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Post by legios on May 3, 2008 21:09:43 GMT
I like the high amount of ideas thrown at the reader and the denseness of each issue. I also find myself caring about the characters and wondering what will happen to them! Also, it really does have a sense of ' any character can be killed at any time', which adds genuine tension. Yeah, there's a huge amount of cheese (which is a part of the fun), but I think a lot of contemporary comics writers could learn a lot from Mantlo's pacing. -Ralph There is indeed a lot packed into a given issue of ROM, which is a lot of the joy of it. I'm up to #24, and it struck me that you would build an entire Mini-series around the invasion of Xandar these days. But for Rom it is just another months work, and then on to the next issue. It is certainly different in feel from a lot of other comics of its era - Rom has a bit of the hard-bitten soldier in him, unlike a Superhero he doesn't hesitate to use lethal force if he thinks it is mandated. And as Ralph observed, death is an ever-present force here. It isn't like an Avengers comic where you know they'll turn up in time to save their supporting cast from a horrible fate. In Rom's world there is a sense that folk can just die, and it isn't fair or just or right. A very different feel to what I had expected. Rather enjoying what I have read of it, bonkersness and all. Karl |
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Post by Philip Ayres on May 3, 2008 21:18:37 GMT
Having read it to the end I feel I can't be drawn to say how many of the supporting cast make it.....
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Post by The Doctor on May 6, 2008 16:14:30 GMT
I now see that in the ROM universe, Wales is part of "the nation-state of England." Hmmm.
-Ralph
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kayevcee
Fusilateral Quintro Combiner
The Weather Wizard
Posts: 5,527
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Post by kayevcee on May 6, 2008 18:12:11 GMT
At least it exists!
-Nick
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Post by legios on May 6, 2008 20:22:01 GMT
I now see that in the ROM universe, Wales is part of "the nation-state of England." Hmmm. -Ralph Well, seeing as Rom is from as far away as the Golden Galaxy, and even folk comparatively next-door in the Confederated States of America have trouble getting it right... I think we should probably take heart that Rom is knowledgeable enough to even know that Wales exists - and to come and preserve it from the foul science and sorcery of the Dire Wraiths. Hopefully it won't have smog, taverns and footpads like England did in the 1970's in "Brave and the Bold". Karl |
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Post by The Doctor on May 11, 2008 9:35:12 GMT
I had a dream last night in which ROM was flying through the sky when suddenly a rectangle appeared behind a cloud in which the Wraith Dweller On The Threshold was hanging on to the sides like a monkey swinging on bars and shouting "ROAARAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!".
"NO!" cried ROM.
Suddenly, in Edinburgh, Princess Street (represented by a 2-D cardboard cut-out, in fine Captain Pugwash style) fell into the sea with one cardboardy swing. Then the people of Edinburgh jumped into powerboats which raced into the 'gap' where Princess Street had been to 'fill in the line'.
Then ROM caused the Great Fire of London.
-Ralph
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Post by Philip Ayres on May 11, 2008 12:11:52 GMT
2nd time with the great fire of london today, it got mentioned in church. Did you know the death toll was 6 ? Plus 3 Terrileptiles.
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Post by The Doctor on May 11, 2008 15:47:34 GMT
Been reading more ROM this afternoon. It really shifts into high gear around the time Ralph Macchio takes over as editor. TOTAL WAR!
Who the fook needs 'Secret Invasion' when you can have this instead. Same plot but far more exciting!
-Ralph
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Post by The Doctor on May 13, 2008 20:48:07 GMT
Yeah, the latter stages of the book read so much like what Secret Invasion wants to be it's not funny. Just finished Annual #3 and my next issue is #61 (Ditko has just arrived on pencils - very striking work). I love the way the book just opens up and the tension goes through the roof. Anyone can die at any time. Mantlo really could deliver the goods. His appeal is beyond cheese. This stuff really does need to reprinted.
-Ralph
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Post by The Doctor on May 16, 2008 7:16:59 GMT
Good grief, #61 was utterly mental. The Wraith plan is now so bonkers and audacious it's brilliant and exactly the kind of thing some writers would take 6 issues to do now, but Mantlo sets it up in half an issue. It's also interesting how the cheese level has dropped dramatically and the title has morphed into a proper war comic. In #62, Forge turned up. I wanted to punch him in the face. What an arse!
-Ralph
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Post by The Doctor on May 16, 2008 7:44:10 GMT
-Ralph
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Gav
Drone
John Travoltage!
Posts: 2,047
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Post by Gav on May 18, 2008 14:28:58 GMT
ROM IS RUBBISH!
*runs*
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Post by The Doctor on May 18, 2008 14:57:33 GMT
Don't make me hurt you.
-Ralph
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Post by legios on May 18, 2008 19:05:54 GMT
I have a neutraliser here, and I'm not afraid to use it you know... Karl |
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Post by The Doctor on May 19, 2008 7:18:39 GMT
Just #72-75 and Annual #4 left to read. *sniff*
It does feel like the book finished the main plot in #66 and we're into an extended epilogue. I get the feeling all the outstanding plot points are being ticked off one by one.
-Ralph
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Post by The Doctor on May 19, 2008 16:30:57 GMT
Wow. The last 3 pages of ROM #74 contains one of the finest "And now I shall tell you my evil plan while being very calm" scenes I have read in comics (and I kid you not, there are some writers who would have wrung a 6-issue miniseries out of that bit alone). The tension is unbearable! Only one issue left! The epic finale of ROM! ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!
-Ralph
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Post by The Doctor on May 19, 2008 19:28:19 GMT
It is over! Lord Dominor has been defeated! ROM has prevailed! MANTLO! MANTLO!MANTLO!MANTLO!MANTLO! -Ralph |
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Post by Philip Ayres on May 19, 2008 19:35:09 GMT
Good as you hoped ?
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Post by The Doctor on May 19, 2008 19:39:17 GMT
It was great! Better than Marvel US Transformers.
-Ralph
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Post by legios on May 19, 2008 19:39:21 GMT
It would seem that it was appreciated. (I think I really could do with reading some more "Rom" - I loved what I have read but by all accounts it gets better as it goes.)
Karl
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Post by The Doctor on May 19, 2008 19:40:08 GMT
Lord Dominor is the best crap villain OF ALL TIME.
-Ralph
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Post by The Doctor on Oct 1, 2009 10:05:06 GMT
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Post by Philip Ayres on Oct 1, 2009 13:39:38 GMT
Most is the usual fanboy stuff but Some of that's rather good !
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Post by The Doctor on Oct 1, 2009 21:58:10 GMT
I will forgive Disney buying Marvel if only one thing happens: ROM must return!
-Ralph
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Post by Philip Ayres on Oct 2, 2009 17:06:40 GMT
& be traded up
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Post by The Doctor on Oct 2, 2009 17:19:04 GMT
It needs to be traded. Such a shame Mantlo's best stuff can't be found on Amazon with a click.
-Ralph
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Post by blueshift on Oct 2, 2009 17:28:58 GMT
I loved ROM too! I had a ton of the issues, glad I'm not INSANE.
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Oct 2, 2009 17:37:43 GMT
The Hub is a Rom friendly zone!
Andy
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Post by The Doctor on Oct 2, 2009 18:15:30 GMT
Those who disagree shall be sent to Limbo!
-Ralph
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Post by Philip Ayres on Oct 2, 2009 20:59:01 GMT
Very. I've just discovered that my former comic shop owner has a box full of Rom back issues ! Want me to enquire Blueshift ? And is anyone else still in need ?
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