Rocket Raccoon and Groot, Vol. 2: Civil War II

Rocket Raccoon and Groot (Collected Editions)

by Nick Kocher, Michael Walsh (Illustrator), David López (Cover Art)

Collects Rocket Raccoon & Groot #7-10.

Rocket and Groot put the fun back in funeral! But any mirth is only hiding a certain Raccoon's grief at the death of his mentor in con-artistry. The next era begins for the Guardians of the Galaxy's lovable double act, with new insight into Rocket's mysterious past! But then CIVIL WAR II reaches our heroes! It's been destroying friendships across the Marvel Universe, but when Captain Marvel enlists her Guardian pals, surely it won't divide these BFFs. After all, they are Groot, right? Even if R & G choose the same side, can they possibly survive a screwball encounter with the unbelievable Gwenpool? They're all after a bounty in Georgia, and you know what that means: War! It'll be hilarious, just don't count on it being Civil!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Science Fiction, Comic Book, Superheroes, Humor

121 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 9, 2016

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have no idea who Nick Kocher is but he needs to write more comics. This was awesome. It's a non tie-in tie-in to Civil War II as Rocket and Groot do their best to stay completely out of Civil War II. They go after a robbery at a baby powder factory because Rocket knows of a space criminal who uses baby powder to fuel his space ship. There's a ton of absurd fun as Gwenpool guests in these issues as well. Kocher really knows how to make her work too. Marvel needs to hand Gwenpool over to him now. The only bad thing about this book is Michael Walsh's art. It's not good, to put it nicely.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book going the way of the dodo, but I hear it's being replaced with a solo Rocket Raccoon book, so it's not all bad news.

This was a bizarre volume (but I guess it is a book about a space-faring raccoon and a sentient tree) which saw our heroes doing their best not to get dragged into Civil War II but ending up having a reluctant team-up with Gwenpool instead! It was OK; nothing amazing but not terrible either.

One last time for the road:

I AM GROOT!

[DanF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly a good, fun read. Collecting issues 7-10 of fhe 2016 series sees Rocket and Groot kind of caught up (more like avoiding) in the Marvel Civil War II shenanigans.

I have been finding the team up of Rocket and Groot becoming quite bland in the comics, with the interaction pretty much being Rocket always holding off the conversations on his own. (Can only read 'I AM GROOT' so many times). By throwing in the crazy wackiness of Gwenpool, the interactions between her and Rocket provided some solid humour that isnt there with Groot.

Gwenpool was the highlight and really added to the humour and overall enjoyment of this book. Recommended.

[Grace Arango · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like Rocket Raccoon, Groot and The Unbelievable Gwenpool ;)

I quite enjoyed the Gwenpool & Civil War II crossover because I came to accept that this isn't the greatest take on Groot and Rocket and at least I ended up enjoying it more than the first volume, I just kind of wished there was more to the story. Oh well, this was fine for now.

[Annye Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Rocket Raccoon & Groot, Vol. 2: Civil War II, the Civil War II mainly serves as a distraction for Rocket Raccoon and Groot so that they can get in trouble here on Earth. Normally I would be critical of a story that doesn't progress the plot at all, but for these two the high jinks work. Rocket made me laugh out loud several times, and Gwenpool actually managed to be more entertaining than irritating. 

Read more of my reviews (plus cat pics!) on Her Little Book Review.

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining enough. Rocket was Rocket, Groot was Groot. I laughed. But the Hulk and Rocket story at the end was painfully horrible.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe a little bit stupid, but fun.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really can't get enough of the modern Rocket & Groot. Not being a long-time comic reader, I didn't realize that Rocket had his beginnings much earlier in the Marvel universe, clear back in 1981 in The Incredible Hulk's 20th anniversary issue. Let me tell you, it was terrible. It was interesting to see the style of writing & illustrating that were common, but whew...let's just say it was a good thing it was only 60 cents. Sadly, there was no sign of Groot. Rather, Rocket had a love-interest in Lylla the otter. If nothing else, details & characters in the other Rocket & Groot issues made more sense. For that, I'm thankful for the inclusion of Rocket's debut.
Additionally, we have a story of the death of Rocket's mentor and a Rocket-centric sequel to Civil War (thus the title of this issue, Civil War II). I'm guessing it would have been even more enjoyable if I was familiar w/ the other Marvel comics that dealt with that story arc, but I still loved it in my uneducated fashion. We got to see a delightful relationship between Rocket & Gwen Poole bloom as our "heroes" work together to save Captain Marvel.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dumb. But guest-star Gwenpool was pretty awesome AND dumb. Backup story of what I think was the original Rocket story was not completely stupid - though the connection back to Rocky Raccoon was a bit more obvious there. I did appreciate how the Civil War was almost completely dodged in this book.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Producing more titles than Marvel knows what to do with, editorial hires a no-name creative team for cheap and they take over the title, adds-in Gwenpool and shockingly, beyond belief, strikes GOLD! Totally loved it!

One of few of the Post-Secret Wars/Marvel Now/2.0 that fully succeeds.

[Ellyn → Allonsythornraxx · Rating 1 out of 5]

19/06/2017

NOPE NOPPITY NOPE WHAT THE ACTUAL F**K



This series held such a high place in my mind and then this happened. This comic is part of a whole other series and as far as I'm concerned it can get the hell out. I came here for Rocket and Groot space shenannigans, not Gwenpool (one of my least favourite comic characters) or the Civil War II series.

ALSO I don't think I have ever detested a character more than I have Gwenpool. She needs to go.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

not my favorite but still enjoyable. Gwenpool seems....fine in moderation but I can't imagine reading a whole series with just her. A little 4th wall breaking is funny...but like....too much man.

[Daniel Butcher · Rating 2 out of 5]

An "interesting" attempt at fitting a non connected story into a major crossover.

This is my first Gwen Pool encounter...she's like a take between Deadpool and Harly Quinn...I don't know if I like her.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. I liked the story arc with Gwenpool. Totally skipped the last issue since it was some old-school comics.

[Brian Poole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite that delays mean the main Civil War II series won’t wrap for a couple months yet, collected editions of the tie-ins are rolling out, including Rocket Raccoon & Groot.

After a misadventure involving the not-as-it-seems death of Rocket’s grifting mentor, the title pair head to Earth in response to Captain Marvel’s Civil War II summons. And then immediately skip out on the fight. Instead, Rocket and Groot head to Georgia in pursuit of a bounty on a fugitive alien hiding out on Earth. They cross paths with fourth wall-breaking Gwenpool, but quickly realize the bounty isn’t as it seems and that the fugitive may be trying to protect Captain Marvel herself from a bigger threat.

Writer Nick Kocher does some entertaining work with this volume of Rocket Raccoon & Groot. He captures the spirit that Skottie Young brought to the book, riffing on a cornucopia of genre tropes, with lots of witty dialogue, absurdist plot turns and fun-filled action sequences. Kocher uses the bond between his leads quite effectively and if no one’s grown emotionally by the end of the arc, fans have been treated to an amusing action/comedy spectacle. Kocher manages a decent balancing act of commenting on the realities of the comic book industry without becoming so meta and insidery that it’s alienating.

Michael Walsh, working with inker Josh Hixson and colorists Cris Peter and Michael Garland, nails the visuals quite effectively. There’s an appealing cartoonish quality to the art that suits the tone of the stories quite well. The action is fluid, with straight-forward layouts and a strong storytelling sense. But Walsh also packs lots of entertaining details into his panels, helping to sell the absurdity of a series starring a talking raccoon and a walking tree.

As with other recent Marvel volumes, the publisher’s re-launch mania limits the number of issues available for collection. The four installments of this arc are padded out with the Incredible Hulk issue from the early ‘80s that first introduced Rocket. It’s interesting enough, but continues to underline the tricky value proposition with many of Marvel’s recent trade collections.

For fans, though, Rocket Raccoon & Groot: Civil War II is an entertaining ride that makes the most of its colorful, offbeat stars.

[Alex E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rocket and Groot try their best to not get involved in Civil War II.... and actually manage to do it! However they cant escape dealing with an especially grumpy Captain Marvel, as she is the target of a villain that Rocket and Groot are trying to stop.

You know I'm not familiar with Nick Kocher, but I really like his style. He breaks the fourth wall subtly and not so subtly ala GwenPool, he writes a fun and funny book, and he captured the voices of not only the three main personalities (ok so maybe Groot is not that hard, whatever) but also gave unique voices to the supporting cast as well. I really hope to see him on more books because he knocked it out of the park.

The book is about Rocket and Groot not wanting to be involved with the big event, so instead they go and try to stop someone who stole a bunch of talcum powder - because Rocket knows of a guy he has been chasing that powers his space ship with talcum powder ... comics, am I right guys? GwenPool is also after this guy as is the main villain - some alien that is also hunting the talcum powder bandit. So it's just a mess of comedic proportions, and it though it sounds weird and funny (cause it totally is) its really entertaining and fun.

Sorry to see this series go, especially after finding a good writer that fit the book so well. If you're a fan of these two characters, and like the more comedic aspects of their dynamic, this is highly recommended.

[Scarred Wizard · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow! after the horrible read of volume 1, i still give this a chance. i'm glad i did! this is way way better, cool, fun and the jokes are hilarious. it is the 1st time i really laugh like real laughing reading a comic book. a super fun adventure of Rocket, Groot & Gwenpool. No idea why she is not on the front cover. maybe this is her first appearance or introduction? idk. but damn she's funny! she kinda steal the spotlight tho. lol. i don't mind. what a fun and action-packed read. i love it! this Nick Kocher guy need to write more. love his story! hilarious! i mean it! i'm giving this a full mark of 5 star even tho not a big of the artwork. the story kinda make up for it! a big two thumbs up for me!

[Petergiaquinta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rocket and Groot meet Gwenpool...stupidity wins again!

I wouldn’t pay good money for this comic, but the one thing that makes it worth the overinflated cover price is the inclusion in the back of Hulk 271, the first appearance of Rocket Raccoon...but, spoiler alert, that story sucks so hard it’ll have you wondering how Rocket ever got a second chance at superhero-dom. I grew up in the ‘70s reading The Hulk, and there were some great story lines then...but things had gone downhill by the end of the decade. Not sure what Bill Mantlo was up to here, but Hulk 271 is a really shitty attempt to do something cosmic or Steve Gerberesque, and it just fails to be either.

[Anchorpete · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mentioned in my reviews before, that I have a tradition of posting panels that are highly entertaining on my instagram. I call the collection of panels the "Only in comics" collection. the collection demonstrates humor that can only be found in comics. this book had a moment that made it into that collection, and a few other moments that were runners up. I don't want to spoil it. My hat is off to Nick Kocher, he really does an excellent job capturing Rocket's voice, and the way he interacts with Groot. Great stuff.

[Bekka · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't as fun for me as Skottie Young's take on these characters, especially the Gwenpool bits, as I feel like the author didn't quite get her enough to write her. I mean, he got most of it right, but it wasn't quite as madcap as I'd expect from a team-up between her, Rocket and Groot, and the fact that she didn't know who they were, despite being a massive Marvel fan.
TW for violence, threats of death, kidnapping, stabbing (victim does not die, and there is no blood), funerals, faking deaths, grief.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

COLLECTS ROCKET RACCOON & GROOT ISSUES #7-10 AND INCREDIBLE HULK (1968) ISSUES #271 (THIS IS THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF ROCKET RACCOON)

I only read this collection because there is a Gwenpool appearance in here. Now that I have read this, I have read every Gwenpool appearance in the Marvel Universe. Her personal series led to her becoming one of my favorite new characters. The other stuff was fine, but Gwenpool is great.

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting much from this volume since the tone of the series as a whole was pretty light. And it's pretty clever that they found a way to tell a story that was consistent with that tone while dealing with such a heavy and serious crossover event as Civil War II.

Thus we get an adventure with minimal long-term consequences for the characters and a lot of 4th wall shenanigans thanks to Gwenpool.

[Brandon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some things are so cringe-inducing that they actually hurt to read. We finally get a proper ongoing story here, and it's... Rocket and Groot teaming up with Deadpool-knockoff Gwenpool while CWII is happening in the background? Gwenpool isn't a Deadpool knockoff, but in this book she is. And it hurts. I don't know why most of the sequences in this volume happen, and I don't know why they're supposed to be funny, but they're there.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one wasn’t quite as fun. There were a few funny things. As always, it’s fun to see the interplay between Rocket and Carol. But overall, it was kind of a let down.

Quote from the book (maybe a paraphrase - I took it back to the library before I wrote it down): “Obviously Brian Michael Bendis didn’t write this garbage.”

At least it's self-aware.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, Rocket and Groot attend the funeral of a friend who's faked his own death. Then they compete with Gwenpool for a bounty for an alien on Earth. Which is entertaining, but also pointless.

Filler is the first appearance of Rocket Raccoon, which I was interested in, but it's written by Bill Mantlo which means it's unreadable.

[Valerio Pastore · Rating 3 out of 5]

E niente. Cambiato il team creativo, con il trittico dedicato a Civil War 2 si precipita nel banale, in un prendersi sul serio che stona mortalmente col tono finora sostenuto da questa miniserie. Gwenpool è un personaggio che non ho MAI sopportato, e non ha ragion d'essere visto che il nostro duo preferito GIA' svolge un ottimo lavoro nella propria demenzialità. Gran peccato!

[Adan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was hilarious, especially with the inclusion of Gwenpool (and very little to do with Civil War II). My favorite line: "Oh, what were you gonna use a phone for? You got a bunch of people you need to tell that you're Groot?"

[Sebastian Song · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lighten up for the slapstick journey. Guest starring Gwenpool. I hope Marvel puts out a comics book teaming up the new Wolverine, Squirrelgirl, Gwenpool and Rocket & Groot. Then we will experience a cosmic overdose..

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Public library copy.

While the subsequent volumes weren't as great after Skottie Young left, the story and art was not so bad to put everything to rest so it makes sense tg8s title kept cranking out with an average ornaboce average level of quality.

[Andres Halden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Civil War II damaged a lot of series, this one included