Farewell to the Aquaman Shrine

"I read the news today, oh boy..."

Rob Kelly has decided to close up shop at the Aquaman Shrine

RIP Len Wein

I'm kind of in shock. The first Blue Beetle comic I ever read was written by Len Wein. My love of the character is a direct result of that work. I'm sure after I'll have more to say later, but for now...Rest in peace Mr. Wein, thank you for being an inspiration to many! 

Blue Beetle #11 (Fox) Part 4

"Smashing down upon the underworld rackets comes the Blue Beetle...made almost invulnerable by special armor, and given super-energy by vitamin 2-X, he crusades with hard-hitting fists for law and justice...in reality he is Dan Garret...rookie police man"

This month we're looking at Blue Beetle in "Cargo of Doom", the last story from Fox's Blue Beetle #11. Last month I pointed out a slight change in the art, it was more moody than usual. This issue has some of those same qualities, and I may now understand why. I pull these golden age adventures from the Digital Comics Museum. The uploader of this issue added a note card to the end of the comic indicating the artist for "The Dead Don't Kill" and "Cargo of Doom" was Louis Cazaneuve, working under the "Charles Nicholas" pseudonym used by many creators at Fox.

Blue Beetle #11 (Fox) Part 3

"Smashing down upon the underworld rackets comes the Blue Beetle...made almost invulnerable by special armor, and given super-energy by vitamin 2-X, he crusades with hard-hitting fists for law and justice...in reality he is Dan Garret...rookie police man"

Golden age Blue Beetle is back for another adventure! This time around he's on the trail of a dead man!

As a side note, I usually post these golden age adventures with little to no commentary, but I'm taken back by the art in this story! It's moody and atmospheric in a way that really made it stand out for me! I hope you enjoy it too!

Teaser Tuesday #116

A Golden Age Mego-Style Update!

Hey Beetlemaniacs! First, I apologize for the intermittent nature of the posts recently. Between adjusting to married life, and a change of shift at work I haven't had as much time as I did in the past. Fear not though, I haven't given up, haven't abandoned you, the blog, or Blue Beetle! On the contrary, one of the other things that has taken up some of my free time is working on the Beetlemania Podcast over at SNGPoductions! 

But this post is something different...its a follow-up to this one from 2014! I've been honing my skills at making custom figures again. I'm no expert...but this time was MUCH better than the first in my opinion!

Remember this?

Read on to see the new and improved, Mego-style Golden Age Blue Beetle!

Teaser Tuesday #115

Blue Beetle #11 (Fox) Part 2

"Smashing down upon the underworld rackets comes the Blue Beetle...made almost invulnerable by special armor, and given super-energy by vitamin 2-X, he crusades with hard-hitting fists for law and justice...in reality he is Dan Garret...rookie police man" 

The golden age gladiator is back for another adventure! Blue Beetle takes on...well...a guy who looks like a cross between a shaved ape and a vampire who goes by the clever name, the Octopus?! Read on...you'll understand!

Blue Beetle #9 (2016)

"Jaime Reyes: Reluctant Wielder of the Power of the Blue Beetle Scarab. Ted Kord: Billionaire Industrialist and Sidelined Superhero. Together They Are The Blue Beetle...Whether They Like It Or Not." Last issue Arion crushed Dr. Fate, the people of El Paso began turning into monsters like the Horde, OMAC showed up, and Jaime donned Ted's old costume! Keith Giffen, Scott Kolins, and J.M. DeMatteis are back for issue #9 and a story called "Life, Death and Absolute Chaos"!

Teaser Tuesday #114

Blue Beetle #11 (Fox) Part 1

"Smashing down upon the underworld rackets comes the Blue Beetle...made almost invulnerable by special armor, and given super-energy by vitamin 2-X, he crusades with hard-hitting fists for law and justice...in reality he is Dan Garret...rookie police man"

That's right Beetlemaniacs, it's time for another adventure with our favorite golden age gladiator...Blue Beetle! In this adventure, "Claws of the Cat", Dan deals with a clawed criminal and Joan's perfume! 

What the Kaji Dha Wednesday...Injustice 2

Hey Beetlemaniacs! I'm not sure how many of you are gamers, but I just picked up Injustice 2 (Electric Boogaloo) for my PS4 and I'm having a blast!

Blue Beetle #8 (2016)

"Jaime Reyes: Reluctant Wielder of the Power of the Blue Beetle Scarab. Ted Kord: Billionaire Industrialist and Sidelined Superhero. Together They Are The Blue Beetle...Whether They Like It Or Not." Last issue Ted was back in action to rescue a helpless Jaime, while Doctor Fate battled a power crazed Arion! Keith Giffen and Scott Kolins are back, and this time with J.M. DeMatteis and a story called "Transformations"!

Teaser Tuesday #113

Blue Beetle #10 (Fox) Part 4

"Smashing down upon the underworld rackets comes the Blue Beetle...made almost invulnerable by special armor, and given super-energy by vitamin 2-X, he crusades with hard-hitting fists for law and justice...in reality he is Dan Garret...rookie police man"

Yes, Beetlemaniacs, it's time once again for a Golden Age Blue Beetle adventure! In the final of 4 stories from issue #10, the Blue Beetle faces off against "The Monster of the Swamp!"

(Click images to enlarge)

Captain Atom #084 (1966)

Under the creative eyes of Steve Ditko and Gary Friedrich, and editor Dick Giordano, the second Blue Beetle was born as a back up feature in Charlton Comics' "Captain Atom". Today, let's take a look at the second adventure of everyone's favorite Beetle!

Teaser Tuesday #112

Blue Beetle #7 (2016)

"Jaime Reyes: Reluctant Wielder of the Power of the Blue Beetle Scarab. Ted Kord: Billionaire Industrialist and Sidelined Superhero. Together They Are The Blue Beetle...Whether They Like It Or Not." Last issue Jaime's soul was torn from his body so the creature in the crypt could take control of the scarab...and then Dr. Fate showed up! Keith Giffen and Scott Kolins are back, and I hope it's with some answers, with issue #7 and a story called "Risen!

Teaser Tuesday #111

Blue Beetle #9 (Fox) Part 4

"Smashing down upon the underworld rackets comes the Blue Beetle...made almost invulnerable by special armor, and given super-energy by vitamin 2-X, he crusades with hard-hitting fists for law and justice...in reality he is Dan Garret...rookie police man"

Yes, Beetlemaniacs, it's time once again for a Golden Age Blue Beetle adventure! In the final of 4 stories from issue #9, the Blue Beetle unravels a mystery that includes a mad doctor and a talking corpse!

(Click images to enlarge)

Extreme Justice #0

Ah the 90's...when everything was extreme! Sports were extreme, snack foods were extreme, even our heroes were extreme. Spinning out of the Justice League crossover event "Judgement Day", which saw Booster Gold critically injured and placed inside an exo-suit and Ice killed by the villain Overmaster, Captain Atom pulled together a team of heroes intent on being proactive rather than reactive! Written by Dan Vado, penciled by Marc Campos and inked by Ken Branch, things started in Extreme Justice #0 "With A Bang"

Teaser Tuesday #110

Blue Beetle #6 (2016)

"Jaime Reyes: Reluctant Wielder of the Power of the Blue Beetle Scarab. Ted Kord: Billionaire Industrialist and Sidelined Superhero. Together They Are The Blue Beetle...Whether They Like It Or Not." Last issue Mordecai showed up, went after Jaime's mother, and all hell broke loose! Keith Giffen and Scott Kolins are back for round 2 with issue #6 and a story called "Fury!"

Teaser Tuesday #109

Blue Beetle #9 (Fox) Part 3

"Smashing down upon the underworld rackets comes the Blue Beetle...made almost invulnerable by special armor, and given super-energy by vitamin 2-X, he crusades with hard-hitting fists for law and justice...in reality he is Dan Garret...rookie police man"

Yes, Beetlemaniacs, it's time once again for a Golden Age Blue Beetle adventure! In the third of 4 stories from issue #9, the Blue Beetle takes on a gang of criminals who come to town with a travelling carnival! 

(Click images to enlarge)

Blue Beetle: 1st Thursday with Art Baltazar

It's time for another thrilling Blue Beetle: 1st Thursday this month with Art Baltazar! I found this one over at ComicArtFans! It's a two for one...Jaime and Ted!

Away Game

Last issue, Blue Beetle took on Typhoon and Bruce Wayne...and managed to outsmart both! What's next? How about a team up and a tough guy? John Rogers and Rafael Albuquerque are back, and joined by David Baldeon and Dan Davis with issue #18 (the halfway point of this series) and a story called "Away Game".

Teaser Tuesday #108

Blue Beetle #5 (2016)

"Jaime Reyes: Reluctant Wielder of the Power of the Blue Beetle Scarab. Ted Kord: Billionaire Industrialist and Sidelined Superhero. Together They Are The Blue Beetle...Whether They Like It Or Not." Last issue we got some teasing glimpses at the origins of the Blue Beetles, and learned that Dan Garrett was once in possession of the scarab, and had a run in with Dr. Fate...though it's unclear if he was a hero himself. Keith Giffen and Scott Kolins are back with issue #5 and a story called "The Best Laid Plans..."

Beetlemania! Episode #2

Episode #2 of Beetlemania! is now available for your listening pleasure! Jay and I take a look at my Secret Origin, my very first introduction to Blue Beetle...Secret Origins #2! Check it out!

And remember to keep it Blue!

Click Here!

Teaser Tuesday #107

Blue Beetle #9 (Fox) Part 2

"Smashing down upon the underworld rackets comes the Blue Beetle...made almost invulnerable by special armor, and given super-energy by vitamin 2-X, he crusades with hard-hitting fists for law and justice...in reality he is Dan Garret...rookie police man"

Yes, Beetlemaniacs, it's time once again for a Golden Age Blue Beetle adventure! In the second of 4 stories from issue #9, the Blue Beetle is racing to stop the jewel heists of criminal mastermind...the Falcon!

(Click images to enlarge)

Blue Beetle: 1st Thursday with Kevin Maguire

It's time for another thrilling Blue Beetle: 1st Thursday this month with Kevin Maguire! This one came from ComicArtFans, and seemed fitting...after all it's February, the month we celebrate Bromance! And what better way to do that than with a pic of Blue & Gold by the one and only Kevin Maguire? 

Bwahahahaha!

Enjoy!

Captain Atom #083 (1966)

Beetlemaniacs...we're going back in time! Travel with me back to 1966! Star Trek and Batman were hits on TV. The USA and the USSR were racing to space...and Charlton Comics was about to launch a character that would go down as one of the greatest superheroes ever! Under the creative eyes of Steve Ditko and Gary Friedrich, and appearing as a back-up story in Captain Atom #083. Wait...I know what you're thinking..."Didn't you already post the first Blue Beetle story?" Yes I did, back in May of 2013, just a few months into this blog...but they were low resolution files I'd found online, and were offered with little context and no commentary...so...here's the first adventure of everyone's favorite Beetle...Ted Kord! 

Teaser Tuesday #106

Blue Beetle #4 (2016)

"Jaime Reyes: Reluctant Wielder of the Power of the Blue Beetle Scarab. Ted Kord: Billionaire Industrialist and Sidelined Superhero. Together They Are The Blue Beetle...Whether They Like It Or Not." Previously, a sleep-flying Jaime encountered a group of creatures called the Horde, learned about Dr. Fate's warning regarding the nature of the scarab, and reluctantly agreed to submit to additional tests by Ted and Teri Magnus. Keith Giffen and Scott Kolins are back with issue #4 and a story called "My Not So Secret Origin"

Beetlemania Episode #1

Here it is Beetlemaniacs (a nickname that is suddenly even more appropriate!) the moment you've all been waiting for...Jay Jones and I present...Beetlemania! 

Click HERE for episode #1!

Teaser Tuesday #105

Blue Beetle #9 (Fox) Part 1

"Smashing down upon the underworld rackets comes the Blue Beetle...made almost invulnerable by special armor, and given super-energy by vitamin 2-X, he crusades with hard-hitting fists for law and justice...in reality he is Dan Garret...rookie police man"

Yes, Beetlemaniacs, it's time once again for a Golden Age Blue Beetle adventure! In the first of 4 stories from issue #9, the Blue Beetle is out to stop a ring of counterfeiters!

(Click images to enlarge)

Blue Beetle: 1st Thursday with Cully Hamner

It's time for another thrilling Blue Beetle: 1st Thursday this month with Cully Hamner! This ione came from ComicArtFans...and, wow! Cully is obviously known for his Jaime Reyes Blue Beetle...but seeing his take on the Golden Age Blue Beetle is breathtaking! 

Enjoy!