Rocket Raccoon: A Chasing Tale (Volume 1)

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Rocket Raccoon:  A Chasing Tale (Volume 1)
Skottie Young
Jake Parker
2015

The Summary
"Rocket Raccoon is the last of his kind:  a hero to the weak, a champion of good, a swashbuckling pioneer of valor (and guns).  But his high-flying life of adventure may be a thing of the past when he's framed for murder - and the authorities aren't the only ones on his tail!  (Get it?)  There's another Rocket Raccoon loose on the world, but the world just ain't big enough!  The lookalike killer is one step ahead of Rocket at every turn; now, it's up to our hero and his best pal, Groot, to find the truth!  With Macho Gomez and the Ex-Terminators tracking him, can Rocket make it out alive and clear his name?  Superstar creator Skottie Young brings his A-game as writer and artist on the series we've been waiting decades for.  Because really, Rocket and Groot are the only Guardians of the Galaxy you actually care about, right?"

The Good
A Chasing Tale is an amusing graphic novel that delves into the lives and misadventures of Rocket Raccoon and Groot, specifically their fight for survival against Rocket's scorned and angry ex-girlfriends - and a particularly pernicious doppelganger.

Overall, I enjoyed the first volume of Rocket Raccoon.  Skottie Young and Jake Parker know how to weave a story, and it's a rollicking adventure that leaves you on the edge of your seat.  More importantly, Young and Parker succeed in staying true to Rocket's and Groot's characters.  Rocket Raccoon, while slightly obnoxious and trigger-happy, works in nice contrast to Groot, who is stoic and not quite so impetuous.

Young and Parker find a nice balance between the characters, and all the while they managed to craft an engaging story that leaves you wondering how Groot and Rocket will continue to get along in the depths of space.

The Bad
Rocket Raccoon is a nice diversion:  it's fun to see what happens outside of the Guardians of the Galaxy.

However, I can't help wondering what's going on with the rest of the team - and what happens with Star Lord, Drax, and Gamora while Rocket and Groot find their way out of trouble.  I'm interested in the entire team, so it would be nice to see them more involved.

The Ugly
Relationships can get ugly, especially when you have a record for breaking hearts like Rocket Raccoon.