The Rocketeer: The Official Movie Adaptation (1991) comic retells the story of the film, in which a stunt pilot discovers a prototype jetpack and becomes a high-flying hero who must stop Nazi spies from using the device as a weapon.
Set in 1938 Los Angeles, the story follows the adventures of stunt pilot Cliff Secord and his mechanic friend, Peevy.
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Discovery of the Rocket: After a car chase between the FBI and mobsters from the Eddie Valentine gang disrupts an air show and destroys Cliff's plane, the gangsters hide a stolen, top-secret rocket pack in a nearby biplane cockpit. Cliff and Peevy later find the device.
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Becoming the Rocketeer: Cliff and Peevy test the rocket, and Cliff uses it to save a pilot during an air show, earning him the nickname "The Rocketeer" and instant fame. His heroic deeds attract the attention of the FBI, aviation magnate Howard Hughes (the rocket's creator), the Valentine gang, and the film's main villain.
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The Villain's Plan: The villain is a famous Hollywood actor named Neville Sinclair, a secret Nazi spy who wants the rocket for Germany's war effort. Sinclair kidnaps Cliff's aspiring actress girlfriend, Jenny Blake, to force Cliff to hand over the rocket pack.
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Climax: Cliff rescues Jenny, and the FBI and mobsters (who are patriotic despite being criminals) team up to fight the Nazis at the crash site of the German airship Luxembourg. Sinclair attempts to escape with the rocket pack, but Cliff covertly removes the chewing gum Peevy used to patch a fuel leak. The leaking fuel ignites, sending Sinclair to his death.
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Resolution: Howard Hughes rescues Cliff and Jenny, and later gifts Cliff a new Gee Bee Z racing plane. Jenny reveals she found the rocket's blueprints at Sinclair's home, and Peevy resolves to build an even better version.
The comic was written by Peter David and illustrated by Russ Heath, with cover art by the character's creator, Dave Stevens.