Comic Book Review – Rocket Girl #3 & Rocket Girl #4

The third issue titled Double Reagent opens with DaYoung Johansson being interrogated by middle-aged and overweight NYPD Detective Ciccone who sees her as delinquent rather than a teenage law enforcement officer from the future. DaYoung becomes enraged when she learns that her jetpack has been handed back to Quintum Mechanics.   A panicked NYPD Detective Tran interrupts the proceedings as the top brass is heading to the police station which provides an opportune moment for an escape.

A flashback occurs where a teenage police officer is the verge of being apprehended at Quintum Mechanics headquarters by special security forces operated by the company.  An antagonistic Commissioner Gomez intervenes resulting in a gunfight and him fleeing along with his underling.   The showdown turns out to be a diversion to allow DaYoung Johansson the opportunity to make her way to the time machine.  A sign that something is not right is when the informer appears as an encrypted hologram instead of in person. Upon entering the security access room DaYoung Johansson encounters two Quintum Mechanics enforcers who overpower her and throw the unconscious detective into the time machine.

Amy Reeder turns everything from the police lights to the futuristic display technology into a vibrant and luminescent display of colours; she also utilizes every inch of the page incorporating various shaped panels which allow the action to unfold in inventive ways.  One gripe is that the wide mouth shouting by the protagonist is beginning to feel rather repetitive.  The narration scripted by Brandon Montclare provides some sassy remarks and insights into the character of the protagonist plus helps to transition between the different timelines.  The fight that happens in front of the time machine is a curious one considering the end result; however, the revelation that the mysterious informer is using the overzealous pursuit of justice by Rocket Girl for some bigger nefarious plan raises the stakes and intrigue.

In the Nowhere Fast instalment everything is moving at rocket speed literally.  DaYoung Johansson is the not only one from the future reappearing in 1986 as she becomes pursued by the two Quintum Mechanics enforcers who threw her into time machine.  The MacGuffin is the jetpack worn by the teenage detective which is the key to a master plan devised by the mysterious informer; complicating matters is a revenge seeking enforcer who turns the pursuit into a New York City spectacle.

 

Back in the future Commissioner Gomez and Detective Leshawn from the New York Teen Police Department have become fugitives and subject to manhunt sponsored by Quintum Mechanics; the two of them end up in a bar where their relationship fractures over drinks and in front of an attentive female bartender.  Gomez chases after a Leshawn in the pouring rain where a sense of duty reigns supreme despite the odds rising against them.

Flying high in the sky in an effort to avoid capture, DaYoung Johansson realizes that she will not last long so a change in plan is required.  The escape plan is to dive beyond street level where civilians will be at risk and head underground.  The unsuspecting subway patrons waiting on the platform get treated to a high octane chase between a jetpack and two flying rocket bikes above the tracks.  Besides dodging subway trains DaYoung Johansson has to avoid being hit by laser blasts by performing aerial acrobatics within the confines of the underground tunnel.   As the subway chaos unfolds the group of scientists at Quintum Mechanics go about reconstructing the time machine.

There is no doubt that layout style of Amy Reeder is excels where there is a major action sequence is to be depicted.  Details like the graffiti on the walls add a lot of character to the setting as well not ignoring the fact that there are spectators.  The split layout of the final page divided between the past and future has become an effective way to conclude each issue as well as tease what is to come.  Brandon Montclare has some fun with one subway patron breathing a sigh of relief that the train was on time for a change only to discover he is greatly mistaken.  It is nice to see that the reactions of the onlookers are incorporated.

The great debate sparked by the destruction of New York City and loss of human life in Man of Steel(2013) is avoided as the protagonist makes a conscious decision to minimize civilian casualties.  Overall, the fourth instalment is an entertaining tale where a thrilling action sequence takes centre stage.