Rom Epic Collection: the Original Marvel Years 5

The classic saga reaches its epic conclusion!

Rom came to Earth on a solemn mission to eradicate the sworn enemies of the Spaceknights: the Dire Wraiths! And now he might be on the verge of achieving it — with help from the mutant Forge and just about every super hero on Earth! But when the Wraith War is over, what will be left for Rom? Can he find his happy ending back on Galador? Not without a quest through the stars that will pit him against the Robot-Hunters, more Dire Wraiths and Ego, the Living Planet! Back on Earth, Rom’s allies Rick Jones and Brandy Clark learn to be careful what they wish for when they meet the Beyonder! That leads to a surprising reunion on Galador — and a fateful decision!

COLLECTING: Rom (1979) #61-75, Rom Annual (1982) #4

Bill Mantlo began his Marvel career on Deadly Hands of Kung Fu, in which he introduced White Tiger, one of the industry’s earliest Hispanic super heroes. Eventually writing stories for almost every Marvel title, he did some of his most fondly remembered work on Incredible Hulk and Spectacular Spider-Man. He also created Rocket Raccoon, launched Cloak & Dagger in a pair of miniseries and guided Alpha Flight through some of its most harrowing ordeals. Mantlo excelled at integrating licensed properties into the Marvel Universe, as demonstrated by Micronauts and Rom, both of which he wrote from start to finish. At DC, he wrote the Invasion miniseries for one of the company’s biggest crossover events.

Steve Ditko (1927-2018) began his comics career in the anthologies of the 1950s, where his unique style and perspective quickly earned recognition and respect. Recruited to join Stan Lee’s Atlas Comics, later Marvel, in 1958, his nuances contrasted well with Jack Kirby’s bombast. In 1962, in the pages of Amazing Fantasy, Ditko and Lee brought to life Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man, changing the industry forever. The pair’s other iconic co-creation, Doctor Strange, debuted in Strange Tales. Ditko returned to Marvel during the late 1970s and remained for much of the 1980s — co-creating Speedball, Squirrel Girl and other characters.