Commentary: Where is "The Rocketeer"?

By Allen Pinney

posted July 28, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 29th was the birthday of artist Dave Stevens. And for those of you who don't know who Dave Stevens is, he's the father of The Rocketeer and passed away in 2008 from hairy cell leukemia.

 

Remembering Dave's legacy always makes me nostalgic for Disney's underrated, and under-appreciated “The Rocketeer”. Released in 1991, 'The Rocketeer' is an adaptation of Stevens' comic book series of the same name and was published in 1982 as a backup story in Mike Grell's Pacific Comics' Starslayer series.

 

An instant classic, 'The Rocketeer' was beloved by all and envied by many. Stevens/ pencils (and inks) are virtually flawless and evoke the 1930's era in which the story takes place. It's that classic art style and ageless beauty that has kept The Rocketeer in print (repackaged and re-released for decades) and kept Dave and his creation alive in our hearts. [IDW currently has the publishing rights and has released several NEW series and a book of prose short stories.]

 

In 1985 Stevens' sold the film rights to Walt Disney Company, which produced the 1991 film 'The Rocketeer'. The film was directed by Joe Johnston, and starred Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Alan Arkin and Timothy Dalton. Stevens was a co-producer of the film and spent many hours on set, and off, working with the team of screenwriters Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo. Unfortunately the film was not the box office hit that Disney was hoping for. A mix of “meh” reviews and disappointing ticket sales led Disney to pull the plug on the planned sequels. It is said that Stevens felt that a major problem was that the studio's promotional efforts missed the mark, and didn't convey to people what the film was really about.

 

But there are those of us that did go see the film, and we did love it, and we did want more! When I first went to see the movie all I knew was the hero had a @#&%! jetpack, a hot girlfriend and he's punching Nazis! What more could we have asked for!?!?

 

The film is not without its flaws, most I chalk up to the special effects available at the time. But over all it is a great comic book adaptation, with a superior soundtrack, an appropriately "gee whiz" leading man, a great villain, amazing supporting cast, great locations, beautiful cinematography and a @#&%! jetpack!

 

Like many fans of Dave Stevens' stories and the Disney film, I hope someday to actually have a remake of the movie (I know, I know, but it's too late for a direct sequel and I don't want to see the grandson (or daughter) of Cliff Secord suddenly take up the mantle of a 30's pulp hero). The Rocketeer is the kind of hero we want to root for, it could be a great period piece in the vain of Raiders of the Lost Ark or Captain America: The First Avenger. It has all of the elements that comic book fans and adventure film fans crave.

 

So, where is The Rocketeer? You can find a passable Blu-ray edition of the film from Disney on Amazon. You can head to your local comic book store and ask for the IDW's comics, hardcovers and graphic novels. You can come hang out at a Rocketeer fan group on Facebook, or visit the numerous Rocketeer websites. Funko has released THREE The Rocketeer figures (POP, ReAction & Legacy). You can Google Dave Stevens or The Rocketeer and explore the 900,000 plus results it produces. Hallmark even released a The Rocketeer Christmas ornament last season!
 

There is still some lingering evidence of The Rocketeer's presence in Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios too. You can find it at Peevy's Polar Pipeline, and the courtyard of The Great Movie Ride. Sadly all of the props that were once on display are gone or mothballed now that the Backlot Tour has closed.

 

So yes, The Rocketeer lives on, Dave Steven's comic creation will be available for generations to come. And somewhere out there is a fan who will grow up to be a filmmaker and they'll approach Disney with a bullet proof pitch and resurrect our hero on the silver screen.
 

Allen hangs out at “The Rocketeer Club” on Facebook and wrote a few previous “The Rocketeer” pieces on his old blog: rediscoverdisney.blogspot.com.