Monday, March 11, 2019

The Rocketeer - 1991 - Review and Analysis


       To those who have been paying attention to superhero fiction, pulp noir or action-adventure films over the past few decades, The Rocketeer is probably best known as a modestly successful 1991 adventure movie.

       Originating during the indie comics boom of the early 1980s, The Rocketeer debuted as a backup feature in Starslayer #2 from Pacific Comics (publication date, April 1982). The character was the brainchild of one of the most talented illustrators to ever work in the comic book medium, Dave Stevens. Stevens, who had previously dabbled in comics with cover work and concept design, based his character on the movie serial heroes of the 1930's, 40's and 50's. He drew specific inspiration from the obscure film serials, Commando Cody and the King of the Rocketmen.

       Inspired equally by pulp magazines, movie serials, old Hollywood gangster films and a general interest in aviation, Dave Stevens steeped his hero deeply in the period of the 1930’s. Cliff Secord, a stunt pilot and barnstormer in 1938 Los Angeles, discovers a mysterious jetpack and uses it in a fight against evil and corruption. The stories featured many famous (yet unnamed for copyright purposes) faces from the pulp magazine world, including a character who bares strong resemblance to The Shadow as well as the jetpack’s inventor, an unidentified Doc Savage. Cliff's girlfriend, Betty, is modeled after pinup goddess, Bettie Page.

       The Dave Stevens stories, as well as some of the Rocketeer adventures that have come since the character’s initial run, are some of my favorite stories of all time. I think the appeal lies in escapist fantasy: the idea of flying and fighting crooked gangsters with nothing but your wits and a strong sense of morality.

       Development for the film had begun almost immediately when Stevens optioned the rights in 1983. Initial plans fell through until writers Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo were offered a free option by Stevens. The project went through several phases, eventually being turned down by every major studio in Hollywood. A low budget adaptation was also considered until Disney, seeing the potential for merchandise, accepted a deal.


       The original story from the comics was slightly overhauled and Betty  was changed from a pinup model to an actress named Jenny Blake. The mysterious inventor of the rocket pack went from an unnamed Doc Savage to the famous aviator, Howard Hughes. The film was brilliantly cast with Billy Campbell as Secord, Alan Arkin as Peevy, and Jennifer Connelly as the girlfriend. The film’s baddie, Neville Sinclair, an actor doubling as a Nazi agent, was played by the incomparable Timothy Dalton. Tiny Ron Taylor was very impressive as the Lothar character.

       The film bombed at the box office, mainly due to lack of a good marketing campaign as well as being up against some pretty heavy hitters like Terminator 2: Judgement Day and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Critical reviews were mixed but, overall it’s a delightful piece of escapism. Although it takes some liberties with the source material, this film can be seen as one of the best comic book adaptations of all time and one of the best comic book movies, pre Marvel Cinematic Universe.

       The Rocketeer is probably the only pulp-inspired character from modern comics that has carried on past an initial spark of interest. Since initial publication he has seen the movie adaptation, toys, video games and more comics (by different authors than Stevens) released by IDW Publishing. Dave Stevens died tragically in 2008, at the age of 52, after a long battle with cancer, but talk about a legacy. Pulp adventure characters don’t seem to be as popular to modern audiences as the better-known superheroes of DC and Marvel, so what a treat it is that IDW continues to help the character endure. 


Citation

‘http://www.pjfarmer.com/secret/marvelous/ironman.htm’.

‘http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/958/958239p1.html’. 2010.