As a lifelong movie fan, I have a real soft spot for The Rocketeer – it was instant magic when it came out in 1982, and it’s only gotten better with time. So, I was thrilled to hear IDW was continuing the story with The Rocketeer: The Island #1! What’s even cooler is that it’s based on a story idea Dan Stevens himself never got around to, and it brings in some other fantastic characters from that era. While it’s not flawless, this first issue really nails the feel of the original film – the look, the vibe – and immediately pulls you into a really intriguing mystery. Honestly, it’s just fantastic to be revisiting that world again.
The first issue of The Rocketeer: The Island starts with a great idea: The Rocketeer and a team of familiar heroes are on a quest to find Amelia Earhart, who disappeared a year ago. This sets the stage for exciting adventures and a bit of romantic drama. While this first issue focuses on getting everything in motion, it’s a really enjoyable read and leaves you eager to find out what happens next.
Rating: 4 out of 5
| PROS | CONS |
| The vibe and tone of the original Rocketeer are intact | The ’30s dialogue goes a bit overboard at times |
| Edgar and Diaz are a perfect fit for the series | It takes a bit for the issue to truly get going |
| The supporting cast is a truly welcome surprise |
The Rocketeer Has Rarely Looked Better
This team’s amazing work really deserves to be highlighted. Edgar’s art is a perfect match for the series – the characters’ faces communicate so much before they even speak. As more characters are introduced, it just gets better and better. I never expected to see Popeye and Tintin in this series, but Edgar absolutely nailed their portrayals.
Diaz’s use of color perfectly captures the feel of the 1930s, giving the book a classic, aged look. The colors aren’t muted, though – bright accents keep the artwork engaging. We first see warm shades of green, yellow, and red, which gradually transition to more vivid oranges, greens, and blues as the story progresses. Despite this shift, the colors all feel cohesive and create a unified world.
This book is fantastic overall, but it truly shines when Cliff is flying as The Rocketeer. Although there are only three flight sequences, the artwork during those moments is incredible, perfectly capturing the exciting, cinematic feel of the original movie. It’s a wonderful blend of comic book energy and film style, and I hope to see more of it in future installments.
An All-Star Supporting Cast
It’s no surprise to see The Rocketeer taking a central role, given the book’s title, but the inclusion of popular characters like Popeye and Tintin was unexpected. Their presence elevates the series, making it feel like a major event, and provides a nice balance to Cliff’s character. This is particularly useful because Cliff is struggling a bit due to his relationship with Betty, and a new character is introduced to add another layer to the story.
The team now includes Alexandra Payne, an archaeologist. While we don’t learn much about her yet, she’s clearly going to be important to the story. Her arrival has already led to some surprising interactions between Cliff, Betty, and her new boyfriend, Marco.
Although The Rocketeer: The Island #1 has some great qualities, it has a few flaws. The dialogue, meant to sound like it’s from the 1930s, sometimes feels forced and breaks the immersion. The story also starts slowly, and doesn’t really find its footing until about halfway through the issue. Hopefully, the next issue will start strong and maintain that momentum, because if it does, this could become a really enjoyable series for fans of The Rocketeer.
- Published By: IDW Entertainment
- Story By: Dave Stevens
- Written By: John Layman
- Art By: Jacob Edgar
- Colors By: K.J. Diaz
- Edited By: Nicolas Nino
The Rocketeer: The Island #1 is in comic stores now.
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2026-02-25 18:40