The third installment in the new Rocketeer series brings back the Rocketeer we have come to know and love. No more chronologically jumbled-up short stories by different artists and authors, but an all-new adventure written by Mark Waid with art by Chris Samnee, who previously participated in the first Rocketeer Adventures.
Originally a four-part comic story, this is the hardcover compilation of the “Cargo of Doom” story arc, which was previously released as a four-part comic adventure by IDW Publishing. Extras include 36 pages of storyboard sketches and art.
The story is set in 1940, with Peevey’s niece Sally all grown up and working at the airfield with Cliff and her uncle. Betty is still aspiring to be an actress and it almost seems business as usual.
But then things go awry and soon enough Cliff finds himself in the middle of another adventure with new brave heroes (or are they?), dastardly villains out to ruin his day and rule the world and dinosaurs running amok in downtown Los Angeles. Yes, I’m being purposely vague, but that’s only because I don’t want to give out spoilers!
Cargo of Doom is a fun, fast-paced Rocketeer story of which I believe that the original creator, the late Dave Stevens, would be proud. It embodies the original spirit of adventure of the Rocketeer as he drew him.
Another good thing about this book is that you need not have read Rocketeer Adventures Volume 1 and 2, as those are compilations of short stories. It does help to have read at least the Dave Stevens originals to be able to fully grasp the characters and going-ons.
In any case, this is comic book pulp at its best and I’m sure that fans of the Rocketeer and the dieselpunk genre will really enjoy this release.
