New comics company Ghost Machine had an impressive year, and given the talent behind The Rocketfellers, the second year may be even brighter. The new series focuses on a time-traveling family from the 25th century who are being hunted. So far, the art by Francis Manapul has given a bright and hopeful vibe not too far off from Fantastic Four, but with the first issue out this week, we can decide how wholesome this series is.
Something that’s immediately obvious when you crack open The Rocketfellers is how creator-owned indie comics offer a vivid, more original feel. The family wears matching space suits that look familiar yet futuristic. Their spaceship is immediately impressive and cool to look at with a neat energy blast holding its wings together. One can imagine they really are from the future.
Thanks to their actions and a little bit of how they speak, that element permeates the book. We get to see them in 2024, and there’s something a bit off with them as they try to connect with their neighbors. The youngest daughter is a bit funny when she pulls out umbrellas, for instance, and the grandfather offhandedly mentions he’s 125 years old. They’re doing their best to stay hidden in the past, but they can’t help but stick out a bit.
Check out that ship!
Credit: Image
But I’m getting ahead of myself, as the first half of this issue opens with an intense chase in a frozen tundra. Manapul maximizes the thrilling chase for full effect with a dangerous-looking (and designed) villain and a most obvious loving family. It’s not until the final page we find out why they are being chased, but it doesn’t reduce the intense effect of the action.
There’s something a bit different with this book that makes it feel entirely original. We’ve seen time-traveling families before, but from their slightly off nature to the cool future tech present, there’s a lot that feels new. That is also the case in a quick family get-together scene after the neighborhood barbeque scene. In this scene, we see the family do some group skydiving to have a bit of fun. It’s not something I would have expected, yet it matches their adventurous spirit and need for action in a rather tepid 2024.
One weakness of this first issue is the ensemble working against your understanding of each character. Aside from a few moments where characters show their personality and quirks, not every character goes beyond the basic archetype. The father and mother, in particular, are fairly bland. Meanwhile, the daughter is quirky like the girl in Little Miss Sunshine, and the son is a risk taker, but the story doesn’t go too deep with any one character. It’s only the first issue, though.
The Rocketfellers #1 starts with a thrilling and visually stunning debut that establishes a compelling premise for a time-traveling family while offering a fresh twist on familiar sci-fi tropes. Francis Manapul’s art dazzles with vibrant designs and dynamic action, creating a world that feels both futuristic and relatable. While the ensemble cast struggles to break free from archetypes in this introductory issue, the series’ originality, adventurous tone, and intriguing setup hold great promise for deeper character development in future installments.
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