Guardians of the Galaxy 3’s release date is about a month out. Reaction to the trailers has fans worried about the fate of a few of the team, but none more so than Rocket Raccoon. In a word, it's bleak. With that, Rocket’s story arc may be coming full circle, and if that is true, there are some comics that collectors may want to be aware of now before the movie hits theaters next month. So, here are Five Key Rocket Raccoon Comics to check out.
Marvel Preview #7
Rocket made his first appearance in June of 1976 in Marvel Preview #7. Published by Curtis, more widely known for their horror titles, writer Chris Claremont and artist Bob Larkin teamed up on this book. Claremont would later go on to a very successful Uncanny X-Men run. In fact, you probably can’t think of Wolverine without thinking of Claremont as well. However, here in ‘76, he was still cutting his teeth in the business. Rocket Raccoon was introduced as Rocky Raccoon as a supporting character in “The Sword in the Star! Stave 2: Witchworld.” Later that moniker was changed to Rocket, and the rest is Guardians of the Galaxy history. Just like cards, the condition is everything with comics. So, depending on the condition, raw copies of this book sell in the $175 to $300 range, while high-grade copies can fetch four figures.
Incredible Hulk #271
Rocket did not make his second appearance in a comic book until six years later in Incredible Hulk #271. Oddly enough, this also serves as Rocket’s first cover. Marvel tagged Bill Mantlo and Al Milgrom to work on this issue which also featured the first appearances of Judson Jakes, Blackjack O’Hare, and Lylla the otter. For those of you paying attention to the GOTG 3 trailers, you will know that Lylla and Rocket have a history, and this is where it started. Collectors will find clean raw copies of this book in the $150 range, and high-grade examples can be north of $1,500.
Rocket Raccoon #1
Marvel tapped Mantlo again, three years later, for Rocket Raccoon #1, Rocket’s first solo series. This time he was paired with Mike Mignola, and they released the title in May of 1985. The limited series lasted just four issues and it was revealed by Mantlo that Rocket was indeed the same character who debuted 10 years prior in Marvel Preview #7. Rocket Raccoon #1 is the most desired of the series and can be had for just a few bucks, and a CGC 9.8 copy recently sold for $225.
Guardians of the Galaxy #1
Next on my Five Key Rocket Raccoon Comic Book list is 2008’s Guardians of the Galaxy #1. Dan Abnett and Clint Langley pinned the origin of Guardians who first appeared in Annihilation Conquest #6. The group included Star-Lord, Adam Warlock, Drax, Gamora, Groot, Quasar, and Rocket Raccoon. Fans of the films will know that the group looks a little different on screen, but when GOTG 3 drops next month, the lineup above will start to make sense. You can expect to pay around $350 for a high-grade example of this book or grab a raw copy for around $40.
Guardians of the Galaxy #8
The final book on the list is 2019’s Guardians of the Galaxy #8. If Marvel really is killing off Rocket Raccoon in the new film, then what better place to end this list than his origin story? This book is by far the easiest to attain on this list. Raw copies shouldn’t run a collector more than $10 all-in. At that price, you could have it graded on your own if you really wanted to. This also happens to be a Donny Cates book, which is just an added bonus for comic book fans.
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