Review by Karl Verhoven

Of Stephen Mooney’s three Rocketeer stories to date, this is the best, which is odd as it might be assumed that integral to a great Rocketeer outing was some semblance of the art resembling that of series creator Dave Stevens. Staz Johnson doesn’t bother using Stevens as a reference other than ensuring Betty resembles Bettie Page, instead drawing in his own efficient, but less distinctive style. Everything necessary is there, though. Johnson supplies great action, makes good use of San Francisco being the backdrop and because The Rocketeer Breaks Free is more than usually dependent on human emotion, he needs to ensure feelings are expressed.

Mooney’s plot begins with a Thanksgiving vacation and ends with chaos on Alcatraz, but builds toward it beautifully. An ongoing conflict running through all Mooney’s Rocketeer stories is Betty’s fear of Cliff flying into action. “Why does it have to be you Cliff?”, she asks, “Aren’t there men trained for this sort of thing?” There are, but Mooney explains well why Cliff feels beholden even beyond the pressure put on him to return a favour. He’s also shown why it has to be the Rocketeer in a nicely choreographed sequence of him saving people on a runaway tram.

As in The Den of Thieves, the Nazis are up to no good, and Mooney supplies incidents causing maximum trouble and maximum thrills. It’s combined with a plot about a possible romance for Peevy, which is extremely nicely handled without being condescending, as stories about older people finding mutual attraction often can be.

All in all, a real joy.