The Rocketeer/The Spirit: Pulp Friction #1 Review

File this under "Team-ups I didn't know I wanted until I saw them." The Rocketeer/The Spirit #1 is pretty much a match made in heaven for fans of these pulpy heroes. The story's subtitle, Pulp Friction, is aptly chosen, considering that the issue is hardly big enough for the both of the them. Writer Mark Waid manages to capture that pulp sensibility, entertaining a healthy level of camp without drowning in it. Though the first installment of this four-issue mini-series isn't without its flaws, it is, for the most part, a fun read for fans of these early twentieth century titans of vigilantism.

Visually, the book seems better suited to the Rocketeer's lighter tone. Paul Smith's art has that vintage feel that does the title justice, but the two characters have different enough aesthetics that it feels a bit like the Spirit is a guest star rather than a co-headliner. Jordie Bellaire's colors are a little too optimistic for the darker world of the Spirit, though finding a happy medium between the two characters is admittedly a difficult task.

Though there is something of a visual disconnect between the Rocketeer and the Spirit, Waid succeeds in linking the two together in the story in a way that feels seamless. There's murder most foul in Hollywood, with Cliff Secord's lady love finding herself caught up in the mystery. The Spirit is pulled into the Rocketeer's territory through the six degrees of separation between them, and as one would expect from such alpha male types, the two immediately clash (literally, in the sky).

There's a lot of set-up in this issue, which is to be expected considering it's only the first one, but the strength of Waid's writing is enough to leave us wanting more.

Melissa Grey is a lover of all things cats, comics, and outer space. She can be found on MyIGN at MelissaGrey or lurking on Twitter @meligrey.

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