ROCKETEER Adventures #1
A throw back to the good old daysPublisher: IDW Publishing
Release Date: May 18, 2011
Dave Stevens introduced us to Cliff Secord and his nifty rocket pack back in 1982 which paid homage to the American serial heroes of the 30's and 40's. But if your like me you got introduced to him in the 1991 movie The Rocketeer. There's certain things that bring you back to your childhood and this comic was one of them. Like a smell or a sound that triggers past memories flipping through this comic made we want to revisit the movie and the comics of old .Like the title reads this first issue focuses on the strain of being the Rocketeer and his girlfriend . Cliff and Betty's struggles are told through the dialogue and art of three different story writers and artists.
The first story has Cliff in a tight pickle against the villian Maroni, all the while having to choose a drastic action to not only take down Maroni and his thugs but to save Betty at the sametime, (she seems to never catch a break). Although short this first story is a great introduction to the world of The Rocketeer while still being fun to read.
The second story which is just as artistically aesthetic but a little less pleasing has the old clifster rocketing through the skyline with signature style, but at last falls a little flat with nothing much happening. Strongest of the three finishes The Rocketeer #1 on a strong note with the best written dialogue between Cliff and Betty showing how strongly Betty feels for Cliff even though you think she is waining in her affections. Cliff sends her love Letters reguralry during WWII while she is getting advances from another suitor, all the while worrying if Cliff is alive. Each letter Betty receives feels as if its going to be about Cliff's death. This builds and builds until the final letter, which ends in a great comic book way. Each page feels like an old serial movie or a throwback to Gone with the Wind and the last few pages really show how much love has gone into the look and art.
Hands down the strenght of this comic is its throw back artistic style and clean colors! Shout out to artists John Cassaday, Michael Allred, Michael Kaluta and Colorists Laura Martin, Laura Allred. They bring the quirkiness, lush period visuals that you would expect to see from something like The Rocketeer. Cover by Alex Ross is what drew me initially to pick up the comic, its eye catching. That said I cant wait for future issues that show Cliff in more action with his pack and tangling with some new inventive villains. One issue on relationships while entertaining is enough for me, give me some more rocket man action please!!!
