Rocket Raccoon #5

Razorfine

Set around a campfire where Rocket Raccoon has been telling young children tales of his exploits, Rocket Raccoon #5 showcases Groot telling a story Rocket doesn’t want to share. Although limited in his exposition, we witness the events unfold through a series of panels which inform us of why Groot thinks so highly of the adventure but also why Rocket would rather forget the entire disappointing enterprise. With every piece of dialogue, signage, and narration all being the same three words writer/artist Skootie Young delivers an unexpected adveture involving a treasure map, robot army, space adventure, high-stakes gambling, the retrieval of a mystical sword, a floating castle, mermaids, giant monsters, and a prize which is far from what Rocket expected. Simply put, it’s amazing. Forced into telling a story nearly all through its art, Young delivers a campfire story that may bewilder (most) of the young campers but turns out to be the series’ best issue so far. Must-read.

IGN

Art has been the driving force so far in Rocket Raccoon’s run, and never has that been more the case than here in issue #5. Writer Skottie Young delivers an amusing standalone from the main story, foregoing any pesky narrative in lieu of some good old fashioned visual storytelling. While there are few words beyond a now famous three syllable utterance, Young nevertheless shows a deft hand for storyboard direction, his story easy to follow despite the lack of language. Surprisingly, it’s not Young himself who helms this tale, but rather fill in artist Jake Parker. The latter’s style isn’t quite as clean as Young’s, his Rocket looking more like Crash Bandicoot in a Calvin and Hobbes strip, but he does possess a similarly imaginative eye and otherworldly sense of design. It also helps that color artist Jean-Francois Beaulieu remains on board, his vibrant palette lending the issue a welcome sense of continuity. Though issue #5 doesn’t break new ground, it’s still darn fun, the final reveal sure to garner a few surprised chuckles.