What we do know... Rocket Raccoon is a genetically modified (sometimes cybernetically enhanced) lower life form of some sort that at least resembles a raccoon. He is only a few feet tall, his official Marvel.com data says four feet but nearly all visual depictions indicate closer to 2.5 feet.

 

He may or may not have enhanced senses as a result of what he is, recent depictions have really not made much mention of these, though. He is a tactical genius, the Kree once said his cunning approaches instinctive levels. Again, recent depictions have focused less on the level-headed tactician in favor of a somewhat psychopathic shoot-first-ask-questions-later persona.

 

He is fiercely loyal and values his teammates (the Guardians of the Galaxy) and friends, perhaps more than anything else, though generally hides this behind snark, meanness, and other defenses -- he's had a pretty rough life, given how it started, and it has left him emotionally tough and cynical. His best friend since his modern reintroduction has been Groot, a treelike being from Planet X. Rocket is one of the few who can understand the woody giant and their connection runs deep even sometimes seeming symbiotic. Both Rocket and Groot have been members of the Guardians of the Galaxy since the modern version of the team was formed. The team's leader, usually, is Star-Lord Peter Quill, also a good friend and arguably Rocket's second-best friend, overall. Rocket and Pete's friendship is far more one of mutual respect and they've often butted heads and disagreed on certain matters. At times Rocket Raccoon has been leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy himself, once in Guardians of the Galaxy volume 2 and again in the upcoming All-New All-Different Guardians of the Galaxy. Other former friends include Wal Russ (a modified walrus) and Lylla (a similarly modified otter) from his homeworld of Halfworld, the latter was once a romantic interest. 

 

One of the few consistent attributes to the character is his fondness for guns. Even in his very first appearance in Marvel Preview #7 in 1976, Rocky had a blaster. Since his modern age reinterpretation, he prefers considerably larger weaponry. Much to the bafflement of others, due to his small size, Rocket has one of the largest and most impressive arsenals in the Marvel Universe and he loves to show it off. Though some of his heavier weaponry would be difficult to miss with, anyway, Rocket is an expert marksman and has shown impressive precision when using blaster pistols.

 

Early on, Rocket was more a creature of the battlefield and did not show much technical expertise, in recent portrayals, however, he has shown to be a very talented enginer and tech expert, perhaps even genius.

 

Where to Find Him... I have the Gaming Nexus section for his game appearances, you no doubt know of the Guardians of the Galaxy movie, and there is an upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy animated series. But let's talk comics. Since the Guardians of the Galaxy movie, Rocket's panel appearance numbers have exploded and listing every single appearance in recent years would prove a daunting task (if you need that, check the Marvel wikia site). Instead, I will recommend some major series to read Rocket.

 

Rocket Raccoon & Groot Collection - I highly recommend this book to a Raccoonatic newcomer. It includes his Marvel Preview #7 debut (1976), Incredible Hulk #271 (1982), Rocket Raccoon vol. 1 (1985), Rocket & Groot's side features from Annihilators and Annihilators: Earthfall (2011), as well as Groot's debut from Tales to Astonish (1960). If you have to read these all separately, you can on Marvel Unlimited but the book is a convenient place to find them all and can usually be found for 20 dollars or less on Amazon, etc. One thing to note: You may want to read Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 and Thanos Imperative before the Annihilators Rocket story and you definitely want to read Rocket Raccoon vol. 1 before Annihilators.

 

Annihilation: Conquest: Star-Lord arc and Conclusion (2007-2008) - The Annihilation event and Annihilation Conquest event were large cosmic sagas that included several character arc books. I certainly would not dissuade you from reading the entire epic, in all its parts (it is all on Marvel Unlimited), however, for the purpose of reading Rocket Raccoon, only the issues mentioned are necessary. A:C Star-Lord 1-4 and the six conclusion issues which are sometimes labelled as issue 18 - 23 of the Annihilation: Conquest event. This has a team that was essentially a pre-modern-Guardians team. Recent retcons aside, it is where Rocket, Groot, and Peter Quill all first met and teamed together. There are other modern Guardians who appear, as well. Annihilation: Conquest is available, I believe as collected volumes.

 

Guardians of the Galaxy volume 2 (2008-2010) - My absolute most favorite comic series ever written. This is the origin of the modern Guardians of the Galaxy team. A 25 issue series that has some crossover with the Realm/War of Kings event (see War of Kings issue 2 for one of Rocket's greatest moments of the era). If you can only read one thing on this list, it is this series. This is on Marvel Unlimited, but it was also released, relatively recently, as two volumes that span the run. Make sure you are buying the Abnett & Lanning Guardians run with the two volumes, as Guardians of the Galaxy volume 3 has also been released in volumes of its own.

 

Thanos Imperative (2010-2011) - While brilliant, Guardians of the Galaxy volume 2 was cancelled and cut short at issue 25. The story of the modern team continues and, temporarily, concludes with this story event. The proper core event run is six issues, with a prequel called Ignition and an after issue called Devastation. This is available as a collected volume and, I believe, also on Marvel Unlimited.

 

If you read all that, I'd say you would be pretty happy. Marvel NOW, while entertaining at times, was not very flattering to Rocket Raccoon as a developed complex character, turning him more into a punchline/comic relief hero. If you do want to read Marvel NOW Rocket Raccoon, here are just some of his notable appearances...

 

Guardians of the Galaxy volume 3 (2013-2015) - Bendis' take on the modern Guardians of the Galaxy. Rocket Raccoon does have some good moments, but, if you've first read the above, he seems to have changed greatly as a character. Either way, to see the futhering of Rocket's canon, it is an important series. It should be noted that the series also has crossover with All-New X-Men and a couple issues of other series for a couple events, so you will have to look into those for the full stories. This series is available in volumes and is on Marvel Unlimited, though the later issues are not yet added as of this writing (they will be there eventually)

 

Rocket Raccoon FCBD - A Free Comic Book Day Rocket Raccoon story written by Joe Caramagna that predates Skottie Young's series by some months. Not heavily connected to canon on any level but a fun story that has references to Rocket's 80's stuff, and a similar storytelling style to Skottie Young's series, see below. 

 

Rocket Raccoon volume 2 (2014-2015) - Skottie Young's take on Rocket Raccoon is cartoonish and comical, but, that aside, there are some good moments and even a few where some emotional depth is shown. Note, however, this series does not feel solidly connected to canon, but it is decent reading for a Raccoonatic.

 

In Conclusion. Rocket Raccoon had many appearances during Marvel NOW, he cameos in Nova on a few occasions, there is the Guardians Team-Up series, and there is an appearance or two in Captain Marvel and in the Original Sin event. There was a Guardians of the Galaxy Annual and an issue that shows the modern team in a possible future. Rocket and Groot had another series in All-New All-Different, as well as Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 4, where Rocket Raccoon is leader. In the new Marvel NOW Rocket Raccoon will have a new solo series where he is stranded on Earth (the Guardians having parted ways following Civil War II)

 

Overall, however, the above in green, is what I feel is the best, most important Rocket Raccoon reading to date.

 

One last thing to leave you with, especially if you only read Marvel NOW Rocket or later, don't listen to Rocket... you absolutely can call him a raccoon, if you want. Heh.