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"!

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"!

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!

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"

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!"

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".

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..."

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"

Blue Beetle #3 (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, Ted, Jaime and the Posse had been investigating the strange circumstances surrounding the disappearance of several local teens. The search led them to mysterious holes at the homes of each teen but not much else. Keith Giffen and Scott Kolins are back with issue #3 and a story called "Night Terrors!"

Jaime is asleep, but the scarab is not. It carries him through the streets, and powers up his armor before taking him into one of the mystery holes. 

When he wakes he finds himself face to face with an army of green insect-like beings. He barely has time to process what's happening and how he got here before the creatures attack! Not only that, they do something that has never happened before...they break the armor! One of them grabs our hero, and he hears it in his head. They are the Horde, they're doing their master's bidding, and they want Jaime to know despair.

He reacts, creating a huge wrecking ball of energy, taking out several of the Horde. One manages to grab him though, but the scarab creates an explosion that knocks them away. It's then that Jaime realizes two things; he's not in control, the scarab is, and there's a giant object that's been revealed...like a huge sarcophagus. And then...he goes unconscious. The scarab flies him out of the hole just as a blast of energy seems to seal it shut. Reluctantly, Jaime heads to see Ted for advice.

A half naked Jaime approaches Ted at a Kord construction site and fills in the "sidelined superhero" on the previous night's adventure. After giving Jaime a Kord sweatshirt, the duo discuss a warning from Dr. Fate. 

Ted explains that the scarab got Fate's attention, and even hints that Fate may be scared of it. He hesitates to say more but, at Jaime's insistence, gives all the details. Dr. Fate believes the scarab is using Jaime as a vessel. He said the scarab was "damaged", that it will act if they don't do something...and even suggests killing Jaime to prevent that from happening! Hearing this only makes Jaime more desperate to have the scarab removed! They need additional tests before they can attempt to remove it, and that's something Ted says they'll work on. He'll have Ms. Magnus to set up the tests. Ms.Teri Magnus though is currently occupied. She's meeting with a pair of private investigators...Sugar and Spike!

Jaime finally arrives at school, late, earning him a spot in detention. He catches up with Paco who reassures him it isn't all bad...while a mystery girl watches from a distance.

On the way home Jaime stops by his father's garage. Their conversation starts as a continuation of the "Mom shouldn't be providing health care to the Posse", but quickly turns into "I'm afraid I may be losing control of the scarab." He relates the recent events to his father, including the talk he had with Ted and the upcoming tests with Ms. Magnus. Mr. Reyes advises Jaime to talk to his mother, and suggests she could even sit in on the tests if Jaime would like. 

From there Jaime heads off to talk to Brenda. He fills her in on everything too, and gets invited by her aunt to stay for dinner.

Finally, at El Paso International Airport, an armored green figure, similar in appearance to the Horde, walks through the crowd. A young boy runs from his mother, bumping into the being who turns...now looking like a normal, slightly evil, man. 

The mother makes the boy apologize, which the man accepts before walking away and calling the boy an "impudent whelp" at which point the child collapses bleeding from his eyes and nose!

Once again, more questions than answers...but darn this new series is fun! Well, maybe not fun...not this issue anyway. More like dramatic, heart wrenching, mysterious! The Horde? Dr. Fate's cryptic warnings? The mystery man at the airport? All very intriguing! The emotional weight of Jaime's response to Ted's story about Dr. Fate? The desperation to have the scarab removed? Visiting his friends and family like he's walking to his own death sentence? Powerful stuff! And Sugar and Spike? Seriously? Sugar and Spike! When I met Keith Giffen at the Baltimore Comic Con this year he told me they would show up...but not as private investigators! Ok, that was fun...and mysterious...can't wait to see the next issue! Especially considering it promises to be "The Origin of the Blue Beetles!"

Blue Beetle #2 (2016)

U"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." Keith Giffen and Scott Kolins are back with issue #2 and a story called "Blurred"

...Something in the Water.

Last issue, Jaime went up against magic in the form of Eclipso, and may have made a new (girl)friend in the form of Traci 13! Where do you go from there? Weather! John Rogers and Rafael Albuquerque are back with issue #17 and a story called "...Something in the Water".

If At First You Don't Succeed...!

This is it Beetlemaniacs, the end of DC's 1986 "Blue Beetle" run! We've had joy, we've had fun, we've had seasons in the sun...but this is it! Len Wein, Don Heck and Danny Bulanadi are back for the final issue, #24, and as we saw last issue, Carapax is here to make sure Ted gets the send off he deserves in a story called "If At First You Don't Succeed...!"

Blue Beetle #1 (2016)

Following on the heels of "DC Universe: Rebirth", and "Blue Beetle: Rebirth" comes "Blue Beetle" #1! That's right Beetlemaniacs, Jaime and Ted are back! In fact, as the first page banner declares "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." Keith Giffen and Scott Kolins are back with a story called "Deja Vu Blue"

Don't Get Mad, Get Even!

This is it Beetlemaniacs, the penultimate issue of the 1986 run! Only one issue to go after this! Len Wein, Don Heck and Danny Bulanadi are here for issue #23, and we even get two returning rogues as part of the big send off! Sit back and enjoy "Don't Get Mad, Get Even!"

Who's Who '87 Madmen

We're coming to the end of the 1986 DC Blue Beetle series...and we're getting the return of the Madmen next issue! So I figured it was a perfect opportunity to post the Madmen's entry from Who's Who '87, by Al Milgrom and Carl Potts!

Blue Beetle: Rebirth

Well Beetlemaniacs, my apologies if you were expecting the next chapter in the adventures of Jaime Reyes...I decided to postpone that post to cover "Blue Beetle: Rebirth" instead...which is, uh, and adventure of Jaime Reyes and his mentor Ted Kord! Yes, this is the moment we've been waiting for...I think. A version of Ted Kord was last seen at the close of "Forever Evil", and Jaime Reyes has been MIA since, well, if you don't count brief appearances during "Futures End" and "Convergence", the ending of "Threshold". So lets see what's up as Keith Giffen and Scott Kolins bring us "Will the Real Blue Beetle Please Die!"

A Question of Time!

How do you follow the "excitement" that was the crossover event "Millenium"? Time travel! That's right, Chronos is back and the only one who can stop him is Blue Beetle! Len Wein, Ross Andru and Danny Bulanadi are back for issue #22, and with a story so big they brought in Jean-Marc and Randy Lofficier (credited as RJM Lofficier) and the great Gil Kane to help with a story called "A Question of Time!"

Total Eclipso: The Heart

Last issue, Jaime went to S.T.A.R. Labs and ran into Livewire and Superman! This issue the guests stars keep on coming, including the return of our old friends the Posse! John Rogers and Rafael Albuquerque turn things up to 13 (you'll understand soon) with issue #16 and a story called "Total Eclipso: The Heart".

If This Works, It'll Be A Miracle!

Continuing the excitement of the crossover event "Millenium", Blue Beetle, with Mister Miracle in his corner, gets a rematch with Overthrow! Len Wein, Ross Andru and Danny Bulanadi are back for issue #21, and a story called "If This Works, It'll Be A Miracle!"

Picking up after "Millennium" #6, Blue Beetle and Mister Miracle are flying in the BUG over Chicago on their way to Ted's lab beneath Kord Inc.* Along the way they recall the conversation they had at the California location of the Green Lantern Corps Citadel. 

They know the Manhunters mothership is located in the Earth's core, but locating it is a challenge. That's when Ted hits on the idea of reversing some prototype Kord technology...and Mister Miracle offering to assist with Apokolipsian tech. 

While Mister Miracle gets started, Ted make an appearance in the offices of Kord Inc. There he finds some tension between him and Melody. She makes a point of being rubbing a lunch date with Randy Truman in his face...and when Randy is pulled away and Ted tries to offer an apology, and an alternate date, she blows him off. Right after Randy leaves, we see someone is lurking in the sub basement of the Kord building. That someone is Overthrow! The villain is getting orders from the Manhunters' Grandmaster. Stop the heroes plan to get to the Earth's core at all cost! And in Paris, Jeremiah meets with Belphegor (of the recently shut down Global Guardians) to impress upon her the need to stop Klaus Cornelius! And in London, Murray Takamoto continues his meeting with Alfy and Theodora Twidgett until they're suddenly joined by André Chavard, Jan Haasan, and General Rip Carter, the rest of the Boy Commandos. And in Germany Klaus Cornelius meets with German industrialist Dekan Drache to activate "Agent Axis".

Meanwhile, or specifically "several minutes later" Blue Beetle and Mister Miracle seem to have made VERY quick work of their...uh, work. They've reversed the shielding on the Kord Inc. Starprobe, so that now instead of reversing the heat of the sun (where it was originally intended to go) it will generate heat and melt it's way to the center of the Earth! Before they can get too excited about their success though, they're interrupted by Overthrow and a small army of Manhunters! The battle rages on for pages, pausing occasionally to insert the sub plots I mentioned above, until Overthrow and the Manhunters get the upper hand! 

It looks grim, as Overthrow tosses the helpless heroes into the Starprobe and sending them on a slow, sizzling journey to the center of the Earth! 

But before they can celebrate their victory, the heroes reappear, and the fight resumes! The Manhunters quickly fall, leaving Overthrow to ask how they survived. They each explain their escapes 

Oddly, they didn't do it as a team...they each had their own separate escape plan.

Then they finally unmask Overthrow...who is NOT Randy Truman, as it sort of had appeared...but in reality is just some guy named Arnold Beck, who works the loading dock at Kord Inc. 

Randy on the other hand is making a move on Melody, Ted's girlfriend, over dinner as Ted and Mister Miracle fly by in the BUG wondering what Millennium will bring. 

While in a rundown room on the other side of town, Chronos suits up for his return!

Ok...it may have been an OK issue, but I'm as done with Millennium now as I was at the time. I could feel its influence sucking any enthusiasm I had while writing this up. Next issue is Millennium free, which is good, but brings us to the final few issues...which is very, very sad!


*so this issue refers to it as Kord Inc. In other issues in this series it's been Kord Omniversal, and Kord Industries...I wonder if the frequent re-branding of the company drives the stockholders crazy?

Iran Scam!

Spinning out of the crossover event "Millenium", Blue Beetle faces off against not one, but two villains! Len Wein, Ross Andru and Danny Bulanadi are here for issue #20, and a story called "Iran Scam!"