Today’s Comic> The Rocketter #1

"OW! MY BUTTS ON FIRE MY BUTTS ON FIRE MY...."

The Rocketeer #1

(Hundred Penny Press edition)

IDW Publishing (May 2011) reprinting the original comic from 1982

Los Angeles, 1938: Thieves attempting to escape in a stunt plane are caught by police, leaving behind their loot. The plane’s pilot, Cliff Secord, discovers the package, containing an experimental government jetpack. Worried his girlfriend is being wooed by a rich guy, Cliff decides to use it in his stunt show, convinced that he can make a lot of money on the performance. However, Federal Agents and Nazis both want the jetpack, putting Cliff’s life in danger.

What they got right: The Rocketeer is an homage to classic serials, specifically  Republic’s “Rocketman” franchise, complete with cliffhanger endings. The outfit (with an improved helmet including a fin to, according to the comic, use as a rudder) is also in keeping with the Rocketmen of the day. I don’t know if they recolored it or if the color was restored with the original, and very nice not only for the 80’s but even by today’s standards, artwork, but it does complement the art perfectly.

What they got wrong: I think Cliff finds the rocket-pack too quickly and too quickly figures out how to use. Cliff himself notes he hadn’t tested it yet, but while he uses it to rescue a friend the fact he still brought it untested to use in the air show. And why didn’t the G-Man announce himself before taking Cliff away? It might have made things easier. Yes, yes, plot convenience but does that make him any less of a big jerk?

Recommendation: If you’ve heard about this comic, but didn’t want to shell out the dough to look into it, this was a mere Washington. Certainly youse mooks can afford dat.

Tomorrow’s Comic> Transformers: Foundation #4