REVIEW: ROCKETMAN & ROCKETGIRL' #1 by Jacob Edgar, Jordi Perez, and Ellie Wright

 

ROCKETMAN & ROCKETGIRL #1

Writer: Jacob Edgar

Artist: Jordi Perez, Ellie Wright

Letters: Jeff Eckleberry

Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment

Release Date: March 29, 2023

Cover Price: $4.99

New York City, 1940! Masked bank robbers are making a helicopter getaway, and Rocketman and Rocketgirl are on the case! But after failing to apprehend the thieves, the team uncovers a more complex conspiracy... Nazis hell-bent on stealing rocket technology for themselves! It's super-charged thrills from Jacob Edgar (The Ones) and Jordi Perez (Firefly)!

Score: 

★★★★★ (5/5)

QUICK REVIEW: 'Rocketman & Rocketgirl' by Jacob Edgar, Jordi Perez, and Ellie Wright is an exciting throwback to the action-packed serials from another generation now made into an entertaining one-shot. After being unable to apprehend bank robbers in the visually stunning exciting opening sequence, Rocketman and Rocketgirl get an aggressive visit from law enforcement putting them under suspicion of a crime. Is it a setup? Are the husband and wife super duo, in fact, criminals? They need to clear their names and get to the bottom of this apparent conspiracy. Edgar has an excellent ear for dialogue and it would have been easy to go heavy on the pulpy language we've become accustomed to when it comes to stories set in the New York of the 40s but it's not as hardboiled but also not modern vernacular. The story is well-crafted from the introduction of what these heroes are capable of to their relationship outside of the spandex and the stakes that are at risk are clearly drawn allowing the reader to be fully invested. It's quite remarkable for a one-shot to be this engaging, especially with an unknown property. Jordi Perez and Ellie Wright take readers back to 1940 with period-appropriate designs and colors that are warm and subtle except when the heroes are in action. Then there's a burst of color and some fantastic cinematic panels. 

'Rocketman & Rocketgirl' is that rare one-shot that is a stand-alone but satisfyingly entertaining that readers will beg for more. Comparisons will be made to 'The Rocketeer' and not only is that appropriate but deserved because it's that good. It's escapist fantasy super heroics about a couple with jet-packs and who wouldn't be inspired by that? It used to be every kid's dream. I'm still waiting for technology to catch up and get my own. 'Rocketman & Rocketgirl' is a rousing adventure full of great action, intrigue, and charm.