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The Rocketeer
The Rocketeer
The World in Turmoil
1938. In Germany, Nazism reaches a fever pitch. Rumors of war spread across the continent of Europe. In the calm before the storm, Hitler searches for a shortcut in his plans for world domination—and looks to Hollywood. He sends his agents across the Atlantic to the celluloid capital of sin and glamour, on the trail of an all-powerful secret weapon.
The Golden Age of Hollywood
Los Angeles. Cliff Secord is a barnstorming air-race pilot. He makes his living by living dangerously, is happiest when he's shattering air-speed records and riding the contrail edge of disaster. After thugs destroy his prized GeeBee race plane during an FBI gun battle, Secord finds himself out of work, out of luck...and hung out to dry. For someone has saddled him with the most dangerous weapon of the war—the Cirrus X-3 rocketpack, a flying device faster and more dangerous than any Secord has ever encountered. Now he and his starlet girlfriend are on the run, one step ahead of gangster mercenaries, federal agents, and Nazi assassins, who prowl the City of Angels looking for America's most reluctant hero.
Men have died for this weapon.
Cliff Secord is next in line.
Based on the screenplay by Danny Bilson & Paul De Meo
From a story by Danny Bilson & Paul De Meo & William Dear
Based upon the comic book series The Rocketeer created by Dave Stevens
1938. In Germany, Nazism reaches a fever pitch. Rumors of war spread across the continent of Europe. In the calm before the storm, Hitler searches for a shortcut in his plans for world domination—and looks to Hollywood. He sends his agents across the Atlantic to the celluloid capital of sin and glamour, on the trail of an all-powerful secret weapon.
The Golden Age of Hollywood
Los Angeles. Cliff Secord is a barnstorming air-race pilot. He makes his living by living dangerously, is happiest when he's shattering air-speed records and riding the contrail edge of disaster. After thugs destroy his prized GeeBee race plane during an FBI gun battle, Secord finds himself out of work, out of luck...and hung out to dry. For someone has saddled him with the most dangerous weapon of the war—the Cirrus X-3 rocketpack, a flying device faster and more dangerous than any Secord has ever encountered. Now he and his starlet girlfriend are on the run, one step ahead of gangster mercenaries, federal agents, and Nazi assassins, who prowl the City of Angels looking for America's most reluctant hero.
Men have died for this weapon.
Cliff Secord is next in line.
Based on the screenplay by Danny Bilson & Paul De Meo
From a story by Danny Bilson & Paul De Meo & William Dear
Based upon the comic book series The Rocketeer created by Dave Stevens
246 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
5 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
3,564 books1,366 followersaka David Peters
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 25, 2011
This novelization of the movie of the same title is pretty much identical to the 1991 movie, with a few cameos from Hollywood figures of 1939 thrown into the mix. Howard Hughes, Margaret Hamilton, Margaret Dumont, Clark Gable, George Reeves, and Bette Davis are tossed (sometimes anachronistically) into the stew to liven it up, I suppose. As a recapitulation of the movie, it's okay, but as literature, each page would be put to better use as fishwrap for very tiny fish. Every once in a while, I get the urge to revisit some pulp fiction. In this case, it was artificial pulp fiction, an attempt to capture the thrills of the real stuff from the 1930s and 1940s. It's too deliberate in the attempt to be convincing. But the great thing about it is it only took a little longer to read than the movie takes to watch. I recommend the movie instead. You get to look at Jennifer Connelly in it.
June 16, 2019
449 - 2019
Banyak cameo. Kapan-kapan nonton filmnya lagi deh...
Banyak cameo. Kapan-kapan nonton filmnya lagi deh...
November 14, 2019
A decent read, close to the movie, though it does add TONS of Old Hollywood in-jokes and cameos. It's a sort of empty exercise in 30s pulp. At least the movie had charismatic actors and better pacing to make its threadbare story fun.
I think my biggest issue is actually the use of third-person omniscient POV. There was so much head-hopping in individual scenes that the big dramatic moments land with much less emphasis.
I think my biggest issue is actually the use of third-person omniscient POV. There was so much head-hopping in individual scenes that the big dramatic moments land with much less emphasis.
August 26, 2014
A visually stunning movie with excellent character development and a tight plot is turned into a mediocre novel. As thrilling as the movie is the novel doesn't quite compare. The prose is very straightforward (almost boring) and adds very little insight to the characters or to the action. I was hoping for a glimpse inside the characters head and a chance to 'get to know them better'. Instead what this book is full of is a bland retelling of the script. Sadly, even the photographs from the movie are in black and white and aren't the best shot they could have chosen. I believe the best way to experience the movie isn't through the novelization, but by simply enjoying the show with a nice big bowl of popcorn. And a big screen. Definitely a big screen.
August 11, 2012
Pretty much like the movie was, with a few minor changes in dialogues. The writing seems a bit rough and awkward in places, but over all, the pacing is much like the movie and its a quick, fun read.
What I DID like about it was that it lets you get into the characters' heads a bit more, gives them a little bit more depth and motivation.
Could use another rewrite or two, but all in all, I did enjoy reading it for the second time.
What I DID like about it was that it lets you get into the characters' heads a bit more, gives them a little bit more depth and motivation.
Could use another rewrite or two, but all in all, I did enjoy reading it for the second time.
March 22, 2018
I like Peter David, but this book doesn't quite work for me, although to be honest, the movie's script doesn't really work for me either, so this may not be David's fault.
October 25, 2024
The Rocketeer is one of my favourite movies so I was really looking forward to reading this. It’s very far from a disappointment but I was left a little annoyed about it.
First things first, it is a great retelling of the film. Pretty everything from the story is on the page, and it even takes pains to expand some scenes to make the story flow a little more naturally on the page. Cliff, Peevy, Jenny and Sinclair are just as I remembered them and all the supporting characters do their thing as well. It’s a lovingly crafted retelling of the film that reads as though it was written by a fan.
My issue is that Mr David’s research for the book wears quite heavily on the story. It’s fantastic background material and makes the world seem a lot more weighty and real but it does feel shoehorned in to some scenes whereas the movie and the original comic had a much lighter touch to it.
But it is a wonderful memento of a lovely movie and well worth reading in its own right.
First things first, it is a great retelling of the film. Pretty everything from the story is on the page, and it even takes pains to expand some scenes to make the story flow a little more naturally on the page. Cliff, Peevy, Jenny and Sinclair are just as I remembered them and all the supporting characters do their thing as well. It’s a lovingly crafted retelling of the film that reads as though it was written by a fan.
My issue is that Mr David’s research for the book wears quite heavily on the story. It’s fantastic background material and makes the world seem a lot more weighty and real but it does feel shoehorned in to some scenes whereas the movie and the original comic had a much lighter touch to it.
But it is a wonderful memento of a lovely movie and well worth reading in its own right.
November 30, 2025
A solid blockbuster script. A great pairing with Davids style for adventure and humor. His biggest additions are fleshing out Jenny beyond just being a token damsel in distress, and peppering the hijinks on a studio backlot with great cameos from stars of the day. Really makes me wish, beyond getting sequels in general, that David had been commissioned to write a few continuation novels.
January 28, 2022
I only read this as I liked Jennifer Connolly movies. I did not enjoy the novel of this movie!
October 22, 2025
Based on the movie; enjoyable, quick, fun read!
March 4, 2019
“The Rocketeer” was one of my favorite movies as a kid and, having rewatched it recently, I’m pleased to say that it still holds up nicely. An Art Deco love letter to the pulp heroes of the early 20th century, “The Rocketeer” had enough action, intrigue, and cleavage (thank you, Jennifer Connolly) to blow my little prepubescent mind. Though it may not have the celluloid charm of Joe Johnston’s film, this official comic adaptation of the movie, scripted by Peter David and illustrated by Russ Heath, is still a rock ‘em, sock ‘em good read.
For the uninitiated, The Rocketeer was the heroic alter ego of daredevil pilot Cliff Secord after he discovered a jet pack that was stolen by mobsters. In the heroes-with-real-problems mold of Marvel comics, Secord fought against the rising threat of Nazis while struggling with financial problems and romantic difficulties with his girlfriend, Jenny, an aspiring actress who finds herself mixed up in her boyfriend’s so-called day job. Nostalgic for a time before grim, morally-conflicted anti-heroes, The Rocketeer was a throwback to clean-cut do-gooders. This book hits all the main points of the movie though, by necessity, the pacing is a bit wonky, as all the exposition is front-loaded to leave plenty of room in the second half of the comic for the movie’s climactic third act fight. David’s script pays homage to the movie without copying it word-for-word and I really liked his plainspoken Golden Age-y dialogue. Heath’s art has a similar antique quality that fits the tone of the book well; I also liked that he didn’t try to make the characters look exactly like their movie counterparts, which allows the comic to be sort of its own thing.
Brisk, action-packed, and reverent without being a lazy rehash, “The Rocketeer” is a superb adaptation. The only problem is now I really, really want to watch the movie again and it’s not on Netflix anymore. Guess I’ve got some searching to do.
For the uninitiated, The Rocketeer was the heroic alter ego of daredevil pilot Cliff Secord after he discovered a jet pack that was stolen by mobsters. In the heroes-with-real-problems mold of Marvel comics, Secord fought against the rising threat of Nazis while struggling with financial problems and romantic difficulties with his girlfriend, Jenny, an aspiring actress who finds herself mixed up in her boyfriend’s so-called day job. Nostalgic for a time before grim, morally-conflicted anti-heroes, The Rocketeer was a throwback to clean-cut do-gooders. This book hits all the main points of the movie though, by necessity, the pacing is a bit wonky, as all the exposition is front-loaded to leave plenty of room in the second half of the comic for the movie’s climactic third act fight. David’s script pays homage to the movie without copying it word-for-word and I really liked his plainspoken Golden Age-y dialogue. Heath’s art has a similar antique quality that fits the tone of the book well; I also liked that he didn’t try to make the characters look exactly like their movie counterparts, which allows the comic to be sort of its own thing.
Brisk, action-packed, and reverent without being a lazy rehash, “The Rocketeer” is a superb adaptation. The only problem is now I really, really want to watch the movie again and it’s not on Netflix anymore. Guess I’ve got some searching to do.
August 13, 2015
If you enjoy novelizations of movies, you'll probably enjoy this book.
Being a fan of the movie, and having just recently rewatched it before spotting this at a local library sale, I grabbed this book as soon as I saw it. Of course, the fact that this novelization was written by Peter David, whose comic book work I've enjoyed over the years, certainly helped cement my decision to buy this book.
There are, as noted on the "About the Author" page in the back, a few liberties taken with time and the placement of certain actors in the act of filming certain movies that weren't actually filmed at the time the story takes place in an effort to add some big names to a story that takes place in Hollywood in 1938. But, considering how many glaring inaccuracies appear in biopics and other films about actual events, I'm willing to let it slide. Especially since it provides a nice moment where Clark Gable gives some gruff to one of his costars over a certain comic book he is found to be reading. The costar? George Reeves. The comic? Action Comics. (If you didn't know, George Reeves would later play Superman).
Also, there's a nod to another action hero whose exploits take place in the same time as a Nazi laments that he didn't decide to join "that dig in Tanis."
Being a fan of the movie, and having just recently rewatched it before spotting this at a local library sale, I grabbed this book as soon as I saw it. Of course, the fact that this novelization was written by Peter David, whose comic book work I've enjoyed over the years, certainly helped cement my decision to buy this book.
There are, as noted on the "About the Author" page in the back, a few liberties taken with time and the placement of certain actors in the act of filming certain movies that weren't actually filmed at the time the story takes place in an effort to add some big names to a story that takes place in Hollywood in 1938. But, considering how many glaring inaccuracies appear in biopics and other films about actual events, I'm willing to let it slide. Especially since it provides a nice moment where Clark Gable gives some gruff to one of his costars over a certain comic book he is found to be reading. The costar? George Reeves. The comic? Action Comics. (If you didn't know, George Reeves would later play Superman).
Also, there's a nod to another action hero whose exploits take place in the same time as a Nazi laments that he didn't decide to join "that dig in Tanis."
November 8, 2014
Nice story. I remembered feeling overjoyed when this came out in theaters as a boy. I loved aviation history with men and women like Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh and Howard Hughes were my heroes. I absolutely adored the 30's with their humble setting and with the glamour of Hollywood with its classy looks as well as the art-deco look, not to mention the calm that came before the storm we all know as World War II.
I loved the movie as a kid and felt there should have been a ton of sequels. But now I realize that it wasn't going to be. But also because some of the actors at the time were really fresh. Now Billy Campbell and Jennifer Connelly are great performers. Still this could have been a lot like the Indiana Jones movies.
Plus the characters were a little to simple and in some cases naive. Still a nice read. C+
I loved the movie as a kid and felt there should have been a ton of sequels. But now I realize that it wasn't going to be. But also because some of the actors at the time were really fresh. Now Billy Campbell and Jennifer Connelly are great performers. Still this could have been a lot like the Indiana Jones movies.
Plus the characters were a little to simple and in some cases naive. Still a nice read. C+
September 27, 2014
After I saw the movie "The Rocketeer" in the theater, I picked up the novelization when I found a used copy.
I sometimes enjoy reading written treatments of a movie to see if the adaption can add anything to the story.
This is a typical bad guys after the rocket pack adventure set in 1938 and reminds me very much of pulp fiction from that era. Which it is supposed to, of course.
The movie is a bit better than the book but Peter David does a good adaptation and keeps the 'feel' of the movie in his writing.
Recommended for pulp or adventure fans and for those who liked the movie.
Read before I joined GR so dates unknown.
I sometimes enjoy reading written treatments of a movie to see if the adaption can add anything to the story.
This is a typical bad guys after the rocket pack adventure set in 1938 and reminds me very much of pulp fiction from that era. Which it is supposed to, of course.
The movie is a bit better than the book but Peter David does a good adaptation and keeps the 'feel' of the movie in his writing.
Recommended for pulp or adventure fans and for those who liked the movie.
Read before I joined GR so dates unknown.
Read
August 23, 2008isbn,original
January 3, 2011
Based on the movie; enjoyable, quick, fun read!
June 28, 2015
Good enough to pass the time, does not aspire to greatness though.
April 30, 2016
Discovered a bunch of comics from when I was a kid.
February 8, 2013
Some cool artwork and concept but the story was very weak.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews