Rocketo was a comic book series by Frank Espinosa. Initially published by Speakeasy Comics, in 2006 Rocketo moved to Image Comics. Espinosa handled nearly every aspect of Rocketo's production (writing, art, color, lettering), with Marie Taylor credited as co-writer.
A comic book or comicbook, also called comic magazine or simply comic, is a publication that consists of comic art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are often accompanied by brief descriptive prose and written narrative, usually dialog contained in word balloons emblematic of the comics art form. Although comics has some origins in 18th century Japan, comic books were first popularized in the United States and the United Kingdom during the 1930s. The first modern comic book, Famous Funnies, was released in the U.S. in 1933 and was a reprinting of earlier newspaper humor comic strips, which had established many of the story-telling devices used in comics. The term comic book derives from American comic books once being a compilation of comic strips of a humorous tone; however, this practice was replaced by featuring stories of all genres, usually not humorous in tone.
Frank Espinosa is an American animator and cartoonist. He has worked extensively for Disney and Warner Bros., having redesigned the Looney Tunes characters in 1992, fashioned a series of Looney Tunes U.S. postage stamps, and designed the Baby Looney Tunes characters, among other achievements.
Speakeasy Comics was a Canadian publishing company of comic books and graphic novels which operated from 2004–2006. Based in Toronto, Ontario, Speakeasy published monthly comics, creator-owned independent series, original graphic novels, and collected out-of-print creator-owned comics series that had originated with other companies. Its best-known titles were Atomika, Beowulf, The Grimoire, and Rocketo.
Rocketo follows the life and adventures of Rocketo Garrison, world-famous explorer and mapmaker. Set 2,000 years into a mythical future, the world as we know it has been destroyed in a catastrophe and its magnetic field distorted. The only way for mankind to now navigate through the broken land masses is by the unique abilities of the Mappers, a genetically engineered group of men and women who act as human compasses.
Frank Espinosa was nominated for three 2006 Eisner Awards, for Best New Series (Rocketo), Best Continuing Series (Rocketo), and Best Cover Artist.
Publication history
As a comic book series, Rocketo was initially planned to last 48 issues, with each twelve-issue series making up one book. There were four books planned:
Book 1 - "Journey to the Hidden Sea"
Book 2 - "Journey to the New World"
Book 3 - "Journey to the Broken Moon"
Book 4 - "Journey to Ultamo"
Ultimately, the series lasted 12 issues before ending in 2006.
Issues
Rocketo #0 (Speakeasy Comics - July 2005) "The Siren's Call," features stunning artwork by Frank Espinosa and "lyrics" by Marie Taylor. Presented in the landscape format Rocketo #0 takes you on a fantastic adventure that can best be described as jazz for the eyes.Issue #0 introduces Rocketo Garrison as a young boy on the Island of Kova where he lives with his mother and father, a maker of the specialized equipment the explorers use and a renowned Mapper himself. One day as Rocketo reads about the fabled land of Ultamo and the role it played in the world's destruction, the young boy is profoundly changed and his lifelong adventure as a Mapper begins.
Rocketo #1 (Speakeasy Comics - August 2005) "Prosperity," ("Journey to the Hidden Sea" - part 1) When a living storm known as the Omerylla Coil devastates the Island of Kova, young Rocketo Garrison is saved by the Commonwealth. He is taken to live with Horace Voltea, an old Mapper of great renown, and under his guidance, Rocketo taps into the power of the Mappers for the first time. As time passes Rocketo grows up and explores the world, beginning his career as a Mapper and becoming friends with Spiro Turnstile, a genetic man. When a war breaks out between the Commonwealth and the Royalists, Rocketo is captured, imprisoned and tortured. When finally released he is a broken man and takes up residence at an abandoned lighthouse, Porto Logas.
Rocketo #2 (Speakeasy Comics - September 2005) "Conflicts," ("Journey to the Hidden Sea" part 2) When a living storm known as the Omerylla Coil devastates the Island of Kova, young Rocketo Garrison is saved by the Commonwealth. He is taken to live with Horace Voltea, an old Mapper of great renown, and under his guidance, Rocketo taps into the power of the Mappers for the first time.
Rocketo #3 (Speakeasy Comics - October 2005) "Departures" ("Journey to the Hidden Sea" part 3) The Journey to the Hidden Sea begins! At the end of the Solarium War, Rocketo Garrison is a broken man, his mapping abilities useless. He takes a lowly job at Perdition's Point lighthouse but his lonely, self-imposed exile ends when former partner, Spiro Turnstile, suddenly appears. Spiro has the inside track on a rare treasure thought to be in The Hidden Sea. But unbeknownst to him, Spiro has been followed by members of The Hand, a secret criminal syndicate he has betrayed. A citywide chase through Sansebo ends when our hero is thrown unconscious into the Great Atlas Ocean.
Rocketo #4 (Speakeasy Comics - December 2005) "Directions" ("Journey to the Hidden Sea" part 4) Rocketo Garrison wakes up on board a ship to discover he has been kidnapped by a band of treasure hunters led by Spiro Turnstile. When they later encounter the mighty King of the Atlas Ocean, they are given advice on how to navigate the Hidden Sea. Meanwhile, Jordan Scarletto has been called to a private audience with a Prince of Lucerne and given a top secret mission that can, if successful, change the balance of power in the New World. Finally, Spiro, Rocketo and the band of adventurers enter mysterious of Venedicto, travel down the River of Totems and are attacked by the hideous Harpies, creatures who patrol the access to the Hidden Sea.
Rocketo #5 (Image Comics - March 2006) "Passages" ("Journey to the Hidden Seas" part 5) Not published as a monthly but is included in the TPB titled "Journey to the Hidden Seas- volume 1 - Published by Image comics in March 2006. Rocketo Garrison has been kidnapped by a band of treasure hunters led by Spiro Turnstile. Gordon Scarletto has a private audience with a Prince of Lucerne and is given a top secret mission that can change the world’s balance of power. Spiro, Rocketo and the band of adventurers enter Venedicto and are attacked by hideous creatures!
Rocketo #6 (Image Comics - March 2006) "Tempests" ("Journey to the Hidden Seas" part 6) Not published as a monthly but is included in the TPB titled "Journey to the Hidden Seas- volume 1 - Published by Image comics in March 2006. The adventure continues... Scarletto leads a mutiny against the Prince of Lucerne triggering a ferocious storm in the Hidden Sea. Caught in the storm, Rocketo, Spiro and the crew battle against the sea creatures who have been unleashed. Violence rocks the Hidden Sea leaving a wake of broken ships and battered bodies hoping for rescue.
Rocketo: Journey to the Hidden Seas - Volume 1 (Image Comics - March 2006) Published by Image comics in March 2006. Collects "Journey to the Hidden Seas" issues #0, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6. Includes a large amount of extra material such as sketches, notes, pin-ups, even an introduction by renowned artist Alex Ross.
Rocketo #7 (Image Comics - April 2006) "Reunions" ("Journey to the Hidden Seas" part 7) Reunions: After surviving a crash landing in the Hidden Sea Rocketo begins searching for his doomed crew only to encounter Gordon Scarletto. Later, a beautiful young woman holds the key to some astounding revelations.
Rocketo #8 (Image Comics - May 2006) "Revelations" ("Journey to the Hidden Seas" part 8) Revelations: The Journey continues. After Rocketo is reunited with his crew, a mythical figure appears to reveal the true history of the Old World and the story of the Hidden Sea. Meanwhile, the villainous Scarletto finds the deadly Robot and makes his plans.
Rocketo #9 (Image Comics - June 2006) "Resolutions" ("Journey to the Hidden Seas" part 9) Rocketo Garrison and the rest of the Hidden Sea expedition has just learned the true origins of the Hidden Sea, and the New World.. Now they must prepare for war as, Scarletto launches his attack on the Hidden city of the Mappers!
Rocketo #10 (Image Comics - July 2006) "Conquests" ("Journey to the Hidden Seas" part 10) The fight for the future of the Hidden Sea begins! Birdmen against Giant Robots! War has broken out in the Hidden Sea! Rocketo and his team of explorers must once again do battle with the forces of Lucerne! As the giant army of Scarletto takes over the city in the Hidden Sea, Rocketo’s life hangs in the balance!
Rocketo #11 (Image Comics - August 2006) "Illumination" ("Journey to the Hidden Seas" part 11) The battle for the city deep within the Hidden Sea has ended with Scarletto in full control. The Royal Navy of Lucerne has crossed the Hidden Sea and is now poised to find the flower of mankind. Rocketo Garrison beaten and half dead - must find the power within himself to ignite that which was lost.
Rocketo #12 (Image Comics - October 2006) "Journeys" ("Journey to the Hidden Seas" part 12) The Journey to the Hidden Sea thunders towards its dramatic conclusion! In his race against time Rocketo must call on the deadly forces that killed his parents to rescue his friends from Scarletto. He confronts the gigantic Lucernean Armada that threatens all life in the Hidden Sea. As this epic comes to an end, the New World beckons Rocketo to further adventures.
Nelson Alexander Ross is an American comic book writer/artist known primarily for his painted interiors, covers, and design work. He first became known with the 1994 miniseries Marvels, on which he collaborated with writer Kurt Busiek for Marvel Comics. He has since done a variety of projects for both Marvel and DC Comics, such as the 1996 miniseries Kingdom Come, which Ross co-wrote. Since then he has done covers and character designs for Busiek's series Astro City, and various projects for Dynamite Entertainment. His feature film work includes concept and narrative art for Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2, and DVD packaging art for the M. Night Shyamalan film Unbreakable. He has done covers for TV Guide, promotional artwork for the Academy Awards, posters and packaging design for video games, and his renditions of superheroes have been merchandised as action figures.
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