As the almost-guaranteed-blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy nears its August 1st release date, much will be said about the gunslinging anthropomorphic raccoon. While intergalactic law enforcement would undoubtedly classify him as nuisance wildlife, I think it’s safe for the rest of the universe to view him as a fun loving antihero. Marvel is celebrating nearly four decades of Rocket’s existence with this entertaining issue number one from writer/artist extraordinaire Skottie Young (and a host of variant cover artists, David Petersen‘s wins the grand prize though).

Young’s comedic script keeps a quick pace, from jailbreaking a damsel in distress to Groot’s WWE showdown (read: disaster) to Rocket’s high-speed chase from the authorities. Though Star-Lord plays a minor role, as the title suggests, this is Rocket’s show, so don’t be disappointed by mere cameos from the rest of the Guardians. In a layered plot line, Rocket is not only being framed for murder by an apparent doppelgänger, but also being hunted for more personal reasons. Both plots work, and easily have the potential to cross paths with entertaining results.

Skottie Young makes the arduous task of writing and illustrating look easy. After much thought, I’ve come to the conclusion that his drawings evoke a ToeJam and Earl vibe (any other Sega Genesis fans?), especially Star-Lord’s cliff jumping panel. Colorist Jean-Francois Beaulieu‘s reds, oranges, and yellows merely add to my conclusion. Rocket Raccoon #1 won’t break down comic barriers or raise up comic awards, but it is fun to read, fun to look at, and fun to look forward to…and at the end of the day, isn’t that why we spend $3.99?

Story: Skottie Young Art: Skottie Young
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy