Review - The Rocketeer: Infiltrator! #1
From IDW Publishing
The Rocketeer returns in The Rocketeer: Infiltrator! #1 with some WWII action from IDW Publishing.
It’s the height of World War II, and Betty is a Nazi collaborator! Or so we’re led to believe. As Allied planes mysteriously explode in midair across Europe, rumors of a Nazi superweapon compel the U.S. to send its fastest asset undercover: the Rocketeer! With Betty posing as a defecting American actress in a German motion picture, Cliff Secord, a.k.a. the Rocketeer, accompanies as her brother and manager. And since neither has experience in deep-cover work, the Allies send a handler to support them — a debonair MI6 agent who assumes the role of Betty’s co-star.
The Rocketeer will need to maintain his cover, destroy a superweapon no Allied agent has actually seen, and keep Betty away from the handsome British secret agent with a penchant for beautiful women. It’s a lot for a reckless stunt pilot to handle!
Gabriel Hardman (Batman/Green Arrow/The Question: Arcadia) and rising star artist Dean Kotz (The Savage Sword of Conan, Black Hammer: Visions) team up to tell the most dangerous Rocketeer story yet!
A quick return for the Rocketeer, and this time there is a noticeably darker tone running throughout the story. Rather than simply reacting to the Nazi threat, Cliff and Betty find themselves willingly stepping into the heart of enemy territory. Operating as undercover spies, they are forced to play dangerous roles where a single mistake could expose everything. The stakes immediately feel much higher than in previous adventures, giving the series a genuine sense of tension while still embracing many of the classic Rocketeer and World War II spy thriller tropes that fans will be hoping for.
The story takes its time to build, opting for a slower and more suspenseful pace instead of rushing from one action sequence to the next. That measured approach works well, allowing the mission, the dangers surrounding it and the wider conspiracy to develop naturally. As more details emerge, the atmosphere becomes increasingly uneasy, with the feeling that someone could be discovered at any moment. Betty and Cliff are placed in an especially intriguing position, as from the outside they appear to be collaborating with the Nazis by working on a propaganda film. In reality, they are attempting to uncover a much larger secret, but to anyone watching, they could easily be branded traitors. It creates an interesting moral dilemma and keeps the tension high throughout.
The issue also does a great job of introducing its supporting cast. The members of the film crew all feel like they have a purpose beyond simply filling the background, while the various military figures add to the sense that Cliff and Betty are constantly surrounded by people who could expose them. The introduction of another spy operating independently is handled particularly well. It is an unexpected twist that immediately raises new questions about who can be trusted and how their objectives might overlap. His arrival provides one of the strongest moments of the issue and leads into an excellent cliffhanger—quite literally—that leaves you eager to see what happens next.
Despite the heavier emphasis on espionage, there is still plenty of the thrilling Rocketeer action that readers expect. One surveillance mission quickly spirals into something much more dangerous when Cliff investigates some mysterious lights, proving that curiosity can be just as risky as outright heroics. The action sequences are exciting without overwhelming the slower espionage elements, and the gunfights feel suitably tense because of everything riding on the mission. Cliff remains an entertaining lead throughout, resourceful and brave, although he also learns the hard way just how hot a firearm can become when events get a little too close for comfort. Moments like this help balance the danger with the adventurous spirit that has always been part of the character.
The artwork is a perfect fit for the tone of the story. The darker scenes make excellent use of shadows to reinforce the feeling of secrecy and suspicion, while the brighter scenes on the film set provide a sharp contrast that reflects the double lives being lived by the characters. The colouring is particularly impressive, helping each location stand out while maintaining the period atmosphere. The mountain action scenes were a particular highlight, combining sweeping scenery with exciting movement to create some memorable visuals that complement the tension of the story.
Overall, this is an exciting opening chapter that successfully blends the suspense of a wartime spy thriller with the high-flying adventure that defines The Rocketeer. It introduces an engaging mystery, establishes the dangers facing Cliff and Betty, and finishes on a strong cliffhanger that makes it easy to look forward to the next issue.
