Rocket Raccoon

Rocket Raccoon

Rocket Raccoon, from the cover of
Annihilation Conquest: Star-Lord #2
Art by Nic Klein.
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Marvel Preview #7 (Summer 1976)
Created by Bill Mantlo (writer)
Keith Giffen (artist)
In-story information
Place of origin Halfworld
Team affiliations Guardians of the Galaxy
Abilities Genius-level intellect
Master tactician and field commander
Expert marksman and sniper
Accomplished starship aviator
Normal-physical attributes of an Earth raccoon

Rocket Raccoon is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Bill Mantlo and artist Keith Giffen, the character first appeared in Marvel Preview #7 (Summer 1976). He is an intelligent, anthropomorphic raccoon, who is an expert marksman and master tactician. His name and aspects of his character are a nod to the Beatles' 1968 song "Rocky Raccoon".

Rocket Raccoon appeared as a prominent member in the 2008 relaunch of the superhero team Guardians of the Galaxy. The character has appeared in several media adaptations as a member of that team, including animated television series, toys, and video games. He appears in the 2014 live-action film Guardians of the Galaxy, albeit only as "Rocket", with his voice provided by Bradley Cooper and motion capture provided by Sean Gunn.

Publication history

The character was created by Bill Mantlo and Keith Giffen,[1] and inspired by the Beatles song "Rocky Raccoon".[2] Other references to the song were featured in Rocket's appearance in The Incredible Hulk #271 (May 1982), which was titled "Now Somewhere In the Black Holes of Sirius Major There Lived a Young Boy Named Rocket Raccoon" and saw the Hulk help Rocket stop a villain trying to steal "Gideon's Bible", which in the Marvel Universe was a book that contained the sum of all knowledge on the Loonies colony.[3]

Rocket Raccoon first appeared in Marvel Preview #7 (Summer 1976), in the back-up feature "The Sword in the Star", under the name "Rocky".[4][5] He would next appear in The Incredible Hulk #271 (May 1982), where it is learned that "Rocky" is short for "Rocket". In 1985, he received his own four-issue limited series and in an afterword to the first issue, Mantlo himself asserted that this was the same character seen in Preview, penciled by Mike Mignola and inked by Al Gordon with Al Milgrom. Rocket appeared in Quasar #15 in 1990 and later appeared in three issues of Sensational She-Hulk in 1992 (#44-46).[3] The character only appeared in a total of ten comic books in his first thirty years of existence.[6]

Besides a brief appearance in a 2006 issue of Exiles,[3] Rocket Raccoon was next seen in 2007's Annihilation: Conquest and Annihilation: Conquest - Star-Lord limited series,[3][7] and their spin-off series, a new volume of Guardians of the Galaxy.[3][8] He remained a regular member of the series cast until it was canceled with issue #25 in 2010, also appearing in the follow-up limited series The Thanos Imperative.[4] Along with fellow Guardian Groot, Rocket starred in backup features in Annihilators #1-4 (March–June 2011) and Annihilators: Earthfall #1-4 (Sept.–Dec. 2011).[4]

Rocket Raccoon, along with the other members of the Guardians, appeared in issues #4-8 of Avengers Assemble,[9] a series intended as a jumping-on point for fans of the film The Avengers.[10] He appears prominently in Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3, a part of the 2012 Marvel NOW! relaunch.[11]

In February 2014, it was announced that Skottie Young will be the writer and artist for a Rocket Raccoon ongoing series.[12] The series began in July 2014, with the first issue selling over 300,000 copies.[13] Jake Parker replaced Young as the artist beginning with issue #5.[14] The series ended in May 2015 as one of many titles to be cancelled for Marvel's Secret Wars event.[15] A new volume, titled Rocket Raccoon and Groot, began in January 2016 as part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel relaunch.[16]

Fictional character biography

Rocket Raccoon #1 (May 1985). Cover art by Mike Mignola and Al Gordon.

Rocket Raccoon acts as the "Guardian of the Keystone Quadrant", an area of outer space sealed off from the rest of the cosmos by the so-called Galacian Wall. Rocket is captain of the starship Rack 'n' Ruin, and he and his first mate Wal Rus (a talking walrus) come from the planet Halfworld in the Keystone Quadrant, an abandoned colony for the mentally ill where the animal companions were genetically manipulated to grant them human level intelligence and bipedal body construction for many to become caretakers of the inmates. Rocket was Halfworld's chief law officer ("ranger") who protected the colony against various threats.[17]

At one point, Judson Jakes tried to steal the Halfworld Bible, but was thwarted by Rocket and various animal associates. Later, Lord Dyvyne abducted Rocket's friend Lylla, and Jakes began the Toy War.[18] As the Toy War continued, Blackjack O'Hare teamed up with Rocket, and Rocket was reunited with Lylla.[19] The Rack 'n' Ruin was soon destroyed, as Judson Jakes and Lord Dyvyne teamed up to kill Rocket Raccoon.[20] Rocket Raccoon and his friends cured the Loonies of their mental illnesses, as Judson Jakes and Lord Dyvyne were apparently killed. Rocket and the animals as well as the robots left Halfworld and took off into space for their own adventures.[21] Some time later, Rocket was revealed to have been a laboratory subject on the Stranger's planet, and escaped his captivity there.[22]

Guardians of the Galaxy

Rocket Raccoon resurfaced as a member of the team chosen to accompany Star-Lord on his mission to stop a Phalanx infiltration of the Kree homeworld.[23] Rocket is depicted as a gifted military tactician who is fearless, loyal, and insightful. It is heavily implied that he has a case of obsessive compulsive disorder.[24] Rocket's trademark rocket skates are absent.[23]

Rocket joins the new Guardians of the Galaxy at the behest of his friend Star-Lord.[25] It is he who suggests that the team adopt that moniker after hearing it mentioned by Major Victory.[26] Later on, when the team almost disbands and Peter Quill (Star-Lord) disappears (sent into the Negative Zone by Ronan), Rocket keeps the team alive, and brings in Groot as member, as the two had become firm friends.[27] Rocket takes over as leader until they rescue Peter, and save the Earth from an alien invasion.[28] When the team tries to halt the growing War of Kings, Rocket leads the portion of the team assigned to make contact with the Shi'ar. They are unable to teleport into the Emperor Vulcan's flagship and have to be rescued by the Starjammers and Rocket's old friend Ch'od.[29] They are able to bring back the rightful queen of the Shi'ar, but she is killed after Rocket departs, much to his horror.[30]

After the Guardians disband,[31] Rocket Raccoon takes up a normal job with Timely Inc.[32] He and Groot were reunited and tricked into returning to Halfworld: here, he found out his memories of the place were mostly half-truths and deliberately crafted fake memories. In reality, Jakes and Blackjack O'Hare had worked with Rocket in providing security at Halfworld Asylum for the Criminally Insane; Doctor Dyvyne had been Head of Psychology there; and both the anthropomorphic animals and the automaton clowns were deliberately created to work at the asylum, as their appearance would calm the inmates. The crises that Rocket half-remembered had been caused by the psychic supervillain the Star Thief, who had been admitted as an inmate and used his psychic powers to turn the inhabitants against each other. Rocket had turned the warders into a biological "key" to keep Star-Thief locked up, and deliberately altered his mind and left Halfworld so it could never be opened - but he was tricked into returning by the Thief, whose mind had escaped into the asylum after his host body died.[33]

When the Guardians of the Galaxy title was relaunched in 2013, Rocket was again a member of the team.[34]

In the first issue of Secret Wars, the Guardians of the Galaxy take part in the incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-1610, in which Rocket and Groot are killed by the Children of Tomorrow.[35]

All-New, All-Different Marvel

As part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel, Rocket Raccoon takes leadership of the Guardians of the Galaxy while Star-Lord was busy handling things on Spartax.[36]

Powers and abilities

Rocket Raccoon possesses the normal attributes of an Earth raccoon, including speed (which has been additionally amplified by his training), and an acute sense of smell, sight, hearing and touch. Sharp claws allow him to scale walls, buildings, and trees with ease. He is an accomplished starship pilot, an expert marksman with the two laser pistols he carries as well as having an affinity for heavy weapons. He is a master military tactician and leader, attributes that help him take charge of the Guardians of the Galaxy when Star-Lord is unavailable.

In other media

Television

Film

Rocket in a character poster for the 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy.

Video games

Toys

Collected editions

References

  1. ↑ Mazza, Ed (August 5, 2014). "Bill Mantlo, Rocket Raccoon Co-Creator, Gets Private Guardians Screening In Care Facility". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on August 7, 2014.
  2. ↑ Reed, Bill (June 12, 2007). "365 Reasons to Love Comics #163". Comics Should Be Good. Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Cronin, Brian (February 19, 2014). "The Unlikely Journey of Guardians of the Galaxy Star Rocket Raccoon". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 Rocket Raccoon at the Grand Comics Database
  5. ↑ Mantlo, Bill (w), Giffen, Keith (p), Giffen, Keith (i). "The Sword in the Star!: Stave 2: Witchworld!" Marvel Preview 7 (Summer 1976)
  6. ↑ Collins, Sean (July 29, 2014). "The Rise of Guardians of the Galaxy's Rocket Raccoon". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 21, 2014. Rocket was a punchline, putting in brief comic-relief cameos in titles like Incredible Hulk and She-Hulk; he appeared in 10 comics total over 30 years.
  7. ↑ Warmoth, Brian. "Getting Exclusive at Marvel's Cup O' Joe". WizardUniverse.com. Archived from the original on March 30, 2007. Retrieved February 25, 2007.
  8. ↑ Rogers, Vaneta (May 14, 2008). "Greeting the Guardians: Rocket Raccoon, Groot". Newsarama. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009.
  9. ↑ Beames, Robert (June 14, 2012). "Marvel Teasing Guardians of the Galaxy As Next Movie?". WhatCulture!. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  10. ↑ Truitt, Brian (March 12, 2012). "Comic-book Avengers assemble ahead of movie version". USA Today. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  11. ↑ Richards, Dave (October 14, 2012). "NYCC: Bendis, McNiven & Wacker Relaunch the Guardians of the Galaxy". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on December 6, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
  12. ↑ Meylikhov, Matthew (February 28, 2014). "Rocket Raccoon Blasts Off (and Probably Other Puns) in New Skottie Young Series". Multiversity Comics. Archived from the original on June 27, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  13. ↑ Johnston, Rich (June 4, 2014). "Rocket Raccoon #1 By Mister Skottie Young To Sell 300,000 (Update)". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on July 16, 2014. I understand that orders for Rocket Raccoon #1, the new comic from Mister Skottie Young that received such a strong showing for Free Comic Book Day, is close to topping 300,000 pre-orders from Marvel Comics.
  14. ↑ Parkin, JK (November 9, 2014). "Jake Parker brings extra Groot to Rocket Raccoon #5′". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on November 28, 2014.
  15. ↑ Johnston, Rich (March 7, 2015). "Marvel Announces Groot #1 – To Replace Rocket Raccoon For Secret Wars". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on October 5, 2015. During Secret Wars, Rocket Raccoon is cancelled and replaced by Groot.
  16. ↑ Parkin, JK (September 15, 2015). "Rocket Raccoon & Groot Reunite For New Adventures". Marvel Comics. Archived from the original on October 16, 2016. Skottie Young and Filipe Andrade continue the exploits of these two Guardians of the Galaxy in their own spotlight series!
  17. ↑ Mantlo, Bill (w), Buscema, Sal (p), Buscema, Sal (i). "Rocket Raccoon!" The Incredible Hulk 271 (May 1982), Marvel Comics
  18. ↑ Mantlo, Bill (w), Mignola, Mike (p), Gordon, Al (i). "Rocket Raccoon/Animal Crackers" Rocket Raccoon 1 (May 1985), Marvel Comics
  19. ↑ Mantlo, Bill (w), Mignola, Mike (p), Gordon, Al (i). "The Masque of the Red Breath" Rocket Raccoon 2 (June 1985), Marvel Comics
  20. ↑ Mantlo, Bill (w), Mignola, Mike (p), Gordon, Al (i). "The Book of Revelations" Rocket Raccoon 3 (July 1985), Marvel Comics
  21. ↑ Mantlo, Bill (w), Mignola, Mike (p), Gordon, Al (i). "The Age of Enlightenment" Rocket Raccoon 4 (August 1985), Marvel Comics
  22. ↑ Gruenwald, Mark (w), Manley, Mike (p), Panosian, Dan (i). "Death Watch (Journey Into Mystery Part 3 of 4)" Quasar 15 (October 1990), Marvel Comics
  23. 1 2 Giffen, Keith (w), Green II, Timothy (p), Olazaba, Victor (i). Annihilation: Conquest - Star-Lord 1 (September 2007), Marvel Comics
  24. ↑ Giffen, Keith (w), Green II, Timothy (p), Olazaba, Victor (i). Annihilation: Conquest - Star-Lord 2 (October 2007), Marvel Comics
  25. ↑ Abnett, Dan, Lanning, Andy (w), Pelletier, Paul (p), Magyar, Rick (i). "Somebody's Got To Do It" Guardians of the Galaxy v2, 1 (July 2008), Marvel Comics
  26. ↑ Abnett, Dan, Lanning, Andy (w), Pelletier, Paul (p), Magyar, Rick (i). "Legacy" Guardians of the Galaxy v2, 2 (August 2008), Marvel Comics
  27. ↑ Abnett, Dan, Lanning, Andy (w), Walker, Brad (p), Magyar, Rick (i). "Past Mistakes" Guardians of the Galaxy v2, 8 (February 2009), Marvel Comics
  28. ↑ Abnett, Dan, Lanning, Andy (w), Walker, Brad (p), Magyar, Rick; Livesay, John (i). "Blastaared" Guardians of the Galaxy v2, 10 (April 2009), Marvel Comics
  29. ↑ Abnett, Dan, Lanning, Andy (w), Walker, Brad (p), Olazaba, Victor (i). "Peacemakers" Guardians of the Galaxy v2, 13 (June 2009), Marvel Comics
  30. ↑ Abnett, Dan, Lanning, Andy (w), Pelletier, Paul (p), Magyar, Rick (i). "The Head That Wears the Crown" War of Kings 3 (July 2009), Marvel Comics
  31. ↑ Abnett, Dan, Lanning, Andy (w), Sepulveda, Miguel (p). "Devastation" The Thanos Imperative: Devastation 1 (March 2011), Marvel Comics
  32. ↑ Abnett, Dan, Lanning, Andy (w), Eng Huat, Tan (p), Olazaba, Victor (i). "Blame it on the Black Star" Annihilators 1 (May 2011), Marvel Comics
  33. ↑ Abnett, Dan, Lanning, Andy (w), Eng Huat, Tan (p), Olazaba, Victor (i). "Wraithfire" Annihilators 3 (July 2011), Marvel Comics
  34. ↑ Bendis, Brian Michael (w), McNiven, Steve (p), Dell, John (i). "What exactly do you think you're doing, Mister Quill?"" Guardians of the Galaxy v3, 1 (May 2013)
  35. ↑ Hickman, Jonathan (w), Ribić, Esad (p), Ribić, Esad (i). "The End Times" Secret Wars 1 (July 2015)
  36. ↑ Bendis, Brian Michael (w), Schiti, Valerio (p), Schiti, Valerio (i). Guardians of the Galaxy v4, 1 (December 2015)
  37. 1 2 3 4 Arbeiter, Michael (August 1, 2014). "Other Films and TV Shows Where You Can Find the Guardians of the Galaxy". Hollywood.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2014.
  38. ↑ McGloin, Matt (October 15, 2012). "Rocket Raccoon Is A Joke Character; Guardians of the Galaxy To Appear In Ultimate Spider-Man Cartoon Written By Bendis". Cosmic Book News. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012.
  39. ↑ "Marvel's Avengers Assemble Clip: Teaming with the Guardians of the Galaxy". IGN. April 4, 2014. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  40. ↑ Melching, Steven (writer); Archibald, Patrick (director) (July 6, 2014). "It's a Wonderful Smash". Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. Season 1. Episode 26. Disney XD.
  41. ↑ Marvel Entertainment (February 17, 2015). "The voice of #RocketRaccoon is from Edmonton, Canada". Twitter. Archived from the original on November 26, 2015. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  42. ↑ Marvel Entertainment (February 17, 2015). "Trevor Devall will voice Rocket on DisneyXD's Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy!". Twitter. Archived from the original on October 14, 2015. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  43. ↑ Kit, Borys (July 14, 2012). "Comic-Con 2012: Marvel Names Avengers Follow-Ups; Robert Downey Jr. Makes Surprise Appearance". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 4, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  44. ↑ "Official: Bradley Cooper to Voice Rocket Raccoon in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy". Marvel Comics. August 30, 2013. Archived from the original on March 10, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  45. ↑ Dietsch, T.J. (June 26, 2014). "James Gunn Reveals His Brother's Roles in Guardians of the Galaxy". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on July 17, 2015. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  46. ↑ Skipper, Ben (August 20, 2014). "Guardians of the Galaxy Writer Reveals Hit Marvel Film Nearly Didn't Star Rocket Raccoon". International Business Times. Archived from the original on August 21, 2014. Kevin was a big fan of Rocket, and I'm so glad because I really felt like that was necessary and that was needed.
  47. ↑ Outlaw, Kofi (2014). "Guardians of the Galaxy: How They Made Rocket Raccoon in Marvel's Space Adventure". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on July 1, 2014. We needed a raccoon to study how he looked and his behavior, so that our on-screen raccoon, which is generated through CGI will be realistic. Our Rocket is based on a combination of our voice actor, Bradley Cooper, our on-set actor, my brother Sean Gunn, the movements and behavior and look of Oreo [the raccoon], as well as my own animation.
  48. ↑ Smith, Kat (July 29, 2014). "THN Catch-Up With Oreo Raccoon AKA Rocket Raccoon From Guardians Of The Galaxy". The Hollywood News. Archived from the original on August 20, 2014. As we all know from the photos all over the internet Oreo did indeed go to the premiere.
  49. ↑ "Marvel Studios Begins Production on Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2". Marvel Comics. February 17, 2016. Archived from the original on February 17, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  50. ↑ "The Rocket Box Now Available!". Heroup.com. September 5, 2014. Archived from the original on November 28, 2014.
  51. ↑ Sinclair, Brendan (July 20, 2011). "Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 roster leaked". GameSpot. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011.
  52. ↑ Vejvoda, Jim (August 20, 2012). "Who Should Voice Rocket Raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy?". IGN. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013.
  53. ↑ Outlaw, Kofi (April 30, 2014). "Guardians of the Galaxy: Bradley Cooper's Rocket Raccoon Voice Revealed". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014.
  54. ↑ "Rocket Raccoon joins Marvel Heroes". Marvel Heroes. July 16, 2012. Archived from the original on August 7, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  55. 1 2 "Voice Compare Guardians of the Galaxy Rocket Raccoon". Behind the Voice Actors. July 23, 2013. Archived from the original on March 8, 2014.
  56. ↑ "Lego Marvel Super Heroes - Goofing Around With Mr. Fantastic". Game Informer. August 21, 2013. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  57. ↑ Dyer, Mitch (April 30, 2014). "Disney Infinity Marvel Super Heroes Announced". IGN. Archived from the original on July 19, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
  58. ↑ Wyld, Leo (August 2014). "Guardians of the Galaxy Gaming Update". Guardthegalaxy.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2014.
  59. ↑ "Marvel Hasbro Toys Toy Fair 2013". MTV. 2013. Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  60. ↑ Ratcliffe, Amy (August 6, 2014). "Rejoice Because Hot Toys Is Making THAT Groot Toy from Guardians of the Galaxy". Nerdist. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. The potted Groot is a bonus accessory available exclusively to people who order the Hot Toys Rocket Raccoon and Groot figure set from Sideshow Collectibles.

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