Rom Spaceknight #33 is, by all accounts, a special effects extravaganza. Though the same team of Buscema and Sinnott are handling the art, seems like new coloring technology has hit the Marvel Universe, and everyone's stepped up their game. Zip-a-tone, color effects and groovy visuals abound.As for Mantlo's story, he's given Rom a break from Clareton politics and obscure guest-stars and thrown him into one of those paranormal anthology series, like House of Mystery.
Unexplained Mystery #1: How the blind 13-year-old nymphette being kept by a Dire Wraith witch can dream of our favorite Spaceknight.
Rom is indeed flying towards Maine at that very instant, which means Brandy is sad again. Steve Jackson groupies take note: He's single again.
To be frank, he's better off.But back to the salt marshes of Penobscot County... Our young girl is Sybil who's been raised by her cronish aunt Mara since her parents disappeared, the shock of which blinded the girl. What she doesn't know is that Mara is actually a Dire Wraith witch who is grooming her to be a secret weapon (welcome to Unexplained Mystery #2). Her dog's already been transformed into a Hellhound, and tonight, more Wraiths converge on her house to plan their next step.
Rom is drawn to the house thanks to his analyzer and gets there just in time to prevent the Hellhound from eating Sybil.
That's what I call being pounded into the ground! Actually, it's only phasing out of sight. Meanwhile, Sybil escapes into the swamp with the Wraiths on her tail. Rom turns to go help when the Hound comes out of nowhere and starts screwing with Rom's circuits AND biting him on the face!
Prepare to find out what one of those buttons does:
Rom: He can turn a solar calculator into a weapon.Aunt Mara reveals herself to be a Wraith High Witch transformed into a monster by the energies of the Dark Nebula itself!
High Witch, huh? Saith Rom: Who gives a Wraith's ass?
Is it me or has the banishment to limbo effect been upgraded? But what about Sybil? She had half a dozen Wraiths after her. Will Rom get to her in time? He needn't have bothered, actually. Turns out "the moors protect their own".
What the hell kind of ending is that? A House of Mystery ending, that's what. Easily Unexplained Mystery #3.BONUS SPECIAL EFFECTS
Restating the mission statement with big budget visuals!
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