The Rocketeer, the classic comic book hero, is back with a brand-new adventure that promises to please fans. Written by John Layman with art by Jacob Edgar, the first issue of the miniseries The Rocketeer: The Island arrives in stores on February 25, 2026, published by IDW. This new story, based on an original idea by creator Dave Stevens, recaptures the spirit of 1930s serial fun and adventure, the perfect setting for a plot involving the search for the legendary aviator Amelia Earhart. The work’s relevance lies precisely in honoring the legacy of Stevens, who passed away prematurely, while expanding the myth of the jetpack hero with a fresh narrative and stunning visuals.
The comic serves as an exciting re-introduction of pilot Cliff Secord, the Rocketeer. The plot takes place in his early years as an aviator and, due to a fateful encounter with Amelia Earhart, he embarks on a dangerous expedition. Furthermore, Layman’s script masterfully explores the hero’s relationships, especially with his girlfriend Betty, inspired by pin-up Bettie Page. In this way, the narrative balances high-octane action with strong characterization work, making the characters even more captivating. The great triumph, however, lies in how the creative team manages to translate the emotion of flight into comics, a considerable technical challenge that is overcome with dynamic and engaging visual sequences.
Homages and Surprises on the Expedition
True to Dave Stevens’ style, who loved to include historical figures or their stand-ins in the stories, this new adventure features special appearances that are a delight for pop culture fans. Beyond the central presence of Amelia Earhart, the Rocketeer’s expedition includes versions clearly inspired by two other icons: Popeye and Tintin. While Popeye acts as the captain of the boat carrying the team, Tintin joins the search party, which also includes an enigmatic woman named Alexandra Payne. This creative choice, therefore, plunges the hero even deeper into the pulp and adventure universe that always defined him, creating unexpected and very fun crossovers.
The art by Jacob Edgar, with colors by K.J. Díaz, is an absolute high point. They manage to capture the visual essence and retro charm of Stevens’ original works, while injecting a modern energy. The aerial sequences, in particular, are choreographed with an extra number of panels to convey the speed and thrill of flight, an intelligent solution that contrasts with the panel economy typical of other action scenes. In this way, every page breathes adventure, and the power of the jetpack – which might seem simple next to other superpowers – once again feels incredibly exciting, just as its creator always intended.
With a debut set for late February, The Rocketeer: The Island presents itself as a worthy and exciting addition to the hero’s canon. The miniseries proves that, even in 2026, Cliff Secord’s stories still have much to offer: action, romance, charismatic characters, and a healthy dose of nostalgia executed with quality. For fans of adventure comics and the seminal work of Dave Stevens, this is a must-read at the start of this year.
