Power Man and Iron Fist #73
Published and © by Marvel, September 1981
Title: “Wraith, Color or Creed”
Synopsis: On his way to find the Fantastic Four, Rom eliminates Dire Wraiths and runs afoul of the Heroes for Hire.
Writer: Mary Jo Duffy
Penciler: Greg LaRocque
Inker: Ricardo Villamonte
Review: While it’s fun to see licensed character Rom stretching out and integrating into the rest of the Marvel Universe, this guest appearance provokes several questions: Why is a Dire Wraith working undercover as a prostitute? Why hasn’t the spaceknight yet learned that mowing down Dire Wraiths in crowds isn’t a good look? And why do Rom’s weapons and tools seem to work differently away from his own monthly title? (Unrelated to Rom: Why does there always seem to be pimps in Power Man? Hmm.) On the art side, future Legion artist Greg LaRocque’s early work isn’t ready for prime time.
Grade (for the entire issue): C+
Second opinion: “If anyone had a notion that Marvel Comics could do no wrong, they certainly be disillusioned – in a hurry – by taking a gander at Power Man and Iron Fist #73.” – Pierre Comtois, “Marvel Comics in the 1980s: An Issue By Issue Field Guide to a Pop Culture Phenomenon,” 2014
Cool factor: That simple-but-striking cover by Frank Miller.
Notable: Guest-starring Rom, Spaceknight. … Story continues in Rom #23.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 20p British variant of this issue. … … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant.
Character quotable: “Polly … He killed Polly … One a’ my sweeties. There ain’t even enough a’ her left ta bury. What am I gonna do?” – Solace the Pimp, no fan of Rom Spaceknight
Editor’s note: This review was written Jan. 22, 2025.
