The character was created byBill Mantlo andKeith Giffen,[1] and inspired bythe Beatles song "Rocky Raccoon".[2][3] Other references to the song were featured in Rocket's appearance inThe Incredible Hulk #271 (May 1982), which was titled "Now Somewhere In theBlack Holes ofSirius Major There Lived a Young Boy Named Rocket Raccoon" and saw the Hulk help Rocket stop avillain trying to steal "Gideon's Bible", which in theMarvel Universe was a book that contained the sum of all knowledge on the Loonies colony.[4]
Rocket Raccoon first appeared inMarvel Preview #7 (Summer 1976) in the back-up feature "Prince Wayfinder: The Sword in the Star", where he was called "Rocky".[5][6] In this appearance the character spoke using stockBritish English phrases such as "bloody well," "old bean," "jolly good," etc., which did not continue in later appearances.[citation needed] He next appeared inThe Incredible Hulk #271 (May 1982), where it is learned that "Rocky" is short for "Rocket". In 1985, he received his own four-issuelimited series and in an afterword to the first issue, Mantlo himself asserted that this was the same character seen inPreview,penciled byMike Mignola and inked byAl Gordon withAl Milgrom. Rocket appeared inQuasar #15 in 1990 and later appeared in three issues ofSensational She-Hulk in 1992 (#44–46).[4] The character only appeared in a total of ten comic books in his first thirty years of existence.[7]
Besides a brief appearance in a 2006 issue ofExiles,[4] Rocket Raccoon was next seen in 2007'sAnnihilation: Conquest andAnnihilation: Conquest -Star-Lord limited series,[4][8] and their spin-off series, a new volume ofGuardians of the Galaxy.[4][9] He remained a regular member of the series cast until it was canceled with issue #25 in 2010, also appearing in the follow-up limited seriesThe Thanos Imperative.[5] Along with fellow GuardianGroot, Rocket starred in backup features inAnnihilators #1–4 (May 2011 – August 2011) andAnnihilators: Earthfall #1–4 (November 2011 – February 2012 ).[5]
Rocket Raccoon, along with the other members of the Guardians, appeared in issues #4-8 ofAvengers Assemble,[10] a series intended as a jumping-on point for fans of the filmThe Avengers.[11] He appears prominently inGuardians of the Galaxy vol. 3, a part of the 2012Marvel NOW! relaunch.[12]
In February 2014, it was announced thatSkottie Young would write and illustrate aRocket Raccoon ongoing series.[13] The series began in July 2014, with the first issue selling over 300,000 copies.[14]Jake Parker replaced Young as the artist beginning with issue #5.[15] The series ended in May 2015 as one of many titles to be cancelled for Marvel'sSecret Wars event.[16] A new volume, titledRocket Raccoon and Groot, began in January 2016 as part of theAll-New, All-Different Marvel relaunch.[17]
Rocket Raccoon is the "Guardian of the Keystone Quadrant", an area of outer space sealed off from the rest of the cosmos by the Galacian Wall. Rocket is captain of the starshipRack 'n' Ruin, and he and his first mateWal Rus come from the planet Halfworld in the Keystone Quadrant, an abandoned colony for thementally ill whose animals were transformed into anthropomorphic forms to care for the inmates. Rocket was Halfworld's chief law officer ("ranger"), who protected it from various threats.[18]
At one point, Judson Jakes tried to steal the Halfworld Bible, but was thwarted by Rocket and various animal associates. Later, Lord Dyvyne abducted Rocket's friend Lylla Otter, and Jakes began the Toy War.[19] As the Toy War continued,Blackjack O'Hare teamed up with Rocket, and Rocket was reunited with Lylla.[20] TheRack 'n' Ruin was soon destroyed, as Judson Jakes and Lord Dyvyne teamed up to kill Rocket Raccoon.[21] 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 as well as the robots left Halfworld and took off into space for their own adventures.[22] Some time later, Rocket was revealed to have been a laboratory subject on theStranger's planet, and escaped his captivity there.[23]
Rocket Raccoon resurfaced as a member of the team chosen to accompanyStar-Lord on his mission to stop aPhalanx infiltration of theKree homeworld.[24] Rocket is depicted as a gifted military tactician who is fearless, loyal, and insightful. It is heavily implied that he has a case ofobsessive compulsive disorder.[25] Rocket's trademark rocket skates are absent.[24]
Rocket joins the newGuardians of the Galaxy at the behest of his friend Star-Lord.[26] It is he who suggests that the team adopt that moniker after hearing it mentioned byMajor Victory.[27] Later, when the team almost disbands and Peter Quill (Star-Lord) disappears (sent into the Negative Zone byRonan), Rocket keeps the team alive, and brings inGroot as a member, as they had become firm friends.[28] Rocket takes over as leader until they rescue Peter and save the Earth from an alien invasion.[29] When the team tries to halt the growingWar of Kings, Rocket leads the portion of the team assigned to make contact with theShi'ar. They are unable to teleport into the EmperorVulcan's flagship and have to be rescued by theStarjammers and Rocket's old friendCh'od.[30] They bring back the rightful queen of the Shi'ar, but she is killed after Rocket departs, much to his horror.[31]
After the Guardians disband,[32] Rocket Raccoon takes up a normal job with Timely Inc.[33] He and Groot were reunited and tricked into returning to Halfworld: there, he found that 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 theStar 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.[34]
When theGuardians of the Galaxy title was relaunched in 2013, Rocket was again a member of the team.[35]
In the first issue ofSecret Wars, the Guardians of the Galaxy take part in the incursion betweenEarth-616 andEarth-1610, during which Rocket and Groot are killed by the Children of Tomorrow.[36]
InAll-New, All-Different Marvel, Rocket Raccoon takes leadership of the Guardians of the Galaxy while Star-Lord is busy on Spartax.[37]
During the crisis inAvengers: No Road Home, when the dark goddess Nyx threatens to destroy all light in the universe, Rocket is one of the heroes who were inadvertently assembled to fight her, includingHawkeye,Hercules,Hulk, theScarlet Witch, Spectrum, theVision, Voyager, andConan the Barbarian. Once Nyx was defeated, Rocket mused that this would allow him to cross "being an Avenger" off his bucket list.[38]
Rocket Raccoon possesses the normal attributes of an Earthraccoon, including speed (which has been additionally amplified by his training), and an acute sense of smell, sight, hearing and touch. Sharp claws allow him to scale walls, buildings, and trees with ease. He is an accomplished starship pilot, a brilliant engineer and technician, and an expert marksman with the two laser pistols he carries as well as having an affinity for heavy weapons. He is a master military tactician and leader, attributes that help him take charge of the Guardians of the Galaxy whenStar-Lord is unavailable.[citation needed]
Dominic Lerose ofThe Daily Cardinal called Rocket Raccoon a "top fan favorite," writing, "Rocket is the only surviving member of the Guardians of the Galaxy after Thanos' snap for good reason. He’s the most interesting out of them all, the most emotionally vulnerable and a character audiences love not only for his cuteness and humor, but for his saddened soul and desire to fit into the dramatic universe of Marvel. Let’s hope we get to see a lot of Rocket Raccoon inAvengers: Endgame next month, and let’s hope he makes it out alive so we can see more of him in the future."[39]
Jeff Lake ofIGN gaveRocket Raccoon #1 a grade of 8.7 out of 10, writing, "InRocket Raccoon #1, Skottie Young proves a quality storyteller behind the pages and on them. Though the plot is a little barebones for now, Young imbues the script with enough energy to keep it going, his amazing visuals doing the rest. Rocket's fan base will only grow in the coming months, and. Young appears well suited to do him justice."[48]
Jesse Schedeen ofIGN gaveRocket Raccoon and Groot #1 a grade of 7.8 out of 10, writing, "This new series may not feel terribly "all-new" or "all-different," but it features a proven creative team exploring the continued misadventures of Rocket and Groot. It's tough to go wrong with that. Unlike some Guardians comics, this series quickly finds its niche and promises interesting wrinkles to come for both characters."[52]
Additionally, a pirate-themed alternate reality version of Rocket appears in the episode "Return to the Spider-Verse" Pt. 2.
Rocket Raccoon appears inAvengers Assemble,[56][59] voiced bySeth Green in the episode "Guardians and Space Knights" and again by Trevor Devall in "Widow's Run".[57]
Rocket Raccoon appears inGuardians of the Galaxy (2015), voiced again by Trevor Devall.[60][61][57] This version, also known by the label89P13, was created by the robots of Halfworld before escaping with Groot and joining the Guardians of the Galaxy. Furthermore, he has an unnamed mother and sister (both voiced byPamela Adlon) and a brother, Ranger (also voiced by Devall), who were formerly anthropomorphic before being devolved as part of the Halfworld robots' plan to defeat resistance leader Pyko and relocated to Planet Y.[62][63][64][65]
Rocket Raccoon appears inMarvel Super Hero Adventures: Frost Fight!, voiced again by Trevor Devall.[57]
The Incredible Hulk #271,Rocket Raccoon (vol. 1) #1–4 and material fromMarvel Preview #7,Annihilators #1–4,Annihilators: Earthfall #1–4,Tales to Astonish (vol. 1) #13
^Johnston, Rich (June 4, 2014)."Rocket Raccoon #1 By Mister Skottie Young To Sell 300,000 (Update)".Bleeding Cool.Archived from the original on July 16, 2014.I understand that orders forRocket 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.
^Parkin, JK (September 15, 2015)."Rocket Raccoon & Groot Reunite For New Adventures".Marvel Comics.com.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!
^abcdeMantlo, Bill (w), Buscema, Sal (p), Buscema, Sal (i). "Now Somewhere In the Black Holes of Sirius Major There Lived a Young Boy Name of Rocket Raccoon!" The Incredible Hulk, no. 271 (May 1, 1982). Marvel Comics.
^Mantlo, Bill (w), Mignola, Mike (p), Gordon, Al (i). "The Masque of the Red Breath" Rocket Raccoon, no. 2 (June 1, 1985). Marvel Comics.
^Mantlo, Bill (w), Mignola, Mike (p), Gordon, Al (i). "The Book of Revelations!" Rocket Raccoon, no. 3 (July 1, 1985). Marvel Comics.
^Mantlo, Bill (w), Mignola, Mike (p), Gordon, Al (i). "The Age of Enlightenment" Rocket Raccoon, no. 4 (August 1, 1985). Marvel Comics.
^Gruenwald, Mark (w), Manley, Mike (p), Panosian, Dan (i). "Death Watch (Journey Into Mystery Part 3 of 4)" Quasar, no. 15 (October 1, 1990). Marvel Comics.
^abGiffen, Keith (w), Green II, Timothy (p), Olazaba, Victor (i). Annihilation: Conquest - Star-Lord, no. 1 (September 1, 2007). Marvel Comics.
^Giffen, Keith (w), Green II, Timothy (p), Olazaba, Victor (i). Annihilation: Conquest - Star-Lord, no. 3 (September 1, 2007). Marvel Comics.
^Abnett, Dan, Lanning, Andy (w), Pelletier, Paul (p), Magyar, Rick (i). "Legacy" Guardians of the Galaxy, vol. 2, no. 2 (August 1, 2008). Marvel Comics.
^Abnett, Dan, Lanning, Andy (w), Walker, Brad (p), Magyar, Rick (i). "Past Mistakes" Guardians of the Galaxy, vol. 2, no. 8 (February 1, 2009). Marvel Comics.
^Abnett, Dan, Lanning, Andy (w), Walker, Brad (p), Magyar, Rick; Livesay, John (i). "Blastaared" Guardians of the Galaxy, vol. 2, no. 10 (April 1, 2009). Marvel Comics.
^Abnett, Dan, Lanning, Andy (w), Walker, Brad (p), Olazaba, Victor (i). "Peacemakers" Guardians of the Galaxy, vol. 2, no. 13 (June 1, 2009). Marvel Comics.
^Abnett, Dan, Lanning, Andy (w), Pelletier, Paul (p), Magyar, Rick (i). "The Head That Wears the Crown" War of Kings, no. 3 (July 1, 2009). Marvel Comics.
^Abnett, Dan, Lanning, Andy (w), Sepulveda, Miguel (p). "Devastation" The Thanos Imperative: Devastation, no. 1 (March 1, 2011). Marvel Comics.
^Abnett, Dan, Lanning, Andy (w), Green II, Timothy (p), Fairbairn, Nathan (i). "Timely Inc." Annihilators, no. 1 (May 1, 2011). Marvel Comics.
^Abnett, Dan, Lanning, Andy (w), Green II, Timothy (p), Fairbairn, Nathan (i). "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" Annihilators, no. 3 (July 1, 2011). Marvel Comics.
^Bendis, Brian Michael (w), McNiven, Steve (p), Dell, John (i). "What exactly do you think you're doing, Mister Quill?" Guardians of the Galaxy, vol. 3, no. 1 (May 1, 2013).
^abcdefghijklmnopq"Rocket Raccoon Voices (Guardians of the Galaxy)".Behind the Voice Actors.Archived from the original on November 4, 2018. RetrievedNovember 3, 2018. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
^"Ma Voice -Guardians of the Galaxy (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. RetrievedAugust 30, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
^"Sis Voice -Guardians of the Galaxy (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. RetrievedAugust 30, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
^"Ranger Voice -Guardians of the Galaxy (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. RetrievedAugust 30, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
