Convergence: Blue Beetle #1

Blue Beetle is back! Who would have believed it? Two new Ted Kord, Blue Beetle stories in a single month? Well, thanks to DC's latest event, "Convergence", which is bringing back characters and timelines from across the Multiverse, it happened! I already took a look at "Convergence: Justice League International" #1, and now we get "Convergence: Blue Beetle" #1 written by Scott Lobdell with art by Yishan Li.

Vic Sage is reporting live on the scene as the Madmen stand off against the National Guard. Ever since the dome went up Hub city has been under martial law. Tonight the people, represented by the Madmen, aim to take back control of their lives. Leading the National Guard is none other than Captain Nathaniel Adam, aka Captain Atom. He informs the group that the are violating curfew, must disperse immediately and return to their homes. When the Madmen refuse, all hell breaks loose...and it's captured live by Vic Sage and the WHUB news crew! 

Vic tells the crew to get this video uploaded immediately as he disappears into the smoke and rubble to "ask questions". He spies Capt. Adam and the two exchange words. That's not why he's here though...he's here to deliver a message. 

At Kord Industries (ha! I love seeing that name!) Ted has been at work creating a device he hopes will help eliminate the dome. Tracy, his beleaguered assistant, comes in to let Ted know that Capt. Adam has arrived. Another heated exchange takes place (it would seem Cap isn't very popular at the moment) which Tracy has to break up, reminding them of their friendship...and their potential if they'd only work together. 

The trio watched as Ted fires a beam of energy at the dome...but fails to even scratch it. Instead, something surprising happens. Captain Atom's powers are restored! Not just his either. Outside they see a burst of color in the sky. Cap immediately recognizes it as the villain Dr. Spectro and goes on the attack. As they fight, another player appears on the scene...none other than Booster Gold! 

Problem is, this is Earth-4, the Charlton versions of these characters...and no one has any idea who Booster is! Cap blasts him, knocking Gold into a nearby building. Then, just as Blue Beetle arrives on the scene, Booster disappears...

...and so do Cap and Spectro's powers. Hey, deja vu! I think we saw this play out from another angle in "Futures End: Booster Gold"!

Beetle catches a falling Capt. Adam, just as the Question shows up. The trio comes together (maybe Tracy's speech  earlier worked on Cap?) and tries to solve the mystery of the dome, in just a few short panels. but before they can Telos appears, and this time not as a disembodied voice...he actually forms himself from the rubble of a building, to make his standard "Convergence" announcement. 

Tracy arrives, piloting the BUG, as the gang ponders what they've learned. To survive, they need to fight another group of heroes, something the Question isn't too thrilled about, especially when he and Blue Beetle don't really have any super powers...luckily, Captain Atom's powers have returned...again...just as the dome appears to open up!

That was fun! I mean any Blue Beetle story that opens with an appearance by the Madmen gets bonus points from me. Not sure why they called it "Blue Beetle" though. The Question and Captain Atom appear just as much as Blue Beetle. I guess "Convergence: Charlton Action Heroes" just didn't have that same ring to it? The art was solid. The issue was well paced, and actually shied away from some of the tropes the other "Convergence" #1's had. Namely, Telos wasn't a projection or disemboddied voice...he freakin' formed himself out the rubble, and secondly, we never got to see the other heroes! The inside front cover and the last page let us know who the other team is though...the Legionnaires! Yup, Blue Beetle and friends may have their work cut out for them next issue! Hmmm...I contribute over at the Legion of Super-Bloggers page. I wonder if I should post my notes on issue #2 here, or there?