Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: Arrival
Written by: Bill Mantlo
Art by: Sal Buscema
Colored by: Bob Sharen
Lettered by: Tom Orzechowski
Editor: Joe Duffy
Publisher: Marvel Comics
The influence of Mr. Lucas…
Upon the release of Star Wars in 1977 everything seemed to change. Science fiction, which had long been out of favor in Hollywood, was a viable genre once again, and as the Kenner toy line debuted to massive sales the following year other companies hoped to cash in on the monolithic success of George Lucas’ cash-cow. Results ran the gamut from Star Trek, which became its own cottage industry, Battlestar Galactica met with minimal success, and Krull, well, it didn’t do so hot.
On the comic book end, licensed material usually failed miserably. Yet, since Star Wars bucked yet another trend with its new series published by Marvel. The insane popularity of the comic based on Luke, Han, and Leia’s ongoing adventures, kept the comic publishers on the lookout for other licensed properties. One of the earliest, most successful, but strangely forgotten was ROM: Spaceknight.
A Spaceknight in shining armor.
ROM was a 12†doll released late in 1979. The sleek silver robot featured internal light effects and a selection of interesting gadgets. Parker Brothers invested a lot of money in promoting the character with comic ads, and television spots. They also worked with Marvel to create a comic book which served to define the character far beyond what the advertising and packaging of the toy itself ever could do. Strangely the comic was so well conceived that it outlived the toy by a number of years.
The first issue of ROM is a typical origin tale of the time. We are introduced to ROM as he plummets to Earth and steps out of the crater that his impact caused. ROM immediately runs (literally) into Brandy Clark, as she drives down a winding road in the town of Clairton, Virginia. Brandy’s not a throwaway damsel in distress though, she’s involved from the very start, and she will become the grounding influence of the series for the rest of its run.
Issue #1 is perfectly ambiguous in spots. There are intermittent sequences that cast ROM in a heroic light, followed by scenes which appear to cast ROM as a villain. We learn he has come to Earth in search of the Dire Wraiths. The Wraiths are a shape changing menace that is quite similar in origin to the villainous Marvel Universe mainstays, the Skrulls. Bill Mantlo does a great job introducing the characters and situations and turns in a fun story, which sets up quite a bit for what was at the time just a .40 cent outlay.
Complimenting Mantlo’s story is some outstanding art by Sal Buscema, who along with his brother, John, is a legend in the comic book business. Sal captures the serene town of Clairton, the ghoulish Wraiths, ROM, and the futuristic flashbacks with style and flair. His art holds up to anything on the market today, and this means even more considering Sal was a workhorse involved in several monthly titles at the same time as ROM.
75 issues, plus annuals!
ROM isn’t your typical licensed series of the time. We’re not talking books that barely made a blip on the radar like Sectaurs, M.A.S.K., or even the Micronauts. ROM lasted until 1986 running for 75 issues. With.the exception of Star Wars, Gi Joe, and Transformers what licensed property was as successful in the 70s and 80s? The answer: none.
Why if the toy failed so miserably, did the book survive so long? The best answer that I can come up with is that the outstanding creative team of Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema stuck with the book until the end. They seemed to be free of Parker Bros. involvement for the most part, so they were able to constantly advance the characters and do as they pleased. If the toy had been a success, and Parker Bros. attempted to exert control over their property, I don’t think the book would have never been as strong creatively.
The other piece of luck? The book was firmly set in the Marvel Universe. ROM fought alongside just about everyone of value in the MU at the time. Hulk, the X-Men, Shang-Chi, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and myriad others appeared in the book at one time or another. ROM, unlike most licensed properties, was really an integral member of the Marvel Universe family. At the end of its 75 issue run the book reached a strong, satisfying conclusion. Something that most comic characters, especially licensed properties, never seem to achieve.
In 2000 Marvel worked with the characters and situations from this series again with the 5-part mini-series Spaceknights. Sadly, ROM was not able to be part of the book since Marvel was unable to obtain permission from Parker Bros. (now owned by Hasbro). Brandy Clark and ROM’s children though were important cast members and the series furthered what had come before and showed that this is still a viable comic property.
