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.
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