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The Rocketfellers #1-6
The Rocketfellers, Vol. 1
“The Rocketfellers is the strongest debut series from Ghost Machine to date, with a time-traveling family on the run from nefarious forces.” —Comical Opinions
A dysfunctional but fun family from the future hides out in the past against a threat that can travel through time!
THE ROCKETFELLERS follows a family from the 25th century hiding in the 21st century with a terrible secret that could affect the fate of humanity. Enlisting in the Time Zone Protection Program and escaping to present-day Earth, the Rocketfellers must find a way to trust each other in the strange “ancient” world of today as they are hunted by threats from their time and ours.
Collecting the first arc of Ghost Machine’s hit series from creators PETER J. TOMASI (Batman & Robin, Super Sons), FRANCIS MANAPUL (The Flash, Detective Comics), JOHN KALISZ (Batman & Robin), and ROB LEIGH.
Collects THE ROCKETFELLERS #1-6
A dysfunctional but fun family from the future hides out in the past against a threat that can travel through time!
THE ROCKETFELLERS follows a family from the 25th century hiding in the 21st century with a terrible secret that could affect the fate of humanity. Enlisting in the Time Zone Protection Program and escaping to present-day Earth, the Rocketfellers must find a way to trust each other in the strange “ancient” world of today as they are hunted by threats from their time and ours.
Collecting the first arc of Ghost Machine’s hit series from creators PETER J. TOMASI (Batman & Robin, Super Sons), FRANCIS MANAPUL (The Flash, Detective Comics), JOHN KALISZ (Batman & Robin), and ROB LEIGH.
Collects THE ROCKETFELLERS #1-6
176 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2025
3 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Peter J. Tomasi
1,394 books468 followersPeter J. Tomasi is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, such as Batman And Robin; Superman; Super Sons; Batman: Detective Comics; Green Lantern Corps; and Superman/Wonder Woman; as well as Batman: Arkham Knight; Brightest Day; Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors; Nightwing; Black Adam, and many more.
In the course of his staff career at DC Comics, Tomasi served as a group editor and ushered in new eras for Batman, Green Lantern, and the JSA, along with a host of special projects like Kingdom Come.
He is also the author of the creator-owned titles House Of Penance with artist Ian Bertram; Light Brigade with artist Peter Snejbjerg; The Mighty with Keith Champagne and Chris Samnee; and the critically acclaimed epic graphic novel The Bridge: How The Roeblings Connected Brooklyn To New York, illustrated by Sara DuVall and published by Abrams ComicArts.
In 2018 New York Times best-selling author Tomasi received the Inkpot Award for achievement in comics.
In the course of his staff career at DC Comics, Tomasi served as a group editor and ushered in new eras for Batman, Green Lantern, and the JSA, along with a host of special projects like Kingdom Come.
He is also the author of the creator-owned titles House Of Penance with artist Ian Bertram; Light Brigade with artist Peter Snejbjerg; The Mighty with Keith Champagne and Chris Samnee; and the critically acclaimed epic graphic novel The Bridge: How The Roeblings Connected Brooklyn To New York, illustrated by Sara DuVall and published by Abrams ComicArts.
In 2018 New York Times best-selling author Tomasi received the Inkpot Award for achievement in comics.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 7, 2025
(B+) 77% | Good
Notes: All cozy/cute, but plot's minute, the art's the part that hooks, and feels far less a comic quest than Little Golden Book.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issues #1-2 ◦ Issues #3-4 ◦ Issues #5-6
Notes: All cozy/cute, but plot's minute, the art's the part that hooks, and feels far less a comic quest than Little Golden Book.
*Progress updates: Preamble ◦ Issues #1-2 ◦ Issues #3-4 ◦ Issues #5-6
October 29, 2025
Well well well, shit on a stick, and call me twitch, no clue what I'm saying.
Ghost Machine is on a roll with me this year. First Hyde Street blew my socks off with its awesome creepy vibe and depressing but awesome tales. Now The Rocketfellers come along and hits the itch I want in slice of life fashion with excellent character, fun time jumping story, and great art.
The plot centers on a dysfunctional, but fun, family from the 25th century who have to escape to present-day Earth (the year 2024, specifically) using the Time Zone Protection Program. They're on the run because they've discovered a terrible secret that could seriously affect the fate of all humanity, and they're being hunted by threats from both their time and ours, including the relentless bounty hunter Cronex.
What works the most is the family dynamic. The mom, Rachel, is super badass, the dad, Roland, is a genius and good man at heart, the grandfather, Rodney, is the warrior (at 125, he's surprisingly fit!), and the two children, Richie and Rae, are adorable as they struggle to adapt to the "ancient" world of the 21st century. Think basically Black Science in a way but a lot more focus on family and slice of life moments which I love, like when they try to host a Thanksgiving BBQ for their neighbors and have to hide their futuristic traditions and tech.
The writing is great, the plot moves quick and is exciting, as they try to blend in while running from danger, and the art is also perfect for the style it's going for. They're constantly navigating the strange customs of our time while grappling with the true meaning of family. A 4.5 out of 5!
Ghost Machine is on a roll with me this year. First Hyde Street blew my socks off with its awesome creepy vibe and depressing but awesome tales. Now The Rocketfellers come along and hits the itch I want in slice of life fashion with excellent character, fun time jumping story, and great art.
The plot centers on a dysfunctional, but fun, family from the 25th century who have to escape to present-day Earth (the year 2024, specifically) using the Time Zone Protection Program. They're on the run because they've discovered a terrible secret that could seriously affect the fate of all humanity, and they're being hunted by threats from both their time and ours, including the relentless bounty hunter Cronex.
What works the most is the family dynamic. The mom, Rachel, is super badass, the dad, Roland, is a genius and good man at heart, the grandfather, Rodney, is the warrior (at 125, he's surprisingly fit!), and the two children, Richie and Rae, are adorable as they struggle to adapt to the "ancient" world of the 21st century. Think basically Black Science in a way but a lot more focus on family and slice of life moments which I love, like when they try to host a Thanksgiving BBQ for their neighbors and have to hide their futuristic traditions and tech.
The writing is great, the plot moves quick and is exciting, as they try to blend in while running from danger, and the art is also perfect for the style it's going for. They're constantly navigating the strange customs of our time while grappling with the true meaning of family. A 4.5 out of 5!
September 22, 2025
It's been too long since I read a book with Francis Manapul art, seriously. Man's art is gorgeous, and always will be. Even with a swap-out of colourist midway through a couple of issues, it still looks top tier. Book pretty, people.
Okay, got the gushing out of the way. Onto the plot!
Sent back in time to 2025, the Rocketfellers are a family from 2425, now on the run as chrono-fugitives for some unspecified reason. As they attempt to blend in without outing themselves, a mercenary from their original time is hot on their tail. So not only do they have to deal with teen angst, the loss of a family member, and two Russian princes who want to kidnap them for stealing their crypto coin, they also have to deal with the fact that they might not ever go home again, and that this is their new normal.
Tomasi gets a good few character beats for everyone here, really hammering home who they are, what role they play in the family, and why they want to go back, or stay where they are. There's even an extended action sequence for the robot dog, because why not? I will say that he got a lot of mileage out of the same cliffhanger reveal, which was pretty much the same for at least two of the six issues, but I'm still intrigued by what sent the Rocketfellers back to the past in the first place, which looks like the story we're going to get in volume 2.
Ghost Machine never misses, it seems. Another winner. Did I mention the art's lovely?
Okay, got the gushing out of the way. Onto the plot!
Sent back in time to 2025, the Rocketfellers are a family from 2425, now on the run as chrono-fugitives for some unspecified reason. As they attempt to blend in without outing themselves, a mercenary from their original time is hot on their tail. So not only do they have to deal with teen angst, the loss of a family member, and two Russian princes who want to kidnap them for stealing their crypto coin, they also have to deal with the fact that they might not ever go home again, and that this is their new normal.
Tomasi gets a good few character beats for everyone here, really hammering home who they are, what role they play in the family, and why they want to go back, or stay where they are. There's even an extended action sequence for the robot dog, because why not? I will say that he got a lot of mileage out of the same cliffhanger reveal, which was pretty much the same for at least two of the six issues, but I'm still intrigued by what sent the Rocketfellers back to the past in the first place, which looks like the story we're going to get in volume 2.
Ghost Machine never misses, it seems. Another winner. Did I mention the art's lovely?
August 6, 2025
Saying it's Peter Tomasi's take on the Fantastic Four feels like an overly simplistic description, but it's accurate nevertheless.
As another receiver mentioned, the plot is rather scattershot so far, but that's a rather common device for independent comics, and may very well result in more intricate plotting and better payoffs in the future.
Oftentimes these well known character copycats end up being better than the originals, as their untethered from 60+ years of continuity, editorial dictates, and fan expectations.
While I doubt The Rocketfellers will ever top any of the best FF stories that exist, the first six issues have definitely gotten me excited for what's to come.
As another receiver mentioned, the plot is rather scattershot so far, but that's a rather common device for independent comics, and may very well result in more intricate plotting and better payoffs in the future.
Oftentimes these well known character copycats end up being better than the originals, as their untethered from 60+ years of continuity, editorial dictates, and fan expectations.
While I doubt The Rocketfellers will ever top any of the best FF stories that exist, the first six issues have definitely gotten me excited for what's to come.
October 7, 2025
Family fun, time travel, weird science, cyborgs and and robo-dogs. This book is decidedly retro with just the right amounts of dorkiness and darkness. Come for the weird science and stay for the ongoing family drama. This book is recommended for anyone who thinks "Modern Family" could be improved with flying cars and jetpacks.
4.5 stars rounded to 4.
Note: I read this one as single issues. I will revise this review if needed once the trade is out.
4.5 stars rounded to 4.
Note: I read this one as single issues. I will revise this review if needed once the trade is out.
November 29, 2025
This book is lots of fun and Tomasi has done a wonderful job of balancing a tense SF survival story with lots of trope Lost in Space or quirky family moments. It's fun to recognize some of the sources and then see where he's then expounded upon them. I think a careful reader will find lots of little Easter eggs.
My one critique is that this book starts off so intense, and then the momentum totally dies and gets rerouted into lots of quirky/fun family moments which are great for character building, but makes the larger plot kind of languish for a bit. Things don't start to pick up again until the end of the vol. Don't get me wrong, those family/character moments are golden, I'm just hoping that they will be put to good use when the plot catches up and the shit hits the fan.
My one critique is that this book starts off so intense, and then the momentum totally dies and gets rerouted into lots of quirky/fun family moments which are great for character building, but makes the larger plot kind of languish for a bit. Things don't start to pick up again until the end of the vol. Don't get me wrong, those family/character moments are golden, I'm just hoping that they will be put to good use when the plot catches up and the shit hits the fan.
June 26, 2025
I really dug this. It's about a family from the 25th century who came back to 2024 to hide out from an evil corporation that is trying to kill them. The larger story is taking a while to tease out but that didn't even matter. I loved the family dynamics. Tomasi is one of those writers who I just really jive with. And Francis Manapul is killing it with his art. That's one thing you can say about Ghost Machine. They've really picked the cream of the crop for artists. Oh, and there's at least one person in these comics who are aware of all the different universes out there which I found interesting.
October 17, 2025
I thought this was going to be an Image takeoff on the Fantastic Four; that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's not (not really), and that is not a bad thing either.
The Rocketfellers are a scientifically gifted family from the future. They are running from someone (something) that, even after reading this book, is still mostly a mystery. To this point there has not been a lot of action, but the story still moves, and the mystery is still interesting. There are a lot of family moments that actually add to the story rather than slowing things or feeling like filler.
The art is very nice.
Looking forward to the next volume, but it does need to answer some questions.
The Rocketfellers are a scientifically gifted family from the future. They are running from someone (something) that, even after reading this book, is still mostly a mystery. To this point there has not been a lot of action, but the story still moves, and the mystery is still interesting. There are a lot of family moments that actually add to the story rather than slowing things or feeling like filler.
The art is very nice.
Looking forward to the next volume, but it does need to answer some questions.
May 22, 2025
It’s a perfectly fine comic aimed towards early teens
Good, clear storytelling in the art, all well enough written - but like Hornsby and Halo, also written by Thomasi, it feels a bit directionless. Taking a bit too long to get where it’s going and I don’t enjoy the world or the cast quite enough to read in any
Good, clear storytelling in the art, all well enough written - but like Hornsby and Halo, also written by Thomasi, it feels a bit directionless. Taking a bit too long to get where it’s going and I don’t enjoy the world or the cast quite enough to read in any
October 18, 2025
It's trying to be The Fantastic Four or the Incredibles, but the characters' abilities aren't memorable and their relationships aren't very strong. The time-travel aspects of the story feel tacked on. The art is good, and the story has a couple memorable moments, especially early on. But the story moves into neutral after the first couple of issues.
November 29, 2025
I picked up “The Rocketfellers” based upon a recommendation online.
It starts with time travel, three generations of Rocketfellers running for their life. Landing in our current time in Olympia, Washington, the family assume new identities as they hide from the 25th century forces out to destroy them. And they clearly have secrets of their own.
It’s a fun story, which doesn’t play heavy handed on the time difference. I will check out the second TPB when it releases next year instead of trying to catch up with individual issues.
It starts with time travel, three generations of Rocketfellers running for their life. Landing in our current time in Olympia, Washington, the family assume new identities as they hide from the 25th century forces out to destroy them. And they clearly have secrets of their own.
It’s a fun story, which doesn’t play heavy handed on the time difference. I will check out the second TPB when it releases next year instead of trying to catch up with individual issues.
December 15, 2025
Like any book by Tomasi, the character work is beyond excellent. I like all the characters but I’m not hooked on the story yet because it’s moved too slow in exchange for the characters to keep you engaged. The art is great and fits the setting. I’ll definitely check out the next volume.
October 13, 2025
Fun future family frolicking as they time travel to today to evade evildoers.
No idea why I alliterated that.
No idea why I alliterated that.
October 13, 2025
Awesome story, characterization a,d art. I want this team on FF when Ryan North leaves
November 16, 2025
It’s not a bad book, its mixture of family hijinks with sci-fi storytelling is certainly cute, but it’s done in a way that is not particularly thrilling or new, even if the art is really great.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews