The Rocketeer: The Island #2

The Rocketeer: The Island was published by IDW Publishing in 2015 as a four-part miniseries intended to revive Dave Stevens’ iconic aviator hero. The series was written and illustrated by Roger Langridge, who sought to capture the swashbuckling spirit and retro-futuristic aesthetic that Stevens originally established in the early 1980s. This issue continues the narrative of Cliff Secord as he finds himself embroiled in a dangerous mystery on a remote island, maintaining the pulpy, cliffhanger-style storytelling that defined the character’s roots in the golden age of comics.

The design of this series leans heavily into the visual language of the late 1930s, featuring Langridge’s clean, expressive line work that contrasts with the more detailed, illustrative style of Stevens. While die-hard fans of the original work were initially protective of the character, the series was generally well-received for its lighthearted tone and commitment to the character’s history. It serves as a respectful modern homage to the enduring legacy of the Rocketeer, ensuring the character remained relevant to a new generation of readers during IDW's tenure with the property.