Retro Rocket

[Tony Bedard]

There's a few of you out there who picked up the first issue of my Image book RETRO ROCKET. I'd love to know what you think, and I'd love to get your responses when RETRO ROCKET #2 hits the stands in a few weeks.

[ratzo]

I guess I'm first then...

The art reminds me more than a little of cartoons like Voltron and Robotech. I remember when I first developed an awareness of and appreciation for anime - it was in high school, which was for me the late '80's. I had grown up with shows like Battle of the Planets and loved them, but I wasn't aware of the cultural differences that made shows like that distinctive. Then I saw Akira and everything changed. :) Looking at Jason Orfalas' work kinda made me think about that period in my life when I was geeking out on anime. I'm not as much into it today as I was then, but I do remember the feeling I had from watching anything from Japan with mecha robots and fancy spaceships for the first time, and the art brought back that feeling.

At first I thought Retro Rocket wasn't the character's actual name; that it was more like a nickname. "Retro" implies old-school, and there had to have been a time once when RR wasn't retro, but in fact state-of-the-art, don't you think? That's a relatively minor thing, though.

I'm interested in finding out more about the transitional period from soldiers like RR to the current models, which I imagine you'll do in subsequent issues. RR didn't come across as useless or a liability in the opening scene, but judging from his interaction with Sparky and the scene in the restaurant later, RR's isolation has more to do with his lost humanity than his strategical value. Am I close?

I like the book so far, and I'm hoping you'll go more into its military aspects, like you did in Negation from time to time - like how technology redefines the way war is fought and how it changes its combatants. I'm thinking of that throwaway line by the "prarie dog" labormech who said it's not the tech, but the man who uses it that counts - foreshadowing RR's own condition, perhaps?

[Mo S.]

Really enjoyed #1 - a very nice, very deft job of touching exposition and action, introducing the characters and the set-up. Orfalas' art is lovely - clean and expressive and reminiscent of past styles without actually being derivative of them.

I could probably be persuaded to ramble on and say even nicer things at length if I had, oh, I dunno, a preview of #2 to look at....

[MikeyG]

Hey, Im new here, Ive never read anything by you until today, not that I know of anyway, but today I just was getting sick of the same old stuff, so I made it a goal to find a new book that was just starting up, so I found Retro Rocket, the cover caught my eye, so I picked it up. I had a really great time reading it and will definately be picking up the rest of the series, unfortunately, I read that its just a 4 issue mini, that sucks, I would love to see this go on for a while. But I'll get it either way. It just seems like years Ive been waiting for some new characters to follow, Im just tired of everything at marvel and dc at this point and really looking to the smaller companies to satisfy my cravings.

So anyways thanks, I thought it was a really good read, and Im really looking forward to reading more of your stuff. Im always over on the Rob liefeld forums at herorealm and I would always see your board there, but never went on it, well, im glad to have found you here. Do you ever go to cons in the bay area? Im an aspiring writer myself and am actually preparing a pitch for image as I speak, Im working with a really great manga artist, who has done stuff for radio comix, antartic press and some robotech stuff, He's almost done with the 5 pages and then were going to pitch it. Im only telling you this because it was really inspiring to see that image is publishing some other manga type stuff, makes me feel like they might like my pitch, especially considering how similar the art styles are of the artist I am working with and your artist.

Talk to you later, Thanks one last time for the great book, Oh and if you are going to have a letters page I think it should be called, "Retro Activity" And I also think that if I should win some original art and signed comics just for the heck of it :)
Mike G

[Tony Bedard]

Thanks, Mikey.

Which "Bay area" would that be? I'd assume San Francisco/Oakland, but, of course, I live in the Tampa "Bay area" so I have to ask. In any case, I don't think I'll be out your way, but I might do San Diego this year (yeah, yeah, six or eight hours away, right?).

Good luck with your pitch!

[Matt Adler]

Just read issue #1 (hey, I had a huge pile of comics!)

Really liked it. At first I was afraid it was gonna be a Transformers thing where the emphasis was on pseudo-tech and gimmicks and such, but this was a story with heart. You and Jason, through the combination of dialogue and facial expressions, manage to make Retro more human than most of the humans in comics these days!

Good work. I hope you guys do more after this limited.

[Red Jack]

I hate mecha. I hate giant robots. And that's when they're in beautiful anime motion.

That said, I love RETRO ROCKET. I checked it out because of this thread and I'm well pleased.

And, of course, hate Tony B. for making me love it.

It's a mini, right? So I can't be disappointed by premature cancellation?

Tell me it's a mini.

[Tony Bedard]

Yep. It's a mini. 4 issues. The next one should hit the stands in a week or two.

[DonC]

Did I miss issue 2?

[ratzo]

No, it definitely came out.

[HiveMind]

yeah Issue 2 added a lot to the story and development of the characters. I felt it reflected how the writer felt about his position in the industry atm but maybe it was just a bunch of mechs beating stuff up.:p

Oh btw Tony I sent up a pm a bit ago, not sure if you check them or not though.

[Tony Bedard]

Aah! I NEVER check those, and I really should! I'm just e-clueless sometimes...

I'm off to check them right now!

[Static-Pulse]

Great book. Awesome chartacters. Retro Rocket is how science fiction and comic books are supposed to work together.

I love the art in it. Clear, vibrant colors that almost have a cartoon-like quality to them. It would have been very easy for this to be told with dark, shadowy colors, so I really appreciate the brightness of the story. That alone is worth he price of admission.

The story, characters, and writing is great as well. Retro is war horse who doesn't want to be put out to pasture. Tom is nicely handled, and I can easily see prequels about his and Retro's past adventures. And last but not least, Sparky Parks...

You had me before "Hello." There aren't enough female engineers in comics books, but Sparky makes up for it in spades. The way she was already thinking about upgrading Retro really impressed me. And that scene with the RPG's was golden goodness!

Ten out of ten stars for you and Retro Rocket. I can hardly wait for #3, #4, and whatever the future holds past that!

[Tony Bedard]

Thanks, man!

Issue #3 has just been completed and I hope it'll be out this month!

[Tony Bedard]

Thanks, man!

Issue #3 has just been completed and I hope it'll be out this month!

[Mike Bullock]

Great stuff, Tony. Mind if I borrow Jason when you're done? :D

[Tony Bedard]

UPDATE: looks like RETRO ROCKET #3 will hit the stands August 9

[Matt Adler]

Newsarama has it listed as "to be determined"...

RETRO ROCKET #3 (OF 4) 05/31/06 - TBD

http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=77199