Writer – Bill Mantlo
Artist – Sal Buscema
Inker – Sal Buscema
Colours – Bob Sharen, George Roussos
Letters – Jim Novak

Rom finds himself underground after falling there in the last issue and notices a large power source in the vicinity, which is quite strange, to say the least.  The power belongs to a reptilian creature named Serpentyne and after he introduces himself, he proceeds to narrate the tale of his past with the Wraiths and his people’s origin, of which he is the last survivor.  After his tragic story is told, Rom in turn relates his own and mentions his Neutralizer which was taken by the Wraiths. Hearing this, Serpentyne decides it should be him who wields this weapon of great power, though for what reason he means for its use is unknown.  Rom cannot let him have Galador’s greatest weapon though and so it is that they come to blows with only one foreseeable outcome.  Bill Mantlo, the author of this tale, delivers another great issue full of action, but it is a sad one as it sees the extinction of an entire race.  It is not something that Rom would ever want to do knowingly and he had no choice but to defend himself, yet it weighs on him and it is not something that he will ever soon forget. Delivering the goods on an emotional front, Mantlo packs the book with his usual punch. It is nice to see Rom interact with someone other than Wraiths or the humans he has come to know as the universe is quite large and he has obviously come into contact with other species before. It is a short adventure, not because it is less than the usual amount of pages, but simply because very little happens and what does, is very self-contained and flows at a quicker than usual pace.  Sal Buscema is given the task of bringing this story to life, taking the words Mantlo delivers and making them a visual feast for readers to devour.  Great work from all involved that makes readers want more of the same, short yet brilliant little tales in between the longer story arcs.

4 out of 5