Writer – Bill Mantlo
Artist – Sal Buscema
Inker – Sal Buscema
Colours – Ed Hannigan
Letters – Danny Crespi

After overcoming the last issue’s obstacles, Rom is now on the hunt for his stolen Neutralizer.  First, he has to see how Brandy and Steve are who just so happen to be sitting in jail as they are under suspicion for Artie’s death after their battle against the Thornoids.  After breaking them out of jail and making sure there were no Wraiths among them as best he could, Rom heads to Washington and Project Safeguard.  Not realizing that a flying silver robot might raise some alarms, Rom is attacked by fighter jets. Given the perspective of those who work in Washington and who have no idea who Rom is, it is quite understandable.  Sal Buscema and author Bill Mantlo give the readers another fun-filled, action-packed epic with this book and they do so in the manner in which readers have become accustomed.  The Dire Wraiths have to be some of the vilest and diabolically clever aliens in the Marvel Universe to do what they have been doing thus far.  Never has Rom had such a hard time in his life as he has been having as of late and it is all thanks to his mortal enemies.  Adding to the fact that Rom is continuing to have problems understanding Earth’s laws, customs and manners, things could not be more difficult for the Spaceknight.  Mantlo also plays up the love triangle a bit more with this particular issue, just to give it a bit of added drama and depth and it will be interesting to see where it goes, especially if one factors in the memory of his former flame to make everything just a bit more complicated.  Mantlo kept things moving along at a brisk pace and there was more than enough o keep one entertained even if it did seem a wee bit sparse compared to previous issues.  All in all, this was top-notch and when it comes to the writing and the artwork, one would be hard-pressed to find a better creative team than this.

4 out of 5