“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. 

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

The world fell in love again with Skottie Young during the Marvel NOW! renumbering over the last two years. Skottie Young’s baby variant covers featuring chibi like baby characters from all over the Marvel Universe were so popular, shops couldn’t keep them on the shelves. They were so popular that Marvel included several promotional prints that retailers could give out to customers. I have a few of the baby variants myself but the book I’m the happiest with is the Skottie Young variant to “The Superior Spider-man”. Much to my delight Young is not only the writer and artist of the upcoming Rocket Raccoon book but he is also going to reprise his popular variant covers at Marvel as well. This time though, it will be for the highly anticipated “Spider-Verse” series.

The “Spider-Verse”, as it is currently known, will feature just about every iteration of Spider-Man put into print or animation. The variants will span across Marvel’s Spiderman titles and will start with a return of Spock in “Superior Spider-Man” #32 this August. That book will be soon followed up by “Amazing Spider-Man #9 in November where the first chapter in the “Spider-Verse” event begins. For more news on Skottie Young’s Rocket Raccoon, check out our coverage of the even here. If you’re interested in what this “Spider-Verse” is you can get a better idea of that over here. Before you go off to read those articles though, check out the full preview art from Marvel Entertainment below. Don’t forget to name as many of the Spidey’s as you can in the comments.

Preview covers courtesy of Marvel Entertainment

SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #32 (JUN140643)
Written by: Dan Slott & Christos Gage
Art & Cover by: Giuseppe Camuncoli
Interlocking Variant A by: Skottie Young (JUN140644)
FOC – 07/14/14, On-Sale – 08/06/14

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #9
Written by: Dan Slott
Art by: Olivier Coipel
Cover by: Mike Del Mundo
Interlocking Variant B by: Skottie Young
On-Sale November!

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