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===Video games===
===Video games===
* Rocket Raccoon is a playable character in the crossover fighting game ''[[Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3]]''.<ref>[http://comic-con.gamespot.com/story/6324583/ultimate-marvel-vs-capcom-3-roster-leaked GameSpot - Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 roster leaked]</ref> He is voiced by [[Greg Ellis (actor)|Greg Ellis]] in a [[Cockney]] accent.<ref>https://twitter.com/#!/cbake76/status/131132699699200000</ref>
* Rocket Raccoon is a playable character in the crossover fighting game ''[[Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3]]''.<ref>[http://comic-con.gamespot.com/story/6324583/ultimate-marvel-vs-capcom-3-roster-leaked GameSpot - Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 roster leaked]</ref> He is voiced by [[Greg Ellis (actor)|Greg Ellis]] in a [[Cockney]] accent.<ref>https://twitter.com/#!/cbake76/status/131132699699200000</ref>
* Rocket Raccoon is a playable character in the [[MMORPG]] ''[[Marvel Heroes (video game)|Marvel Heroes]]''<ref name="MarvelHeroesMMORPG">{{cite web |url=https://www.marvelheroes.com/news/news-articles/rocket-raccoon-joins-marvel-heroes |title=Rocket Raccoon joins Marvel Heroes |publisher=''[[Marvel Heroes (video game)|Marvel Heroes]]'' |date=2012-07-16 | accessdate=2012-07-19}}</ref> voiced by [[Steve Blum]].
* Rocket Raccoon is a playable character in the [[MMORPG]] ''[[Marvel Heroes (video game)|Marvel Heroes]]'',<ref name="MarvelHeroesMMORPG">{{cite web |url=https://www.marvelheroes.com/news/news-articles/rocket-raccoon-joins-marvel-heroes |title=Rocket Raccoon joins Marvel Heroes |publisher=''[[Marvel Heroes (video game)|Marvel Heroes]]'' |date=2012-07-16 | accessdate=2012-07-19}}</ref> voiced by [[Steve Blum]].


===Toys===
===Toys===

Revision as of 02:37, 12 June 2013

Rocket Raccoon
Rocket Raccoon
Art by Nic Klein.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceMarvel Preview #7 (Summer 1976)
Created byBill Mantlo
Keith Giffen
In-story information
Team affiliationsGuardians of the Galaxy
AbilitiesMaster tactician and field commander
Expert marksman

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.

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 is set to appear in the 2014 live-action film Guardians of the Galaxy.

Publication history

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.


Rocket Raccoon was seen again in 2007's Annihilation: Conquest and Annihilation: Conquest - Star-Lord limited series,[3] and their spin-off series, a new volume of Guardians of the Galaxy.[4] 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]

Fictional character biography

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 Russ (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.[8]

At one point, Judson Jakes tried to steal the Halfworld Bible, but was thwarted by Rocket and the Hulk.[8] Later, Lord Dyvyne abducted Rocket's friend Lylla, and Jakes began the Toy War.[9] As the Toy War continued, Blackjack O'Hare teamed up with Rocket, and Rocket was reunited with Lylla.[10] The Rack 'n' Ruin was soon destroyed, as Judson Jakes and Lord Dyvyne teamed up to kill Rocket Raccoon.[11] 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.[12] Some time later, Rocket was revealed to have been a laboratory subject on the Stranger's planet, and escaped his captivity there.[13]

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.[14] 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.[15] Rocket's trademark rocket skates are absent.[14]

Guardians of the Galaxy

Rocket joins the new Guardians of the Galaxy at the behest of his friend Star-Lord.[16] It is he who suggests that the team adopt that moniker after hearing it mentioned by Major Victory.[17] 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.[18] Rocket takes over as leader until they rescue Peter, and save the Earth from an alien invasion.[19] 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.[20] 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.[21]

After the Guardians disband,[22] Rocket Raccoon takes up a normal job with Timely Inc.[23] 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.[24]

Rocket is a member of the reformed Guardians of the Galaxy in the first issue of the 2012 series.[25]

Powers and abilities

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 Star-Lord is unavailable.

In other media

Television

  • Rocket Raccoon (along with the other Guardians of the Galaxy) appears in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes episode "Michael Korvac",[26] voiced by Greg Ellis, reprising his role from Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. He and the other Guardians attack the Avengers at Avengers Mansion, because the Avengers were protecting the man Michael Korvac. Korvac was captured by the Kree and inadvertently turned into a demented being with powerful energy.

Film

Video games

Toys

  • 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.[32]

Collected editions

  • "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

References

  1. ^ Reed, Bill (June 12, 2007). "365 Reasons to Love Comics #163". Comics Should Be Good. Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Earth - Sword in the Star at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
  3. ^ "GETTING EXCLUSIVE AT MARVEL'S CUP O' JOE". WizardUniverse.com. Archived from the original on March 30, 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-25.
  4. ^ Rogers, Vaneta (May 14, 2008). "Greeting the Guardians: Rocket Raccoon, Groot". Newsarama.
  5. ^ Beames, Robert (June 14, 2012). "Marvel Teasing Guardians of the Galaxy As Next Movie?". WhatCulture!. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Truitt, Brian (March 12, 2012). "Comic-book Avengers assemble ahead of movie version". USA Today. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Richards, Dave (14 October 2012). "NYCC: Bendis, McNiven & Wacker Relaunch the "Guardians of the Galaxy"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  8. ^ a b Bill Mantlo (w), Sal Buscema (p). "Rocket Raccoon!" The Incredible Hulk, no. 271 (May 1982). Marvel Comics.
  9. ^ Bill Mantlo (w), Mike Mignola (p), Al Gordon (i). "Rocket Raccoon/Animal Crackers" Rocket Raccoon, no. 1 (May 1985). Marvel Comics.
  10. ^ Bill Mantlo (w), Mike Mignola (p), Al Gordon (i). "The Masque of the Red Breath" Rocket Raccoon, no. 2 (June 1985). Marvel Comics.
  11. ^ Bill Mantlo (w), Mike Mignola (p), Al Gordon (i). "The Book of Revelations!" Rocket Raccoon, no. 3 (July 1985). Marvel Comics.
  12. ^ Bill Mantlo (w), Mike Mignola (p), Al Gordon (i). "The Age of Enlightenment" Rocket Raccoon, no. 4 (August 1985). Marvel Comics.
  13. ^ Mark Gruenwald (w), Mike Manley (p), Dan Panosian (i). "Death Watch (Journey Into Mystery Part 3 of 4)" Quasar, no. 15 (October 1990). Marvel Comics.
  14. ^ a b Keith Giffen (w), Timothy Green II (p), Victor Olazaba (i). Annihilation: Conquest - Star-Lord, no. 1 (September 2007). Marvel Comics.
  15. ^ Keith Giffen (w), Timothy Green II (p), Victor Olazaba (i). Annihilation: Conquest - Star-Lord, no. 2 (October 2007). Marvel Comics.
  16. ^ Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (w), Paul Pelletier (p), Rick Magyar (i). "Somebody's Got To Do It" Guardians of the Galaxy, vol. 2, no. 1 (July 2008). Marvel Comics.
  17. ^ Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (w), Paul Pelletier (p), Rick Magyar (i). "Legacy" Guardians of the Galaxy, vol. 2, no. 2 (August 2008). Marvel Comics.
  18. ^ Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (w), Brad Walker (p), Rick Magyar (i). "Past Mistakes" Guardians of the Galaxy, vol. 2, no. 8 (February 2009). Marvel Comics.
  19. ^ Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (w), Brad Walker (p), Rick Magyar, John Livesay (i). "Blastaared" Guardians of the Galaxy, vol. 2, no. 10 (April 2009). Marvel Comics.
  20. ^ Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (w), Brad Walker (p), Victor Olazaba (i). "Peacemakers" Guardians of the Galaxy, vol. 2, no. 13 (June 2009). Marvel Comics.
  21. ^ Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (w), Paul Pelletier (p), Rick Magyar (i). "The Head That Wears the Crown" War of Kings, no. 3 (July 2009). Marvel Comics.
  22. ^ Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (w), Miguel Sepulveda (p). "Devastation" The Thanos Imperative: Devastation, no. 1 (March 2011). Marvel Comics.
  23. ^ Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (w), Tan Eng Huat (p), Victor Olazaba (i). "Blame it on the Black Star" Annihilators, no. 1 (May 2011). Marvel Comics.
  24. ^ Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (w), Tan Eng Huat (p), Victor Olazaba (i). "Wraithfire" Annihilators, no. 3 (July 2011). Marvel Comics.
  25. ^ Guardians of the Galaxy (second series) issue #1
  26. ^ New characters and more in Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes season 2
  27. ^ Rocket Raccoon is a joke character, www.cosmicbooknews.com
  28. ^ Kit, Borys (July 14, 2012). "'Comic-Con 2012: Marvel Names 'Avengers' Follow-Ups; Robert Downey Jr. Makes Surprise Appearance'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 4, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ GameSpot - Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 roster leaked
  30. ^ https://twitter.com/#!/cbake76/status/131132699699200000
  31. ^ "Rocket Raccoon joins Marvel Heroes". Marvel Heroes. 2012-07-16. Retrieved 2012-07-19. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  32. ^ Marvel Hasbro toys, MTV, accessed 15 February 2013

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rocket_Raccoon&oldid=559489566"