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Comics or movie - which version of 'The Rocketeer' do you like better?

posted 11 years ago by hbenthow
3 replies | jump to latest

I'm not trying to ask if you like one and not not the other - most people (including me) who like the movie also like the comics, and vice-versa. Also, I don't want to start any arguments or to criticize either version. My question is simply this: which version of "The Rocketeer" do you like better (even if by a little bit), Dave Stevens' two graphic novels or the 1991 movie, and why?

For me, it's the movie. Some of that may be since it was the version I became familiar with first. However, for me, it seems like it perfected and completed the story a bit more.

In the comics, Cliff never quite seemed to get the hang of being the Rocketeer as much as he did in the movie. It was as if he was always in the "learning" phase. Most of what his does as the Rocketeer is cleaning up his own mess. That has its own charm, and is mostly due to the more episodic/serial nature of the comics, but it feels a little as if there was going to be third part of the story that never got told. In the movie, there's more of the feeling that he fully becomes the Rocketeer, and gets to do more actual good than just fixing problems that (whether directly or indirectly) he caused.

Also, Cliff and Betty/Jenny come across a little more likeable in the movie. I can see why some people see that as watering-down or Disneyfying the characters, but I think that Cliff's near-constant jealousy and selfishness or Betty's seeming lack of patience or understanding of him would have gotten old very fast if taken as far in the movie as it is in the comics. Toning those things down allowed the movie to focus more on the Rocketeer's heroics, and felt truer to the 1930s adventure throwback tone that both the movie and comics were aiming for.

The plot of the movie feels altogether better put-together and less episodic. By (more or less) combining Marco of Hollywood and the Nazi who took over the Locust into one character (Neville Sinclair) and making him Lothar's boss, there was a stronger, more centralized threat. Also, Cliff's transformation into the Rocketeer and the subplot about his relationship with Betty/Jenny both come across as more complete in the movie.

Lastly, while it would have been nice to see the movie get some sequels, it feels complete without them, while Stevens' Rocketeer saga has a slight "to be continued" feel. He probably had more stories planned, but never got to tell them.

Now, I don't mean any of these points as criticisms of Dave Stevens' Rocketeer comics. I like them a lot. They have great storytelling and easily some of the best artwork in comics history. The points I have made are just the reasons that out of the two, I feel that the movie is a little stronger and better put-together. (I'm sure there are also some fine points to be made for the opposite opinion.)

So, which do you prefer, and why? Or do you think they're simply about equal?

Courage, men! We've not sunk before, and we'll not sink now!

[–] bpmct 11 years ago

I love both, but I think I'll have to go with the movie on this one. The changes that were made were great choices, IMO. For instance, changing Doc Savage as the inventor of the rocket pack to Howard Hughes worked so well that I actually prefer it that way. I also feel that Neville is a stronger villain then the one in the comics. I will say I prefer Lothar in the comics, to Lothar in the film. The back story between of him and Cliff working at the carnival in the 20's was a great read. Plus, Lotahr in the film is just a henchmen. The films of Rondo Hatton that I've seen have all dealt with revenge stories, so I think it works better then him just being hired muscle.

Cliff seems to start out as kind of a selfish jerk in the film, before he realizes what's really important. In the comics, he can be pretty selfish throughout. As for Jenny/Betty, that's a hard one. I love pin-ups, but I also love vintage Hollywood. Do I prefer the bombshell, or the girl next door? Both are done well, so I can't really choose.

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[–] hbenthow 11 years ago

For instance, changing Doc Savage as the inventor of the rocket pack to Howard Hughes worked so well that I actually prefer it that way.

It also makes the part in the comics where Peevy thinks that Monk and Ham are working for Howard Hughes funnier than when it was first written.

Doc Savage and the Shadow were used very well in the comics, but they are "tough acts to follow", so their absence in the movie makes the Rocketeer come off looking more impressive.

I also feel that Neville is a stronger villain then the one in the comics.

Neville Sinclair is sort of a combination of the Nazi at the end of the first book (in that he's a Nazi trying to steal the Rocketpack) and Marco (in that he's a sleazy man chasing after Betty/Jenny), but developed further and made more interesting.

I will say I prefer Lothar in the comics, to Lothar in the film. The back story between of him and Cliff working at the carnival in the 20's was a great read. Plus, Lothar in the film is just a henchmen. The films of Rondo Hatton that I've seen have all dealt with revenge stories, so I think it works better then him just being hired muscle.

I don't mind how he is portrayed in the movie (he's sort of like one of those indestructible Bond villain henchmen, such as OddJob or Jaws, and that works to add to Neville Sinclair's menace), but the comics version is a stronger character in his own right.

Courage, men! We've not sunk before, and we'll not sink now!

[–] pawtrax67 10 years ago

Not to be a critic, but Cliff in the comics comes off as a completely self-absorbed jerk. I was shocked as I saw the movie before I got the hardbound comic with the origin story and Cliff's New York Adventure. Honestly, I wanted someone else to grab the pack away from him.

I find the movie starts Cliff in a similar vein but you realize after a bit his heart is in the right place. I do prefer Betty in the comics, but she seems just as self-absorbed as he is. The part that is amazing is Dave's incredible artwork. What he should have done is created the character and had a better writer flesh out the story and characters.

Honestly I like the movie story a lot better than the comic book. But I love the comic artwork, it's outstanding.