The Rocketeer: Race Against Crime--IDW Classic Collections

The Rocketeer takes to the skies to fight crime in this trio of stories that continue the high-flying, pulp-inspired adventures started by original creator Dave Stevens!

Writer/artist Stephen Mooney takes the helm in this trilogy full of intrigue and action, collecting The Great Race, In the Den of Thieves, and Breaks Free!

In The Great Race, ace stunt pilot Cliff Secord has returned from his New York adventure to a West Coast steeped in paranoia over the looming war in Europe. Having finally had enough of his near-death scrapes as the high-flying Rocketeer, the only thing in Cliff’s crosshairs is the Great Race: a prestigious, winner-take-all air race that runs from California to France! Maybe it’s finally time to smarten up and fly straight, by taking his best girl, Betty, to Paris! But other parties want to win the race for their own nefarious ends, and Cliff will need to decide which prize is truly the most valuable.

Then, the Rocketeer finds himself In the Den of Thieves! The pilot is grounded. After Cliff and Betty’s adventures in Europe, they return home with a busted rocket pack but a fixed relationship. They’re as happy as they’ve ever been…but paradise doesn’t last long! An elite band of Nazis, foiled in the past by their attempts to construct their own rocket packs, decide on a new tactic: kidnapping the only person who can enable them to create their very own fleet of Rocketeers...Cliff’s beloved friend and mentor Peevy!

Finally, in The Rocketeer Breaks Free, the Rocketeer storms the City by the Bay! With Betty about to start work on a new film, Cliff and Peevy join the aspiring starlet on a trip to San Francisco, where they liaise with fellow pilot and friend (and government operative) Debbie Seville. As always, trouble seems to follow Cliff, who gets caught up in a cable car accident! But at least it’ll be all smooth sailing after that, right? Not if the Rocketeer’s luck stays true to form!

The Rocketeer: Race Against Crime includes over 290 pages of comics action in a convenient 6 x 9 format that lets you take the fun of reading wherever you want!

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Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs