM made his way out of the devastated plains and into what appeared to be a paradise on Earth. Vegetation was lush and green, and he noticed several healthy, hale humans rejoicing together. One of the women spotted the armored alien, and the group quickly welcomed and accepted him into their fold. ROM asked who they were to sing so sweetly. The reply was that they were the dead.

Meanwhile, in Clairton, West Virginia, the downcrest Torpedo sat on a sidewalk, as Steve Jackson tried to console him. The hero was unable to save the town from Starshine's attack or prevent her and Doctor Dredd from escaping. Brandy Clark's father came running up to the pair, asking what had happened. Steve and the Torpedo (aka Brock Jones) explained everything to him, including Brandy's plan to slay her fellow Spaceknight.

Back in Russia, ROM's universal translator confirmed what he was hearing. The Spaceknight was still incredulous about what he had heard. One of the humans explained that several bombs had once decimated the region. Those in the blast radius were segregated, in fear that they might contaminate others. They drifted back to their homes until a voice from a nearby cave called out to them, saying that they would be granted new life...and so they were. 

Intrigued by this, the silver Spaceknight learned where the cave was and set off to find the voice while entertaining the possibility of perhaps becoming human once more. He bravely ventured into the cave, and eventually found the source of that voice, coming from a viewing screen. That screen beheld the face of Quasimodo, the artificial being who had helped the people ROM had just met. Quasimodo's intentions appeared to be good, and he was confident that he could help the Galadorian regain his humanity.

ROM didn't question Quasimodo's motives and gladly agreed to give up his Spaceknight armor in exchange for his humanity. The process began minutes later. ROM lay on a table, while his cyborg armor was examined. The Galadorian was overjoyed at the thought of being human and being able to finally embrace Brandy Clark in his arms. What he didn't know was that Quasimodo had been working with the Dire Wraiths and planned to place himself in the silver armor.

While ROM slept, the procedure continued. Cells were extracted, and a new body was forged. Before long, ROM awoke and found himself looking at his own flesh, instead of the cold cybernetic suit. He gleefully left the chamber, profusely thanking Quasimodo, who was now in his Spaceknight armor. As he watched from the same monitor with a cadre of wraiths by his side, Quasimodo said that the worst would still be yet to come for the former Spaceknight. 

Series writer Bill Mantlo talks about the loss of half of ROM's humanity regularly in the comic, ever since Terminator, who stole that portion, died attacking Galactus. It was interesting to see ROM become human once more, but of course, Quasimodo's warning on the last page didn't bode well for the hero of this magazine. Quasimodo is one of those rarely used Marvel villains that you don't see very often, but usually enjoy those appearances anyway. 

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the forty-third issue of Marvel's monthly ROM: Spaceknight series. In that issue, we'll find out what ROM does with his newfound humanity. It's also a major turning point in Brandy Clark's career as the Spaceknight Starshine. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: ROM: Spaceknight #41

Hi everyone,

Today I'll be writing about the forty-first issue of the first ROM: Spaceknight ongoing comic book series. The cover featured the titular character next to Doctor Strange, with the three-faced head of the entity known as the Living Tribunal in the background. The story was called "The Dweller On The Threshold!" The issue had a cover date of April 1983.

The tale began with a single panel, well drawn by Sal Buscema, depicting the exterior of Doctor Stephen Strange's home in Greenwich Village in New York. On the second page, we see nine different sections of the home's interior. Readers are gradually led upstairs and through a semi-opened door into Strange's sanctum sanctorum. Here, the Sorcerer Supreme is levitating slightly above the floor, as he meditates and spells are formed. Stephen uses the Eye of Agomotto and focuses it on the orb standing in front of him to peer into the dark dimension that ROM was drawn into (at the end of the last issue). 

Strange learns how the two beings locked in combat in that dimension came to be there. He is stunned to learn of the Dire Wraith presence on Earth, as he was previously unaware of their invasion. The good doctor is content that the children were saved, but decides not to remain neutral in the conflict. Strange soon transports himself into that same dimension and sees the Galadorian still locked in combat with the imposing alien. He observes that ROM's neutralizer has no effect on his opponent.

Before Doctor Strange can intervene, a voice from behind him warns him not to cast his spell. He turns toward the source of that voice, to find the Living Tribunal towering over him. Strange recounts his previous encounters with the Tribunal in his mind before speaking. The Living Tribunal reminded the sorcerer of his previous oath to keep the balance between good magic and evil magic, and announced that Strange had failed that promise, because his very existence kept black magic on the decline. Strange did not deny that fact, and countered the Tribunal's words by adding that he strives to protect innocent beings, and that doing so may unwillingly disrupt that balance. 

Strange was not about to let the evil alien gain favor over ROM, if he could do something about it. The Tribunal deemed the sorcerer guilty, and pitted him against the In-Betweener. Strange was about to enter a battle he did not want to fight in the first place. 

Even though he was quite a distance away, ROM heard part of Strange's conversation. He realized that there was more at stake than just wraith evil here. The balance between order and chaos stood in the balance. The Galadorian was not about to give up, though, even though he knew his neutralizer's rays had little effect on his opponent, and the dweller came closer to Earth with each passing moment. 

The silver Spaceknight was soon touched by the Tribunal's power, as the entity reached out across the dimension. ROM felt himself being distorted, until he returned to the doorway. This time, instead of a menacing creature, he found a brown-haired male adorned in a white cloak, who talked to him calmly about his ability to grant the Galadorian's wish to become human once more.

Back in Clairton, West Virginia, the formerly peaceful small town was suddenly under attack. This time, it was from the power of the new Starshine, aka Brandy Clark, who was inhabiting the cyborg Spaceknight armor and obeying the commands of Doctor Dredd, a male wraith witch who merged the human with the suit of armor. Brandy's fiancé, Steve Jackson, and his friend, the superhero known as the Torpedo, were stunned by the betrayal. Jackson was especially hurt by the recent turn of events, knowing how much in love they once were. The Torpedo flew to meet Starshine's attack, but was defeated just before she and the wraith teleported elsewhere, presumably to fulfill Dredd's desire to slay ROM.

In the dimension between realities, Strange was distracted during his conflict with the In-Betweener by his concern for the Spaceknight. He noticed how ROM had been allured by the potential of being reunited with his late love, Ray-Na, Karas (the first Galadorian to wear the Firefall Spaceknight armor) and his world's Prime Director, among others. The man in front of the doorway convinced ROM that the wraith war was over, and that it was okay to follow him into a world of peace where he would be welcomed and rejoin his friends. 

Strange watched the silver Spaceknight step through the doorway as he fought the In-Betweener, knowing that ROM was about to walk into a trap. The In-Betweener used that distraction to strike back at his foe, just as the spell over the Galadorian was lifted. ROM soon realized that he was back on Wraithworld, and the being with whom he had just been speaking was a wraith-spawned creature, ready to attack him. 

This time, ROM's neutralizer was able to banish the Dweller on the Threshold to limbo. Afterwards, the Galadorian found himself in front of the Living Tribunal and the In-Betweener, with Doctor Strange's body lying next to him, after being defeated in battle. The Tribunal exclaimed that the balance between good and evil was once more out of balance. This time, the silver Spaceknight declared that wraiths tipped the scales of evil against humanity, and that he had arrived on Earth to help them regain the balance and let them deal with their natural opponents. 

Before the Tribunal and In-Betweener vanished from sight, the Tribunal noted that he takes everything into consideration and told the Galadorian to either be victorious or face the consequences for not doing so. ROM was left next to the unconscious Stephen Strange and promised to succeed in his mission.

This was one of the first times that I'd read about the Living Tribunal and the In-Betweener. I didn't know much about them (until I read a What If issue about Korvac), but I found them both to be interesting characters. I was glad that Strange finally interacted with ROM and would continue to do so over the next few years. I have to admit that I was a bit surprised by how easily our hero believed the Dweller in disguise, but I knew that the wraith war did take its toll on the Galadorian from time to time, and he longed for its end to come sooner rather than later. 

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the forty-second issue of Marvel's ROM: Spaceknight. In that issue, we'll see what happens with ROM and Doctor Strange after the sorcerer has recovered from his battle. We'll also learn more about the aftermath of Clairton's attack by Starshine and Doctor Dredd, and see another well-known Marvel character, one who might just be able to grant ROM's wish of becoming human. Until then, have a great week, and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: ROM: Spaceknight #40

 Hi everyone,

Today I'll be writing about the fortieth issue of Marvel's monthly title, ROM: Spaceknight. The cover of this issue shows the titular character bound by strange pink tendrils, as a Pied Piper leads children around him. The story was called "Piper of Peril!" The issue had a cover date of March 1983.

The tale begins with a coven of wraiths. Several Dire Wraiths are wearing robes and chanting, while other unclothed wraiths stand around watching. The wraith witches are rejoicing at the fact that the black sun of their dreaded dark nebula will soon be in alignment with Earth. Several wraiths mock the witches, noting that their sorcery has failed recently, where wraith science might have succeeded. The witches remained undaunted by the recounting of those incidents (from previous issues), stating that those missteps were because Earth champions assisted ROM. This time, the witches were confident that they would control the planet's children. 

Meanwhile, the silver Spaceknight was busy soaring through the air after his latest adventure, marveling at how powerful the wraith sorcery he had encountered recently was. As he flew, the Galadorian remembered days back on his home planet, before the wraith war began and his beloved Ray-Na was one of its casualties. His thoughts then wandered to his growing love for the Earthling Brandy Clark and the realization that he could never be human again. That last thought drove ROM to crash headfirst into a stone wall. He surprised himself by surviving the crash, but his woes were soon forgotten as he peered into the nearby town.

There, the Spaceknight saw a gaily attired being making music with his pipe, as several children followed him. Knowing that wraiths had recently used Earth children in their latest schemes, ROM assumed that this was another one of their evil plots and followed their trail. The musician eventually stopped and continued to play his flute on top of a hill. As he did so, his summoner song brought forth a small star, one that continued to increase in size exponentially as he played, until the star revealed a glimpse into another world. 

That world was the dreaded Dark Nebula, home to the Dire Wraiths. The flutist continued to goad the entranced children toward the portal entrance to that planet until ROM intervened. He had been watching from afar and stood in front of the portal. The Galadorian was determined not to lose any more of Earth's children. 

Back in Clairton, West Virginia, Steve Jackson was held in place by a mystic bolt from Doctor Dredd. Steve was unable to prevent his girlfriend, Brandy Clark, from being merged into the cyborg armor that previously belonged to the deceased Spaceknight Starshine. Dredd explained to Jackson how Starshine had transferred her light essence to Clark before departing the mortal coil and how Clark was determined to become a Spaceknight so that she could be closer to her love, ROM. The Torpedo broke through a nearby window and used the analyzer power that the silver Spaceknight gave him to ascertain that Dredd was indeed a Dire Wraith. However, even though he bested the wraith in combat, by the time their scuffle was over, the Torpedo was struck from behind by the light eyes of Starshine, whose armor was now inhibited by Jackson's fiancée. 

At the same time, ROM was using his own energy analyzer to learn that the musician who had entranced children was also a Dire Wraith. He used the mystic powers of his musical instrument to bring forth eldritch energies to ensnare his accursed enemy. The Galadorian knew that the bonds would not hold him for long, and that they were employed to delay him from preventing the shadowed Dweller on the Threshold's arrival on Earth. ROM finally broke free, just as the strange beast from the Dark Nebula appeared in the portal's open doorway. The silver Spaceknight's neutralizer sang its song of banishment to limbo for the wraith musician, and ROM flew straight toward the new invader. His momentum carried both of them into the dark dimension, just before the portal closed. Back on Earth, the hypnotized children awoke from their trance, as if nothing had just happened. 

This was another of the first issues of this title that I ever read. The Steve Leiahola-drawn cover enticed me, and it was a rather enjoyable story. It wasn't the first time that a human was placed in Galadorian Spaceknight armor (former criminal turned hero Archie Stryker previously inhabited the Firefall armor), but it was the one that lasted the longest and was the most notable during this title's 75-issue run. Sal Buscema's artwork was well embellished by Akin and Garvey as usual. 

That's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the forty-first issue of Marvel's ROM: Spaceknight. In that issue, we'll learn what happened during ROM's battle with the Dweller on the Threshold. He'll also interact with other established Marvel characters, including one that was mentioned early in this title's run. We'll also find out where Brandy's loyalties lie, now that she has the powers and Spaceknight armor that once belonged to ROM's former fellow Galadorian Spaceknight Starshine. Until then, have a great week, and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: ROM: Spaceknight #39

 Hi everyone, 

Today I'll be writing about the thirty-ninth issue of Marvel's ROM: Spaceknight title. We're treated to another fun cover by Gene Day, as Shang-Chi and ROM ascend a pyramid in front of a Sphinx statue. It's interesting to count and recognize all of the smaller images within the pyramid. The tale was titled "Deathrise!" The issue had a cover date of February 1983.

The story began with the visit to the British Museum in London by a group of schoolchildren. The tour was being led by a woman, who had stopped to talk about their recent acquisition of the mummy of former Egyptian Princess Kaaris'a, a young leader who had been entombed while still alive. Children laughed and made jokes about the mummy, but the newest addition to the museum was no laughing matter to Shang-Chi or his companions Dennis Nayland, Black Jack Tarr, Clive Reston, and Leiko Wu. 

Smith said that the young girl's body had been discovered in an unmarked sarcophagus under the desert sands. He went on to recount what a scroll that was buried with her explained, which was told in a series of flashback panels. Kaaris'a's people saw a strange light from the sky one day. The pharaoh went to investigate and found a gleaming chariot of golden fire in the sands. An alien being emerged from the vehicle, one that was able to assume many identities, and did so before settling on that of a young girl. This form appealed to the pharaoh, who believed it was the child he'd never had, now brought to him. 

The child was named Kaaris'a and was welcomed into the high court, and soon began her education. Several priests were concerned about the youth, primarily due to what they had witnessed as she began to hone her skills in the dark, mystic arts. In less than a year, the pharaoh had passed away, having been killed by a classmate of the young girl. Kaaris'a took his place on the throne, and a marked change, not for the better, began to permeate both the city of Memphis and the land of Egypt. Eventually, the people decided that they'd had enough and rose up to confront the young leader. They bound and wrapped Kaaris'a, and buried her alive, and soon erased her from their history, until then. 

Shang noted that the legends said that the girl would rise again, and he had reason to believe in them. The quintet was then informed by a guard that the museum was about to close. As they made their way to the exit, a quartet of robed individuals walked up to the same guard. One of them entranced the guard to convince him to let them and the children they had enchanted move further into the museum. 

Outside after the museum had closed, Shang-Chi's friends loitered, wondering where their comrade was. Inside the museum, ROM watched the strangers head toward the new exhibit. He had identified the wraith smell without the use of his energy analyzer. As the silver Spaceknight, he observed Shang-Chi follow the group. 

One of the hooded figures exclaimed that they had found their wraith sister Kaaris'a. Several of the robed wraiths began chanting, as entranced children stood silently near them. Both Shang and ROM watched from safe distances, wondering what would happen next.

Meanwhile, back in Clairton, West Virginia, Steve Jackson was driving by his fiancée Brandy Clark's employer when he saw a bright light on at midnight. He got out of his car and walked toward the building, growing uneasy after witnessing suspicious-looking shadows. Steve broke down the door and raced down the hall to find his girlfriend and the golden armor of the fallen Spaceknight Starshine suspended in the air by an unknown person. Steve called out, asking what the stranger was doing to his girlfriend. The man identified himself as Doctor Dredd and said that he was simply granting Brandy's wish.

Back outside the museum in Great Britain. Tarr, Wu, Reston, and Nayland caught up with the security guard who had previously been entranced. The guard had no memory of allowing the individuals that Shang's friends had observed previously. Nayland noticed that the man appeared to be in a kind of waking sleep and was able to rouse the guard from his hypnotic trance with the flame from his lighter. Tarr took the guard's keys and went back to the museum in search of Shang.

At the new exhibit, Dire Wraiths continued their chant as the binding around the mummy began to slowly unwind. The girl's face was revealed just before ROM and Shang-Chi emerged from their hiding places to confront the strangers. The Galadorian quickly explained who he was and his purpose in being there to Shang. His neutralizer sang, just before one wraith used its magic to bring other nearby exhibits to life. 

Shang and ROM fought the new opponents, while the children continued to unwrap the mummy. The master of kung fu was battling a larger foe when his friends decided to lend a helping hand. The battle raged anew, and the silver Spaceknight continued banishing wraiths to limbo. Unfortunately, Kaaris'a was eventually freed and posed a formidable threat to the heroes in the room. Nayland realized that the alien intended to kill the hypnotized children. 

While ROM fought Kaaris'a, Shang looked for a weapon. He found one in a nearby glass case. Shattering the glass, he grabbed several throwing stars and hurled them at the ancient invader. The weapons ripped through her neck, and Kaaris'a slumped in two pieces toward the floor below, before dissolving into dust. The humans rushed forward to prevent the children from hurting themselves as they collapsed. Shang-Chi and his companions stood with ROM as they all mourned the costs that their victory took.

I really enjoyed this two-part epic. This issue was featured in the monthly Bullpen Bulletins column, probably to increase interest and readership in both titles. Even though it was the only time that ROM would meet up with Shang and his friends, it wouldn't be the only time that characters from the Master of Kung Fu monthly color comic would appear in ROM's mag.

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the fortieth issue of Marvel's ROM: Spaceknight comic. In that issue, ROM will have another solo adventure and face a new evil. We'll also learn more about just what Doctor Dredd planned to do with Brandy Clark, and if he was successful. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: ROM: Spaceknight #38

 Hi everyone,

Today, I'll be writing about the thirty-eighth issue of Marvel's ROM: Spaceknight. The cover, drawn by Gene Day, shows a translucent ROM, behind Shang-Chi, with a quartet of Dire Wraiths interspersed in the overall image. The story was called "Suffer the Little Children!" The issue had a cover date of January 1983. 

The tale begins from Shang-Chi's perspective. We see the star of the monthly Master of Kung Fu title hiding behind a tree, as several robed figures make their way toward a building on a foggy evening. Shang peers from his hiding spot and observes one of the figures waving a clawed hand that emits an energy bolt, which breaks the door of the facility. Shang knows that the beings aren't human and decides to investigate further.

From one of the barred windows, Shang sees the figures descend a staircase and eventually enter a room where several caskets have been placed. A trio removes the lid from one of the caskets, revealing a long-dead girl's skeleton. One of the robed beings utters incantations and orders the skeleton to rise. To Shang's amazement, she sits up and asks who had called her. 

The hero decides he's heard enough, and Shang-Chi breaks through the window to pounce upon the beings. We soon learn that the robed figures are Dire Wraiths, who seek to prevent the human from granting the dead girl's request to be released. The wraith who caused her revival uses magic to temporarily incapacitate Shang, but he fends off the attack and tosses a nearby lit lamp at the wraith witch, causing it to incinerate into dust. The remaining wraiths turn into blackbirds and attempt to flee, but are also destroyed after being struck by the same lamp that extinguished their leader. After the battle, Shang turns to the open casket and asks the dead girl to resume her eternal slumber. He does not know yet just exactly what Dire Wraiths are, or why they attempted to revive the girl, but he intends to learn the answers to those and other questions that the encounter raised. 

At the same time, on the western coast of Wales in England, ROM: Spaceknight stands beneath a different tree, his energy analyzer grasped firmly in one armored palm. He had used the device to track wraiths to a house just mere feet from where he stood. He recalled his encounters with young Sybil and Stephen (as recounted in recent previous issues) before venturing further. Before the Galadorian could move forward, a car was parked in front of the house's front door. An elder, bespectacled gentleman departed from the vehicle and knocked on the front door. It opened slightly, and an older woman from inside learned that the visitor was a man named Carruthers, who was there in his official capacity as an orphanage inspector. 

ROM watched the exchange and quickly realized that the woman was Mara, the wraith witch who had once been young Sybil's caretaker. He was shocked by this revelation, knowing that he had sent the wraith to limbo before freeing the child. Curious, the silver Spaceknight stealthily walked closer to the building. The inspector was led by Mara up a flight of stairs to the children's room. The youth were all sitting up at the foot of their beds. He demanded to know why one child's flesh was ice cold, to which Mara was more than happy to soon show the children's true identities as Dire Wraiths. The wraiths attacked the human just before the silver Spaceknight burst through the window.

The energy analyzer revealed that all in the room except the Spaceknight and Carruthers were wraiths. ROM soon learned that this Mara was a sister witch to the one he'd banished (in issue #33). She and her companions attacked their foe, much to the human's astonishment. Carruthers took advantage of the commotion to escape, while ROM fought the wraiths who continued to change forms throughout the skirmish. 

Carruthers soon made his way to the basement, where the children had been kept. However, a wraith witch stood over the entranced youngsters and used her magic to turn several of them into foul, monstrous-looking entities. He was frightened, but summoned enough courage to fling a nearby torch at the witch. The witch began to dissolve, but was about to lash out before ROM's neutralizer ray sent her to limbo. With the witch gone, the children reverted to their normal appearances. 

At Stormhaven Castle in Scotland, Shang had not confided in his friends about his battle with Dire Wraiths. Nayland Smith was preoccupied, reading a newspaper article about the mummy of an Egyptian child princess that was going to be delivered to a British museum. Upon hearing that, Shang asked to see the article. Seeing the similarities between the child in the photo and the one from the casket, he asked his partners to depart for London at once. 

Meanwhile, at Brandy Clark's employer, a pharmaceutical lab in Clairton, West Virginia, Brandy stood before a table where Starshine's Spaceknight armor lay. She wondered aloud what she was doing and hoped to accomplish by taking the armor there. She was startled by a stranger who knew that she wanted to become a Spaceknight. The man identified himself as Doctor Dredd and claimed that he could help her accomplish that goal.  

The clever cover of this issue drew me in initially, and the parallels between Shang-Chi and ROM's interactions with Dire Wraiths kept me reading. This issue was also one of the reasons why I later went on to collect the Master of Kung Fu title's first series run in its entirety. Both encounters and Brandy's plans moved the storylines along rather well. 

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the thirty-ninth issue of Marvel Comics' ROM: Spaceknight. We'll see ROM meet Shang-Chi and his supporting characters for the first time and unite against a common foe. We'll also find out just what Doctor Dredd had in mind for Brandy Clark. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: ROM: Spaceknight #37

 Hi everyone,

Today I'll be writing about the thirty-seventh issue of Marvel's ROM: Spaceknight title. The cover, illustrated by Ed Hannigan and Al Milgrom, shows the titular character being likened to a knight (shown behind him) from years past. The story was called "In Days of Olde, When Knights Were Bolde!" The issue had a cover date of December 1982. 

The tale began where the last issue left off, with our hero standing by himself in a field in the English town of Gwillin Dale. ROM had freed a young boy named Stephen (who likened the Galadorian to Earth knights from centuries ago), but was unable to prevent him from being taken away by Dire Wraiths. The silver Spaceknight vowed not to rest until the children from the small hamlet had been rescued.

A few minutes after ROM uttered that vow, angry townspeople arrived. They admitted that they had been scared by the wraith invasion, but were now determined to get their children back. Some of them weren't convinced that the Spaceknight wasn't the enemy, even after he turned his energy analyzer's rays on them to ascertain if any wraiths were hiding among them. The Galadorian soon took off in search of the youngsters.

As he flew, the Galadorian regretted being harsh to the townspeople, but knew that the wraith conflict needed assertiveness and action. ROM used his energy analyzer to track his enemies. Their trail soon led him to a trail beneath the Earth. 

Meanwhile, in Clairton, West Virginia, Brandy Clark's fiancé, Steve Jackson, arrived at her parents' home. He was wondering where Brandy was, since she hadn't shown up to work in days, and her landlord had no clue as to her whereabouts. Her father suggested that she had simply taken a few days off to deal with the stress of ROM's recent departure. Jackson ran off and was soon spotted by the Torpedo (Brock Jones), who was appointed as the town's protector in the Spaceknight's absence. Steve asked Brock if he had seen Brandy, and stated that she'd gone missing. Jones replied that he'd just seen Brandy the night before at Starshine's grave.

While Steve was stunned by that news, neither of them knew that Brandy was still at the city cemetery. She was now digging up the fallen Spaceknight's grave. Brandy smashed its glass covering with her shovel and carefully placed Starshine's armor in the trunk of her car. She then declared that if ROM could never be human again, she would have to become a Spaceknight. 

As for the silver Spaceknight, he was busy tracking the wraiths in England and eventually located their hiding place: a stone castle that had stood for centuries. ROM drew nearer to the castle, and a trio of wraith hellhounds soared to greet him. One hound was able to phase its hand into the Galadorian's Spaceknight armor temporarily, but ROM still managed to banish the wraiths to limbo, leaving behind the dogs from Earth who the wraiths had infested with their dark magic.

ROM continued on his quest and found a pair of Watchwraiths waiting for him. They posed no danger to him. Not even their freezing plasmifire was a match for ROM's armor. During the battle, one watchwraith fell into the deep waters of the moat surrounding the castle. Afterward, the Spaceknight continued his search on foot, entering the castle through a nearby doorway. As he did so, his energy analyzer informed him of previous conflicts that had been waged by ancient forces of good and evil in that building in the past. The stories of some of these conflicts were tales that young Stephen, a boy abducted by wraiths in the previous issue that the Galadorian had vowed to save, had been raised on. 

The silver Spaceknight drew ever closer to the boy, as a wraith sorcerer and its underlings prepared to use the children they had captured for their sinister plans, once their beloved dark nebula aligned with Earth. ROM was very close to their chamber, but on the way there, he fell into the brackish waters, after the stairway he had been descending gave way. As he swam, ROM used his energy analyzer once more and soon found a wall with depictions of knights from many years past inscribed upon it. The images seemed to bolster the Galadorian's spirit and confidence. He burst up into the floor of the room where the Dire Wraiths had been lurking moments later, and swiftly dispatched several of his attackers to limbo.

The wraith witch conjured up dark apparitions to combat the Spaceknight. ROM continued to fight, even when it seemed like their darkness might consume his very being. Just when all looked hopeless, the images of the knights ROM had just seen shone through. At one point, it looked as though the long-dead warriors had risen to combat this new alien menace. However, that was apparently just a dream that the ROM had...or was it? One of the children roused the Spaceknight from his slumber. He awoke to see that the children had been freed and the wraiths were gone. The Galadorian didn't know just what had happened, but he was relieved that the youngsters were no longer in danger, and that the wraith threat was over, at least for now, anyway.

This was an unexpected but satisfying conclusion to this two-part story. I have to commend writer Bill Mantlo for his commitment to comparing ROM's mission to those of the knights of merry olde England. It was another fun story, embellished brilliantly as always by penciler Sal Buscema.

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the thirty-eighth issue of Marvel's monthly ROM: Spaceknight title. That issue starts another two-part epic. This time, ROM will encounter more wraiths and meet another longstanding Marvel character. We'll also learn where Brandy Clark took Starshine's cyborg armor. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: ROM: Spaceknight #36

 Hi everyone,

Today, I'll be writing about the thirty-sixth issue of Marvel's ROM: Spaceknight monthly comic book. The cover showed the titular character holding up a dessicated Dire Wraith in one hand, and his neutralizer in the other, while a young boy was trussed on a cross that was propped by two wraiths behind him. The Spacknight declared no mercy on his mortal enemies. The story was called "The Sign of the Victim is...Scarecrow!" The issue had a cover date of November 1982. 

The tale began with ROM saying his goodbyes to Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner, and his subjects in Atlantis. Namor and Sybil bid the Galadorian a fond farewell. ROM soon found himself swimming amongst whales. He used his universal translator to interpret their soothing songs and marveled at the planet's myriad lifeforms. The encounter made him think back to his arrival on Earth and its value to him, even though he feared that his humanity was lost to him forever. 

Meanwhile, in ROM's adopted hometown of Clairton, West Virginia, Brandy Clark stood in the cemetery before the grave of the fallen Spaceknight Starshine. She felt bad for the Galdorian, who had loved ROM just as she does. Clark knelt before the grave, saying she should have perished in the battle with wraiths instead of the Spaceknight. Just then, a strange light emerged from the grave. An apparition of Starshine appeared before the young woman. Brandy was startled, especially when the ghost spoke. Starshine stated that she and Clark were sisters of the soul and imbued her Spaceknight power on the human. The apparition disappeared, but when Brandy reached out for the tombstone, she saw a bright light emitting from her hands as she did so. 

At the same time, ROM was still swimming with whales. He thanked one of them for sharing their songs with him before flying away. The Galadorian soon found land and noticed a young boy tied up on a cross alone in the middle of a field, as if he were being offered up as some sort of sacrifice. The boy asked the Spaceknight if he was there to take him, like all the others. ROM had no idea what the child was talking about, but walked up to him and broke the ropes that bound the child to the wooden cross. 

When the Spaceknight asked him who had left him there trussed up, he explained that his parents did so, because it was his turn. He had been selected as an offering to fend off evil from his village of Gwillin Dale. The boy went on to explain that his town had been peaceful until evil in the form of Dire Wraiths arrived. The aliens stole several children and informed the townspeople that if they wanted their village to continue, they had to offer a child every time there was a full moon. The villagers initially resisted the request, but soon acquiesced, and the offerings began. 

The child admitted that he had prayed to Saint Stephen, his namesake, in the hopes that someone would save Gwillin Dale from the evil wraiths. ROM explained that he would do his best. Just then, several strange-looking birds filled the night sky. They soon shed their disguises to reveal their wraith personas. A wraith high witch dared the Galadorian to banish his mortal enemies to limbo, as he had vowed to them. The wraith witch went on to say that they chose to congregate openly because once a year, the rays of their home dimension's black sun would reach Earth. That evening was just such a night. 

ROM battled the witch, and the intervention of other wraiths diverted his neutralizer's aim. He quickly turned on his attackers and banished them to limbo. More wraiths attacked from behind, with ray guns whose blasts were able to disrupt the Galadorian's cyborg circuitry momentarily. While he was surrounded by a trio of Dire Wraiths, ROM saw young Stephen being carried away by two more wraiths. He summoned the strength to throw off his opponents and flew off to save the child, just after one more blast knocked the neutralizer from his hand. 

Unfortunately, ROM wasn't fast enough to save the boy from being taken away by wraiths in the black portal that he had been carried off into. Frustrated, the silver Spaceknight tore the ground underneath him until more wraiths dove at him. He fought them off bravely, including one who changed shape before expiring in his hand. Stunned by the realization that he had taken a life, ROM was taken aback. He turned in time to see a pair of wraiths attempting to run off carrying his neutralizer. The Galadorian quickly overtook them and bashed them into each other, killing them instantly. ROM then declared that only death would befit such evil creatures. 

He soon learned that the feeling was mutual, as more wraiths took up their guns and fired at the silver Spaceknight. This time, ROM casually pivoted and aimed his neutralizer rays at the Dire Wraiths, swiftly banishing them to the limbo dimension. Only foul-smelling piles of gray ash were left behind. ROM then looked at the cross that Stephen had been affixed to, and remembered how the child had compared him to a knight of ages past. The silver Spaceknight then vowed to not rest until Gwillin Dale's children had been saved.

The parallels between this issue and legends of King Arthur and other storied knights are quite obvious. I was initially surprised by the dark turn ROM took after killing a wraith, but I understood the anger that had been bubbling underneath. Fortunately, he never turned evil, like his fellow Spaceknight Terminator once did before redeeming himself. 

This was an enjoyable issue, even though there weren't very many characters featured. I still preferred Buscema or Sinnott's inks, but I grew to appreciate Akin and Garvey's inks as the series moved along. It was a good solo tale that couldn't be contained in a single issue. 

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the thirty-seventh issue of Marvel Comics' ROM: Spaceknight. We'll find out what happened to Stephen and the other children from Gwillin Dale. Readers will also learn more about how Brandy's encounter at Starshine's grave would impact not only her, but also other important people in her life. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: ROM: Spaceknight #36

 Hi everyone,

Today I'll be writing about the thirty-fifth issue of Marvel Comics' ROM: Spaceknight title. The cover showed our hero alongside Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner, along with other Atlanteans who all look on as pitch black beams turn three beings in front of them into skeletons. The story was called "Agony In Atlantis!" The issue had a cover date of October 1982. 

The tale begins with ROM and the Sub-Mariner staring at a tall, brownish entity standing before them, next to a black pearl that was perched atop a tripod. The creature that emerged from Neptune's cave last issue was one that Namor had faced before (in the old Tales to Astonish book). A Dire Wraith high witch, disguised as an amphibious being, had sacrificed her being to the crystal. The crystal's energy was then focused on reviving the creature. Endowed with wraith magic, it began striking out at the denizens of the surrounding sea. 

Namor feared that the creature would head toward his citizens in Atlantis. ROM explained to him where the Dire Wraiths came from, and his goal of driving them from this world, as well as his and Sybil's encounter with wraiths before meeting the Sub-Mariner. Namor told the Spaceknight that he had saved the young female before she reached the water and headed back toward Atlantis. ROM quickly followed him.

Meanwhile, in Atlantis, Sybil was safe in a bubble of air...for the moment. Three of Namor's were stunned by her appearance inside one of their buildings. The one called the Oracle crept away, shedding his disguise to reveal his wraith appearance. Once he was alone, he was determined to kill the human. Before he could do so, Sybil warned the Atlanteans that their land was under attack. They then turned to see that the monster was now upon them. 

Two aides moved to sound the alarm and prepare defenses against the creature. As Atlanteans moved to protect their home, Sybil noticed the wraith who aimed to harm her. The creature proved to be formidable, and its black light eye beams even reduced several Atlantean guards to skeletons. Most of the other Dire Wraiths who had been entrenched in Atlantis took the opportunity to flee, hoping that the monster would crush the undersea city. 

Namor and ROM arrived before long to join the battle. Together with other brave Atlanteans, the conflict continued. The Sub-Mariner eventually told the Spaceknight that he had once defeated the beast by containing it within a maelstrom. ROM doubted that the same plan would work this time, since the creature was now much bigger and infused with Dire Wraith magic. Namor was undaunted and rushed to gain the creature's attention.

The Galadorian was impressed by Namor's bravery and went to join him, using his neutralizer to hopefully dissipate the monster's energy beams. It seemed for a while that the maelstrom and neutralizer rays would not be effective. ROM and Namor retreated from their enemy and made their way to Atlantis, where they learned that the city was under attack by Dire Wraiths. They arrived just in time to defeat Sybil's attackers. ROM sought to avenge what he presumed was the human's demise and joined the conflict against the wraiths.

Fortunately, all was not lost. Namor instructed ROM to put the girl in a chamber that had been used on other Atlanteans. She recovered, but found that her skin had turned blue and she could breathe underwater (which had previously been shown in other Atlanteans in issues of Subby's own mag and Marvel's Super Villain Team-Up). She was now an Atlantean. Sybil thanked the heroes for her rescue and decided to stay in Atlantis to aid Namor and his people. 

I felt that this issue wrapped up the three-party story satisfactorily. Unfortunately, I don't believe that Sybil was ever featured in another Marvel comic afterward. It also set up Namor's 4 issue mini-series that was released not long after this. I enjoyed seeing the creature that I also saw in the Tales to Astonish issue #71, which was mentioned before. 

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about Marvel's thirty-sixth issue of ROM: Spaceknight. In that issue, ROM departs Atlantis and faces another wraith threat. We'll also learn a bit more about Brandy Clark's intentions. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: ROM: Spaceknight #34

Hi everyone,

Today I'll be writing about the thirty-fourth issue of Marvel Comics' ROM: Spaceknight title. The Al-Milgrom drawn cover shows the title character ensnared by strange beings underwater, who are apparently under the command of the Sub-Mariner. The story was called "Some Day My Prince Will Come, Or...Enter: The Sub-Mariner!" The issue had a cover date of September 1982. 

The tale began with ROM and the young girl Sybil (whom the Spaceknight had saved from Dire Wraiths in the previous issue) standing together on a cliff. The Galadorian comforted the sightless youth, who saw through his cold cyborg armor to the kind heart of the man within. ROM rejected her claims of his humanity, knowing that the half of his humanity that Terminator stole from him perished on his homeworld when he did. Sybil wept at the thought of being left alone at her family home. 

ROM sympathized with the child after learning that wraiths killed her parents and replaced them, intending to experiment on the human. The silver Spaceknight realized that the child was afraid of living and decided to do something about her blindness. He summoned his neutralizer from subspace and focused a narrow beam on the wraith sorcery that caused it. Within minutes, Sybil was able to see again for the first time in years. The Galadorian decided to leave, but not after he used his neutralizer once more, this time to destroy Cliff House and take Sybil with him on his travels. 

While the pair searched for a new home for Sybil, in the legendary kingdom of Atlantis, its ruler, Prince Namor the Sub-Mariner, summoned his followers so that they could hear the oracle of Lord Neptune. One of his subjects grimly approached his leader with news of potential upcoming misfortune for their land. The wizened citizen held the Neptune Nautilus in one hand. The bauble came from Neptune's cave and was often used to predict the future. Another subject noted that the item had never been wrong in its predictions before.

The elder Atlantean went on to say that the Nautilus had shown him visions of magic and spells in an alien language being uttered in an Atlantean cave, which unleashed unknown dangers. Enraged by this news, Namor swam off toward the source of this threat. On his way, he silently pledged to protect his nation and its people. 

Meanwhile, ROM had noticed that he and Sybil had been traveling for hours. Just then, Sybil awoke in time to warn the Spaceknight of wraiths in the area. The Galadorian was skeptical, since they were now flying over water, but they were soon confronted by a strange sea serpent that fired bolts of energy from its open maw. ROM's energy analyzer revealed that the being was an electric eel who had been transformed by wraith magic into its hideous incarnation. A quick neutralizer blast eliminated the threat, but the Spaceknight and his female companion fell toward the waters below after the victory. 

Luckily, the Sub-Mariner swooped down in time to save Sybil from splashdown. He asked the girl who she was, and Sybil explained that she and ROM had been attacked by a sea serpent that had been sent forth by Dire Wraiths. Namor put the girl in a bubble from a nearby bubble fish and instructed the animal to take her to safety, while he went to save the Spaceknight, as he had vowed to do. 

ROM was unconscious when his body hit the water. He continued to submerge deeper and deeper until he awoke and turned on his respirator. The Galadorian summoned his energy analyzer from subspace and went off to find Sybil. At the same time, Namor was searching for ROM. He reached out to a nearby fish, who informed him of an impending attack on Atlantis' most sacred shrine. While he swam to save his citizens, the silver Spaceknight followed his analyzer's lead until he located the source of the wraith magic. As he peered into the cave opening, he noticed several unusual-looking creatures swarming around an ominous black pearl.

The convocation was interrupted by the announcement of ROM's presence. The wraiths in disguise as underwater beings panicked. One of them was thrown by his colleague into the pearl, whose energies were soon used to focus a beam into Neptune's cave. ROM was soon attacked by the wraiths. Fearing that his mortal enemies had abducted Sybil, the Galadorian fought bravely and was able to ward off each one of his opponents successfully, until the toxic ink of one foe had him immobilized. 

The Spaceknight was freed from his imprisonment by the Sub-Mariner's assault on the alien being. Namor declared his identity to the wraiths and was ready to defend himself and the Galadorian. ROM's neutralizer soon sent several wraiths to limbo, but one of them escaped and sacrificed itself to the black pearl. The black pearl's magic was then utilized to bring forth a massive creature that had not been seen in Marveldom since Tales to Astonish issue number 71. 

Namor was one of Marvel's earliest superheroes, dating back to the 1940s. He was revived in the Fantastic Four comic and was a sometime Defender. He also had his own comic for about six years, after starring in Tales to Astonish before that title was named the Incredible Hulk, starting with issue #102. He's one of those kinds of characters that is featured every now and then and then goes dormant for a while. 

I liked this issue, even though none of the usual supporting characters were featured. I always enjoyed seeing ROM pair up with other well-known Marvel characters, because they brought relevance to the licensed character. By now, he had firmly established himself in the Marvel universe. Although I missed seeing Joe Sinnott's inks, Akin and Garvey embellished Sal Buscema's pencil art nicely.

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the thirty-fifth issue of Marvel's ROM: Spaceknight. That issue wraps up the trilogy. We'll find out what the menace from the last panel of this issue was, and what happened to Sybil. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: ROM: Spaceknight #33

 Hi everyone,

Today I'm writing about the thirty-third issue of Marvel's monthly ROM: Spaceknight title. The cover has some impressive imagery. We see a young blonde female being chased by a blue and black hound in the foreground, with a black, alien shadow and the translucent image of ROM's head in the background. The story was titled "Mine eyes have seen the glory..." The issue had a cover date of August 1982. 

The story starts with a young girl standing by herself. An older lady holding the leash for a dog comes down a winding staircase, calling out for Sybil. The woman asks Sybil what she is doing by herself. The girl explains that she was down at the shore looking for her parents, who sailed away years ago and have yet to return. The wizened woman tells Sybil to waste her time. We learn that the young girl is blind, and the dog named Conquistador leads her back to the house on the hill. 

Aunt Mara has been Sybil's guardian since her parents' disappearance. Although she kept her safe all those years, Sybil still hoped that her knight in shining armor would come and save her. We then get a glimpse of a familiar character who could grant that wish. 

As ROM soars in the air above his adopted hometown of Clairton, West Virginia, several residents notice his appearance in the skies. Some sing his praises, while others have other concerns. Steve Jackson and Brandy Clark stand together. Jackson notes that other towns may be menaced by Dire Wraiths. Clark laments the Spaceknight's solitude and states that she has loved him since first setting eyes on him (in issue #1). Jackson comments that the two of them were supposed to be engaged. Clark walks off, not wanting to talk about that, and expressing her desire to be reunited with the Galadorian she loves. Steve notes that ROM isn't a man, to which Brandy replies that she'll have to find some way not to be a woman.

Inside the local newspaper office, Mack Killburn stops typing for a moment to wish the Spaceknight well before resuming his new job. Brock Jones and his family wish ROM well as he soars by. Brock wishes he could join them as the Torpedo, but his wife reminds him that he's still healing (from injuries inflicted during his recent battle with Hybrid) and that he has four other priorities, namely his wife and children, right beside him. 

Outside the city limits, the silver Spaceknight stops to ponder his purpose. He thinks about the wraith threat that has moved from his home galaxy to this one. He stands resolute, firing his neutralizer's ray into the air above him while reaffirming his commitment to purge Earth of the wraith menace, or die in the process. He takes some time to think about the why. He wonders if he has stayed on Earth. After all, there's nothing left for him to return to on Galador, because the remaining half of his humanity perished there (which had been stolen by the fallen Spaceknight Terminator who perished during their battle with Galactus). He reminisces about his humanity before the wraith war began, and longs to hold Clark in his arms and declare his love for her before pressing onward.

Meanwhile, at the residence known as Cliff House, young Sybil hugs a beloved large teddy bear, thinking about happier days with her mother and father as a child, before they and her sight were taken from her, and Aunt Mara entered her life. She said that doctors postulated that the shock of losing her parents caused her blindness, and wondered if her parents still loved her, and asked once more why they hadn't returned.

Unbeknownst to the child, an otherworldly gathering was about to take place. Mara opened the door to a half dozen members of her wraith brethren. After they entered, Sybil heard the commotion and ventured down the stairs to learn more, noting that her aunt never had guests. She crept up to the closed doors, and the wraiths talked about their use of the island as a base after killing its former owners years ago. One wraith asked Mara why she kept the girl alive. She explained that Sybil would eventually serve a larger purpose, much like the dog before, who had been transformed into a telepathic hellhound. Until then, they had never converted humans, but Mara suggested that the girl would be their first experiment.

Shocked by what she had overheard, Sybil rushed from her hiding place. As she attempted to flee, she inadvertently knocked over a vase. The crash alerted the wraiths in the other room, and the hellhound leapt after her. The dog, whom Sybil knew as her faithful companion Conquistador, phased through the set of doors in hot pursuit. Sybil was unable to open the door by herself.

Just then, the door suddenly opened from the outside. ROM stood in front of young Sybil and quickly fended off the hellhound's attack. He smashed the dog to the ground and advised the girl to run for safety. Sybil and her companions noticed the silver Spaceknight and went after him, just after the hellhound phased through the ground where he had just rested.

Several wraiths transformed into other creatures and attacked the Galadorian from behind, along with the hellhound. The hellhound was on ROM's back and was about to bite when he turned a dial on his armor and emitted a solar charge, which knocked his assailant backward. The hound charged once more, but this time, ROM summoned his neutralizer from subspace and eliminated the wraith sorcery. The dog was still in mid-flight and soared over the Spaceknight into the deep waters below, apparently to its demise. 

ROM lamented the animal's unnecessary loss, but soon found him self up against a wraith High Witch. The being formerly known as Sybil's Aunt Mara tried to enthrall the Galadorian, but ROM's neutralizer swiftly sent her to limbo. Afterward, the silver Spaceknight raced off to the moors to aid the young girl. By the time he arrived, he found Sybil hunched up against a tree. She was frightened but unharmed. ROM then learned that the wraiths who had pursued her had met their own grisly fate in the moors, which knew how to protect their own kind. 

This was another one of the first ROM issues that I ever read, and I was impressed by the art and storytelling. My one regret was that Sybil didn't become a more prominent supporting character after the multi-part story ended. It also set up Brandy Clark's future for the rest of the series' run. 

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the thirty-fourth issue of Marvel's ROM: Spaceknight. In that issue, ROM will meet a very well-known Marvel hero that's been around for decades. It also features the appearance of someone who hasn't been around since the old Tales to Astonish title was being published. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.