“Rocket Raccoon: A Chasing Tale” art and story by Skottie Young and Jake Parker. Collects issues 1-6 of “Rocket Raccoon” Trade Paperback, 2015 Marvel Comics (8 out of 10)
I’ll admit, before watching 2014’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” I knew nothing about Rocket Raccoon. After the movie, I felt like I still didn’t know much about him, except that he was very, very funny. And darn cute. Yeah, I’d pet him. And get shot or bitten or something. So even though I’d a dyed-in-the-wool DC Comics fan, when I saw Skottie Young and Jake Parker’s trade paperback “Rocket Raccoon: A Chasing Tale,” I picked it up.
It collects six issues of the Rocket Raccoon comic book — the first five written and illustrated by Young, the last issue by Parker. Both artists are among favorites of mine, and it doesn’t hurt that both have Utah connections (where I’m at), so I love seeing their work on a project like this.
The story is pretty simple — there are a lot of people after Rocket, and he’s on the run for most of the book. Often solo, sometimes with allies like Groot, alien crimelords, or a giant robot. There are jilted ex-lovers on his tail, along with galactic authorities coming after him for a crime that he may or may not have committed. Rocket insists he’s innocent of this particular murder, so he’s trying to stay one step ahead of the law at the same time he’s trying to find the actual killer. It makes for a frantic sprint across planets and prisons and spaceships, and Skottie Young’s art is perfect for it.
If I were to use one word to describe “A Chasing Tale,” it’s…funny. It’s hilarious. Young and Parker both use their skill as artists and storytellers to keep the pace quick, with jokes on every page and nearly every frame. I can see it being too frantic, too overwhelming for some readers, but I had a lot of fun. One issue is almost entirely a story told by Groot, with Young using his art and the simple phrase “I am Groot!” over and over to tell the tale. Jake Parker wraps things up with a story involving robots and more robots. Parker loves to draw robots, and I like to look at his robots, so a robocentric story from him makes me very happy.
If you’re looking for a break from grim superheroes, with a quick read that’s pure confection, “Rocket Raccoon: A Chasing Tale” may be what you’re looking for. It’s funny, and also funny.
