Writer – Bill Mantlo
Artist – Sal Buscema
Inker – Sal Buscema
Colours – Ben Sean
Letters – Diana Albers

Steve is confused and angry and so he blames Rom for all that has befallen them since his arrival on the planet, especially as it has led to Artie’s death.  But Steve is angry for no reason as Rom’s Energy Analyzer has determined that Artie is still alive, if faintly.  It is a miracle, to say the least.  Meanwhile, some dinosaur-like creature is killing the Wraiths as well unbeknownst to the protagonists of this tale though one can assume that will not be the case for long.  Rom decides to leave Brandy and Steve for a while and notices there is a funeral going on that is comprised of Wraiths. He decides that he needs to find out where his Neutralizer might be as it was stolen in the previous issue, needing to get it back no matter how.  Due to that loss, the Wraiths fear him less now because of the loss of the weapon and so they summon Deathwing, the creature that none can really control, the monster that does not care whether a person is friend or foe.  Rom finally succeeds in getting the info he needs and Deathwing’s appetite is sated, for the moment at least.  The eighth issue of the series keeps the action fast and furious with Rom learning more and more about humanity though still confused when it comes to their emotions sometimes.  Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema keep Earth’s newest hero on the ropes as he faces the Wraiths in the graveyard and they have Rom exhibit some rage.  It is not an emotion which readers have really seen before this point when it comes to the armoured hero but good to know it exists as it may help him deal with this new world he finds himself upon.  Anger, yes that has been observed, but not really anything beyond that until now.  Rom has always kept his emotions in check and it is not as if he does not have any, he has simply been thrust into a situation or situations on this new planet that he was not ready for and so keeps himself somewhat aloof.  This was quite the emotionally charged issue for the heroes with some great characterization from Mantlo and some truly excellent artwork from Sal Buscema and Ben Sean.

4 out of 5