Hi everyone,
Today I'll be writing about the fifty-first issue of Marvel's monthly ROM: Spaceknight comic book. The cover shows Starshine apparently on a rampage. The tale was titled "Gloves Off!" The issue had a cover date of February 1984.
The story began with Starshine flying toward the drawbridge in her hometown of Clairton, West Virginia. When she reached her destination of the bridge control tower, she ordered the operator to keep the bridge raised. The scared human obeyed, and Starshine's light eyes fused the controls to ensure that the bridge stayed in that position. She then flew toward the crowd assembled on one side of the bridge. Starshine's light eyes revealed that several female wraiths were included in the gathering. She accused the aliens of being guilty of crimes against humanity and meted out a death sentence with her light rays. The wraiths sizzled and burned before expiring in front of frightened humans who ran for their lives.
ROM arrived in time to bring a frightened young boy to his mother. He was ashamed of his love's harsh methods, even though she probably learned them from him. The Galadorian reminded her that they were sworn to protect her fellow humans, and not terrorize them. Brandy suggested that they know terror, thinking that it might wake them up to the atrocities that wraiths committed against those she loved dearly. She then flew off in anguish. ROM followed her to a nearby hillside. Brandy expressed her grief over the recent losses of those people and directed her toward the town, where last rites for those lost in the wraith war were about to be given.
A funeral procession soon began, as several townspeople marched coffins toward the cemetery. A reporter from out of town asked one of the pallbearers what the ceremony was supposed to symbolize. The man just said that it's merely how they honor the dead. The newsman went on to give his live report in a town that had been decimated, with many people going missing. The man he had just interviewed said that if the reporter wanted answers, he should follow them to the town cemetery.
When they arrived, the people found ROM and Starshine waiting for them. The newsman didn't understand, but the man he'd interviewed told him to listen to the Spaceknights. ROM began with his homeworld of Galador, which Starshine portrayed, forming an image of the planet from thin air. The Galadorian described how peaceful his world was until the Dire Wraiths arrived. He went on to say how their Prime Director recognized the threat and asked citizens to stand up to it. ROM was the first to volunteer, and he and several other brave men and women were grafted into cyborg suits of armor, becoming Spaceknights. They valiantly led the charge against wraith armadas. ROM described their victory in the first battle, but the war had just begun.
Knowing that the wraiths could assume any form they wished and would undoubtedly attempt to rule other planets, the Director asked his warriors to continue the fight, even though it meant delaying their return to humanity. ROM and his colleagues stayed loyal, even as some lost loved ones, like ROM's beloved Ray-Na. ROM's quest led him to Earth. His arrival interrupted the wraith plans to take over this planet.
Brandy went on to say that Dire Wraiths had infiltrated the town. ROM helped to eliminate the threat, but only temporarily. They soon sought their vengeance, and it came at a heavy cost. She lost her fiancé, parents, and others dear to her in the recent conflict. Many in Clairton died when wraiths took their very souls and life essences. She went on to describe how she was the first person to witness ROM after his arrival on Earth. She was naturally scared but began to understand him and his cause. She also learned early on about the consequences that the wraith war would take.
Clark explained that the original Starshine perished defending our planet and that she decided to be like ROM if she wanted to be with the Galadorian. Starshine's spirit had already passed her light essence on to her, and the assistance of a male wraith witch named Doctor Dredd helped her to integrate her body into the Starshine suit of armor. She helped ROM face multiple menaces, just before they returned home and found an even greater threat waiting for them there. Only the interference of the wraith brethren, the Skrulls, allowed ROM and Starshine to escape from their wraith prison, but it was unfortunately not in time to save the city. She then asked those in attendance if they would believe their tale.
ROM admitted that he originally tried to fight the wraiths in secret, but that was unsuccessful. He lamented the loss of far too many innocent lives and swore to slay his mortal foes instead of banishing them from that day forward. He asked those assembled to join their cause, not knowing that wraiths were secretly watching him. They vowed to either take over Earth or make things so that the planet could no longer support life of any kind.
This issue was a nice send-off to Clairton, a fictional town which, as far as I know, has not been featured in another Marvel Comic since. It was also a good jumping on point for new readers. After the devastating events of the previous comic, it was good to see ROM and Starshine unbroken, having found renewed spirit and courage enough to tell the world about their fight that, up until then, had been unknown to most of the world.
Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the fifty-second issue of Marvel's monthly ROM title. In that issue, we'll learn more about the Dire Wraiths' plans. We'll also see how their invasion has been taken seriously and spread to other corners of the country. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.
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