Writer – Bill Mantlo
Artist – Sal Buscema
Inker – Sal Buscema
Colours – Ben Sean
Letters – Tom Orzechowski

The Dire Wraiths are not happy, to say the least, about Rom being on Earth and sending them to limbo whenever the occasion rises.  So the group known as Safeguard, a collection of Wraiths in various positions of power have recruited a human to face down the Spaceknight with a suit of armour all his own.  Bill Mantlo meanwhile, who has written this wonderful piece of fiction, has Rom reflecting upon his life and how he got into this situation as Brandy, the woman Rom has met, does the same.  On patrol, Rom soon discovers a hive of Wraiths constructing an interdimensional transporter which is not something he can allow to come to fruition.  As he clears the den of evil, he is attacked by what seems like his friend and fellow knight, Karas, until the sad realization dawns upon him that it is not.  Mantlo and artist extraordinaire Sal Buscema deliver another great issue packed full of action, though one with less advancement of character.  Safeguard is a funny name for the Wraiths to label their congregation, but it makes sense when they must deal with humans to give them a feeling of complacency and security.  It seems like Mantlo is trying to straddle the line between a thoughtful science-fiction piece and that of an action epic and so far he has been doing a pretty good job.  It is a wee bit of a shame that he could not dig further into that which makes Rom tick but be that as it may, it has not hampered this particular issue from being a good one.  Buscema does what he does best and the book looked as good as it was written which is a plus for readers.  What is most interesting is the fact that if the Wraiths can blend as easily as they have been doing so thus far amongst the people of Earth, one has to wonder just how it is that Rom will accomplish what he needs to do.  While this issue was not the most exciting book of the three in the series so far, it ended on a great cliffhanger leading into the next issue.

4 out of 5