Rom #16
Published and © by Marvel and Rom © Parker Brothers, March 1981
Title: “The Watchwraith!”
Synopsis: As a reporter comes snooping in Clairton, Rom finds himself in battle against a synthezoid Watchwraith!
Writer: Bill Mantlo
Artist: Sal Buscema
Review: This series starts to strain against the confines of small-town Clairton as the love triangle featuring the spaceknight, Brandy and Steve “you-already-know-I’m losing-this” Jackson feels increasingly forced. A change of scenery for Rom – both character and series – would probably help. Sal Buscema’s art looks choppy and rushed this outing.
•••
Title: “The Saga of the Spaceknights!”
Synopsis: When the spaceknights come across a plague ship, Rom and Starshine learn the tragic origin of Terminator.
Writer: Bill Mantlo
Artist: Sal Buscema
Review: These backup tales from the original Wraith War often offer both pathos and potential, but need more room to breathe.
Grade: C
Cool factor: Meh. This one is short on cool factor.
Not-so-cool factor: Steve Jackson. Seriously. Dude was more interesting when he was a Wraith.
Character quotable: “Knowledge is a mighty armor against evil.” – Rom, spaceknight (and someone who knows a little something about armor)
Editor’s note: This review was written circa 2016.
