Review: ROCKET #1

ROCKET No. 1 (2017)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Al Ewing
ARTIST: Adam Gorham
COLORS: Michael Garland
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
COVER: Mike Mayhew
VARIANT COVERS: Tim Bradstreet; Joe Jusko; David Mack
28pp, Color, $3.99 (July 2017)

Rocket Raccoon created by Bill Mantlo and Keith Giffen

Rated T+

“The Blue River Score” Part 1: “The Damsel”

Rocket Raccoon is a Marvel Comics space-based character created by writer Bill Mantlo and artist Keith Giffen.  The character first appeared in Marvel Preview #7 (cover dated:  Summer 1976), and received a snazzy makeover in 2008, courtesy of writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning.  Rocket Raccoon, or simply “Rocket” is verbose, proactive, and doesn't mind zapping a ray blast in sentient ass.

Rocket Raccoon is the star of his third comic book series, entitled Rocket.  It is written by Al Ewing; drawn by Adam Gorham; colored by Michael Garland; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.

Rocket #1 (“The Damsel”) finds Rocket drowning his sorrows at a bar on Digriz.  Suddenly, in walks Otta Spice, the former female-in-his-life.  She left him, but now, she is back because she needs him.  He does not want to help her, but he will – even if it is mission impossible.

Back in 2014, when I read Rocket Raccoon #1 by Skottie Young, I did not like the first 11 pages.  However, the second half of that comic book was a blast.  I was hoping for something like that with Rocket #1, but it didn't happen.  Rocket #1 is a poor comic book.

Marvel Comics currently has a #1 issue problem, and has for the last few years.  There are too many of them, especially when it comes to Guardians of the Galaxy.  I know that Marvel is merely trying to tap into the sales potential of a hot media property, following the success of the 2014 film, Guardians of the Galaxy, but the number of new titles related to this property seems like early 1990s Marvel overkill.  Rocket #1 is an example of a comic book that is either not ready for release or simply should not be published.  Rocket #1 is only a little better than recent Marvel #1 issues for Kingpin and Bullseye, which were crummy comics.

I like Mike Mayhew's cover art, and Adam Gorham's interior art is just right... for a better humor comic book than Rocket.

C-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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