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Rocket Raccoon: A Chasing Tale 2/16/2015 6:50:48 AM
This post originally appeared on thunderalleybcp.com
Rocket Raccoon was the breakout character of 2014.
An animated Rocket Raccoon all but stole the Guardians of the Galaxy movie from his human co-stars. The character was a vital part of the mix in the Guardians comic book. And his own spin-off comic was one of last year’s strongest sellers. The first collected volume, Rocket Raccoon: A Chasing Tale is now available.
A Chasing Tale finds Rocket Raccoon suspected in a string of murders across the galaxy. Circumstances lead Rocket to think that he might not be the only one of his kind, as he’d always believed. With best pal Groot at his side, Rocket engages in a comically elaborate plot that he hopes will clear his name. While careening across the universe, Rocket also runs afoul of the Ex-Terminators, a band of his former girlfriends who want him dead. It all comes to an explosive, comic boil during a showdown on a remote desert planet. After the main saga, there are two standalone tales. First, Groot narrates a comic treasure hunt for a group of children. Then Rocket repays a favor to Cosmo, the telepathic Russian dog that oversees Knowhere station, and helps liberate some kidnapped A.I.s who had been snatched from their Planet of Misfit Mechs.
Cartoonist/auteur Skottie Young is the perfect fit for Rocket Raccoon. Young really gets the comedic sensibilities of the character and spins Rocket into some wild, entertaining directions. The brash, violent and crafty sides of Rocket all get their moments in the spotlight. But more than that, Young teases out the more complex aspects of Rocket’s character without getting maudlin or slowing down the action. It’s a delicate balancing act that the writer pulls off very well.
Young brings lots of ideas to Rocket Raccoon. He riffs on familiar elements like space bars and bizarre aliens, but comes up with inventive touches like the Ex-Terminators or the wild revelation of the villain behind Rocket’s legal woes. Not every idea works as well in execution as conception. The idea of Groot narration undoubtedly was too tempting to pass up, but the dialogue of most of an issue consisting solely of “I Am Groot” wears a bit thin after a few pages.
The visuals in Rocket Raccoon are stellar. Young (with an assist from Jake Parker on the solo tales) does some of his best work on this series. Young’s imaginative, cartoonish sensibility is a perfect fit for the material. The heightened, exaggerated quality of the characters and settings creates a dynamic swirl that gives the book a distinctive visual identity. Young deploys creative layouts and an agreeably off-the-wall design aesthetic to create a fluid, detail-packed landscape that moves the action with a lot of style and heart. You’ll want to study the panels, just to pick up on all the unique touches and details incorporated into each one. Parker works in a very similar vein and effectively maintains the standard set by Young.
But this isn’t a production that depends solely on the main artists. More so than any other recent series, Rocket Raccoon relies on all members of its creative team for its success. Colorist Jean-Francois Beaulieu is a crucial collaborator in realizing Young’s vision. He deploys a bright, candy-colored kaleidoscope that makes all the images pop. The colors create a dreamy swirl that helps provide the book’s distinctive look. Letterer Jeff Eckleberry works closely with the art team to incorporate innovative lettering that helps enhance the overall feel and impact of the book. This is a series crafted with a ton of care devoted to all aspects of its production and it shows.
Be aware that Rocket Raccoon isn’t an “all ages” series. There are plenty of double entendres and some humor that’s not right for younger readers. But it’s a winning addition to Marvel’s growing stable of solo books that provide fascinating, offbeat looks at the lives of heroes when they’re away from the grand sagas of the main team books. A Chasing Tale is not to be missed.
