And you think flying cars are a good idea?
The Rocketeer: Hollywood Horror #1
IDW Publishing (February, 2013)
The only credits given are Roger Landridge and J Bone. It doesn’t specifically say who does what and since Langridge is also a comic artist I wouldn’t be surprised to hear they worked on both story and art.
This isn’t Cliff’s day. He loses his wallet, it appears Hughes has changed his mind about letting Cliff keep the rocket pack, and he’s had yet another argument with Betty. Speaking of Betty, her roommate, a reporter, has stumbled upon a case involving a missing scientist…and a Lovecraftian horror?
What they got right: In addition to being fun to read, the writer(s?) do a good job of introducing the cast and setting up the situation to come, and it’s a situation I’m very curious about.
What they got wrong: One of the things Dave Stevens, creator of the Rocketeer and his cast, is credited for are his character models, especially Betty, who is sexy but not sleazy. (Unlike certain other artists nowadays I could mention.) The art here is more cartoonish and while that wouldn’t bother me in some other pieces, Betty really isn’t getting a benefit from this art style while the other characters are decent enough. The art isn’t bad, and there are moments that work really well, which is why I couldn’t choose one for Best Scene, but it doesn’t do Betty a good service. My only story complaint is this extra subplot where it appears Howard Hughes want the rocket back after all. Even if the guys “sent” to get it turn out be out to steal the pack for themselves, and they come off villainous enough, it’s an unnecessary addition to the story. Think the mobster subplot in Race To Witch Mountain. There could have been a better way to keep Betty from contacting Cliff or Peevy.
Recommendation: The story is a good set-up but it’s my faith in the two people working on it that is really keeping me here. That and I want to see where they’re going.
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