Warning: SPOILERS for Guardians of the Galaxy #8
The Guardians of the Galaxy are alive and well in Marvel’s movie universe, but the comic book version is headed for a heartbreaking tragedy fans will NOT be prepared for: the death of Rocket Raccoon.
Those who jumped on board the Guardians reboot know that Rocket has been notably absent since the end of Marvel’s Infinity Wars (the same event that saw Drax die to save Marvel’s Universe). His mysterious departure from the team was a sore spot with those who remained, even leading Groot to go punk rock to deal with his bottled-up emotions. Finally, fans have gotten answers: not only why Rocket left the team, but why his friends are so hurt by the way he chose to do it. The short version? Rocket is dying, and has turned his back on his family… preferring to fade away all by himself.
The latest issue of Guardians of the Galaxy #8 puts an end to the mystery for both the readers and Moondragon, one of the members of Marvel’s new version of the Guardians of the Galaxy. To explain why the humanoid mammal is fading so painfully, the story must go all the way back to the heartbreaking origin of Rocket the Raccoon, created in a lab to care for the mentally ill residents of Halfworld. AND whatever modifications were done to make him into the murderous mascot he is today… are coming undone. And the sight alone is enough to drop any Marvel fan’s jaw. It started with splitting headaches, before his fur began to fall out, at which point Rocket decided to take action. Not one to let his friends take care of him in a weakened state, he snuck off to an escape pod on the Guardians’ ship, and left without a word.
Rocket explains that he didn’t escape to find a cure, or seek out another mad scientist’s lab to fix his failing body, but to hide. His pride wouldn’t let him show his weakness to his family, or let them and the galaxy he saved countless times remember him as something frail. It’s around this point in his story that Groot finally finds his words. The walking tree of few words shows the emotion behind his hard, bark-like exterior, letting his friend know that he still doesn’t understand: being a family isn’t always about YOU.
Groot’s speech lands with force, convincing Rocket to pull himself out of hiding and help save his family (currently taken prisoner by Star-Lord’s father and the Church of Truth). With his body failing, he does what any badass talking Racoon with an affinity for large weapons does when he’s afraid to show the galaxy how frail he’s become: puts on a massive suit of armor. So yes, he’s still the Rocket fans know and love, for now. And he’s got at least one more fight in him before the end.
Guardians of the Galaxy #8 is available at your local comic book shop, or direct from Marvel Comics.
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