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Shockrockets: We Have Ignition
It's 2071 A.D. In the wake of a devastating alien war, earth is protected by the Shockrockets - an unbeatable squadron of hi-tech aerial fighter craft, built from a fusion of captured alien technology and the best Earth has to offer. Manned by the world's most elite pilots, the Shockrockets protect an unstable Earth from natural disasters, worldwide piracy, rampaging mutantions and more. But now the Shockrockets face their most dangerous challenge - an all-out strike to take over earth from the military genius that saved the planet a generation ago. Their only real hope is Alejandro Cruz, a young man who becomes the newest Shockrocket pilot by a freak of chance. Will his outsider status prove to be the only thing that can unlock the true secret of the Shockrockets technology, and give the world a chance to remain free?
152 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 14, 2019
This is classic sci-fi adventure. It was just plain fun. Set in a future where Earth has survived an alien invasion, the Shockrockets protect humanity while they try and rebuild. An old general from the war now tries to take over the earth. Enter our young hero Alejandro Cruz, a poor kid who happens to be an incredible pilot. Immonen's art is top notch too. I like how the pilots all have a classic look while flying these alien hybrid space ships.
June 21, 2018
This is definitely a lesser work for Busiek, which means it's only good; it doesn't hold a candle to Astro City. The idea of a team of elite pilots flying somewhat sentient spaceships has been done before, and there's nothing here that really makes it spark. The protagonist Cruz has almost no personality beyond the chip on his shoulder as he whines that the other pilots don't like him. It's got all of the expected twists and turns - the turncoat, the noble death, the thawing romantic relationship, the final page 'twist' that reveals the secret hand in the works. It's all decent, workmanlike, but it just never wowed me. The art didn't do much for me either, which is strange because I usually like Immomen's work. The ship designs are okay, but didn't make much of an impression. All told, it's decent, but not memorable.
May 12, 2025
Found this book while sorting things out for library donation and ... well, I don't want to keep it, per se, but I definitely wanted to read it one more time before it disappears. It's still a well crafted, fun rocket ride.
++++++++++
Immonen has long been one of my favorite Superman artists, and he's no one-trick pony. He draws wonderful normal people, and his technology is absolutely killer. The look of the Shockrockets and their world was stunning! Stuart's also a very strong storyteller. He's among my favorite artists working in comics today. And his work on this book is proof enough that even with modern technology, movie special effects have a long way to go to match the comics page.
Busiek's story was strong as well. In fact, I'd love to see more comics like this. Self-contained, adventure graphic novels (the last page did set up a sequel, but Busiek could easily have let it end without that, and it would be even more satisfying had he done son) with no super-hero trappings (nothing against super-heroes, but variety is a nice thing). The story moved along briskly, but the characters and the world always felt like they were being explored sufficiently to keep the reader intrigued. The narration style was similar to what Busiek has done on Astro City, but it was used very differently. Astro City makes references, but leaves them hang, building a sense of history and complexity to that world. Shockrockets had more out and out exposition, but Busiek always kept the narrative lively enough to keep you from feeling bogged down in it.
It was nothing earth-shattering, but Shockrockets was a terrifically fun, fast-paced adventure ride that was worth the price of admission.
++++++++++
Immonen has long been one of my favorite Superman artists, and he's no one-trick pony. He draws wonderful normal people, and his technology is absolutely killer. The look of the Shockrockets and their world was stunning! Stuart's also a very strong storyteller. He's among my favorite artists working in comics today. And his work on this book is proof enough that even with modern technology, movie special effects have a long way to go to match the comics page.
Busiek's story was strong as well. In fact, I'd love to see more comics like this. Self-contained, adventure graphic novels (the last page did set up a sequel, but Busiek could easily have let it end without that, and it would be even more satisfying had he done son) with no super-hero trappings (nothing against super-heroes, but variety is a nice thing). The story moved along briskly, but the characters and the world always felt like they were being explored sufficiently to keep the reader intrigued. The narration style was similar to what Busiek has done on Astro City, but it was used very differently. Astro City makes references, but leaves them hang, building a sense of history and complexity to that world. Shockrockets had more out and out exposition, but Busiek always kept the narrative lively enough to keep you from feeling bogged down in it.
It was nothing earth-shattering, but Shockrockets was a terrifically fun, fast-paced adventure ride that was worth the price of admission.
March 15, 2020
Okay book. First read of the great pandemic school suspension. Not terrible but predictable
July 8, 2019
Kurt Busiek reminds me of this friend I had in high school. Not because he's chunky and bearded and has glasses...although those descriptors also apply to my friend. For other reasons...
We had to do this stupid thing called an Invention Convention. The idea was that a 6th grader would invent something and show it off like a science fair. I think the rhyming name was the main appeal.
So my friend "invented" a cup with 4 handles. Which was convenient because you could reach for it without looking and find a handle no matter what. Our science teacher told him that he was getting an A because, well, he had to grade everyone equally. But if he was grading based on ability, he'd give my friend an F because he knew that my friend was capable of much more.
As an aside, I invented the Keen Key Kontainer. Which was a cut-up Nerf ball that you put your keys in so that A) They floated and B) When you fell on your keys while rollerblading, rollerblades being all the rage, it didn't hurt as bad. So, I solved a nonexistent problem in shoddy fashion with something named in such a way that its initials were KKK. I did not receive a speech about how this compared with my potential. Which, as an adult, hurts my feelings.
When it comes to Shockrockets, it's Kurt Busiek's 4-handled cup. For Busiek, it's not so hot. But, because he's a total master, if I compare it to other comics, it's pretty damn good.
How's THAT for an overly long analogy for a 3-star book?!
We had to do this stupid thing called an Invention Convention. The idea was that a 6th grader would invent something and show it off like a science fair. I think the rhyming name was the main appeal.
So my friend "invented" a cup with 4 handles. Which was convenient because you could reach for it without looking and find a handle no matter what. Our science teacher told him that he was getting an A because, well, he had to grade everyone equally. But if he was grading based on ability, he'd give my friend an F because he knew that my friend was capable of much more.
As an aside, I invented the Keen Key Kontainer. Which was a cut-up Nerf ball that you put your keys in so that A) They floated and B) When you fell on your keys while rollerblading, rollerblades being all the rage, it didn't hurt as bad. So, I solved a nonexistent problem in shoddy fashion with something named in such a way that its initials were KKK. I did not receive a speech about how this compared with my potential. Which, as an adult, hurts my feelings.
When it comes to Shockrockets, it's Kurt Busiek's 4-handled cup. For Busiek, it's not so hot. But, because he's a total master, if I compare it to other comics, it's pretty damn good.
How's THAT for an overly long analogy for a 3-star book?!
June 29, 2022
Ok, you can't read ShockRockets e not thinking about The Thunderbirds instead.
It's the future, earth survived and invasion and, learning from it, builded a organization of some kind to face threats to humankind. That it's the ShockRockets. And then, a kid named Alejandro, watching a huge battle in a mountain, somehow, got his hands on one of the group's ship and save the day.
It's the typical teenager sci-fi story, with our young and dreaming protagonist (and really annoying, as well), a huge base on the sea, some really cool ships and a bad guy trying to take over the world. The formula is there. The cool thing about the book is that Kurt Busiek, i believe with his knowledge of writing super team stories, is that every characters has his shining moments. Every chapter on the story is narrated by one of the members of the team, which really brings great points of view about their missions and what the're doing. The chapter with Shin Tsuruta being the main character was amazing.
But, for me, a person that doesn't have english as a native tongue, it was a little bit harder to follow through some terms and words, especially the ones related to flying and space stuffs. A couple of times, i got myself translating some words on the internet.
And about the art, Stuart Immonen is great. The machines and the technology on this one is great. Guy was really ahead of his time.
In time, it's a good and fun book to read. Nothing to change your mind or messing with your feelings. Just straight comic book fun, that everyone should get.
It's the future, earth survived and invasion and, learning from it, builded a organization of some kind to face threats to humankind. That it's the ShockRockets. And then, a kid named Alejandro, watching a huge battle in a mountain, somehow, got his hands on one of the group's ship and save the day.
It's the typical teenager sci-fi story, with our young and dreaming protagonist (and really annoying, as well), a huge base on the sea, some really cool ships and a bad guy trying to take over the world. The formula is there. The cool thing about the book is that Kurt Busiek, i believe with his knowledge of writing super team stories, is that every characters has his shining moments. Every chapter on the story is narrated by one of the members of the team, which really brings great points of view about their missions and what the're doing. The chapter with Shin Tsuruta being the main character was amazing.
But, for me, a person that doesn't have english as a native tongue, it was a little bit harder to follow through some terms and words, especially the ones related to flying and space stuffs. A couple of times, i got myself translating some words on the internet.
And about the art, Stuart Immonen is great. The machines and the technology on this one is great. Guy was really ahead of his time.
In time, it's a good and fun book to read. Nothing to change your mind or messing with your feelings. Just straight comic book fun, that everyone should get.
January 26, 2021
Ler isto é regressar a um revivalismo clássico, de séries retrofuturistas onde jovens pilotos lutam contra ameaças planetárias. A referência aos Thunderbirds é óbvia, e ainda mistura alguns elementos como invasões alienígenas e organizações terroristas globais, neste livro liderado por um general de nome Korda. Um apelido que penso sempre ser usado como homenagem aos produtores de Things to Come, o filme clássico baseado na obra homónima de H.G. Wells. Seguimos as aventuras de um jovem piloto, acidentalmente caído na organização de defensores da Terra que usa aeronaves de uma tecnologia avançada, capazes de se mesclar com a mente dos que as pilotam. A história é previsível, aventuras misturadas com intrigas, e o clássico conto do jovem com talento que tem dificuldades em ser reconhecido como elemento de um grupo coeso, até provar, pelas suas ações, o seu valor. É uma leitura divertida, e vale pelo grafismo explosivo, cheio de cor e vivacidade.
February 14, 2021
In the not-too-distant future, an elite squadron of supertech fighter pilots protect a world that is still putting itself back together again after a thwarted alien invasion. Kurt Busiek's narrative is tight and compelling, and Stuart Immonen's artwork and aircraft designs are outstanding. The whole thing does feel a bit like Busiek's playing for a sweet merchandising deal here, but we can overlook that. Shockrockets is simply too much fun to hold any grudges against it.
August 8, 2021
Thunderbirds are go! Okay, not really, but close enough. Except that it's Busiek so it comes off a heck of a lot more realistic. This is a story started in the middle and you are just dropped into free fall. We do get enough backstory and enough tech. It's a bit much. Maybe a bit too much. It is hard to believe that this was all packed in a fast-paced single volume. The characters may be just a little bit cardboard but there's not a lot of room for more.
January 27, 2024
Fabulous reread. This is such a great series it is a real shame that the expected continuing series of mini series never happened.
July 4, 2017
This was a pretty good dark horse candidate (double entendre!). I'd not heard of the authors before, though they're pretty well established in comics (the credentials of artists and writers came from several DC books). Steve also picked this one up for me for my birthday and it was pretty good.
The style was definitely something I was drawn to. The artists had a good grasp on what makes for good framing and composition and the color work was also well done. The story was definitely a draw as well.
In late 21st century, Earth is attacked by an inscrutable alien foe. A war hero manages to turn the tide by stealing their technology and applying it to human warships. The result is two fold. First, a new generation of ships and pilots - the ShockRockets - are born. The second, less desirable result is that the war hero is spurned from the project, which begins a war all of its own as he fights for recognition and sovereignty.
The story centers around a new ShockRocket pilot, Alejandro. When he comes across a downed ShockRocket craft and takes the controls, he finds that he's inserted himself into a crack team of pilots and that from that day forward, he and the craft are inseparable.
The only downside was the translation of some of the ship science. Disbelief (and the suspension thereof) in not a topic unfamiliar to me. But it seemed like the explanation for the technology towards the end was a little off. I can't say more about it without making revelations that are spoilers, so just go with me when I say it seemed a little quickly done.
Otherwise, the book is fantastic - well thought out, and well drawn, the book is pretty polished and worth a read for most comic fans.
The style was definitely something I was drawn to. The artists had a good grasp on what makes for good framing and composition and the color work was also well done. The story was definitely a draw as well.
In late 21st century, Earth is attacked by an inscrutable alien foe. A war hero manages to turn the tide by stealing their technology and applying it to human warships. The result is two fold. First, a new generation of ships and pilots - the ShockRockets - are born. The second, less desirable result is that the war hero is spurned from the project, which begins a war all of its own as he fights for recognition and sovereignty.
The story centers around a new ShockRocket pilot, Alejandro. When he comes across a downed ShockRocket craft and takes the controls, he finds that he's inserted himself into a crack team of pilots and that from that day forward, he and the craft are inseparable.
The only downside was the translation of some of the ship science. Disbelief (and the suspension thereof) in not a topic unfamiliar to me. But it seemed like the explanation for the technology towards the end was a little off. I can't say more about it without making revelations that are spoilers, so just go with me when I say it seemed a little quickly done.
Otherwise, the book is fantastic - well thought out, and well drawn, the book is pretty polished and worth a read for most comic fans.
May 13, 2012
This is an interesting, self-contained story. It is set in the not-too-distant future, after an alien race tried to invade Earth for reasons people still aren't quite clear on. To fight them off, the Humans stole some of their ships and used their interface devices to create special fighter craft crewed by specially trained pilots to defeat them. These are the Shockrockets. As our story starts, it is after the war and the unit is down to about half its pilots and craft. One of the heroes of the war against the aliens has rebelled against the world government and has his own forces invading random places, while the Shockrockets fight against him. This struggle is what the story is about.
As is fairly common with short-length graphic novels, there wasn't much character development here. The main character (the big face on the cover) gets 80+% of all of that effort, but I would have liked to see some more about the other members of the unit, as well. The underlying story is good, but I would have appreciated some additional details about the state of the world and why things are the way they are. Instead, it is all Shockrockets, all the time. Really, the whole thing just felt too short. So, a pretty good sci-fi story in an older style where swagger and guts matters as much as the science, but not a great one.
As is fairly common with short-length graphic novels, there wasn't much character development here. The main character (the big face on the cover) gets 80+% of all of that effort, but I would have liked to see some more about the other members of the unit, as well. The underlying story is good, but I would have appreciated some additional details about the state of the world and why things are the way they are. Instead, it is all Shockrockets, all the time. Really, the whole thing just felt too short. So, a pretty good sci-fi story in an older style where swagger and guts matters as much as the science, but not a great one.
June 14, 2012
In a future that has seen an alien war devastate the planet, Alejando Cruz is dreaming of flying. A wanna-be mechanic whose family has scraped by following the defeat of the invaders, Cruz believes he is meant for better things. That chance arrives when he encounters a battle between a bitter war hero and the pilot team dedicating to protecting the planet - the Shockrockets. Thrust into the pilot's chair, Cruz finds himself struggling to earn the respect of his team while trying to unlock the secrets of the Shockrocket technology. The switch from narrator to narrator - giving insight into the dynamics of the squad as well as their take on upstart Cruz - is a nifty writing trick that almost pays off for Kurt Busiek. As always, Stuart Immonen provides gorgeously simple artistry for the tale. Sadly, this initial volume seems to be stuck trying to introduce new characters to play off the main one; the result is a schizophrenic peek into a lush world that is quickly snatched away. Shocking.
January 19, 2012
Another great comic from Kurt Busiek that stands out from the typical superhero fare found in comic book stores today. Like Tim Eldred's Greasemonkey, Shockrockets is set on Earth in the aftermath of an intergalactic war. Told largely from the perspective of a green recruit sucked into Earth's premier defence force, Shockrockets provides a great Science Fiction story that not only dazzles us with spectacular aerial combat but also gives reader's a glimpse of what life is like for the characters as they struggle to rebuild Earth and keep it safe.
Also, if you liked this book, definitely check out Tim Elderd's Grease monkey which tells a similar story except from the perspective of a young spaceship mechanic struggling to find his identity as he works behind the scenes to keep Earth's defence forces operating smoothly.
Also, if you liked this book, definitely check out Tim Elderd's Grease monkey which tells a similar story except from the perspective of a young spaceship mechanic struggling to find his identity as he works behind the scenes to keep Earth's defence forces operating smoothly.
April 27, 2012
Another rescue from the cheap bin at the comics store...well written (mostly), and gorgeously illustrated by Stuart Immonen. Shockrockets has been billed as a Heinlein-esque adventure and it kind of is--but it doesn't seem to have Heinlein's hard edge to it. The leads seem to pull victory from defeat too easily at the end, and what gives our heroes their greatest boost is a type of new tech that just happens to drop in their laps out of the blue. Oh, and watch out for that twist ending....
This mini-series was produced some years ago with obvious sequels in mind, and it is a disappointment that the story has yet to progress. So please buy copies and bug Dark Horse for a sequel. The edition I am commenting on would make a nice gift even for those who don't normally read comics.
This mini-series was produced some years ago with obvious sequels in mind, and it is a disappointment that the story has yet to progress. So please buy copies and bug Dark Horse for a sequel. The edition I am commenting on would make a nice gift even for those who don't normally read comics.
Read
August 4, 2011100 pages, Graphic novel, Science Fiction. Basically this is a comic book for adults and teenagers. Similar to Japanese Manga but w/o the sex and adult story lines seen in those. Story takes place after Earth has been invaded by and beaten off alien invaders. Looks at the life of a teenager who has been recurited by the equivalent of the BLue Angles. Their job to defend the Earth from warlords who are taking advantage of the conditions on post invasion Earth. The story is fun read and suitable for anyone. There will probably be sequals to the story which I hope to read in the future, but this volume is a complete story in and of itself.
June 27, 2024
Borrowed from high school library
Was an interesting read, but it was really quick into its story, leaving me wondering how the main character got there (I mean, seriously, he went from flying the plane in a snap decision to training with the team for months? What happened between??)
Reminds me of Robotech
Was an interesting read, but it was really quick into its story, leaving me wondering how the main character got there (I mean, seriously, he went from flying the plane in a snap decision to training with the team for months? What happened between??)
Reminds me of Robotech
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2012
Un tema clásico del manganime bajo la óptica del mercado USA, con dos autores que abandonan los tópicos del superhéroe en una aventura sencilla, dinámica y adictiva. Si lo suyo eran las series japonesas con elencos cliché y mucha tecnología ¿Por qué no la está leyendo?
November 1, 2012
Love Alejandro as the protagonist (to avoid, as they put it in author's notes, the square-jawed, blond-haired hero) and the story was interesting, but the plot devices were pretty standard. I liked this and I'd keep reading it.
September 17, 2015
I love the world created here; it's a great concept with interesting characters and plenty of room to develop a lot of ideas. The art is solid and it tells the story very well. If there is a problem, It's the typical problem with many Kurt Busiek comics; it's overwritten. Otherwise, great stuff.
January 26, 2009
Kurt Busiek does mecha. Not as engaging as most of his other work, but fun.
December 11, 2010
Great fun, Immonen's artwork is flawless.
February 17, 2011
Great fun. Like a harder edged Thunderbirds. A bit rushed towards the end but would love to see the rumoured sequel, which sadly looks like it'll never happen. Aw sad face then.
December 26, 2015
That's an unlawful amount of exposition. It's a miracle there's enough space for the art to peek through.
June 26, 2020
Good story told through multiple characters and great art.
abandoned
April 17, 2017An elite team of pilots in alien ships, the kid from the wrong side of the tracks struggling to be accepted... I'd probably have loved this as a Saturday morning cartoon when I was a kid, but or Busiek and Immonen it feels surprisingly flat and generic.
Read
January 31, 2019I will gave a book a five star rating. Is because i liked how it took place in the future 2087. Another reason why i liked this book is because it had a lot of action in it. A boy named Cruz went to go fight for earth. So there is some things that are trying to take over the earth. The military are trying to help and, the Shock rockets are trying to help to.
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