Ep 8. Royal Romita

In season 5 episode 8 of Comic Book Men, entitled "Royal Romita," the crew takes a trip down memory lane with legendary comic book artist, John Romita Sr.

The episode opens with Ming and Walt reminiscing about their early days in the comic book industry. They discuss how important John Romita Sr. was to them as artists and fans of the medium. Ming even reveals that Romita's Spider-Man was the first comic book he ever read as a child.

Next, the guys welcome Romita himself into the store. The crew is clearly star-struck as they anxiously wait for Romita to arrive. When he finally does, they greet him with warm smiles and handshakes.

The main focus of this episode is a commission Ming has asked Romita to complete. Ming wants Romita to draw an image of Batman riding a shark with a lightsaber. The guys have a good laugh at the absurdity of the request, but Romita proves more than up to the task. He sketches out a rough draft of the image, and everyone is blown away by his skill and attention to detail.

While Romita works on the commission, the crew takes some time to chat with him about his early days in the industry. Romita shares stories about working at Marvel in the 1960s, and the group marvels at how different the industry was back then. He also discusses his relationship with Stan Lee, whom he worked closely with for many years.

Later in the episode, the guys take Romita out to dinner at a fancy steakhouse. They continue their conversation over drinks and a delicious meal, and it's clear that Romita has made a lasting impression on everyone in the group.

Back at the store, Romita finishes the Batman/shark/lightsaber commission, and everyone gathers around to admire the final product. Ming is overjoyed with how it turned out, and Romita seems genuinely pleased with the project as well.

The episode ends with the guys saying goodbye to Romita and expressing their heartfelt gratitude for the time he spent with them. It's clear that everyone involved in the episode has a deep respect and admiration for the work Romita has done over the years, and it's touching to see him receive such recognition from his peers.

Overall, "Royal Romita" is a charming and heartwarming episode of Comic Book Men that celebrates the legacy of one of the industry's greatest artists. Fans of the show and comic book enthusiasts alike will appreciate the insights and anecdotes shared by Romita and the crew, and the final commission is sure to make viewers smile.