<![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building - io9 Comments]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building - io9 Comments]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> Geez - what a way to start a Friday.

The original story arc of the Rocketeer was so superior to the screenplay, it robbed the magic of the movie for me.

Dave Stevens had a masterful grasp of brush drawing, wonderful layout skills and a sweet naivete and affection for the '30s. The combination of all those elements made "The Rocketeer" one of the few comics/graphic novels I've ever bothered with.

Enjoy the blue horizon, Dave.

insert_namehere

]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> I seem to recall there was an interview with Dave, and he was talking about the making of the movie. Apparently, someone higher up in Disney sent a memo to the producer.

"Lose the fin on the helmet." Some people are just SO clueless.

Without the fin, it's just a remake of 'Commando Cody, King of the Rocketmen!'

If there is ever a directors cut DVD of the film, I hope they include the scene where the evil Nazi actor spy is in his secret Nazi radio room, using an actual ENIGMA machine to encrypt a message.

Major geek points for that scene.

tuckerch

]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> He was one of the great master of comics in the last thirty years. My single Rocketeer trade edition is worn through. Stevens will be missed.

knyne

]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> The Rocketeer is a fantastic creation and he's obviously leaving behind something that a lot of people are wild about. Now, if I could just get a decent Rocketeer figure...

ashadowcastinred

]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> I loved his work and he will be missed.

Robert Isbell

]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> That sad to hear. He was too young to go if you ask me. Also, that picture is awesome ... I'm sure he would've loved it.

dead_red_eyes

]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> @Zantor: Signed. He'll be truly missed. :(

phoenix

]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> This is really tragic. I've loved his stuff from since I was a kid and he, along with Adam Hughes, Mark Schultz, and Frank Cho were the seminal artists of my youth. I met Dave Stevens every year religiously for the last 4 years at the San Diego Comic-Con and bought a signed art book every year to support him. I remember the last time I was one of the few at his table at the time (kids today don't appreciate the classics...) and he asked to see Frank Cho's sketchbook which I was carrying. He was admiring Cho's work and commented to his companion about the tremendous quality of Cho's sketches and was giving professional praise from one artist to another. I found him to be a very gracious, accessible man who had time for an obviously star-struck fan. I'll miss him every year from now on. Dave, you'll be missed. I'll have to console myself by taking an extra photo with the Elvis stormtrooper to fill the spot in my photo album...

Citizen Kang

]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> Hey, I have that edition as well, Nefarious. With that wonderful Harlan Ellison introduction. Such a lovely volume.

JosephFinn

]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> Two of my most prized possessions from college -- my Rocketeer T-shirt which has the picture above on it, and my signed, numbered copy of the graphic novel.

Farewell and good tailwinds Dave.

NefariousNewt

]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> @Plague:
Yes I too had the pleasure of meeting Brinke at a scifi comiccon of one kind or another a few years ago..she has a voice so husky it should be pulling a dog sled (insert rimshot here)..quite the muse for the late great Dave Stevens..

nuromansr

]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> @nuromansr:
Brinke Stevens sat on my lap once at a Fangoria convention.
Ah, memories...

Plague

]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> Brilliant artist.
Missed, he will be.

Plague

]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> Weird that io9 posted a clip recently of "Slave Girls Beyond Infinity"...one of the slave girls, noted scream queen Brinke Stevens, was married to Dave Stevens for a short time in the early 80s. I seem to recall reading somewhere that she posed for the illustration you have on this post - Betty being carried over the shoulder by the Rocketeer.

nuromansr

]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> Still love The Rocketeer movie. And Jennifer Connelly is the hottest you will ever see her in it.

EBone

]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> Is there another Rocketeer movie in the works or am I just making things up?

Final

]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> @Zantor: Well put, Zantor. I second that emotion.
My condolences to his family.

gods-n-clods

]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> He left behand a portfolio that will be treasured by fans and illustrators alike for years. A fine legacy for any artist.

Zantor

]]> <![CDATA[The Rocketeer Has Left the Building]]> Way too early. But his creation will live forever. I love Jennifer Connelly. Er, I mean, I love the Rocketeer!

(seriously, love that movie, and also, JC is absolutely gorgeous - she should play Bettie Page in some kind of amazing homage to Stevens)

Ed Grabianowski

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