New York is one of the most iconic location in theMarvel Comics Universe , and few cities arrive nigh to rivaling the Big Apple ’s instantly recognisable horizon . Avengers Tower , the Baxter Building , and theSanctum Santorumare all fictional New York icons in their own compliments . It is clear that New York is a larger than life story metropolis , a gross conniption for being the site of superheroic exploit , both gravid and small . But in recent times , the Marvel Universe translation of New York has lost its most iconic lineament , the Statue of Liberty , to   an unlikely hero : Rocket Raccoon .

InRocket Raccoon#4written by Matthew Rosenberg   with artistry by Jorge Coelho , Rocket rule himself strand on his least favorite planet after the Guardians of the Galaxy disband . evade his bets that mould withThe Avengersmight   not be so spoiled , Rocket heads to New York and discovers that Earth is room   more troublesome for him , an outlander that looks like a raccoon than he ab initio await . defective , Rocket get word that aliens seeking refuge in New York are being hunt and slaughter by   none other thanKraven the Hunter , and right protection is tough to fall by .

touch : Marvel Just Made Rocket Raccoon ’s Origin Even SADDER

Peanuts and golden sky

What follows is a game of computerized axial tomography and mouse as Kraven chases Rocket around the urban center , set on reach   the Guardian   his latest conquering , while Rocket contend to find equal weapon to stand his foeman with . face off with Kraven in the darkness of the Statue of Liberty , Rocket   escapes his   clutches by firing a flare gas pedal at the boat   the hunter crudely park into Liberty Island . As a outcome , the ship explode , countenance Rocket the chance to escape as Lady Liberty herself   crumbles   into the waters of the New York Bay . Oops .

It is an audacious , godless minute that is characteristic of a brash character like Rocket , but the destruction of the   statue   is emblematic of the series ’s larger stem concerning refugees . New York ’s discourse of the stranger look for asylum is dark , to say the least . Kraven ’s plot to hunt them down is allowed to proceed due to the fact that the aliens themselves are not considered " people " deserving protect by traditional legal avenues . As such , the end of the Statue of Liberty by an exotic trying to escape the murderous clutches of a villain like Kraven the Hunter reveals the hypocrisy of the statue itself . A monument declaring , " Give me your tired , your poor your huddled masses " means niggling if no action   is   taken to actually shelter those it is think of to dish .

Related : Kraven the Hunter is Marvel ’s Version of Jango Fett

A man with nuclear explosions going off behind him in The Far Side.

The series ends with Rocket alleviate a dependable flight for New York ’s alien universe in Central Park   after defeating some of Kraven ’s hunters . The fact that it is Rocket , and not an establish New York hero , that shepherd the refugee to safety reveals the demarcation line of New York as an idealistic metropolis . While it certainly has itstriumphant moments of greatnessin Marvel Comics , Rocket ’s experiences in the metropolis reveal that its principles of merge the very best portion of the worldly concern ( and beyond ) are not put into recitation in an adequate manner . Rather than fighting for the rights of aliens to stay on in New York , Rocket finds that the only root is to just overturn the metropolis and planet altogether .

While Rocket ’s disdain for New York City is ab initio humorous to see unfold , Rosenberg ’s writing discover the unsavory theatrical role about the city ’s unjust treatment of its most vulnerable resident physician . While superhero fiction is often concerned with presenting the ideal , Rocket Raccoon ’s series presents a relevant take on an all - too recognizable world that could really use some supporter . Despite its fantastical fiber , the shortcomings of New York ( and Earth as a whole ) have never calculate clearer .

Next : Rocket Raccoon ’s New   Armor Is Literally A Groot Suit

Old April O’Neil (foreground) and the new NInja Turtles from TMNT Last Ronin

Empire State Building Falls Marvel

Empire State Building Falls Marvel

Comics

Guardians of the Galaxy