So it turns out that, defying any expectations that we may have had five years ago, Rocket Raccoon and Groot are the most popular characters in the most popular movie of the summer. In other words, get used to seeing them literally everywhere -- starting with 20 of Marvel's comics for November, where the talking tree and his surly procyonid pal are taking over with a series of variant covers.

Even better, the variants are homages to classic Marvel covers, ranging from classics like Captain America's reappearance in the Marvel Universe back in Avengers #4 to one of the most obscure and self-referential homages that I've ever seen. It's actually pretty amazing. Check 'em out next to their inspirations below!

 

Avengers #38 variant by Chip Zdarsky
Avengers #38 variant by Chip Zdarsky (Click for full size)
loading...

 

Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier #2 variant by Sanford Greene
Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier #2 variant by Sanford Greene (click for full size)
loading...

 

Captain America & The Mighty Avengers #1 variant by Ulises Farinas
Captain America & The Mighty Avengers #1 variant by Ulises Farinas (click for full size)
loading...

 

Guardians of the Galaxy #21 variant by Dustin Nguyen
Guardians of the Galaxy #21 variant by Dustin Nguyen (click for full size)
loading...

 

Hulk #8 variant by Tom Fowler
Hulk #8 variant by Tom Fowler (click for full size)
loading...

 

Superior Iron Man #1 variant by Tom Fowler
Superior Iron Man #1 variant by Tom Fowler (click for full size)
loading...

 

Thor #2 variant by James Stokoe
Thor #2 variant by James Stokoe (Click for full size)
loading...

Here's the full list of Rocket Raccoon and Groot variants:

  • All-New Captain America #1
  • All-New X-Men #34
  • Amazing Spider-Man #9
  • Amazing X-Men #13
  • Avengers #38
  • Avengers World #15
  • Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier #2
  • Captain America & The Mighty Avengers #1
  • Deadpool #37
  • Guardians 3000 #2
  • Guardians of the Galaxy #21
  • Hulk 8
  • Legendary Star-Lord #5
  • New Avengers #26
  • Rocket Raccoon #5
  • Spider-Verse #1
  • Spider-Woman #1
  • Superior Iron Man #1
  • Thor #2
  • Uncanny X-Men #28

More From ComicsAlliance