Marvel Comics is putting Rocket Raccoon back in the spotlight with a new solo one-shot, "Rocket Raccoon: Rocket Rewind" #1, released to mark 50 years since the character's creation. The book focuses on the wisecracking, weapons-loving member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, who director James Gunn has previously named his favourite of the team, and arrives as the franchise's cinematic future remains uncertain following the release of the three Guardians films, a holiday special and appearances across the Avengers saga.

The new issue bundles several stories, including "The Fight in the Raccoon", in which Hank Pym (Ant-Man/Giant-Man) calls on Rocket for help defending the planet B'Digg-4 from an invading space dragon after being worn down by years of size-shifting battles, and "Boomshakalaka", which follows Rocket to the planet Shaka. The release follows this year's launch of the "Imperial Guardians" series, which reshuffled the team's line-up around Gamora, Captain Marvel, Cosmic Ghost Rider, Brawn and Dark Hawk, underlining Marvel's continued investment in the comic-book Guardians even as their on-screen future looks less certain.