Brian Fies is a writer and cartoonist who created the award-winning graphic novels Mom’s Cancer and Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow, as well as the Eisner Award-nominated webcomic The Last Mechanical Monster. He’s been a newspaper reporter, environmental chemist, science writer, husband, and dad to twin girls.  Just like The Rocketeer, he lives in California.

Cliff is ready for the maiden flight of the Gee Bee, now poised at the end of the runway.

Title: “EXECUTIVE PRODUCER LARRY FRANCO”

There is a swirl of dust as Cliff lines up the Gee Bee to take off.

Title: “BASED ON THE GRAPHIC NOVEL ‘THE ROCKETEER’ CREATED BY DAVE STEVENS”

In the cockpit of the Gee Bee, Cliff kisses his thumb, then presses his thumb to a picture of Jenny Blake, taped onto his dashboard.  The picture is inscribed “Love from your ‘Lady Luck’ ” with the name “Jenny” written inside a heart.

Skeets, Goose, and Peevy watch from the grandstands side of the runway.

A close-up of Cliff’s eyes as he adjusts his goggles.

Another close-up of Cliff’s hand, grasping the control stick.

A view looking aft on the Gee Bee, with Cliff ensconced inside the plexiglas canopy.

A close-up of Cliff’s left hand, as he eases the throttle forward.

The RPM gauge revs to 1800.

A close-up from starboard as the Gee Bee has first motion down the runway.

A close-up of the Gee Bee’s wheels as the plane moves forward. A wooden oil derrick stands in the distance.

A wide view from the end of the runway as the Gee Bee accelerates.

Another close-up of Cliff, from the viewpoint of the Gee Bee’s engine.

A wide shot of the Gee Bee as it approaches take-off speed.

Title: “STORY BY DANNY BILSON & PAUL DE MEO & WILLIAM DEAR”

As the Gee Bee passes the camera, the tail wheel lifts off the ground.

Another front-on close-up of Cliff, as the plane is about to leave the ground.

The aircraft passes by the three mechanics, as they stare intently at the take off.

A chase plane shot of the Gee Bee, as it rises into the air.

Another view of the mechanics. Peevy smiles, hesitantly.

A wide shot of the Gee Bee, as it rapidly ascends in the distance. The music score has a crescendo.

Close-up of Cliff in the Gee Bee, smiling as he banks the plane left over the beanfield.

In This Minute

William Sanderson as Skeets
Don Pugsley as Goose
Eddie Jones as Malcolm
Alan Arkin as Peevy
Bill Campbell as Cliff Secord