On The Complete Rocketeer

When people ask me what my favorite comic book movie is, there’s only one answer, and I don’t even have to think about it.

The Rocketeer.

Yes, Batman Begins blew me away. V For Vendetta, I’m sorry to say, Alan Moore, was well-nigh perfect. The Dark Knight, I wept at the end. Even Spider-Man was quite good.

And I’m optimistic for Watchmen.

But The Rocketeer is on an entirely different plane of existence.

It’s just… brilliant.

There’s nothing I can fault. The script is fun. The acting is superb. The set pieces are impressively staged. It’s a throwback to classic movie serials, cliched storytelling, and impressive stagecraft. James Horner’s best score comes from this. It’s wonderful, evocative, funny, brilliant stuff.

And, of course, Disney didn’t have a fucking clue how to market the damn thing.

Like most every fan of the film — and there are many, I assure you — I’ve never read Dave Stevens’ original comics.

Fortunately, that’s going to change.

This autumn, IDW Publishing is bringing out The Complete Rocketeer, collecting Stevens’ original comics, newly recolored.

I can’t wait to see what this looks like. I’m curious about the “deluxe hardcover” as well, like price point and extras.

This one’s going to be a keeper. I just feel it.

Now, maybe I’ll dig out The Rocketeer and watch it with all the joyful glee of a teenager.