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".

...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".

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".

Mister Nice Guy

Last issue, the Reach revealed themselves to be master manipulators! They tested Jaime, tried converting an army of human slaves, made peace with the US Government, and then appeared to implant a scarab on Peacemaker John Rogers and Rafael Albuquerque are back, with issue #14 and a story called "Mister Nice Guy".

Defective

Last issue, Jaime went spelunking with Peacemaker and found a scarab-like drone burrowing in the caves. Not only that, the scarab's manufacturers, the Reach, showed up to introduce themselves and say hello! John Rogers and Rafael Albuquerque are back, with some help from David Baldeon and Dan Davis to guide us through issue #13 in a story called "Defective".

Meet The New Boss...

Blue Beetle just returned from teaming up with Metron and Lonar of the New Gods to rescue his friend Brenda from a strange planet. What's next on his agenda? A little one-on-one time with Peacemaker! John Rogers and Rafael Albuquerque are here to tell us how that goes, in issue #12..."Meet The New Boss..."

The Guns of Forever

When last we left our hero...Jaime's friend Brenda had been transported to another planet via Boomtube, and when Blue Beetle finally located her she wasn't alone! There were weird alien creatures that wanted to eat her, and a barbarian called Lonar with ties to the New Gods. John Rogers and Rafael Albuquerque are here to tell us what happens next, in issue #11..."The Guns of Forever"

Should've Taken That Last Turn at Albuquerque...

Last month, Jaime's friend Brenda was missing after playing with a mysterious box she found in her aunt La Dama's house. Was it a Lament Configuration? Has she been sent to meet Pinhead and the Cenobites? Keith Giffen, John Rogers and Cully Hamner are here to reveal her fate, in issue #10..."Should've Taken That Last Turn at Albuquerque..."

Inside Man

Last issue Jaime, Brenda and Peacemaker took a road trip to meet Dan Garrett's granddaughter, Danielle. We got a peek at the Blue Beetle legacy, saw the return of Bottom Feeder, and saw just how connected Peacemaker still is. Well, now Keith Giffen, John Rogers and Duncan Rouleau are back to peel back a few more layers of this story with issue #9, "Inside Man"!

Road Trip

Last issue Jaime and his family took a trip out into the desert to try to uncover what happened to him on his first night as Blue Beetle. It was...quite sad actually, even if it did explain a few things and confirm what Peacemaker had been saying about the scarab being alien tech. Well, now Keith Giffen, John Rogers and Cully Hamner are back with the next chapter in the story of Jaime Reyes. Here's issue #8, "Road Trip"!

"Brother's Keeper"

Last issue Jaime and the Posse raided a meta-human compound looking for a baby, Brenda's aunt was revealed as the mysterious La Dama, Peacemaker announced that the scarab was alien technology, and I was a little confused. John Rogers and Cully Hamner pick it up from there...will we get answers? Let's find out...

Jaime has taken his family, and friends Paco and Brenda, out to the desert to see where he landed after the events of "Infinite Crisis". After the revelation last issue that the scarab was alien, and not magical, they're trying to retrace Jaime's steps to find out more. Milagro, Jaime's little sister, almost seems to have recovered from her fear of her brother's new powers...almost, but not quite. She does help though, by suggesting that if you want to find something that's lost (in this case Jaime's memory and time) she imagines going back to bedin the morning and starting from there. 

Peacemaker suddenly appears, and agrees if they're going to find out anything about the scarab, Jaime needs to remember everything he can! Paco reminds Jaime that he'd already told them Booster Gold was the one who woke him that day...and from there we flashback to Blue Beetle, in the Batcave, having just thrown-up! He's nervous, this is the big leagues. Several members of the League are present...and they need his help! 

Next thing he knows, they're flying one of Ted Kord's BUGs into space, in search of the Brother Eye satellite. The scarab was key in finding the satellite, because it could "negate its vibrational frequency". While his family questions how he could do that, Jaime realizes he never thought to ask...and that's when the scarab informs him it is because its creators used similar technology. 

Back on the satellite, the OMACs attack! Blue Beetle finds himself surrounded, and taking damage, but Black Canary and Green Arrow arrive to save the day. 

Once clear, Beetle uses the scarab's tech to connect with the satellite's system and set off some explosions, giving the trio a chance to get away. But like they say, out of the frying pan and into the fire. No sooner do they dodge the first group of OMACs, than they find themselves face to face with another! The League calls for everyone to evacuate, but Batman is MIA. Green Lantern (Hal) says he'll take care of Bats...and the scarab freaks! 

The mere mention of Green Lantern (he seems to react more to the name than the fact John Stewart is standing behind him) sends the scarab into stealth mode causing Jaime to fade from site. Invisible, and afraid, Jaime soon finds himself alone on an exploding satellite as everyone else leaves. Just remembering that moment brings the teen to tears...and earns a hug from his, no longer frightened, sister. 

As night falls, the group prepares to leave the desert, and Peacemaker leaves Jaime with something to think about.

Not a bad issue, definitely lots to think about, and some very nice character beats. Imagine being granted this great power, being asked by someone you admire to help, then losing control of the power and finding yourself abandoned far from home. It's scary and sad! I also like the continued presence of Peacemaker. I'd originally looked at Jaime as a "pretender to the throne", not really part of the Blue Beetle legacy, but by weaving in this Charlton character Rogers (and Giffen in previous issues) really brings home the idea that Jaime IS tied to Ted, and Dan before him. Too bad, having already read the New52 Blue Beetle run, that all ties to the legacy were later abandoned. Maybe, if we're lucky...in this post Convergence DCU...if we do see any version of Blue Beetle again, his history will not be ignored. 

"Secrets: Part Two"

Last issue Jaime helped save Alina, the daughter of Damper and Bonita of the meta-human gang the Posse. Keith Giffen, John Rogers continue weaving tales of the Blue Beetle, with Cynthia Martin and Kevin J. West on pencils, and Philip Moy and Jack Purcell on inks.

Part two picks up a little while after the events of part one. Peacemaker scouts an area outside a mysterious compound in the desert, noting that someone has already been there and disabled several pieces of security equipment. Who would have done this? Blue Beetle and the Posse! Jaime has used the scarab to track Bonita & Damper's baby here. Wait, what? I thought Peacemaker saved the baby from Bottom Feeder last issue? Hmmm...anyway, Paco stays behind with the jeep, as Jaime and the Posse (Damper, Thumper and Pinata) plan their attack on the compound. Using Damper's cloaking ability the team sneaks inside only to find...it's actually a peaceful metahuman community! Well, a highly secure, but peaceful community...under lock down. Things seem to be going well on their little recon mission, until an alarm sounds. 

Makes sense that a gated community of metas would be able to detect other metas. Once they get spotted it's time for a super-powered throwdown! Damper demands to know where his baby daughter is, but never gets an answer. One meta inside, a girl named Spinner, has the power to swap peoples power. She grabs Thumper and Pinata, and neither one can control the other ones power. Thumper blows up, Pinata bounces uncontrollably, and chaos ensues. 

Jaime activates the scarab and Blue Beetle steps in to even the odds. 

At that same time, Paco (who had waited behind with the jeep) is surprised by armed guards on motorcycles and a chase ensues! When he looses control and finds himself on foot, it's Peacemaker who shows up to save the day!

Back at the meta-community it's "Headmaster" begins leeching energy from nearby guards to grow tentacles and lash out at Blue Beetle. 

It looks like Jaime may be in trouble, until he figures out that if he keeps the Headmaster away from a power source he'll go down easy. That's when our hero snatches the man up and takes him high into the sky...and that's where the Phantom Stranger makes his return! Apparently there was some sort of magical shield around the place that blocked the Stranger...until Jaime flew above it. They return to the compound, in time to see two things...the Posse surrounded by guards, and duh-duh-dunn...Brenda's aunt Tia Amparo, finally revealed as the mysterious La Dama! 

Probe makes a return as well, to explain that she's here by her own choice. The compound is a safe place for metas, a place where they can learn from each other without fear or persecution. Blue Beetle and the Posse don't see it quite that way. The Phantom Stranger says Jaime led him to "her" (La Dama) and something about a new age of magic. The Stranger confronts her and they debate whether she's breaking some kind of truce by hiding the metas. She says she's not hiding them, she's protecting them...besides they're free to come and go as they please. Phantom Stranger seems satisfied, for now, and disappears. La Dama then pulls Jaime into a private meeting to tell him he'd better not mess up her plans, or hurt anyone she cares about, namely Brenda. She also admits she killed Brenda's abusive dad to protect her niece... implying she'd do the same to Jaime. He takes her threat, and ups his...if she messes with him, he'll come back at her. So they agree to a truce...and then Peacemaker busts in with Paco informing Jaime that the scarab isn't magical...it's alien!

Now, it took me a while to come around and enjoy Jaime's adventures, being a dyed in the wool Ted fan. That said I've been enjoying this "new" Blue Beetle...until now. This issue left me very confused. Things happened quickly, and seemingly out of sequence. The last time we saw Alina, the baby, Peacemaker "saved" her during the fight with Bottom Feeder...how'd she end up in La Dama's compound? The Posse arrives looking for Damper's baby, and then not only don't they find her, but they never mention her again the dust clears. Stories like this always make me wonder, "what happened?" Did an editor step in and force a shift in the story, derailing the writer's original intent? Here's hoping things get cleared up a bit next month.

"Secrets: Part One"

Last issue Jaime revealed his powers to his friend Brenda, then rescued her and his buddy Paco from Groot-like creatures before calling for a meeting with the Mexican meta-human gang known as the Posse. Now Keith Giffen, John Rogers, and Duncan Rouleau take us for that south of the border meeting, in "Blue Beetle" #5!

While waiting at a bus stop for Paco, Jaime is approached by "a stranger". The stranger seems to know Jaime, and even knows about the scarab! Removing his sunglasses to reveal his pupil-less eyes, he tells Jaime he's there to determine if the boy is part of the "new age of magic". He's not, but he is tied to another's fate. With that cryptic message delivered the man stands to leave, revealing himself to be the Phantom Stranger!

Paco arrives, with Posse member Damper in tow, and the trio cross the border into Mexico. Cloaked by Damper's powers they make their way to the Posse's headquarters. Damper makes it clear that after their last meeting, several members are not to happy about the meeting with Jaime. Bonita, Damper's girlfriend, was pregnant with their child...and Jaime, unable to control the armor at that time, broker her arm. They think he's crazy. It doesn't help that neither Paco or Damper saw the Phantom Stranger. They figured Jaime was talking to himself. To make matters worse they don't hear the scarab either. 

As they walk, a mysterious figure alerts Diviner that the "target is alone". Diviner was out for Jaime last issue...looks like he's after someone else now.

Back home Brenda enjoys a nice lunch out with her aunt (secretly La Dama). It's seems like friendly conversation, but she's trying to get info out of Brenda...info on Jaime. 

In a dark alley, Diviner makes a deal with Bottom Feeder, a hulking Quasimodo type who is constantly going on about good and evil, angels and demons. La Dama wants Damper and Bonita's baby, a rare child of two magic based meta-humans, and Diviner is outsourcing the job to Bottom Feeder. 

At Posse HQ, Jaime is upset to learn that Probe (the no eyed girl from issue #2) isn't around. She disappeared after their last encounter, another reason the Posse aren't huge fans of Blue Beetle. Part of the reason he asked for this meeting was in hopes she could help him. At that moment, Bonita bursts in! Someone took her baby, Alina! Jaime offers to find the child, using the scarab's ability to home in on its DNA. 

He quickly tracks Bottom Feeder to a bridge near the border, but zealot that he his the behemoth thinks Blue Beetle is a demon and panics. He throws the baby into traffic, as a sacrifice to save his own skin. 

Jaime manages to save the baby just as Bottom Feeder is hit by a truck, causing a multi-car pile-up! Bystanders ask for Blue Beetle's help, but Bottom Feeder is back on his feet and looking for a fight now. Beetle can't fight and carry a baby! Luckily, our tattooed motorcycle riding Peacemaker happens onto the scene and grabs the baby. 

Bottom Feeder is a truly odd character, who isn't fighting to win...no, he wants Blue Beetle to kill him so he can "die in combat in the name of my lord." Jaime holds back, as the scarab and Bottom Feeder urge him to fight to the death, before unleashing a huge energy blast that throws the villain into the river below...just as Paco, led by a news helicopter, arrives on the scene.

Well...that was...interesting. Another issue that was full of character and story development, but a little light on the heroics. That said...when the heroics did kick in, it was 8 pages of action! What happens next? Check back next month for part two of "Secrets"!

"Person of Interest"

After rescuing his friend Paco, and reuniting with his friend Brenda last issue, things seem to skip ahead a bit this issue as Keith Giffen, John Rogers, and Cully Hamner return to weave another tale of our insect hero, in "Blue Beetle" #4!

When we rejoin Jaime he's unpacking boxes in his room and searching his computer for info on the Blue Beetles that came before him. Dan Garrett, powers but no armor. Ted Kord, no powers and no armor. Before he gets much further his search is interrupted by a very special instant message. "Welcome to the club, Jaime. I'm called Oracle." 

Their exchange is short though. Jaime is suspicious, and not impressed. And when when she mentions that they don't want him to go through this alone. "You already left me alone! Superman and Batman and all the rest took me into space, had me fight a giant satellite, and then abandoned me up there!"  he says as he blasts his computer. It's probably for the best...he's got to go to a doctor's appointment. His mom, still confused and concerned about everything, has scheduled a check-up for her son. The doctor says Jaime is in perfect health, and the x-rays are clear (not even a hint of the scarab). Mom's still not sold, but they head home...and catch the eye of the Peacemaker. 

Brenda's aunt, La Dama, wants the "magic" of Blue Beetle and sends one of her henchman "the Diviner" to find him. Unfortunately the Diviner finds his prey as Jaime, Paco and Benda are walking home from school. It complicates things...he can't attack the Blue Beetle outright now, so he plans to send one of his own surrogates to do the job. The three teens make their way to a park, away from anyone else, so Jaime can show Brenda what he's become. First though he asks them if they know what happened to his dad while he was away? Turns out, his dad was shot trying to protect Luis, one of the guys that worked at his garage. While they discuss this, Diviner summons a couple angry Groot looking creatures. 

Brenda gets to see what Jaime wanted to show her, as he armors up to take on the creatures, while Diviner attempts to look like a hero stepping in to "save" La Dama's niece. 

The scarab resists harming the trees, until Jaime insists on taking control. Using the scarab, Blue Beetle traces the source of this magic back to it's source and ends it with a blast from his armor! The Diviner slinks away, as the teens discuss what happened. Jaime is tired of feeling out of control. He wants answers, and he asks Paco to contact the Posse for assistance!

Another pretty solid issue. I admit, I was a little resistant to Jaime, being a loyal Ted fan, but the kid is growing on me...thanks largely to the way Giffen and Rogers have developed him and his supporting cast. I hope you're all enjoying this ride with me! 

"The Past Is Another Country"

Jaime Reyes had been missing for a year, but for him no time has passed. So why is his family so surprised to see him? Keith Giffen and John Rogers return to weave another tale of our insect hero, with Cynthia Martin on pencils, and Philip Moy on inks, for "Blue Beetle" #3!

This issue opens, not with Jaime and his family, but at an out of the way gas station mini mart. Inside a lone military man thwarts an attempted robbery. Not because he's a hero, but because he's "dreaming the blue dreams and following the trail." Apparently he has a friend in the area, a friend who "just doesn't know it yet."

Meanwhile, back at the Reyes house in El Paso, Jaime tries to account for the missing time. "No, I helped Superman. It was the crazy Green Lantern who tried to kill me, after. The the redneck trucker gave me free pants." Needless to say, they don't believe him. Not until he suits up that is. Then his sister, Milagro, screams and runs, quickly followed by his mother. Oddly, or maybe comfortingly, his dad takes it all in stride. He'll talk things over with Jaime's mother, for now though it's best if Jaime leaves...his dad hands him a cell phone, saying he'll call Jaime when everything is ok.

Jaime heads off into town, exploring his new powers. "I can fly. That's got to count for something." Landing on a rooftop, he asks the scarab to show him a few more features. It turns on something akin to Superman's super hearing and telescopic vision, before creating shields, swords, the jaws of life, and energy blasts! Not too shabby! It then reveals another trick...when transforming back into plain old Jaime, the scarab can create clothes! "Now you show me this...yes it would have been useful." Jaime leaves to look for his friends, Paco and Brenda...but accidentally leaves the phone behind.

Unable to find them at school, and seeing Brenda's old house for sale, Jaime's not sure where to look. Until the scarab reveals another trick...it can track anybody Jaime's met since the scarab bonded with him. It seems Paco is at the border to Mexico with Damper, of the Posse, and they're being trailed by some guys who look like they belong with Will Smith in "Men In Black". They're working for someone called "La Dama"

Apparently La Dama wants them to bring in a member of the Posse, and Damper fits the bill. Luckily for Paco, and Damper, the scarab has led Jaime to them in the nick of time as the MIBs prepare to fire some energy weapons. Blue Beetle makes the save, creating a shield to block the blasts. 

A brief fight ensues, but gets interupted by the appearance of Homeland Security. Jaime grabs Paco and takes to the air, presumably leaving Damper to fend for himself and fade from sight. They head to Juarez, Mexico as Jaime explains that the night Booster Gold grabbed him and took him to space, "That big fight is the last thing I remember."* Paco fills Jaime in on somethings. Brenda's dad died in a DUI, but no great loss...he was beating her! Luckily, her aunt took her in and she's now living in a big mansion in Juarez. Brenda gives Jaime a punch "for making me worry!", but follows it up with a hug...curiously, La Dama, is watching nearby!

I have to say, the tattoo on the guy at the mini mart, "Peacemaker" got me curious and I did a little search. That gentleman dreaming "blue dreams" is none other than Christopher Smith, the Peacemaker, as in Charlton Action Hero the Peacemaker! Looking forward to seeing where that goes! Lastly, I need to acknowledge Cynthia Martin and Philip Moy's art...it is gorgeous and flows almost seamlessly with with Cully Hamner's work on the previous two issues!

*Infinite Crisis

"Can't Go Home Again"

When last we left Jaime Reyes in the pre-New 52 DCU, he was naked and alone in the desert having just realized that he is the new Blue Beetle...well, sort of...I don't think I recapped the first issue as thoroughly as I do Ted's adventures. Hopefully, today's peek at issue #2 remedies that.

Blue Beetle #2, "Can't Go Home Again", is once again brought to us by Keith Giffen, John Rodgers and Cully Hamner. The story picks up with Jaime wandering through the desert in search of clothes, and something to tell his parents. He gives a very simple recap of "Infinite Crisis" (a satellite that Superman needed help with, saving the world...in space) before deciding she'd never believe it and would probably kill him...and then, flashback!

Jaime, Brenda and Paco are eating lunch outside at school, but they're being watched! While his friends don't notice Jaime (or more specifically the scarab) does. Jaime walks over to see what's up. Damper, the guy, can block people from seeing himself and those close to him. 

Probe, the girl...probes, or tries to. The scarab blocks her...and delivers some kind of psychic feedback as a defense, which gives the girl a crippling headache and nosebleed. Damper thinks it's Jaime's doing, but probe knows it's not, mumbling "no its not him...it's the other. The other..." Damper doesn't seem to hear it though, he pulls her away warning Jaime "Bad move! The Posse takes care of its own!", before disappearing. 

Back in the present, naked Jaime stumbles up to a gas station, and tries to get some clothes from a Goodwill donation bin. Suddenly "KA-CHAK", our hero finds himself facing the wrong end of a shotgun held by a burly gas station attendant. Lucky for Jaime the guy takes pity on him and offers to help...for a second I was worried this was going to go dark and "Deliverance" creepy!

Back in the past Jaime is hanging around his dad's auto shop, trying to get his father to let  him work part time. Dad says no, but Jaime persists, "Mom thinks its a good idea" At that point Damper, and the Posse walk by and Jaime takes off running, but gets tackled by a dwarf. The Posse corner him in an alley and say they want payback. He hurt Probe, and they want to know why? Scour, an obese member with acid sweat, flicks his fluid at Jaime. Surprisingly, as holes form on Jaime's shirt, Damper tells Scour to stop...at least until they're sure he deserves it. A cute blond steps forward and introduces everyone, "Where are our manners? The little one's Thump. I think you know why. You've met Damper. The pig's Scour. I'm Bonita." 

She proceeds to move in, as if to kiss Jaime while asking his name...but the scarab steps in. In seconds Blue Beetle is fully armored and on the offensive! Thump tries to get the jump on BB, but ends up tossed in a dumpster instead! Scour tries an acid attack, but gets pushed back with an energy blast! Thump tries again and gets hit with bolts of electricity from Beetle's armor! With everyone down, BB makes his escape, leaving Damper to wonder just what happened? 

The issue finishes in the present with Jaime getting a ride home from the gas station attendant. As they arrive, Jaime says he'll just sneak in his bedroom window...so no one freaks out...but they do! Jaime thinks he's only been gone one night...but he's actually been missing for a whole year!

Not too much Blue Beetle action in this issue, but some great character development and set up! What happened? How'd he going missing for a year? What's up with the Posse? The answers will be revealed (maybe) when we look at issue #3... Coming soon!