BLAST OFF!

The time is 1938. The place is L.A. An ordinary guy and would-be stunt pilot named Cliff Secord comes into possession of a flying gizmo--developed by a scientist who’s on the run from Nazis.

With that gizmo strapped to his back, and an ominous face mask/helmet to ensure his anonymity (and before you can say “super hero”), Cliff Secord becomes the crime-fighting . . . Rocketeer!

The unlikely hero, who first surfaced in Dave Stevens’ “Rocketeer” comics (for Pacific Comics, in 1982), is headed for the screen.

William Dear, lately of “Harry and the Hendersons,” will direct for producer Larry Gordon and the Disney studio. Creator Stevens is serving as creative consultant.

Currently supervising the film’s script (by Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo), Dear said: “I envision this as a big-screen comic book--with an edge. It won’t have quite the nasty side of ‘RoboCop’ but it will be hard hitting.”

The plot involves “nothing less than matters of consequence to the entire world.” Of course, Secord’s girlfriend, Betty, also will be involved. And as per the comics, Secord will hang out at the airfield.

As for a star: “Let’s just say I’m willing to go to the mat to get an unknown who I happen to think is the one and only Cliff Secord.”