Rocket Raccoon

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Rocket Raccoon.

Rocket Raccoon is a fictional character, a superhero who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Bill Mantlo and artist Keith Giffen, the character first appeared in Marvel Preview #7 (Summer 1976). He is an intelligent, anthropomorphic raccoon, who is an expert marksman and master tactician. His name and aspects of his character are a nod to The Beatles' 1968 song "Rocky Raccoon". He is also a Halfworlder, a species of cybernetically, genetically and artificially-engineered anthropomorphic animals created by being given experiments on Halfworld.

Rocket Raccoon appeared as a prominent member in the 2008 relaunch of the superhero team Guardians of the Galaxy. The character has appeared in several media adaptations as a member of that team, including animated television series, toys, and video games. He also appears in the 2014 live-action adaptation of the comic of the same name and the sequel, where he was performed and voiced by Bradley Cooper, with motion capture provided by Sean Gunn. Rocket returned in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023). The character has appeared in several media adaptations as a member of that team, including animated television series, toys and video games. He appears in other Marvel Cinematic Universe films including Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder, and the Christmas special Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special.

Publication history[edit]

The character was created by Bill Mantlo and Keith Giffen and consciously inspired by the classic Beatles song "Rocky Raccoon"[1] which included a reference to "Gideon's Bible" (in the comic book limited series it was a book that contained the sum of all knowledge on the "loony colony").

Rocket Raccoon first appeared in Marvel Preview #7 (Summer 1976), in the back-up feature The Sword in the Star.[2] He subsequently appeared in The Incredible Hulk #271 (May 1982). In 1985, he received his own four-issue limited series (in an afterword to the first issue, Mantlo himself asserted that this was the same character seen in Preview), penciled by Mike Mignola and inked by Al Gordon with Al Milgrom. Rocket appeared in a 1990 issue of Quasar (#15); he later appeared in three issues of She-Hulk in 1992 (#44-46) as a prisoner on a Skrull ship.

During Peter David's run on the Hulk series, Hulk went into space and David addressed reader requests for Rocket's reappearance by implying that he had been killed by the aliens known as the Troyjans, who had a pelt mounted on the wall that looked like Rocket's.[3]

Rocket Raccoon was seen again in 2007's Annihilation: Conquest and Annihilation: Conquest - Star-Lord limited series,[4] and their spin-off series, a new volume of Guardians of the Galaxy. He remained a regular member of the series cast until it was canceled with #25 in 2010, also appearing in the follow-up limited series The Thanos Imperative. Along with fellow Guardian Groot, Rocket starred in backup features in Annihilators #1-4 (Mar-Jun 2011) and Annihilators: Earthfall #1-4 (Sept-Dec 2011).

Rocket Raccoon, along with the other members of the Guardians, appeared in issues #4-8 of Avengers Assemble,[5] a series intended as a jumping-on point for fans of the film The Avengers.[6] He will star in Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3, a part of the Marvel NOW! relaunch.[7]

In February 2014, it was announced that Skottie Young would write and illustrate a Rocket Raccoon ongoing series.[8] The series began in July 2014, with the first issue selling over 300,000 copies.[9] Jake Parker replaced Young as the artist beginning with issue #5.[10] The series ended in May 2015 as one of many titles to be cancelled for Marvel's Secret Wars event.[11] A new volume, titled Rocket Raccoon and Groot, began in January 2016 as part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel relaunch.[12]

Fictional character biography[edit]

Cover to Rocket Raccoon #1. Cover art by Mike Mignola and Al Gordon.

Rocket Raccoon acts as the "Guardian of the Keystone Quadrant", an area of outer space sealed off from the rest of the cosmos by the so-called Galacian Wall. Rocket is captain of the starship Rack 'n' Ruin, and he and his first mate Wal Rus (a talking walrus) come from the planet Halfworld, in the Keystone Quadrant, an abandoned colony for the mentally ill where the animal companions were genetically manipulated to grant them human level intelligence and bipedal body construction for many to become caretakers of the inmates. Rocket was Halfworld's chief law officer ("ranger") who protected the colony against various threats.[13]

At one point, Judson Jakes tried to steal the Halfworld Bible, but was thwarted by Rocket and the Hulk.[13] Later, Lord Dyvyne abducted Rocket's friend Lylla, and Jakes began the Toy War.[14] As the Toy War continued, Blackjack O'Hare teamed up with Rocket, and Rocket was reunited with Lylla.[15] The Rack 'n' Ruin was soon destroyed, as Judson Jakes and Lord Dyvyne teamed up to kill Rocket Raccoon.[16] Rocket Raccoon and his friends cured the Loonies of their mental illnesses, as Judson Jakes and Lord Dyvyne were apparently killed. Rocket and the animals and the robots left Halfworld and took off into space for their own adventures.[17] Some time later, Rocket was revealed to have been a laboratory subject on the Stranger's planet, and escaped his captivity there.[18]

Rocket Raccoon resurfaced as a member of the team chosen to accompany Star-Lord on his mission to stop a Phalanx infiltration of the Kree homeworld.[19] Rocket is depicted as a gifted military tactician who is also fearless, loyal, and insightful. It is also heavily implied that he has a case of obsessive compulsive disorder.[20] Rocket's trademark rocket skates are absent.[19]

Guardians of the Galaxy[edit]

Rocket joins the new Guardians of the Galaxy at the behest of his friend Star-Lord.[21] It is he who suggests that the team adopt that moniker after hearing it mentioned by Major Victory.[22] Later on, when the team almost disbands and Peter Quill disappears (sent into the Negative Zone by Ronan), Rocket keeps the team alive, and brings in Groot as member, as the two had become firm friends.[23] Rocket takes over as leader until they rescue Peter, and save the Earth from an alien invasion.[24] When the team tries to halt the growing War of Kings, Rocket decides to lead the portion of the team assigned to make contact with the Shi'ar. However, they are unable to teleport into the Emperor Vulcan's flagship and have to be rescued by the Starjammers and Rocket's old friend Ch'od.[25] They are able to bring back the rightful queen of the Shi'ar, but she's killed once Rocket had departed, much to his horror.[26]

After the Guardians disband,[27] Rocket Raccoon takes up a normal job with Timely Inc.[28] He and Groot were reunited and tricked into returning to Halfworld: here, he found out his memories of the place were mostly half-truths and deliberately crafted fake memories. In reality, Jakes and Blackjack O'Hare had worked with Rocket in providing security at Halfworld Asylum for the Criminally Insane; Doctor Dyvyne had been Head of Psychology there; and both the anthropomorphic animals and the automaton clowns were deliberately created to work at the asylum, as their appearance would calm the inmates. The crises that Rocket half-remembered had been caused by the psychic supervillain the Star Thief, who had been admitted as an inmate and used his psychic powers to turn the inhabitants against each other. Rocket had turned the warders into a biological "key" to keep Star-Thief locked up, and deliberately altered his mind and left Halfworld so it could never be opened - but he was tricked into returning by the Thief, whose mind had escaped into the asylum after his host body died.[29]

Powers and abilities[edit]

Rocket Raccoon possesses the normal attributes of an Earth raccoon, including speed (which has been additionally amplified by his training) an acute sense of smell, sight, hearing and touch. He is an accomplished starship pilot, an excellent marksman with the two laser pistols he carries as well as having an affinity for heavy weapons. He is also an excellent military tactician and leader, attributes that help him take charge of the Guardians of the Galaxy when Starlord is unavailable.

In other media[edit]

Guardians of the Galaxy poster featuring Rocket Raccoon

Television[edit]

  • Rocket Raccoon appears in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes episode "Michael Korvac", voiced by Greg Ellis.[30] This version is a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy.
  • Rocket Raccoon appears in Ultimate Spider-Man,[31][30] voiced by Billy West (in the episode "Guardians of the Galaxy") and later by Trevor Devall (for subsequent episodes). This version is a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy and served as one of Sam Alexander's trainers. In the episode "Guardians of the Galaxy", the Guardians join forces with Alexander and Spider-Man to save Earth from Korvac's Chitauri army. In the episode "The Return of the Guardians of the Galaxy", Rocket and the Guardians land on Earth to repair their spaceship amidst Titus's attempts to target Alexander's helmet.
    • A pirate-themed alternate version of Rocket appears in the episode "Return to the Spider-Verse" Pt. 2. This version is a member of Web Beard's crew before they start a mutiny against him before hoarding treasure for himself. Following an attack by a Kraken however, and with help from Spider-Man and Kid Arachnid, the mutineers and Web Beard reconcile and join forces to fight off the Kraken.
  • Rocket Raccoon appears in Avengers Assemble,[30][32] voiced initially by Seth Green in "Guardians and Spaceknights" and later by Trevor Devall in "Widow's Run".
  • Rocket Raccoon appears in the Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. episode "It's a Wonderful Smash", voiced again by Seth Green.[30][33]
  • Rocket Raccoon appears in Guardians of the Galaxy, voiced again by Trevor Devall.[34][35]
  • Rocket Raccoon appears in the animated Christmas TV special Marvel Super Hero Adventures: Frost Fight!, voiced again by Trevor Devall.[citation needed]
  • Rocket Raccoon appears in the Rocket & Groot animated shorts, voiced again by Trevor Devall.[citation needed]
  • Rocket Raccoon appears in the animated special Lego Marvel Super Heroes - Guardians of the Galaxy: The Thanos Threat, voiced again by Trevor Devall.[36]
  • Rocket Raccoon first appeared in episode 24 of the Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers anime series, voiced by Fumihiro Okabayashi in the Japanese version and Dave Wittenberg in the English version.[37]

Film[edit]

Video games[edit]

Toys[edit]

  • A Rocket Raccoon action figure was available as part of a Guardians of the Galaxy three pack in 2011 as part of the Marvel Universe toyline.
  • Rocket Raccoon will be a build-a-figure in the Marvel Legends toyline in 2013.[55]
  • A Rocket Raccoon and Groot figure set with a "Dancing Baby Groot" was released by Hot Toys.[56]

Miscellaneous[edit]

  • Rocket Raccoon began appearing in The Amazing Spider-Man newspaper comic strip in December 2016, in a story where Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson discover him in a spaceship that crashed on the Earth.[57]
  • Rocket appears in the ride Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! at Disney California Adventure, with Bradley Cooper reprising his role from the Marvel Cinematic Universe films.[58][59] He and the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy were captured by the Collector to be put on display, but Rocket manages to escape and enters the room the guests are in through a vent and hijacks the video to explain his plan to rescue his friends. The guests will use their access passes to enter the gantry lift while Rocket rides on top to destroy the generator so that the Guardians, as well as the other creatures in the collection, can escape.
  • Rocket appears in the Marvel's Wastelanders: Old Man Star-Lord podcast, voiced by Chris Elliott.[60]
  • Rocket Raccoon appears in Marvel Battleworld: Treachery of Twilight and Treachery at Twilight, with Trevor Devall reprising his role from various Marvel media.

Collected editions[edit]

  • "Rocket Raccoon Guardian of the Keystone Quadrant" collects Incredible Hulk #271 (May ‘82) Rocket Raccoon (1985) #1 - 4 (May - Aug. ‘85) and "The Sword in the Star!: Stave 2: Witchworld!" story from Marvel Preview (1975 - 1981 Magazine) #7 (Sept. ‘76) (hardcover) Aug., 2011; ISBN 0-7851-5527-9

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "Reasons to Love Comics #163" by Bill Reed on Comic Book Resources. Dated June 12, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2013
  2. ↑ "Earth - Sword in the Star" in the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe. Retrieved May 4, 2013
  3. ↑ The Incredible Hulk #413-16 ("The Troyjan War"), 1994, Marvel Comics, writer Peter David
  4. ↑ "GETTING EXCLUSIVE AT MARVEL’S CUP O’ JOE" on WizardUniverse.com (archived on archive.org). Archive date March 30, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2013
  5. ↑ "Marvel Teasing Guardians of the Galaxy As Next Movie?" - article on WhatCulture! by Robert Beames. Dated June 14, 2012, Retrieved May 4, 2013
  6. ↑ "Avengers assemble ahead of movie version" - article on USA Today by Brian Truitt. Dated March 12, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2013
  7. ↑ "NYCC: Bendis, McNiven & Wacker Relaunch the 'Guardians of the Galaxy'" - article on Comic Book Resources by Dave Richards. Dated October 14, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2013
  8. ↑ Meylikhov, Matthew. "Rocket Raccoon Blasts Off (and Probably Other Puns) in New Skottie Young Series". February 28, 2014. Archived from the original on June 27, 2014. Retrieved on March 10, 2014.
  9. ↑ Johnston, Rich. "Rocket Raccoon #1 By Mister Skottie Young To Sell 300,000 (Update)". June 4, 2014. Archived from the original on July 16, 2014. “I understand that orders for Rocket Raccoon #1, the new comic from Mister Skottie Young that received such a strong showing for Free Comic Book Day, is close to topping 300,000 pre-orders from Marvel Comics.”
  10. ↑ Parkin, JK. "Jake Parker brings extra Groot to Rocket Raccoon #5′". November 9, 2014. Archived from the original on November 28, 2014.
  11. ↑ Johnston, Rich. "Marvel Announces Groot #1 – To Replace Rocket Raccoon For Secret Wars". March 7, 2015. Archived from the original on October 5, 2015. “During Secret Wars, Rocket Raccoon is cancelled and replaced by Groot.”
  12. ↑ Parkin, JK. "Rocket Raccoon & Groot Reunite For New Adventures". September 15, 2015. Archived from the original on December 12, 2015. “Skottie Young and Filipe Andrade continue the exploits of these two Guardians of the Galaxy in their own spotlight series!”
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Rocket Raccoon!" in The Incredible Hulk issue 271 (May 1982, Marvel Comics). Writer Bill Mantlo, penciller Sal Buscema.
  14. ↑ "Rocket Raccoon/Animal Crackers" in Rocket Raccoon issue 1 (May 1985, Marvel Comics). Writer Bill Mantlo, penciller Mike Mignola, inker Al Gordon
  15. ↑ "The Masque of the Red Breath" in Rocket Raccoon issue 2 (June 1985, Marvel Comics). Writer Bill Mantlo, penciller Mike Mignola, inker= Al Gordon
  16. ↑ "The Book of Revelations!" in Rocket Raccoon issue 3 (July 1985, Marvel Comics). Writer Bill Mantlo, penciller Mike Mignola, inker= Al Gordon
  17. ↑ "The Age of Enlightenment" in Rocket Raccoon issue 4 (August 1985, Marvel Comics). Writer Bill Mantlo, penciller Mike Mignola, inker= Al Gordon
  18. ↑ "Death Watch (Journey Into Mystery Part 3 of 4)" in Quasar issue 15 (October 1990, Marvel Comics). Writer Mark Gruenwald, penciller Mike Manley, inker Dan Panosian
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Annihilation: Conquest - Star-Lord issue 1 (September 2007, Marvel Comics). Writer Keith Giffen, penciller Timothy Green II, inker Victor Olazaba
  20. ↑ Annihilation: Conquest - Star-Lord issue=2 (October 2007, Marvel Comics). Writer Keith Giffen, penciller Timothy Green II, inker Victor Olazaba
  21. ↑ "Somebody's Got To Do It" in Guardians of the Galaxy volume 2, issue 1 (July 2008, Marvel Comics). Writer Dan Abnett, cowriter Andy Lanning, penciller Paul Pelletier, inker Rick Magyar
  22. ↑ "Legacy" in Guardians of the Galaxy volume 2, issue 2 (August 2008, Marvel Comics). Writer Dan Abnett, cowriter Andy Lanning, penciller Paul Pelletier, inker Rick Magyar
  23. ↑ "Past Mistakes" in Guardians of the Galaxy volume 2, issue 8 (February 2009, Marvel Comics). Writer Dan Abnett, cowriter Andy Lanning, penciller Brad Walker, inker Rick Magyar
  24. ↑ "Blastaared" in Guardians of the Galaxy volume 2, issue 10 (April 2009, Marvel Comics) Writer Dan Abnett, cowriter Andy Lanning, penciller Brad Walker, inkers Rick Magyar, John Livesay
  25. ↑ "Peacemakers" in Guardians of the Galaxy volume 2, issue 13 (June 2009, Marvel Comics) Writer Dan Abnett, cowriter Andy Lanning, penciller Brad Walker. inker Victor Olazaba
  26. ↑ "The Head That Wears the Crown" in War of Kings issue 3 (July 2009, Marvel Comics) Writer Dan Abnett, cowriter Andy Lanning, penciller Paul Pelletier, inker Rick Magyar
  27. ↑ "Devastation" in The Thanos Imperative: Devastation issue 1 (March 2011, Marvel Comics) Writer Dan Abnett, cowriter Andy Lanning, penciller Miguel Sepulveda
  28. ↑ "Blame it on the Black Star" in Annihilators issue 1 (May 2011, Marvel Comics) Writer Dan Abnett, cowriter Andy Lanning, penciller Tan Eng Huat, inker Victor Olazaba
  29. ↑ "Wraithfire" in Annihilators issue 3 (July 2011, Marvel Comics) Writer Dan Abnett, cowriter Andy Lanning, penciller Tan Eng Huat, inker Victor Olazaba
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 Arbeiter, Michael. "Other Films and TV Shows Where You Can Find the Guardians of the Galaxy". August 1, 2014. Archived from the original on August 4, 2014.
  31. ↑ McGloin, Matt. "Rocket Raccoon Is A Joke Character; Guardians of the Galaxy To Appear In Ultimate Spider-Man Cartoon Written By Bendis". October 15, 2012. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012.
  32. ↑ "Marvel's Avengers Assemble Clip: Teaming with the Guardians of the Galaxy". April 4, 2014. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved on May 7, 2014.
  33. ↑ Template:Cite episode
  34. ↑ Marvel Entertainment [@Marvel]. "The voice of #RocketRaccoon is from Edmonton, Canada & is known for his anime voice over work! #GuardiansVoiceCast #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy" (Tweet) — via Twitter. 17 February 2015.
  35. ↑ Marvel Entertainment [@Marvel]. ".@TrevorDevall will voice #Rocket on #DisneyXD's #Marvel's #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy! #GuardiansVoiceCast" (Tweet) — via Twitter. 17 February 2015.
  36. ↑ End credits for Lego Marvel Super Heroes - Guardians of the Galaxy: The Thanos Threat
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 "Voice of Rocket Raccoon – Guardians of the Galaxy franchise | Behind the Voice Actors". Archived from the original on November 4, 2018. Retrieved on November 3, 2018.
  38. ↑ "Comic-Con 2012: Marvel Names 'Avengers' Follow-Ups; Robert Downey Jr. Makes Surprise Appearance" - article on The Hollywood Reporter by Borys Kit. Dated July 14, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2013
  39. ↑ "The Rocket Box Now Available!". September 5, 2014. Archived from the original on November 28, 2014. Retrieved on November 28, 2014.
  40. ↑ Sinclair, Brendan. "Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 roster leaked". July 20, 2011. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011.
  41. ↑ Vejvoda, Jim. "Who Should Voice Rocket Raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy?". August 20, 2012. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013.
  42. ↑ Outlaw, Kofi. "Guardians of the Galaxy: Bradley Cooper's Rocket Raccoon Voice Revealed". April 30, 2014. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014.
  43. ↑ "Rocket Raccoon joins Marvel Heroes". July 16, 2012. Archived from the original on August 7, 2012. Retrieved on July 19, 2012.
  44. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
  45. ↑ Dyer, Mitch. "Disney Infinity Marvel Super Heroes Announced". April 30, 2014. Archived from the original on July 19, 2014. Retrieved on April 30, 2014.
  46. ↑ Wyld, Leo. "Guardians of the Galaxy Gaming Update". August 2014. Archived from the original on August 22, 2014.
  47. ↑ Chabala, Ben. "Piecing Together Marvel Puzzle Quest: Rocket & Groot". May 2, 2017. Retrieved on July 8, 2019.
  48. ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley. "Nolan North is Rocket in Telltale's Guardians of the Galaxy game". March 10, 2017. Archived from the original on July 10, 2018.
  49. ↑ Devall, Trevor. "You betcha!". Archived from the original on April 26, 2017. Retrieved on April 25, 2017.
  50. ↑ "Mikey O'Connor". 2024. Archived from the original on March 19, 2019.
  51. ↑ "Everything an Agent needs to prepare for the ongoing challenges and threats looming in Primary Earth!". September 13, 2021. Marvel Future Revolution.
  52. ↑ Phillips, Tom. "Fortnite's Marvel season is live, with Iron Man and Dr. Doom included". August 27, 2020. Eurogamer. Retrieved on August 28, 2020.
  53. ↑ "Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Game | SQUARE ENIX" (in en). Retrieved on November 1, 2021.
  54. ↑ Adler, Kai. "Marvel Snap: All Of The Guardians Of The Galaxy Cards, Ranked" (in en). November 29, 2022. Retrieved on February 12, 2023.
  55. ↑ Marvel Hasbro toys on MTV. Retrievedf May 4, 2013
  56. ↑ Ratcliffe, Amy. "Rejoice Because Hot Toys Is Making THAT Groot Toy from Guardians of the Galaxy". August 6, 2014. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. “The potted Groot is a bonus accessory available exclusively to people who order the Hot Toys Rocket Raccoon and Groot figure set from Sideshow Collectibles.”
  57. ↑ Johnston, Rich. "Bruce Canwell on The Amazing Spider-Man Newspaper Strip". April 17, 2018. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. “Rocket Raccoon from the Guardians of the Galaxy teamed up with Spidey just within the past year!”
  58. ↑ Ching, Albert. "SDCC: Marvel Studios Reveals Latest Phase 3 Secrets". July 23, 2016. Archived from the original on July 25, 2016. Retrieved on July 24, 2016.
  59. ↑ Marston, George. "Star-Lord's Father Revealed ... James Gunn Explains in Detail". July 23, 2016. Archived from the original on July 24, 2016. Retrieved on July 24, 2016.
  60. ↑ "Marvel Entertainment and SiriusXM to Premiere First Original Scripted Podcast Series, 'Marvel's Wastelanders: Old Man Star-Lord' on June 1".

External links[edit]

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