The Rocketeer comics first took off in 1982, set in a pulp-fiction styled 1930s and telling the stories of Cliff Secord, a down-on-his-luck pilot who discovers a mysterious rocket pack that enables him to fly. The Rocketeer flew out of the mind of creator Dave Stevens, who sadly passed away of leukemia at the young age of 52. Stevens saw his superhero launch onto the big screen after selling the rights to Disney, and he was involved as both co-writer and co-producer of the film. The Rocketeer featured a beautiful musical score of which portions are still heard at Disney theme parks today, including Epcot’s Fountain of Nations and in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, as well as the queue for the popular Soarin’ attractions at Epcot and Disney’s California Adventure. After the historic El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California underwent a $14 million renovation and was newly operated by Disney, The Rocketeer soared into Disney history by being the first film to play at the grand movie house and was the first of many films to hold its world premiere at the historical location.
