The man behind the Rockeeter

The Rocketeer was an all-American comic book hero who zipped around a 1930s-era Los Angeles using a rocket-powered jet pack. When not fighting evil, he spent a lot of time with a dark-haired beauty who resembled pin-up star Betty Page. 

Despite its vintage look and feel, the Rocketeer first zoomed into comic books in the 1980s courtesy of Dave Stevens, who was inspired by the many hours of watching old movie serials in a theater in Bell.  Stevens, whose Rocketeer was made into a 1991 movie and helped revive interest in Page, died Monday.

"As a kid I always wanted to fly, and the Rocketeer was my wish fulfillment," Stevens said in a 1991 interview with The Times. "Every time I would see an image of someone with something on his back that made him fly, no matter what the contraption was, I got all charged up over it."

Valerie Nelson is working on a complete obituary on Stevens, who had a home in North Hollywood but died at a hospital in the San Joaquin Valley city of Turlock. Here are  more details in Daily Variety and on the Dave Stevens site.

--Jesus Sanchez

Photo: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[coco olson]

Dave was one of the kindest souls I ever knew. He was an inspiration to me and I am so grateful to have been counted as one of his many friends. Dave was never selfish with his talents. He was very generous with his abilities. Whether it was protecting Ms. Page or contributing artwork for cultmovies magazine; he never wanted or expected anything in return. He always made me feel that my opinions were important even though I was so in awe of his talents. When he talked to me about his illness it wasn't to complain. It was only to explain why he would disappear for periods of time. He realized I worried when I didn't hear from him and wanted me to know why. Dave was a real hero. Somehow I have a feeling that he can still hear us and I will keep expecting him to show up when I least expect it!

[Tommy Stanziola]

The news of Dave's passing is a blessing in disguise, as Mr. Stevens fought a long battle against Leukemia...
I had the extreme pleasure to know Dave personally, & even work with him, creating "Life Of A Pin-Up Legend-Bettie Page"...In the process, he lost a few small vintage pin-up magazines that I had sent him...He was beside himself, but I reassured him, & just asked for a small sketch of Bettie, instead...He sent me a gorgeous pen & ink color profile of Ms. Page, which I framed...It's still hanging on my wall to this day...
Dave was an INCREDIBLE talent, & will be sorely missed by us all...
...& may The Rocketeer soar higher than the clouds

[magnusdopus]

I'm sad to hear this. Dave Stevens was a brilliant comic book artist. He emerged during the renaissance period that brought us Frank Miller and Alan Moore. His Rocketeer was a gorgeous labor of love. Every panel was meticulously drawn inked and painted. And he was one of the pioneers of the Independent comic publishers.

[Robyn]

I was lucky to meet Dave Stevens at my local comics shop in Orange almost 2 decades ago, before the movie came out. He was so humble and sweet, I never quite got past my crush on him. I am so sad right now.