Review - The Rocketeer: The Island #1
From IDW Publishing
A new tale begins this week with the rocket-packed hero! Check out my review of The Rocketeer: The Island #1 from IDW Publishing.
There is also a preview 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?
Beloved writer John Layman (Chew, Titans) and artistic powerhouse Jacob Edgar (Plastic Man: No More, The Ones) team up to tell the wildest Rocketeer story ever, based on a never-published outline by Rocketeer creator Dave Stevens!
Author: John Layman
Artist: Jacob Edgar
It’s genuinely great to see the return of The Rocketeer, and this one feels like it carries a bit of special weight right out of the gate. The Rocketeer: The Island #1 from IDW Publishing doesn’t waste time easing us in—it drops us straight into the heart of the mystery, giving the story an immediate sense of momentum and purpose.
The setup is particularly neat, opening with a well-placed flashback to a chance encounter with the legendary Amelia Earhart. It’s a clever way to ground the emotional stakes early on, especially as we see Cliff still wrestling with his ever-complicated love life. That personal tension gives the story texture, reminding us that even a high-flying hero like Cliff Secord can’t quite escape romantic turbulence.
What works especially well is how those two threads collide. When Amelia Earhart goes missing, the Rocketeer is pulled into the mystery, determined to uncover what really happened. And as the hints begin to pile up, it becomes clear that her disappearance—and possibly even the nature of her flight—may not be as straightforward as history suggests. That underlying sense of something being “off” adds a compelling layer of intrigue.
This first issue is very much about building the foundation. We spend a lot of time on board the ship, soaking in the tension through side-eyes, sharp remarks, and subtle rivalries. There’s a steady undercurrent of catty exchanges and suspicious glances that keeps things simmering. Of course, we’re also treated to some proper Rocketeer action, and it all culminates in a fantastic final-page reveal that perfectly sets the hook for the next issue.
Character work is another real strength here. Cliff and Betty, along with their respective partners, share plenty of loaded looks and awkward chemistry. It’s playful, slightly messy, and often very funny. That humour runs throughout the issue, balancing out the mystery and danger. On top of that, there are some delightful cameo appearances that genuinely made me smile. They feel like fun rewards for readers in the know, and I’m hoping the mini-series continues to sprinkle in those surprises.
Visually, the art absolutely delivers. It leans into a cartoony, expressive style that suits the pulpy tone of the Rocketeer perfectly, while still conveying speed, impact, and the thrill of flight. The action sequences feel dynamic, the character expressions are full of personality, and the scenery is rendered with just the right amount of detail to bring the setting to life without overwhelming the page.
All in all, this is a strong opening chapter—heavy on setup, rich in character moments, and capped with a reveal that promises bigger things ahead. I can’t wait to see what The Island brings us next.
