Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Skottie Young
Artist: Felipe Andrade
Colourist: Jean-Francois Beaulieu
Editor: Jake Thomas
Release Date: 6 January 2016
Price: $3.99

The Guardians of the Galaxy has lost two members. But following Marvel’s Secret Wars there may be more Rocket Racoons and Groots to go around. One such pair, Fiona and Cake, I mean Pockets and Shrub (a mouse and a bush), are abducted making a delivery to another doppelganger, Rakzoon and his Darth Vader-like helmet and accompanying storm troopers.

That is the basic plot of Rocket Racoon and Groot #1, as it slowly puts all the players on the board. Writer Scottie Young sets up the personalities involved. Shrub is easy; “Me are shrub,” is all he (she?) says and all that is required to identify him (her?). Razkoon has moving boundaries; after discovering his prisoners are innocent, he spares them but tortures them anyway to look strong and slightly psychopathic.

Scottie Young, the cover artist of Rocket Racoon and Groot #1, writes like he illustrates: with whimsy, grace and focus. And for suitable balance, artist Felipe Andrade draws like Young writes. Andrade’s style is romantic; there’s something beautiful in every panel. Jake Thomas’s colouring has an airbrushed quality to it.

There’s been a lot of good Marvel and DC comic books coming out, and Rocket Racoon and Groot #1 still stands out. The surprise, (well, maybe not to everybody) ending is a scene we want to see played out next issue. Or as Shrub would no doubt say: ‘Me are impatient!’

Reviewer: Joe Lovece
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker