Rom #22

Rom #22 was published by Marvel Comics in September 1981 as part of the ongoing science fiction series centered on the eponymous Spaceknight. The character was originally created by Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema as a tie-in to a 1979 Parker Brothers toy, but the comic series quickly diverged from the toy's limited scope, developing a complex mythology that explored themes of existential dread, hidden alien invasions, and the tragic loss of humanity.

This specific issue features writing by Bill Mantlo and pencils by Sal Buscema, a creative team that defined the aesthetic of the series throughout its five-year run. The narrative maintains the title's signature balance of cosmic action and grounded, melancholy character work, which garnered a dedicated cult following. At the time of its release, the comic was noted for its surprising emotional depth, often contrasting the cold, metallic nature of its protagonist with the deeply human struggles of his allies.