Comic Book / Graphic Novel
It all began with Dave Stevens' illustrated novel, in serial chapters,
about the adventures of Cliff Secord -- ace pilot, dreamer, and daring
Rocketeer!
The Rocketeer publishing history is spread out over
several years with fans waiting and waiting and waiting for each
installment. It was published by several companies which leads
to some confusion in collecting by installment numbers. Pacific
Comics (PC), Eclipse, and Dark Horse (DH) all published various
installments. PCs numbers were reprinted in an Eclipse compilation
both in hardcover and softcover editions (ISBN: 1560600888). This
is all that was available at the time the film went into production.
The film's writers brainstormed the film's spectacular
ending. It's worth tracking down the paperback novel based on the
screenplay to catch a couple scenes deleted from the screenplay.
Stevens subsequently developed his own story line and ending which
was published in three DH "Rocketeer
Adventure Magazine" issues which they subsequently complied
in the single "The
Rocketeer: Cliff's New York Adventure" (1996, ISBN:
1569710929). At that point, Stevens had planned to let others
develope and illustrate further Rocketeer stories. The plan
went nowhere. There have been no new installments since the
NYA concluded in 1995.
New fans can pick up the DH numbers directly from
the DH or local vendors.
The Rocketeer: The Complete Deluxe Edition
Definitive Edition. Amazon
link.
Wm Stout: review of the above item
Dave Stevens readily acknowledges his Rocketeer character
was inspired by a late 1940s, early 1950s matinee serial adventure
hero -- Rocketman. It should be noted that a "King of the Rocketmen"
graphic novel was printed subsequent to the Disney film.
Commando
Cody Speaks
An interview with George Wallace, the actor who portrayed our hero
in the serials. Archived page.
My
Childhood Hero
A brief overview of the Commando Cody a.k.a. Rocketman Character. Archived page.
Rocketpage
Well, just awesome. Everything you want to know about the history
of Rocketman. Fabulous image gallery.
And just a brief fyi -- The Disney film Jenny is based
on Stevens' Betty is based on the real-life model Bettie Page.
