The Rocketeer!

I recently read The Rocketeer stories by Dave Stevens in their original format. That means scrounging up many different comics titles from four different comic book companies. It's quite a saga that is spread across many years.

The story begins in the Pacific Comics title Starslayer. In the debut issue of that title there is a one page ad for the Rocketeer. It got many people interested. I was there, and I can tell you that's true. As interesting as Starslayer was, it was that one Rocketeer page that got you humming. In the next issue of Starslayer we actually meet Cliff Secord, his sidekick and mentor Peevy, and his knockout babe Betty. It's a few pages but it's choice. And we get to see the Rocketeer fly. The third issue of Starslayer follows up nicely with a second chapter.




Then the story shifts to a new title Pacific Presents for two issues and two more chapters. The chapters are a bit longer and the art seems a bit brighter as the story of the stolen rocketpack and Cliff's love affair with the glorious Betty continues to unfold. We meet some characters who evoke a memory of some classic pulp heroes associated with a certain Man of Bronze to boot.

Then it stops.




Eventually the story is continued and the first story at long last completed by The Rocketeer Special Edition, the first comic dedicated solely to Cliff's adventures. The art is even brighter still on great paper and it looks fabulous, especially Betty. This comic was published by Eclipse Comics who stepped in to rescue the tale from oblivion after the fall of Pacific Comics.

And Eclipse then collects the first story in a great album. The story though ends on an odd note with Betty and Cliff both headed to New York City. It's not as neatly tied up as one would like.




Eventually in the late 80's, Comico steps in and publishes two issues of The Rocketeer Aventure Magazine offering up the lushest Dave Stevens artwork yet on Cliff's journey to NYC and how he meets up with an old pal and dives headlong into a mystery that delves into his past with a very bizarre carnival. A series of murders committed by a guy who looks like famous movie villain Rondo Hatton put Cliff in great danger but he's saved by a most mysterious fellow he met at the Cobalt Club, another pulp hero it seems. All this and he wants to win back Betty's love to boot.

Then after two issues it stopped.



It's the 90's and finally at long last the third and final issue of The Rocketeer Adventure Magazine is published by Dark Horse Comics. It completes the saga of Cliff Secord and his romance with Betty though still up in the air does seem to progress a bit. The story ends with all parties either in California or headed back there.

And that's the saga. No more Rocketeer tales have been told aside from the movie and its two adaptations. That's a long time to wait for such a story, no matter its wonderful art to unfold, but many did it. Now sadly with the death of Dave Stevens there will likely be no more Rocketeer tales. It's a pity, because I think he wanted there to be. But I've read nothing to indicate such will happen.

But never say never. If any hero can come back it's the Rocketeer.

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