Writer – Bill Mantlo
Artist – Sal Buscema
Inker – Sal Buscema
Colours – Ben Sean
Letters – Jim Novak

Expending more of himself than usual in the last issue’s battles, Rom lies motionless as if dead as he absorbed too much energy and shorted himself out.  His future seems uncertain at the moment but Steve is doing all he can to get him back on his feet with the only recourse being to get him back to the lab where Brandy works in the hopes that some of the equipment there can get Rom back to fighting form.  It is a race against time though as the Dire Wraiths and their hounds are hot on the trail and they will stop for no one and nothing.  The High One of the Dire Wraiths has also had enough fooling around and is going to summon the Thornoids which is bad for everybody, including the Wraiths.  They are not a power to be trifled with but the Wraiths feel as if it has come to a point where they are needed.  As the Thornoids reach Earth and attack Steve and company, Rom recovers just in time and takes care of the pack of them, but not before Artie, Steve’s friend is killed.  Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema deliver another thrilling issue chock full of suspense and action and just a wee bit of tragedy.  Artie’s death is a little shocking but not as much as it might have been had one of the main characters been killed. Steve is finally turning out to be a worthy supporting character and it is great to see him join Team Rom, though just where it goes from here remains to be seen.  The Dire Wraiths keep upping the ante on our armoured hero and if they keep on the same course, it will be curious to see if Rom will be able to keep up, much less be the same coming out of it.  The High One is quite mysterious and makes for an excellent villain, especially as readers have yet to see his face but a little mystery is a good thing.  The next issue promises Deathwing and it does not sound like Rom will be in for a good time.  Great stuff from the creative team and from Marvel.

4 out of 5