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.
No comments:
Post a Comment