In 2009, J. Michael Straczynski had a brief but memorable run on DC Comics‘ The Brave and the Bold. The series was devoted to unusual team-ups, but Straczynski’s stories pushed the incredulousness limits of most comic readers. Now, Straczynski is transcending those same limits in a series of one-shot specials for Marvel Comics. The first of these specials is Doctor Doom & Rocket Raccoon #1, and it is every bit as weird and wonderful as one might expect.
The story opens in Doomstadt, where Doctor Doom has summoned Rocket Raccoon to help him answer a question; why? The questions of existence and man’s inhumanity to man weigh heavily upon the ruler of Latveria. This drives him, as it has driven many great men, to seek the meaning of life. Doom reluctantly admits, however, that he is held back by the limits of earthly science. This leads him to seek out Rocket, who is an expert in the sciences of worlds beyond Earth.
Rocket doesn’t care much about the big questions so long as Doom’s money is good. Despite this, an odd friendship forms between Doctor Doom & Rocket Raccoon as they work on a way to broach the unbroachable boundaries of time and space. This leads to a shocking discovery, which has major implications for the Marvel multiverse.
Doctor Doom & Rocket Raccoon #1 is deep and absurd
Despite its unique concept, Straczynski is in familiar territory with Doctor Doom & Rocket Raccoon #1. All of his writing has explored deep questions, such as the nature of existence and the meaning of life. The fact that those questions were often asked by aliens or superheroes in spandex does not deny their essential humanity. Yet there is humor admit the philosophy, as Straczynski acknowledges the absurdity of these insights coming from a man in power armor and a talking animal.
Straczynski’s story is well-realized by the art team of Will Robson, Andrew Dalhouse, and Cory Petit. There is an inherent gravity to Robson’s pencils and inks that matches the energy of the story well. Dalhouse’s colors provide the perfect finishes alongside Petit’s lettering.
It is rare for a comic with an outlandish concept to live up to the visceral joy its suggestion provokes. It is accordingly rarer for it to surpass that potential. Doctor Doom & Rocket Raccoon #1 is such a book, emphatically existing, because such absurdity must exist to make comics what they are.
Grade: 10/10
Doctor Doom & Rocket Raccoon #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
