DC Comics 2016
Story by Keith Giffen & Scott Kolins
Written by Keith Giffen
Illustrated by Scott Kolins
Coloured by Romula Fajardo Jr.
Lettered by Josh Reed
I am a fan of both Ted Kord and Jaime Reyes so having not read their adventures since before the whole new 52 I feel a little out of the loop. Obviously Ted didn’t die at the hands of Maxwell Lord but he did suffer a heart attack which sidelined his idea at a superhero identity. So what better way to keep that dream alive then mentor the current Blue Beetle using his company and scientific know how? I like the premise and that Jaime is more of a reluctant participant and Ted is so gung ho.
I am also a fan going back to El Paso and seeing Jaime’s friends being an integral part of the story here. With Paco and Brenda as his best friends who know his secrets it’s like going back to the first series he was in. Kind of starting over and I like this approach because it gives Keith and Scott a chance to rewrite what worked and didn’t in the previous runs.
This issue does a couple of things, it establishes his home in El Paso again, shows us his partnership with Ted Kord and gives us a look at some villains from his past who are active once again in a new light. He’s been summoned by a pair of costumed villains to a battle who are employed by a familiar face it’s more like a test for him or they were sent to kill Jaime and retrieve the scarab either way it’s nice to see someone up to her old tricks again.
I’m not sure who the two new metahumans are but i’m looking forward to finding out if they are from either’s past rogues gallery or are a new creation. Speaking of new creations it’s nice to see new uses from the suit as well. The creativity in the use of the armour and it’s new capabilities kind of makes him a little more powerful which is scary thought considering what it is, or what we think it is.
Scott’s interiors are great to see! I love his style and while it’s not the same that we used to see with the Rogues it’s a much more streamlined version of that and wow what growth! The attention to detail is amazing and I love the use of backgrounds, angles and perspective to show the flow the story. Also that even in the suit Jaime still looks like a teenager and that to me is an important thing to see and remember so well done on that sir!
Again DC is blending new and old in ways that get you excited for this character like we were when he was introduced. I know Jaime was not the best received when Ted died but now that Ted’s back as his mentor and Dr. Fate shows up to set the record straight about the Scarab it seems like things are going to really streamline the history of all those who went by the name Blue Beetle.
So long as they don’t rehash everything that’s come before and make a new history for these folks i’m in as long as they are. There’s something special about the teamwork here bringing this back to life and I can’t wait see what magic they have cooked up!