An entertaining pick of the week this week with a new story beginning from IDW Publishing in The Rocketeer: The Island #1.
Read my full review here:
Miniseries premiere! The Rocketeer returns to save Amelia Earhart in a brand-new story by creator Dave Stevens! The year is 1938, and Cliff Secord (A.K.A. the Rocketeer) is recruited to lead a search and rescue mission. The mission?
Find Amelia Earhart! Considering a year has passed since the famous pilot went missing, the Rocketeer is hesitant at first—that is, until he learns the expedition is to the same island Betty ran off to with the scummy photographer Marco!
The Rocketeer will have to uncover the secret of the century’s greatest mystery while trying to win back his girlfriend. But what else awaits him on the island?
Author: John Layman
Artist: Jacob Edgar
I am a long-time fan of the Rocketeer, and this new mini-series adventure hits all the right spots for me so far.
Historical figures - check, with Amelia Earhart fitting in nicely with it, both being a cameo and the driving reason behind the story.
Tension - currently this is of the romantic side, but Cliff’s relationships have always been a staple of the series, and this is something slightly new for the character, dealing with a love rival! There is the tension from the mission, but I am also looking forward to seeing who the antagonists will be for the story.
Fast pace - we get some flying action, and this is both in planes and from the famous rocket pack, a nice taste of what is to come.
Humour - in spades and with its tongue firmly in cheek, I smiled at the first, and then there was an audible chuckle from the second cameo - one you may not expect!
The artwork does a perfect job in the cartoony, adventure aspect, along with the fast-paced action we come to expect from the character.
I think this works well for established readers, and new readers should have no problem jumping in and enjoying the ride!
Honourable mention:
Is Ted OK? #1 from Mad Cave Studios - a clever read with a lot of mystery behind it.