IDW is returning to play in the world of Dave Stevens's The Rocketeer with a new one-shot anthology comic that is bringing together a great creative team of big-name talent including Adam Hughes, Jae Lee, Gabriel RodrÃguez, and Phil Noto. One of the most exciting things about the new comic is that one of the stories will be set in the world of the classic 1991 movie!
The one-shot special will feature three stories, and the project began during the production of the documentary Dave Stevens: Drawn to Perfection. The filmmaker of that film, Kelvin Mao, actually discovered that the original film’s screenwriters, Danny Bilson and the late Paul De Meo, wrote an unpublished Rocketeer comic book story guest-starring Amelia Earhart. That story is now bring brought to life, which is so cool!
Mao, along with the film's executive producer Robert Windom, approached Hughes to illustrate the story, and the project evolved into this upcoming one-shot that was edited by Scott Dunbier. Mao said in a statement: "What an amazing gift born out of making Dave Stevens: Drawn to Perfection! It's been a singular privilege collaborating with some of Dave's longtime pals on a bona fide Rocketeer comic.”
Bilson said: "The Amelia story was written by Paul and me as a tribute to Dave. Now it serves as a tribute to both of them. We're very honored to have Adam bring it to life."
Hughes added: "The Rocketeer, my favorite flying hero, has got a dish of a girlfriend, an unnecessarily cool outfit, and great hair. You'd hate someone like that in real life, but as a comic book character, he's aces!"
The Rocketeer one-shot includes the Amelia Earhart eight-page story by Bilson, De Meo, and Hughes; a 12-page story about Cliff Secord's date night with Betty leading to "trouble with a vaguely familiar adventurer/archeologist" written by Mao, drawn by Craig Cermak, and colored by Laura Martin; and a four-page story of the Rocketeer fighting a Japanese Zero in the South Pacific, written by Windom, drawn by Jae Lee, and colored by June Chung.
Windom said: "The short story that Jae and I created is intended to be a dreamy contemplation on life and love, but with some great Rocketeer action and Betty, of course! Jae's ethereal style is a perfect fit for it.”
Lee shared: "It was a huge honor contributing art for this project. Dave Stevens has been an inspiration to me since I first saw his work. He's captured the beauty of a time period that is forever golden."
Dunbier added: "As a fan of Dave Stevens' The Rocketeer since day one, I'm thrilled to see this book come to life," Dunbier said. "Bilson & De Meo, Mao, and Windom have all captured the feel of Cliff, Betty, Peevy, and the rest. And the art... To quote a famous Rocketeer page...'WOW!'"
The Rocketeer one-shot will be available in comic book stores in May, and it will feature covers by Hughes and by Locke & Key artist Gabriel RodrÃguez, along with retailer incentive "Full Art" variants of the Hughes and RodrÃguez art, respectively.
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