There has always been something about The Rocketeer that has peeked my interest. I have never been sure if it’s the pulp adventure or the blend of romance and danger, but it always seems to get my attention. Even though I am not up to speed on all Rocketeer comics, The Rocketeer: The Island immediately caught my attention. From missing legends to lost islands, this first issue wastes no time reminding us why Cliff Secord’s world is such a fun place to revisit.
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?
I have been so behind on The Rocketeer comics, even though I had picked up a bunch of the different series over the years, but I felt a draw to The Rocketeer: The Island. Entering this series, most of my knowledge stemmed from the feature film from 1991 starring Billy Campbell (which Paul Eaton and I plan to discuss this Spring on the Capes and Tights Podcast), so my take on the character and universe is a bit different. Making The Rocketeer: The Island an even better experience, coming in with a more fresh perspective.
What really pulled me into this story was both the writer of the series, John Layman (huge fan of Chew), but also how the series is based on a never-published outline by Rocketeer creator Dave Stevens. This made for a great script from one of comics great writers along with getting the tone, feel, and plot that Stevens created the character for all those years ago. After reading the premiere issue, Layman crafts a story that would make Stevens proud.
The Rocketeer: The Island is a fun adventure to an infamous island from which we have read or seen many stories featuring. While we only get a glimpse of The Island towards the later part of the first issue, it’s a setting that has me giddy with joy and ready for more of an adventure. The premiere issue sets up this journey with a great foundation, laying the path of why this journey needs to happen and why Cliff Secord even agreed to that the trip. Now, we are ready for more of what may come on this dangerous and mysterious island.
The setting might be a big draw for some, it’s the characters on the panels of this issue that might surprise and excite you the most. We get the known appearance of Amelia Earhart, one of the reasons for this crazy adventure, but also two other famous and classic characters that are along for the journey. This team-up, as apprehensive as it might be for Secord, makes for some great moments and allows for a deeper story moving forward.
While I came for the outline by the series creator and the script by Layman, it was the artwork that had me glued to each page. Jacob Edgar, known for his work on The Ones and Plastic Man No More!, brings a fun vibe to the story, blending a pulpy style tale with classic funny comics artwork. The artwork is a true mixture of classic comics with modern day style, making it a great visual display for those long time comic fans as well as those jumping into The Rocketeer for the first time.
The premiere issue of The Rocketeer: The Island is just what I wanted from this series, an excellent foundation for an adventure into the unknown with a great setting and amazing cast of characters. John Layman crafts a tale that would make Dan Stevens proud and along with Jasob Edgar gives their own touch to it, making for an excellent series debut.
The Rocketeer: The Island #1 hits local comic shops on February 25, 2026 from IDW Publishing (FOC: January 19).
The Rocketeer: The Island #1 Trailer
The Rocketeer: The Island #1 Preview
