Warning: Spoilers for Milestone Universe: The Shadow Cabinet #4!DC Comicsunveils a brand-new costume for one of its most underrated heroes:Rocket. The DC Universe is notorious for housing some of the best costumes in comic book history. Few superhero costumes have proven to be asinstantly recognizable as Superman’s insigniaoras iconic as Batman’s cowl. DC’s multiversal roster is filled with iconography that has changed comics for the better.
The latest costume alteration in the world of DC Comics arrives for the Milestone Universe’sRocket, Icon’s classic sidekick, who gets a new look that debuts inMilestone Universe: The Shadow Cabinet#3by Joseph P. Illidge, Darryl Banks, Atagun Ilhan, and Denys Cowan. The costume is impressive enough to catch Static’s attention in issue #4 by Illidge, Banks, Ilhan, and Ray-Anthony Height.
The new look could mark the first step in Rocket’s evolution fromrookie sidekick to standout solo hero.
DC Comics' Underrated Superhero, Rocket, Gets a New Costume
Milestone Universe: The Shadow Cabinet#4 by Joseph Illidge, Ray-Anthony Height, Darryl Banks, Atagun Ilhan, Chris Sotomayor, and AndWorld Design
Raquel Ervin made her DC Comics debut in 1993’sIcon#1 by Dwayne McDuffie, Mark Bright, Mike Gustovich, Noelle Giddings, Rachelle Menashe, Jim Sherman, and Steve Dutro. The teenage aspiring writer was peer-pressured by her friends into robbing the home of the wealthy Augustus Freeman IV during the Milestone Universe’s Big Bang. On this night, she learns that Augustus is the invulnerable Arnus from the planet Terminus. Raquel convinces him to use his powers to become the superhero Icon. After gifting her a power belt that creates force fields, energy blasts, and absorbs energy,Raquel becomes his sidekick, Rocket.
In DC Comics' revamped Milestone Universe, Rocket makes her first appearance inMilestone Returns#0 by several artists and creators.
In theShadow Cabinetseries, following theIcon vs. Hardwareminiseries, Rocket is on her own. After meetingMilestone’s first hero, Dharma, she must save the world against a revived Edwin Alva. To prepare for the worst,Hardware creates a nanotech suit for Rocket, which Duo gives to her on his behalf. Nanotech protocols in the suit work at Rocket’s command and respond to her stress levels, doing whatever the situation calls for based on either voice or circumstance. These powers prove vital in Rocket’s final attack on Mr. Alva, allowing her to defeat him.
Rocket’s New Costume Is the First Step in Her Evolution
She Officially Becomes a Solo Hero Worth Taking Seriously
The Shadow Cabinetputs a firm spotlight on Rocket, letting her fly solo after splitting from Icon in the aftermath ofIcon vs. Hardware. It’s telling that when she and Icon reunite in the final fight with Alva, she corrects him when he calls her by her real name. She doesn’t refer to them as Icon and Rocket, as has always been the case, but as “Rocket and Icon.” This switch feels like a case of a former sidekickputting herself first for once, and cementing that, due to her recent adventures, she is far from anyone’s protegée anymore.
DC Makes a Major Change to Static That Reinvents the Hero’s Iconic TV Show In the Worst Way
The difference between the Virgil Hawkins of Static Shock and how he is in the comics is like comparing night and day for one simple reason.
Even with the tease at the end of the issue that Rocket is forming a superhero duo with Static as a new in-universe pairing - perhaps even a new series - it seems evident that Rocket will not be positioned as a sidekick, not even for Static. They will form an equal partnership at best, and at worst, one where Static is Rocket’s sidekick. 32 years after debuting in the comics, Rocket is taking the lead as a hero.DC Comicshas showcased the likes of Nightwing graduating from sidekick to main character after proving themselves, and now, with a new costume, it’sRocket’sturn.
