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.