“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. 

As always, “Five & Three” brings you my favorite things in comics this week. Every week I pick my five favorite covers and three favorite panels to create “Five & Three”. I like to talk about why I picked the covers and panels and welcome hecklers and trend setters alike. 

This week was big for news, movies, trailers, “Star Wars” fans, and yes, for comic book fans too. I’ve done my best to break down the moments I got to and some that I didn’t to bring you my favorite things in comics this week. Starting us off strong for the month of November is the whimsical “Fairy Quest: Outcasts #1” by Humberto Ramos. The writing in the book is by Paul Jenkins and BOOM! Studios is publishing it. I have to say that, although Image is still the king of indie comic books, BOOM! has quickly become one of my favorite places for comics.

DC Comics had some wonderful comic book covers this week. if I could have grabbed a great photo of the final issue of Scott Snyder and Jim Lee “Superman Unchained #9” I would’ve certainly included it. That being said, the cover to “Green Lantern #36” by Alex Sinclair and Billy Tan stands shoulder to shoulder with the likes of a cover by Jim Lee Alex Sinclair and Scott Williams.

The perspective for the cover to “The Last West #8” is wonderful. I’m a big fan of Alterna and the books they publish but I haven’t a clue what’s inside the wonderful cover to this book. A quick glance at the past covers though, indicates there is a great artist on art duties for “The Last West”.

The latest book to pique my interest from Image is “Tooth & Claw” by Kurt Busiek and Ben Dewey. The book is another wonderful addition to Image’s line and more evidence that magic happens when you let comic book creators stretch their capabilities to their limits.

The haunting variant cover to “Death of Wolverine: Life After Logan #1” by Julian Totino Tedesco is my favorite for the week. I’m making the assumption that the cover is digitally painted in an oils style because that’s the industry norm but I couldn’t tell the difference if you forced me to. The work is excellent and makes one wonder why the amazing variant art isn’t chosen as the regular cover when it’s this great.

Image: 13thdimension.com

I can’t say enough good things about the BOOM! Studios published “Day Men”. This issue launches right off of the back of the recent collected trade for issues #1-#4. Stay tuned for an in depth review of this series right here on Big Shiny Robot.

“God Hates Astronauts #3” is the funniest book I read this week. Ryan Browne is creating something special in as much as he is creating something entirely shit nuts. I wasn’t a supporter of this book from the get go, it took me a second read through to love issue #1 but I’m fully engaged now. I still am not quite sure what’s going on with the multiple threads Browne is weaving but as long as the jokes stay ripe, I’m in for a monthly bite.

I told the world that Jake Parker was going to be the artist working in collaboration with Skottie Young while the writer/artist took a short break from both creative duties on Rocket Raccoon. I also told the world that Jake Parker’s art is fantastic. I also reporting seeing the nine of Parker’s inked pages from “Rocket Raccoon #5”. This page with the sword was one I was waiting to see in a book the most. Parker told me he had requested that Young put a huge sword in the book for Rocket and it works wonderfully. The fully colored page by Skottie Young’s long time and insanely talented colorist Jean-Francois Beaulieu pops. If there were any doubters that Parker was going to throw off the momentum this book Skottie built they are now certainly eating their words. 

That’s all for this week. If you disagree with a pick, let me know in the comments or on Twitter @MarkAvo or on Instagram @TheMarkAvo. If you think I should’ve picked something else or if you have a pick in mind for next week, give me a shout out and let me know. If you’d like to check out more “Five and Three” comic book moments start with “Five and Three” from last week. Until next week, Happy Birthday Androidika!

As always, “Five & Three” brings you my favorite things in comics this week. Every week I pick my five favorite covers and three favorite panels to create “Five & Three”. I like to talk about why I picked the covers and panels and welcome hecklers and trend setters alike. 

With a busy week full of great material and a slew of upcoming reviews, I have to make this week’s “Five and Three” as short as possible. Consider this the Hobbit issue of “Five and Three” and we’ll start off with some Norse fantasy courtesy of “Ragnarok #2”. Written and drawn by the living legend Walt Simonson, “Ragnarok” isn’t your typical Thor story. The golden age of Norse mythology has come and past. This is a tale of the post ragnarok AKA the Viking apocalypse. If you haven’t yet picked this book up you’re doing yourself a disservice.

The next book I wanted to feature was “in Sanity, AZ Vol. 1” from Quad Shot. It is a horror anthology from an entire backfield worth of creative talents. I picked this cover because it’s something I’ve never seen before and I’ll probably never see again. If you’re horrified by my choice than the creators of “in Sanity, AZ” are doing their jobs correctly. It is October after all so “grab a beer or have some fear” is my motto and with that in mind I’m gifting this cover to you.

More horror on the horizon and it’s from one of the best talents in Horror, Scott Snyder. Yes, the Scott Snyder of “Batman” is a wonderful master of the horror genre. If you only know of Snyder from Batman buckle up, because “Wytches #1” is an amazing ride. The content at the back will raise the hair on the back of your neck while the interior art by Jock will make you crap your pants. This book is terrifying and I can’t wait for more.

With horror being the topic of the last few paragraphs, let this variant cover to the new Archie Comics series “Sabrina #1” spook you good. The green colors over the inked witches by Robert Hack set a tone that continues through the book. This is not your grandad’s Sabrina, this is in the vein of the new “Afterlife with Archie” series. It is completely adult, it is very contemporary, and it is entirely crazy.

Now I’d like to quickly turn to a fun variant cover to “The Amazing Spider-Man #7” by Michael Golden for the Deadpool 75^th variant series. This one gets me chuckling every time I see it.

Last cover for the week is a bonus one because I’m very happy with the tone change and the art direction DC Comics is embracing as of late. Babs Tarr got big from her fan art of DC characters and now her interpretation of the Barbara Gordan Batgirl for “Batgirl” has arrived with Babs’ wonderful rendition.  We’ll cover her wonderful interiors immediately following this final cover but for now, enjoy Cameron Stewart’s wonderful cover to “Batgirl #35”.

I promised some Babs Tarr “Batgirl #35” Interiors and here I am to deliver like a knee to the face.

Following up after “Batgirl” is some amazing “Batman”. I am not a big fan of the “Batman Eternal” books. I like it but if I have to pick a weekly series I’ll take “New 52: Futures End”. I was worried about the possible tone shift in the main “Batman” title from Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo because of the Batman Eternal. I couldn’t have been more wrong as “Batman #35” is one of my favorite issues of Batman from Snyder and Capullo’s run. Read our review of it here and then go grab one for yourself from your local comic book shop.

Everyone who has read this article for any amount of time knows that Skottie Young is one of my favorite contemporary comic book artists and illustrators. Despite that, I’m still excited for Jake Parker’s pencils and inks in next month’s “Rocket Raccoon” because rumor has it, Rocket will be wielding a sword that would make “Final Fantasy’s” Cloud jealous.

That’s all for this week. If you disagree with a pick, let me know in the comments or on Twitter @MarkAvo or on Instagram @TheMarkAvo. If you think I should’ve picked something else or if you have a pick in mind for next week, give me a shout out and let me know. If you’d like to check out more “Five and Three” comic book moments start with “Five and Three” from last week. Until next week, let’s just pretend this was shorter than it turned out to be ok?!

Since its inception last September the Salt Lake Comic Con has had no shortage of surprises for the public. The first year of the event, the convention quickly rose to the third largest of its kind in the US. This year, the sophomore convention has continued with the pleasant surprises, and this one is my favorite kind. Not only is it about comic books, it’s about Rocket Raccoon and one of my favorite artists, Skottie Young.

Although the solicit for the upcoming issue #5 of Marvel Comics “Rocket Raccoon” has already released, the penciler for the book had yet to be announced. I talked to Jake Parker, local Independent Utah comic book artist, and he confirmed a convention rumor that he would be working with Skottie Young while giving him a rest on art duties. Young will remain as the writer for “Rocket Raccoon” #5 while Parker plays the role of the fill-in artist. That’s not all to the story though, because most of the world isn’t aware of Jake Parker and why he was picked for the issue.

Parker and Young have been long times friends. It is well known in comic book circles that Skottie Young is a supporter of the comic book medium and a fan of new, upcoming and independent art. Jake Parker’s popular web comic “Skull Crusher”, his graphic novel “Antler Boy”, and his graphic novels “Missile Mouse” volumes 1 & 2 are a favorite in the indie community. During a friendly conversation a few months ago Parker jokingly told Young that if  “Rocket Raccoon” needed someone to take over art duties Parker would gladly do it. Not expecting the response he received on the joke, Parker was told by Young that he thought it was a great idea.

The original art Jake Parker passed on to Skottie Young at Young’s request

Image Courtesy of Jake Parker

Marvel editors, while initially skeptical even though they liked what they saw over at Parkers website, were immediately won over when they were sent a rough drawing of Rocket Raccoon by Jake. As you can see from the original drawing by Mr. Jake Parker, his style will fit in with Skottie’s perfectly. I for one, am very excited by the news. As a fan of both Skottie Young, and Jake Parker, I can’t wait for November, when the book is due. Anyone who might be worried about dates with a new artist will also be pleased to know that Jake is on fire. I cannot give any more details about the rough pages I saw but there were many of them and they were outstanding.

You can Jake on Twitter @MrJakeParker and on Tumblr at MrJakeParker.Tumblr.com You’ll find the print Jake made up of his Rocket drawing below. If you’re interested in the print you can find him at the Salt Lake Comic Con or pick it up from his website as soon as it is made available.

Image Courtesy of Jake Parker

Last week we told you that “Rocket Raccoon” and  “The Legendary Star-Lord” had not only hit stores in comic book form, but that the issues had sold out on the first day, necessitating a reprint with variant covers. The fan boy in me perked up, remembering the days when I would hit the comic book store several times in order to ensure that I got every variant cover of whatever book I was obsessed with at the time. Limited variant covers were always the most important jewels in the collection, after all, not just anyone could get one.

Well boys and girls, if that’s your bag, then you’re in luck. Marvel announced today another variant cover to “Rocket Raccoon” #1. This one however, will be sold exclusively at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. Prints are limited to 5000 and will be sold for $10.

The cover is being drawn by Jeff Smith of “Bone” fame. You can see what the cover will look like, as well as Marvel’s official press release, right now. 

Jeff Smith Covers ROCKET RACCOON #1 for SDCC Exclusive Variant!

                                                                            

Skottie Young’s brand new Rocket Raccoon series is taking the comic book industry by storm, garnering rave reviews from critics and fans alike! Today, Marvel is proud to unveil that legendary cartoonist Jeff Smith (Bone,RASL) will lend his pen to a jaw-dropping variant cover to the sold-out first issue available exclusively at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con International!

                                                   

“How cool is it to see Jeff Smith — the creator of the seminal Bone — render Marvel’s SDCC exclusive variant cover, featuring this year’s breakout comic character?  Pretty cool,” says Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso.

 As if you didn’t need another reason to head to the comic event of the year, this stunning cover will only be available for purchase at the Marvel Booth at Comic-Con International: San Diego. Jeff Smith’s Rocket Raccoon #1 variant joins an array of soon to be announced merchandise that will be available exclusively on site at The Marvel Shop in Marvel’s San Diego Comic Con International booth (Booth #2329).

 Limited to 5000 pieces and priced at $10.00, don’t miss out on your chance to snag this epic variant cover as comics legend Jeff Smith brings his unique style and charm to two of your favorite Guardians of the Galaxy exclusively at this year’s Marvel Shop for San Diego Comic Con International!

Coming out this summer is everyone’s favorite homicidal raccoon. Drawn and written by Eisner winner and all around great guy Skottie Young, this book is going to be big. Skottie recently finished up his award winning run on Marvel’s Oz series and had the hottest variant covers of the last few years with the Marvel Babies variants. The baby variants inspired a comic all it’s own done after Young’s unique style.

I for one am going to get a few copies of this book and am on board for the ride. Skottie makes fun things better, and if there is a character among the Guardians of The Galaxy that is the most fun it’s probably Rocket. Paired up with Groot, this book is set to be a blockbuster. It’s not always when a comics publisher announces a book this far in advance but with Rocket Raccoon being a main team member in the upcoming blockbuster “Guardians of the Galaxy”, Marvel knows the hype will be larger than life. Marvel’s official announcement is below and they were gracious enough to let us have a very early sneak peek at Skottie’s work.

Experience High-Flying Cosmic Adventure This Summer in ROCKET RACCOON #1!

 

This July, blast off with the fuzziest Guardian of the Galaxy in ROCKET RACCOON #1 – an all-new ongoing series from Eisner Award winning fan-favorite Skottie Young! And you’ve never seen Rocket like this before!

 

As defenders of the cosmos go, Rocket Raccoon has faced his fair share of galactic battles. He’s been a hero to the weak, a champion of the good, a protector to the innocent, and  a heartthrob to many intergalactic species across the cosmos. But is he ready to be a raccoon on the run?!

 

Rocket’s high-flying life of adventure and heroism may soon be a thing of the past when he becomes framed for something he didn’t do! And the authorities aren’t the only ones hot on his TAIL! (Yeah, we went there.)

                                                                                  

“I figure that a guy like Rocket, with his attitude, has swindled his way over many planets and charmed many ladies,” says writer/artist Skottie Young. “He’s racked up a malitia of ex-girlfriends I’m dubbing the Exterminators. They’re all fed up and they’ve decided it’s time they dish out some payback on his furry little tail.”

                          

With his pal Groot at his side, Rocket will have to blast his way out of trouble (and blast his way into some) if he wants to clear his name. Along the way he’ll tussle with some of the fiercest creatures in the known galaxy! But they’re about to bite off more than they can chew if they think they can go toe-to-paw against the shortest Guardian with the biggest gun!

 

Don’t miss the start of the explosive new series as superstar creator Skottie Young kicks off an epic deep space adventure in ROCKET RACCOON #1!

ROCKET RACCOON #1
Written by SKOTTIE YOUNG
Art & Cover by SKOTTIE YOUNG
Variant Cover by DAVID PETERSEN
On-Sale This July!

Preview courtesy of Marvel Entertainment

Preview courtesy of Marvel Entertainment

Preview courtesy of Marvel Entertainment

Preview courtesy of Marvel Entertainment

 Well, it’s finally here! The first official video released by Marvel from this summers “Guardians of the Galaxy!” Granted, this is only a tease for the trailer, it’s still something! While this is the first real look at our motley band of misfits in action, the full blown trailer will be shown on tonights episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!  In the meantime, here are some pics released over the weekend to hold you over!