Warning: SPOILERS for Guardians of the Galaxy #8
The new line-up of Guardians of the Galaxy are without Rocket Raccoon in the Marvel Comics Universe, and fans are finally starting to find out why the mascot of the team has abandoned them. It all goes back to Rocket's terrible origin story... which just got a lot more tragic than fans already expected.
It may come as a surprise when MCU fans realize that the origin story of Rocket Raccoon hasn't actually been addressed in the movies at all. Strange, considering he's a walking, talking, humanoid raccoon. He didn't evolve from that species naturally, and he's telling the newest Guardian the full story of his early days as a run-of-the-mill trash panda. With one new scene guaranteed to break fans' hearts. You've been warned.
The experiments conducted on Rocket may be common knowledge, thanks to the references made to them in the Guardians of the Galaxy movie. Still, viewers who don't know the comics could miss the actual origin story being alluded to, from the attention Star-Lord pays to the scars on Rocket's back, or the Raccoon's own self-loathing over being changed from his natural state. But even Rocket's angry tears would be preferable to the truth... the truth of what he lost, and how responded to his transformation.
The majority of the origin story relayed by Rocket in Guardians of the Galaxy #8 is a perfect retelling of his canonical creation. Bred as one of several animal companions for the mental patients of Halfworld, Rocket still remembers the inmate/patient whose lap he used to call home, before his story turns from somber to tragic. As Rocket explains, the scientists and doctors who founded Halfworld eventually grew tired of the job, and left their robots in charge. Soon the robots got just as tired, and performed experimental surgeries (or possibly artificial evolution) on the companion animals, making them humanoid so that THEY could care for the patients that had cared for them.
The images Rocket recalls of his surgery are what readers will expect, and seeing an adorable raccoon subjected to such mad science is a challenge in itself. Rocket may brush off this violation and torment, keeping up appearances as anything but emotional, vulnerable, or weak. But in the actual flashback comic readers get to see how Rocket reacted once awakening a sapient, modified creation. Words can't compare to the images, so steady yourself, and take a look at the preview panels in question:
As if it weren't tragic enough to see Rocket crumple to the floor in tears (an image that will stick with us, despite Rocket's tough exterior), the plot synopses for both this issue and the following Guardians of the Galaxy #9 suggest Rocket still has secrets left to reveal. Something tells us these issues are going to need to be read sitting down...
- Guardians of the Galaxy #8
- Published on: August 21st, 2019
- Written by: Donny Cates
- Art by: Cory Smith
- Cover by: Mike Henderson
- THE DEATH OF ROCKET! The death of Rocket continues here in "FAITHLESS" Part 2. Rocket Raccoon is dying! But when the Universal Church of Truth rises again, he may have no choice but to fight. Being near death, and with only a few Guardians willing to stand beside him…the odds aren’t looking good.
- Guardians of the Galaxy #9
- Published on: September 18th, 2019
- Written by: Donny Cates
- Art by: Cory Smith
- Cover by: Patch Zircher
- The Guardians have been torn asunder by the Universal Church of Truth! After revealing his secret, Rocket has come out of hiding to help rescue his former team…but will Groot be able to forgive him long enough to save their friends… …or is this the end of the Guardians?!
Guardians of the Galaxy #8 will be available at your local comic book shop this Wednesday, August 21st, or direct from Marvel Comics. Readers be warned: you may never see Rocket Raccoon the same way again.