Rom #73

Dec 1985 · Marvel · 0.65 USD; 0.30 GBP; 0.75 CAD

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“Strangers in Paradise!”

★ 1st appearance — Soundwave

About this Issue

Rom #73 — titled 'Strangers in Paradise!' — is the crucial opening chapter of the three-issue endgame that resolves the entire 75-issue Marvel series, pivoting the story from Rom's years-long war against the Dire Wraiths on Earth to a civil conflict on his home planet Galador itself. The issue delivers the first appearance of the Second Generation Spaceknights as a faction, introducing the rogue warriors Heatwave, Lightningbolt, and Soundscream — a new breed of cyborg turned genocidal oppressor that reframes the series' central theme: the cost and corruption of sacrificing one's humanity for power. It also brings Brandy Clark, Rom's human love interest, to Galador for the first time, positioning her as an active agent of resistance alongside the newly introduced Ariane rather than a passive Earth-bound figure — a significant character evolution that carries through to the series finale. As one of the last issues published before the series concluded in February 1986, it marks the point where Bill Mantlo and Steve Ditko begin delivering the payoff to narrative threads that had been seeded since the earliest Galador flashbacks.

In "Strangers in Paradise!", Brandy finds herself stranded on Galador after the Beyonder’s intervention, discovering a world that’s anything but the paradise it seems. With the help of human resistance fighters, she uncovers the dark truth behind a second generation of Spaceknights—once protectors, now betrayers. Written by Bill Mantlo and brought to life by Steve Ditko’s distinctive art, with inks by Joe Sinnott and colors by Petra Scotese, this pivotal issue sees Brandy confront the rogue Spaceknights in a desperate bid to save what remains. The cover, by Al Milgrom and John Romita, captures the tension of a lone figure facing an alien fate.

writer Bill Mantlo · artist Steve Ditko · inker Joe Sinnott · colorist Petra Scotese · letterer Janice Chiang · cover Al Milgrom, John Romita

ComicBooks.com Value

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Raw (VF) $5

CGC 9.8 · 19 in census $66

CGC 9.6 · 2 in census $31*

CGC 9.4 · 1 in census $21

CGC 9.2 · 1 in census $20*

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More listings for this title

VF · Newsstand $4.2 VG $5 FN · Newsstand $6 FN $8.4 FN $8.7 FN $9.98 Newsstand $10.37 VF/NM $11.26

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History

By the time issue #73 went to press in September 1985, the creative team had undergone its most significant transition: Sal Buscema, who had penciled the book from its 1979 launch, departed in 1984, and Steve Ditko — returning to Marvel after a long absence — took over as regular penciler starting around issue #59, staying through the final issue #75 and Annual #4. Ditko's conditions upon his return to Marvel included a stipulation that he would not draw Spider-Man or Doctor Strange, which shaped which Marvel characters could guest-star during his tenure on the title. The story in #73 flows directly from Rom Annual #4, a Secret Wars II tie-in in which the Beyonder granted Brandy Clark her wish to be transported to Galador — a narrative device writer Bill Mantlo used to efficiently reunite the lovers and redirect the series toward its Galador-set conclusion with only a handful of issues remaining before cancellation. Editor Mike Carlin oversaw the issue under editor-in-chief Jim Shooter.

Trivia · 8 facts

Title: 'Strangers in Paradise!' — cover-dated December 1985, released September 10, 1985.
First appearance of the Second Generation Spaceknights as a group, including named members Heatwave and the newly introduced rogue faction that had depopulated Galador.
First appearance of Ariane, the leader of the surviving Galadorian underground resistance.
In-issue deaths of two Second Generation Spaceknights: Lightningbolt (killed by Brandy Clark using a Horn of Heaven) and Soundscream (killed by Ariane using one of Lightningbolt's bolts).
Written by Bill Mantlo; penciled by Steve Ditko (who held the penciling chair from approximately #59 through the series end); inked by Joe Sinnott; cover by Al Milgrom.
The story continues directly from Rom Annual #4, in which the Beyonder transported Brandy Clark to Galador — connecting the issue to the 1985 Secret Wars II crossover event.
First Generation Spaceknight squadron members Tarm (Seeker), Skera (Scanner), and Vola (Trapper) appear alongside Rom as he arrives at Galador mid-issue.
The original Marvel series ran 75 issues and 4 annuals (December 1979 – February 1986); the entire run was unavailable for reprint for decades due to licensing complications, until a mutual agreement between Hasbro and Marvel enabled omnibus collection beginning in 2024.