In Marvel Comics, theGuardians of the Galaxyis a space-faring team of superheroes with a rotating roster of characters that almost always include the fast-to-temper firearm and explosives expertRocket Raccoon. Recently concluding his time in the MCU (at least for the time being),a comic story set in Marvel’s distant future shows how Rocket can make his triumphant return to the silver screen, now with his family in tow!
A wise-cracking loose cannon of a character,Rocket Raccoon first joined the Guardians of the Galaxyin Marvel’s 2008 relaunch of the team’s comic series, only for him to then make his way into the MCU in 2014’sGuardians of the Galaxyfilm.
In a comic tale set a century after the original publication ofThe Fantastic Fourin 1961,100th Anniversary Special: Guardians of the Galaxy #1sees a hypothetical future version of the team go up against a cosmic pair of enemies, withRocket letting his three nephews, Uno, Duo, and Trey join in on the fun!
Rocket Raccoon’s Three Nephews Show How the MCU Can Keep Rocket’s Role Alive in Live-Action
100th Anniversary Special: Guardians of the Galaxy #1- 2014 (Andy Lanning, Ron Marz and Gustavo Duarte)
Faced with defeating a traitorous Vance Astro as well as a Silver Surfer-powered “Silver Galactus,” “Rocket and the Raccoons” work alongside Gamora, Drax, Groot, Charlie-27, and a digital consciousness of Tony Stark in an Iron Man suit to save the day. Unleashing his nephews on an army of “Punisher Robots,” Uno, Duo, and Trey jump into action and stick explosive devices on their foes, taking out a whole slew of them in one go.Endearingly calling Rocket “dad,” this title shows exactly why the MCU needs to use this iteration of Rocketin his inevitable return to the live-action space.
Move Over “Trash Panda,” Rocket Raccoon’s New Nickname Is His Best Yet
As the Hulk and Groot form a surprising partnership, the Green Goliath shares his opinion of Rocket Raccoon with a hilarious new nickname.
Last fans saw Rocket in the MCU, he was fighting alongside the next generation of the Guardians, withthis future-set story’s decision to turn Rocket into a role model being a smart character-driven choice that the films can lean intonow that Rocket is the most senior hero on the team. Showcasing Rocket in a more mentor-like and “father” role — a uniquely contrasting take on his usual depiction as a brash gunslinger — by the time Rocket returns to the MCU, several years will have passed, giving the filmmakers of his next appearance a perfect in for introducing Rocket’s familial bonds.
Rocket Becoming a Role Model Is the Perfect Evolution of the Character for the MCU
To put a finer point on why this role could be so interesting for Rocket,this tale sees Rocket’s nephews constantly calling him “dad,” a name that he shirks but one that demonstrates how close his nephews feel to himas a parental figure, a bond that’s solidified when Rocket slips up and protectively calls them “my boys." After seeing the heart-wrenching backstory of how Rocket lost his friends in the MCU, evolvingRocket Raccooninto a new kind of hero has a surprising amount of potential and is somethingthe nextGuardians of the Galaxyfilmneeds to incorporate.
100th Anniversary Special: Guardians of the Galaxy #1is available from Marvel Comics.
Guardians of the Galaxy
The Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, rooted in Marvel Comics, has expanded into a prominent series within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), blending action, humor, and a distinctive 1970s and 1980s soundtrack.
