Rom #17
Published and © by Marvel and Rom © Parker Brothers, April 1981
Title: “Hybrid!”
Synopsis: Records reveal the identity of Clairton’s final Dire Wraith – and an even-more-terrifying threat (that’s also on the X-Men’s radar)!
Writers (story): Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema
Writer (script): Mantlo
Writer (consultant): Chris Claremont
Artist: Buscema
Review: The regular Rom creative team delivers one of the strongest issues of this title to date. After a handful of largely “meh” outings, writer Bill Mantlo mixes up the series’ status quo by humanizing a Dire Wraith who had been stranded and subsequently fell in love with an Earth woman. This added does of humanity does wonders for Rom’s sometimes-one-dimensional foes. This issue also levels up the evil with a terrifying new villain, Hybrid. On the art side, Sal Buscema’s work continues to take on an increasingly choppy, angular look; it’s occasionally messy but also has moments of added power.
Grade: A-
Cool factor: This issue received a half-grade boost from that iconic Frank Miller cover.
Notable: First appearance of Hybrid. … According to the annual statement of ownership on the “Space Notes” letters page, Rom had an average total paid circulation of 181,506 for the 12 months preceding Oct. 1, 1980.
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: “Horror, Rom? Why not? That’s as good a description as any for one born to both Wraith and human parents – one the whole world will soon call … HYBRID!” – Hybrid, bi-species monologist
Editor’s note: This review was written June 8, 2023.
