Retro Comic Review: Spaceknights #5

 Hi everyone,

Today I'll be writing about the last issue in Jim Starlin's Spaceknights miniseries. The cover for this issue shows the same characters from the cover of the second issue in the exact same poses, except this time the characters are fully decked out in their Spaceknight armor. The story was aptly named "War!" The issue had a cover date of February 2001.

The Spaceknights stood ready to combat the Wraithknights who stood before them. Terminator, Firefall, Pulsar, Hammerhand, Scanner, Vanium, Starshine, Javeline, Liberator, and Sentry were well aware of what might befall them. Sentry led the charge against their foes, and the battle began. 

It was a spirited skirmish until the wraithknights began to retreat, mere moments before the allied forces entered the arena. The Trion ship detected the presence of the wraith Deathwing just as it took to the skies to renew the assault. Like his predecessor, this Firefall took on the new opponent head-on and actually caused it to scream aloud in pain. 

Tristan had no sooner wished for Axadar when the Galadorian neutralizer appeared in his waiting hand. Suddenly, everything was now clear to him. He used the legendary weapon to neutralize the threat and defeated the Wraithknights and soon sent the deadly Deathwing to the limbo dimension. The Nazgoth couldn't believe what it saw. Its wraith companions retreated toward their nebula, and the conflict was effectively over. 

When the Spaceknights regrouped, Liberator explained that Axadar had sensed the impending attack and sent itself to subspace before the black hole generator was fired. It had called to him in Galador's moment of need. He also added that the detonator was set by Lord Gaspar, who had been possessed by Dire Wraiths at the time. 

The colonial vanguard later arrested the Spaceknights for disobeying orders, but understood the reasoning once explanations were made. Balin stood before their government council and took full responsibility for their actions. He was given a medal of honor. Gaspar was located by the Angel Elite, but by that time, he was nothing but an empty shell of a man. His mind had been completely wiped, and there was no trace of the wraith possession. 

Wraithknights who fell in battle had mysteriously disappeared, and DNA found on Sentry's sword was identified as Galadorian. There were still plenty of unanswered questions, but at least the neighboring worlds that recently allied against Galador were now reunited with the planet under Brandy Clark's guidance. 

The tale ended with Tristan and Balin speaking to each other on the same balcony where their father spent a fair amount of time. Clark was Galador's new Prime Director, and Balin congratulated his brother on being Axadar's chosen person. He was confident that their father would be proud of him. A celebration was about to begin for the new era, one that had shown its mettle in combat and was more than ready to face any future threats to their golden world.  

I thought that this was a fitting end to the miniseries. There were still several loose ends. like where the Nazgoth were from or how they first became involved in the story. I also wondered what nebula the wraiths retreated to, since their home planet of Wraithworld had been destroyed in ROM #65. As far as I know, Marvel hasn't done anything more with these characters since this limited series, but there have been wraiths and Spaceknights who have appeared in various Marvel mags since. Even Galador has been featured from time to time. 

Well, that's all for now. I hope you enjoyed this series of reviews. Please feel free to let me know what you think about these recaps. I'm going to take a break, cover the Minnesota Twins' season after it wraps up, and then start another retro comic series on a different title. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: Spaceknights #4

 Hi everyone,

Today I'll be writing about the fourth issue of Marvel's Spaceknights limited series that started in 2000. The cover shows Balin and his girlfriend Rhanla (aka the Spaceknight Scanner) together, as other Spaceknights prepare for battle. The story was called "Retreat and Regroup!" The issue had a cover date of January 2001.

The tale began right where the last issue left off. Prince Balin had just had another vision, this time of a menacing enemy cloaked in shadow. He wanted to cry out to his teammates, who were busy preparing to teleport to safety. 

Val (the Angel Elite, also known as Sentry) led the way and warned the crew on their spaceship that a hostile enemy force was after them. Once his crew arrived, Val and Starshine argued about the decision to retreat. Val stated that their homeworld of Galador had to be informed that the Dire Wraiths were once more a threat. The duo had to be separated before their leader, Tristan, ordered them to stand down. Val told Tristan that their communication system and Galador was two cycles away. 

The closest Galadorian outpost was on an observational satellite in the colonial vanguard sector, a destination that their ship was already en route to. Ship scanners had already detected the presence of their enemy following them. What they didn't know then was just who that foe was.

Back on Galador, Brandy Clark stood before the planet's war council. She informed the committee that their security had been breached by an intruder. A Pah Ree collapse bomb was used to destroy the Axadar neutralizer by exploding and creating a miniature black hole. Lord Gaspar (who we know was responsible for the disruption) expressed his fear for the Spaceknights who had been dispatched to Trion, noting that they had no response from them, and that Pah Ree, Trion, and Kelozyn warships had amassed in the Kael sector and ignored Galador's communication requests. Other council members expressed their concerns, but generally agreed with Clark that war should be avoided if possible; Brandy added that conflict avoidance should not cause their empire to cease to exist.

On their way to the outpost, Balin and Rhanla talked about Balin's visions. Balin knew that his visions were serious, and they had already told him that the Wraiths were a more potent threat now than perhaps ever before. He swore that they would prevail together before regaling his girlfriend with the Earth legend of Sir Lancelot and the knights of the Round Table.

In the Kael sector of space, commanders of the orbiting Trion, Pah Ree, and Kelozyn ships talked. Kelozyn Overseer Biandu and Ssath Xyoss of the Pah Ree seemed to think that joining forces was the best course of action to take against the Galadorians, while delegate Yova of Trion observed that Spaceknights had actually fought against his planet's invaders, and that they had been allies of his planet for many generations. Biandu went on to say that the planet Angelica was poorly defended and swore blood for blood after claiming that it should be leveled as their worlds had been. 

The Spaceknights soon arrived at Hammer Outpost Delta 7, a vanguard space station that was manned by Spaceknight cadets who didn't quite make the cut. After their craft docked and their crew disembarked. Balin and his colleagues were informed that Axadar had been destroyed and that war preparations had begun. In the ready room, more Spaceknights began to take Tristan's visions of Dire Wraiths as the greater threat seriously. 

That initial suspicion was broadcast from the space station to the chambers of the Galadorian High Command. Council members commended the Spaceknights for their efforts, but some of them doubted the return of their longtime enemies. Gaspar asked for more concrete evidence of Balin's claims, and his assertion that his brother Tristan was the only one who could see them raised questions, especially after it was repeated that Tristan had reported that his brother had been suffering delusions. Before the conversation could continue, an Angel Elite guardsman informed the Galadorian leaders that allied forces were moving into Angelica. 

Meanwhile, the masterminds of the division and conflict were conspiring on a ship that was hiding in an asteroid belt near Angelica. They were readying for another attack. The allied armada would be met with a wraithknight contingent that would, of course, be mistaken for Spaceknights. 

Back on the space station, an alarm sounded as news spread that Angelica Prime's orbit had been entered by an invasion force. Vanguards would investigate, while Tristan's Spaceknights would return to Galador for review. A quarrel began between Spaceknights and cadets before the Spaceknights agreed to leave the station. Before they did so, Tristan and Balin spoke to each other. Balin was confident that he could locate the wraiths. 

On the hangar deck, the Spaceknights opted for a different course of action than previously stated. Since Balin was the only one who had visions of the Dire Wraiths, they decided to use that ability to find him. His girlfriend, Rhanla (aka Scanner), would use her ability to link all of their minds to Tristan, so that everyone would be aware of the threat at the same time. They suited up and flew to meet the enemy, and quickly found a squadron of Wraithknights lying in wait for them. 

I thought that this issue set up the finale well. Balin seemed to be the outcast initially, but he became more beloved and respected as this miniseries went on. My one complaint is that we really didn't learn much about the Nazgoth, who were identified in issue #1 or the connection between them and the Dire Wraiths. It would also have been nice to see more of the connection between the wraiths that ROM and his comrades faced and the current iteration. 

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the final issue of this limited series. We'll find out what happens when the Spaceknights battle against the wraithknights. There will also be an appearance by something that we thought was gone forever. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: Spaceknights #3

 Hi everyone,

Today, I'll be writing about the third part of Marvel's five-issue Spaceknights limited series. The cover shows a Galadorian facing off against an as-yet-unknown foe. The story was called "Redemption!" The issue had a cover date of December 2000.

The tale began after the first mission that the new Spaceknights embarked on. Their leader, young Prince Balin, bemoaned the fact that their mission to Trion had left one dead and two dozen more wounded against no enemy casualties. His confidant, Val, was perplexed by the mysterious ally of the Trion whose cloaking could not yet be penetrated and whose weapons were equal to those of the Galadorians. 

Balin agreed that they must know the identity of the Trions' ally, but it was something that his brother Tristan already knew. Tristan had been confined to sick bay after confessing his visions to his brother and announced that the secret enemy was none other than the world's feared foe, the Dire Wraiths. He went on to say that these wraiths were far more powerful than the ones that tormented previous generations of Spaceknights. Val assumed that this could be possible, but Balin dismissed the news, because the wraiths had been sent to the Ebon dimension years past, and that his brother's psychic flashes weren't proof enough of his claims. 

Tristan then had another vision, this time of their encampment being attacked by wraiths. Balin dismissed it as an insane rant and restricted his brother to sick bay as a patient until further notice for the duration of the expedition. He then left with Val, saying that his brother had been unstable even as a young boy. He blamed the behavior on things their mother, Brandy Clark, had said.

In her own chambers on Galador, Clark spoke to Lord Gaspar about the mighty weapon Axadar's rejection of her son Tristan. She noted that their empire was weakened without an active Prime Director. Gaspar suggested that it might be better for the planet to cut its losses and grant Trion its independence. Clark worried that doing so would spell doom for the Galadorian empire. She thought that unity was the best possible solution, and was surprised by his suggestion, not knowing that he was secretly conspiring against her. As they parted, Gaspar mused how the world was about to lose Axadar, and was about to use an outlawed gravitational imploder that would send everything within a quarter sec's radius into a black hole, including Axadar, in just two hours. 

Back on the Spaceknight vessel, Balin insisted that he was sane. Val was willing to believe him, noting his rationality. Val offered to be his wingman, just before Balin had another vision of a threat that was thought to be long dead. Their encampment was now under attack, as Balin had predicted. Tristan called it a mere coincidence and pulled his soldiers into a defensive formation. 

Val lamented Tristan's tactical skills, which still needed some work, but was glad that Pulsar's force field could protect most of the Spaceknights. Val urged Balin into battle, right before they suited up in their Spaceknight armor. Several Trion citizens watched the skirmish from the ground, noticing how both Trion and Spaceknight warriors had joined forces. Moments later, a Spaceknight fell dead before them, making the people aware that tricks were being played, but who perpetrated them was not yet clear.

Balin and Val opted to join forces to combat the mysterious foes. Tristan was outraged that both of them had joined the fray until Val noted how every available Spaceknight was needed. The new enemy who attacked was powerful enough to test the Spaceknights' mettle personally with hand-to-hand combat. Tristan eventually lunged at the foe, striking in the name of his late father and Lightningbolt. Terminator lived up to his name, as his opponent was soon defeated, but fell unconscious after his victory.

Another wraithknight joined the battle just as Balin rushed to save his brother. He was able to grasp Tristan with one hand and use his free hand to fire his weapon at close range at the second wraithknight. The enemies retreated temporarily, before reinforcements arrived in the form of Deathwings, a formidable wraith creature that was thought to be extinct. 

Val directed the citizens and other Spaceknights to Trion's surface, where Pulsar was soon developing another shield to protect them all. It held, but the strain was torturous. Balin remembered how his father had once defeated a Deathwing, as did the original Firefall, who the current Spaceknight with that same moniker shares an existence. This Firefall went on to say how the original had been captured and tortured for two centuries. Vanium attempted to teleport his comrades to a safe place just before Tristan had another vision.

It was good to see that Dire Wraiths were still around in this issue. After ROM was cancelled, they had appearances in other Marvel titles, including Hybrid (before his mutant abilities were removed). Deathwings were always drawn well by Sal Buscema, and this incarnation, illustrated by Chris Batista, honors those original renditions. We start to see a shift in power from Tristan to Balin, and a little bit of the treachery from within Galador's government.

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll be covering the fourth issue of this limited series. We'll find out what Tristan's latest vision was and how the Spaceknights react to the wraith threat. We'll also learn what Galador's leaders plan to do and how their actions, or lack thereof, impact surrounding planets. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: Spaceknights #2

 Hi everyone, 

Today, I'll be writing about the second issue of Marvel's Spaceknights limited series that began in the year 2000. The cover showed ten of Galador's newest guardians, including one of the Angel Elite. The story was called "Dishonor!" The issue had a cover date of November 2000.

The story started on a Galadorian balcony as Mistress Brandy Clark and her son Tristan talked about an unknown enemy and the fact that several neighboring worlds had blamed recent evil events on Galador. She worried that the planet Trion's secession to form an alliance with those other worlds threatened their realm's foundation.

Tristan was a bit more optimistic about the situation and that his brother Balin, who was leading the Trion expedition, would find the unknown enemy before long. Brandy wasn't so sure, having experienced other similar threats in her past life. She was still disturbed by the fact that Axadar, her late husband's powerful weapon, rejected Balin. If it hadn't, she had no doubt that Balin would have been universally accepted as Galador's new Prime Director. 

Before she could say much more, Brandy noticed the pained look on her son's face. He explained that he had wrenched his knee in training, but didn't tell her that he'd been startled by the vision of a mystical Dire Wraith. Lord Gaspar advised Balin to have his knee checked out by their medics, noting that Spaceknights should be in top physical condition.

Tristan left soon afterward. Minutes later, he stood before the stasis tube that held Axadar. Legend has it that it can only be wielded by a true leader. He wondered why it rejected his brother Balin, who then asked if his little brother was trying to usurp his birthright. Balin had already viewed himself as the planet's next ruler and quickly shoved his brother aside. Rejection seemed to affect him more than he initially led on, as Balin observed his older brother had returned to his previous bullying ways.

Six hours later, Balin and his crew were preparing for their first mission together. While their ship orbited the planet Trion, the Spaceknights Hammerhand, Scanner, Lightningbolt, Firefall, Pulsar, Starshine, Javelin, and their leader, Balin, aka Terminator, reached the world's surface, with Val the Sentry bringing up the rear to evaluate their performance. Tristan, aka Liberator, was also a part of the Spaceknight exploratory team. Members of Trion's military were ready for them. They had already begun their native war cry, which was understandable, because many of their major cities had already been attacked. 

Terminator ordered a battery of subspace blasters to be readied for their defensive line, which Sentry persuaded him to set at a non-lethal level. Firefall was commanded to disperse the Trion army with his plasmifire while the other Spaceknights sought to restrain or disperse their opponents. The battle was swift, but unbeknownst to all participants, they were being watched by a pair of strangers, who seemed very pleased with what they saw before them. 

As Trionians who had surrendered were being rounded up, Tristan began to question things, like Lightningbolt's initial weapons setting that were at lethal levels before the skirmish started, as well as his brother's leadership. He soon saw Balin berating Val for daring to question his authority. Doing so in front of his troops was not leadership. The Spaceknights were soon called to assembly.

Back on Galador, Lord Gaspar was establishing contact in a private room with an unknown associate. The advisor informed his colleague that a beachhead had been established on Trion and that the seeds of discord had already begun within Galador's populace. Its citizens were divided as to whether or not they should be involved in the events on Trion. The stranger complimented Gaspar on his efforts, adding that a divided people would therefore be easier to conquer. 

Balin later informed his troops that blast evidence showed that an unidentified adversary was using technology similar to their own, and that Trion scanners couldn't distinguish the differences between them. He then dispatched patrols to search for any signs of the unknown foe. Tristan and Lightningbolt were paired up. Tristan soon had a vision that informed him that what they were looking for was on the other side of a nearby mountain. Even though the mountain was outside of their scanning area, the pair went to investigate.

They soon found a long-range tracking device that was Galadorian in design but made of a material that neither of them knew about. The strangers that we saw earlier had the Spaceknights in their sights. One of them identified Prince Tristan. Just before he was about to fire, Tristan had another vision about the sniper. He had no sooner talked about that, when the enemy's blast struck Lightningbolt. Liberator retaliated in anger, and his foes were eventually pinned down. They teleported to safety after detonating the tracking unit.

Tristan then realized he had failed to protect his wingman. Lightningbolt was the first Spaceknight casualty. His girlfriend Anarra, aka Starshine, was obviously saddened by the loss. Her grief then turned to anger when Tristan admitted that he wasn't scanning the area because he'd been temporarily incapacitated at the time. His brother Balin, then ordered him to report to command for a debriefing right away. 

Balin and Val listened to what Tristan had to say. Balin ordered his brother to sick bay because of the visions he reported. Tristan was placed on limited duty for the remainder of the tour, and Balin swore that his brother would be placed on charges once they reached their homeworld for disobeying a direct order and bringing disgrace to his squadron and his family. Tristan walked away, knowing that other fellow Spaceknights had heard the conversation. He started to think that his first mission couldn't possibly end like that. 

I enjoyed the fact that writer Jim Starlin used several of the Spaceknight names and abilities from the original series. The Starshine mask was very similar to the one that Brandy herself wore after redesigning her Spaceknight armor. I got a Cain versus Abel vibe in the drama between Tristan and Balin. I assumed that Gaspar was up to no good, and sure enough, I was right. I also liked the idea of the unknown enemy manipulating the chaos from afar.

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the third Spaceknights issue. We'll find out what the consequences of the Spaceknights' first mission were, and we'll learn what happens when they face another threat to Galador. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: Spaceknights #1

 Hi everyone,

Today I'm writing about the first issue of Jim Starlin's 2000 Spaceknights limited series. The cover shows a new legacy of Spaceknights 15 years after the ROM: Spaceknight title was cancelled. The story was called "Ebon Tidings!" The issue had a cover date of October 2000.

We begin with a recap of the first and second generations of Galadorian Spaceknights. Some images pay tribute to both Sal Buscema and Steve Ditko's work on the original title. Even though Marvel lost the license to ROM from Parker Brothers years ago, it is still undoubtedly referenced as the first and greatest of the Spaceknights in their own subtle ways. ROM is now presumed dead, after having married Earthling Brandy Clark and sired two sons. 

The story started with Val, one of the few Angel Elite who had been entrusted to guard the royal family. We soon see him ensnared by a vile-looking humanoid who quickly takes over the Galadorian's mind and free will. Apparently, the creature belongs to the alien race called the Nazgoth.

8Balin and Tristan soon joined Brandy in the infirmary, where Val was lying in a hospital bed. The Angel Elite guard informed them that he feared their leader had passed on. While Brandy and Tristan seemed distressed by the news,  Balin promised that someone would pay dearly.

On the planet Trion, three light-years away from golden Galador, a pair of citizens talked as they walked about their planet's ethnic cleansing, which began by awakening ancient hatreds. One of the people claimed that the Galadorians would bring about peace, just before a building behind them exploded. That person asked where the Spaceknights were, only to have one appear right behind him, and spoke to the Trion native in a tone that was anything but friendly.

Back on Galador, Val started explaining what had happened. He noted that his craft had just entered orbit and that he'd heard no noise, since he'd been busy meditating in his private chamber. Val soon saw several crewmates lying around unconscious but alive, including the Prime Director. Val soon donned his armor, just in time to take on a squadron of Trionian soldiers. He dispatched the initial wave with ease, but another soldier was waiting in the wings for him. This opponent was far more powerful than his predecessors and managed to damage the ship's hull.

Val and several of his comrades were swept through the hull breach into outer space. He managed to get close to their vessel when the Praxis exploded. Val assumed that their leader, who was also Brandy's husband and Tristan and Balin's father, had perished. There was nothing more for Val to do than to set his life support controls to hyper-sleep and wait to be rescued.

Things didn't quite add up for Tristan or his mother. Brandy wondered why the Trion would attempt a war they could not win. She stated that she wanted answers before leaving the infirmary to inform her people as to just what had transpired. Later, in her chambers, Brandy spoke via viewscreen with President Itoes of Triton. He assured her that neither his world's military nor its government was involved in the destruction of the ship called Excalibur. Itoes asked Clark to call off the ones who attacked his planet.

Clark replied that Galador had sent no Spaceknights, but was amazed to see the outline of what appeared to be a Spaceknight doing just that. She told the regent that a group of Spaceknights would be sent to Trion to investigate, and asked him not to attack them. Balin offered to lead the squad and avenge his father's murder. Lord Baldar objected, suggesting that Galador solve its own problems and not get involved. 

Brandy reminded Baldar that the Prime Director sacrificed his life for the path he preferred for his homeworld. Baldar countered that it was his right, something he wasn't sure a non-native of the planet had. Clark then proclaimed that her son Prince Balin (aka Sir Terminator) would take his rightful place as the Prime Director, and ordered that Axadar be readied for judgment. 

Balin would be presented to Axadar, his father's neutralizer, for judgment. If accepted, Balin would become the new leader of Galador. The weapon, which had won many a battle for his father, was kept in a stasis tube. Dressed in his Spaceknight armor, young Balin reached cautiously for the sacred weapon. Unfortunately, the weapon rejected Balin. 

Tristan tried to console his brother and was brusquely pushed aside. He then noticed Gaspar, the lord of Spies, speaking with his mother. Gaspar was informing her of an allegiance being formed between Trion and four other neighboring planets against Galador. This almost certainly spelled impending war.

Having heard this, Balin shared the news with those nearby him who would listen. He said that now was the time to stand up for their planet, and asked who was with him. Most of those who watched agreed. Only his brother Tristan silently expressed doubt.

Original ROM writer Bill Mantlo left comics in the late 1980s to study and practice law. In 1992, he was struck by a car while rollerblading. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and has been in hospice care ever since. I appreciate that writer Jim Starlin respected and appreciated the legacy of that title and was very faithful to it in this miniseries. I also enjoyed the artwork by penciler Chris Batista and inker Charles Wallace.

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the second issue of the Spaceknights limited series. In that issue, we'll find out who the Spaceknights are who were recruited to defend Galador. We'll also learn a bit more about the new threat that their world faces. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: ROM: Spaceknight #75

 Hi everyone,

It's time for me to write about the last issue of Marvel's ROM: Spaceknight comic book. The cover shows a pair of humans standing in front of an image of the silver Spaceknight. The story was appropriately named "The End!" The issue had a cover date of February 1986.

The tale began with the anticipated death duel between ROM, first of the Spaceknights, and Lord Dominor, leader of the second generation of Spaceknights. Followers on both sides watched with anticipation as the two leaders battled it out one-on-one. A recap of the previous issues followed, while the combatants continued. 

Lord Dominor's saw blade was actually able to pierce ROM's armor. During the conflict, Trapper and Scanner found the Dark Tower's communication room and sent out a distress call to other first-generation Spaceknights. Unfortunately, they were both felled in battle by other second-generation Spaceknights, but not before the call went out across the galaxy for assistance. 

Meanwhile, in the catacombs deep beneath Galador's surface, Brandy Clark noticed a strange glow on a nearby wall. It took a Galadorian lightning bolt to break down the wall. Inside, she saw a silver suit of Spaceknight armor raised on a bier that looked identical to ROM's. 

 Back in the Dark Tower, the battle raged on. Dominor and ROM whispered to each other as they fought. ROM continued to reject Dominor's offer, and the evil leader eventually fell to the ground, seemingly defeated. His comrades asked ROM to join them, but ROM quickly rejected the request. They then formed a ring of power around him, and their combined abilities destroyed the tower.

ROM and Lord Dominor soon found themselves on solid ground. Dominor's companions had perished in the explosion, and he explained how he knew that their exercise of ultimate power would only destroy themselves. He saw that the battle would not continue, but soon noticed that the throne that had contained his own humanity was destroyed as well. Seeing no further purpose, Dominor lunged for ROM's neutralizer, which he used upon himself, so that he could dream no longer.

After a while, ROM was awoken by his love, Brandy. She was joined by the Spaceknights, who heard the distress call. One of them explained the crypt that Clark had found, and presented him with a globe that floated from it after it was touched. Inside were the human remains that Terminator had stolen from him. 

The globe was soon activated, and ROM's cyborg armor disappeared. He was finally human once more. He decided to remain on Galador with Brandy, while the remaining Spaceknights took to the skies to stand watch among the stars. Brandy and ROM started making plans for a better Galador.

In 1986, this title was cancelled, at about the same time as Power Man and Iron Fist, Dazzler, the Defenders, and Micronauts: The New Voyages. I don't think that sales of this title were slipping very much, but I assumed it was probably difficult to find material to write after the end of the wraith war. I was impressed that Bill Mantlo stayed on the series' entire run, and scripted every monthly issue's main story, along with most of the content from the annuals. ROM and Brandy would appear in the Incredible Hulk #418 in their human forms on Earth for the wedding of Rick Jones before Marvel lost the license to the Parker Brothers character. 

Well, there you have it, folks! The complete Marvel run of ROM: Spaceknight. I hope you enjoyed reading these articles as much as I enjoyed writing them. I'm going to take a bit of a breather before delving into Jim Starlin's Spaceknights limited series that took some of these concepts into the year 2000. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: ROM: Spaceknight #74

 Hi everyone,

Today I'll be writing about the seventy-fourth issue of Marvel's ROM: Spaceknight series. The cover shows Brandy Clark pleading with ROM to take a side in the Galadorian conflict, something that he is unwilling to do at that point. The story was called "The Bargain!" The issue had a cover date of January 1986.

The tale began where the last issue left off. Seeker accused Heatwave of murder, after having destroyed the human remains of himself and his fellow Spaceknights, acknowledging that none of them could ever become human again. Heatwave claimed that humanity made the first generation Spaceknights weak, and that his generation eliminated that weakness. He added that Seeker should be grateful for that and join them in ridding their world of other human life. 

Seeker replied that their goal after the end of the wraith war was to return to Galador to reclaim their humanity, something that was now impossible, just before he attacked Heatwave and his crew. Trapper and Scanner soon joined the conflict, while Brandy begged her love to join them. ROM was conflicted. He was surprised how the second generation had defied the Spaceknight code, but soon knew that he had to take action.

ROM's neutralizer appeared from subspace and was quickly utilized against the new Spaceknights to shut down their systems. He was still bound by the code and would not willingly destroy his fellow Galadorians, a moral obligation that Heatwave and his companions did not follow. ROM took the brunt of Heatwave's rays and inspired those behind him, including the humans in the resistance, to strike back. 

The battle was fierce, with losses on both sides. Seeker blasted a hole in the floor so that he and his comrades could retreat to safety. In the catacombs, Brandy explained to ROM how and why she had arrived on Galador. ROM replied that her dream of returning to her may very well turn into a nightmare. Conversation began about their original goal to defend the planet from the wraith threat, and how the new generation of the planet's protectors saw humanity as a weakness and viewed themselves as the rightful rulers of Galador.

Meanwhile, in the Dark Tower, Heatwave and his troops reported their progress to Lord Dominor. The tyrant was less than pleased with the results of their latest conflict. He was angered by the fact that Heatwave destroyed the cryogenically frozen bodies in the Hall of Science crypt, as it doomed all Spaceknights to spend the rest of their lives in their cyborg suits of armor. Lord Dominor gave no orders to do that. Heatwave replied that humanity made Galadorians weak and that his action eliminated that weakness. Heatwave's comrades argued his point until Lord Dominor agreed to renounce humanity, before adding that the sole remaining human (Brandy Clark) must be destroyed. The evil ruler even contemplated the end of their own planet if necessary. 

In the resistance base, ROM spent a few moments with Brandy. She admitted that she wasn't scared of wars any longer, and that she didn't really care where she was, as long as the two of them could be together. A while later, ROM and his fellow first-generation Spaceknights contemplated their next course of action. Even though they now had no humanity left to return to, they eventually agreed that honor and peace were worth fighting for, after Brandy's encouragement. 

They knew that they had to visit the Dark Tower and do battle with the second generation Spaceknights. The war would not be easy, but they were prepared to face the consequences. Brandy vowed to stay behind and wait for them. The conflict soon began, and in the midst, ROM found his way to Lord Dominor's chamber. The second-generation ruler admitted that it was he who had ordered the elimination of all humans on the planet, because he saw humanity as weak. 

Lord Dominor offered the silver Spaceknight a proposal. He asked ROM to tell him where Brandy was hiding so that he could use his hidden humanity to mate with her and repopulate the world, and save his fellow Spaceknights. ROM objected, and asked for the duel between the two of them to begin. 

I still didn't like Ditko's depictions of the second-generation Spaceknights, but John Byrne's inks over his pencil work made the art a bit more acceptable. Knowing that the series would soon be ending, I thought that this was a fitting set up to the final issue. It's too bad that Brandy was the only non-Spaceknight who survived this issue's battle. 

Well, that's all for now. Next up is the final issue of Marvel's ROM: Spaceknight series. We'll find out what happened in the skirmish between ROM and Lord Dominor. We'll also learn the final fates of Brandy Clark and the Spaceknights. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.