If you’re going to this year’s San Diego Comic Con, you’ll be able pick up a Rocket Raccoon iPhone case, a Rocket Raccoon mug (both by Joe Quesada), as well as a whole slew of other things. Check out the list of merchandise at Marvel’s website, here.
They don’t include a photo of the mug, but the iPhone case looks great!
Well, sort of. Last week, director James Gunn, who previously mentioned studying live raccoons for the Guardians of the Galaxy, tweeted a photo of himself with a little furry friend:
I’ve just hired a new gaffer for the shoot. Chewing on wires is good, right?say.ly/BIP5ZcM
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) June 6, 2013
Awwwww. What a cute little guy.
So, even though there’s been no official casting news for the voice of Rocket, I’m really glad to see they’re trying to go for a more realistic-looking raccoon, as opposed to some goofy, cartoony raccoon. I’m sure I’ve mentioned that before. I just can’t help but feel giddy looking at James Gunn playing with a little raccoon.
In the summer of 1976, Marvel released Marvel Preview #7, featuring a haunting depiction of Satana on the cover. This particular issue included five stories including: “Why a Devil’s Daughter…?”, “Damnation Waltz” (the Satana story), “From the Devil, A Daughter”, and “Just Over a Year Ago Today,” but among all the devils and daughters and ellipses, there was a continuation of a story that began just 3 issues prior in Marvel Preview #4 (Star-Lord’s debut): “The Sword in the Star! Stave 2: Witchworld,” where fans got their first glimpse of Rocket Raccoon (then known as Rocky). Marvel’s official synopsis for this story is as follows:
“Continuation and the last chapter (incomplete) of The Star in the Sword! saga. Here Prince Wayfinder comes to the mysterious planet known as Witch-World, a strange planet that appears as a big forest. Here he meets Rocket Raccoon, who allied with Wayfinder when a monstrous tree, the Plagueosaur, appears. After the Plageosaur’s defeat and death, a mystical being called Kirke appears. “
So, before he met Groot, Rocket aided in the destruction of a different monstrous tree character. That’s interesting. You know, I’d really like to see if I can get my hands on this “The Sword in the Star!” series. As far as I know, Rocket Raccoon is the biggest thing to come from it, but it could be fun.
Found this on Tumblr. Jelena Kevic Djurdjevic, a cover artist for Marvel whose other work can be found here, did this piece featuring Rocket Raccoon and Groot. I’m not sure what the purpose is, since I’ve never seen this as the cover of a book. Maybe it was just something she did on her own. Either way, I hate it. Rocket looks like a wolf and Groot looks like Olmec:
Today, Marvel released the 4th installment of their Guardians of the Galaxy Infinite series, written by Brian Michael Bendis. This issue focuses on Groot, while the previous issues have focused on Drax, Rocket Raccoon and Gamora. The best part about these issues is that they’re totally free!
You can read all 4 issues at the following links:
Artist Luke Mandie recently uploaded some unofficial concept art for the Guardians of the Galaxy movie on his DeviantArt page and, I gotta say, it’s gorgeous. He’s only published Rocket Raccoon and Groot, but hopefully, he’ll get to the rest as well. Man, I really wish prints were available for purchase because I’d buy them in a heartbeat.
Rocket Raccoon, created by Bill Mantlo and Keith Giffen, first apeared in Marvel Preview #7 in 1976. Over the years, he appeared here and there in issues of Hulk and She-Hulk, however he did get his own 4-issue limited run in 1985. He eventually appeared in Annihilation: Conquest before settling in the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Before he was a Guardian of the Galaxy, he was the “Guardian of the Keystone Quadrant,” captain of a ship called Rack ‘n’ Ruin. He originated from a planet called Halfworld, an abandoned colony for the mentally ill. On Halfworld, animal companions were granted human level intelligence to care for the inmates. Rocket was their chief law officer.
While Rocket lacks “super powers,” he does possess all of the normal attributes of a raccoon ( acute sense of smell, sight, hearing and touch). He is also incredibly proficient with various firearms, and is an excellent tactician and leader. It is not uncommon for Rocket to take the lead when Star-Lord is unavailable.
Rocket Raccon is my favorite Guardian.
The Guardian Log 