Buy the book, read the book, love the book, save the book
I’m sure more than a few readers were a tad apprehensive when John Rogers stepped away from writing Blue Beetle and Matthew Sturges took over. But now that Sturges has more than a few issues under his belt, it is clear that the title isn’t suffering due to a change in writers. It’s as strong as it’s ever been.
In this outing: The news yas can use! The comic book reviews! The Statue of Bruce! Kirk and Han’s number twos! The Sturges interviews! Tag might make you say “eewwwws!†Beetle’s got the blues! And one listener in ten gets the joke when I say, “Burma Shave.†All this and more, cause papa needs a new pair of shoes
This episode is sponsored in part by the Mid-Ohio-Con (www.midohiocon.com)
Show Notes (and more art) after the Jump
DON’T LOOK AT THE COVER!
Issue #25 concludes a huge story arc that begin two years ago when Jamie Reyes became the latest in a growing list of heroes who would be the Blue Beetle. And oh, what an adventure it has been! From the opening page of issue #1 to the closing page of issue #25, Blue Beetle has proven itself to be one of the best titles coming out of DC.
But damn it if the story isn’t potentially ruined by the cover.
Following after last month’s Booster Gold 00 issue, which was the last tie in to DC’s Zero Hour storyline of 1994, Booster Gold 07 picks up where it left off. Booster and his best friend, now returned from the dead, Blue Beetle, are being attacked by Max Lord’s OMACs.
However immediately you begin to get the sense that we’ve entered another of the 52 universes. Things are just not right, and we see more of this as the book continues.
Rot in Hell, Reach!
Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! If you thought the last issue of DC’s Blue Beetle rocked your socks off, then you are going to love how everything falls into place in the latest battle with those bastards from the Reach.
This issue proves why you should be reading Blue Beetle. I think too many readers dismissed Jamie Reyes when he first appeared as just another Ted Kord wanna-be, but issue #23 proves he has what it takes to be a hero.
DC Comics has announced the story for Blue Beetle #21 will be bumped to issue #22, with a fill-in story taking its place.
BLUE BEETLE #21 now will feature a story written by Justin Peniston with art by Andy Kuhn (Firebreather) and a cover by Rafael Albuquerque. In this story, Jaime Reyes gets a shot at punishing the man who crippled his father — only to discover he’s in line behind the Spectre, making for one of the young hero’s hardest choices yet!
BLUE BEETLE #21 is scheduled to arrive in stores on November 28.
BLUE BEETLE #22 now will feature a story written by John Rogers with art and cover by Rafael Albuquerque, originally scheduled to run in issue #21. In this story, Jaime Reyes gets an extra boost from the Beetle legacy via Ted Kord’s gadgets and Dan Garrett’s niece as he uncovers the Reach’s plan for mind-controlling Earth!
BLUE BEETLE #22 is scheduled to arrive inn stores on December 26.
The story originally scheduled to appear in issue #22 now will run in issue #23, which will be solicited in the November Previews for January in-store.
I’m a little behind on my Blue Beetle issues, but it doesn’t look like the bump in story is going to be in the middle of a big arc. It looks like the company is actually doing something right here, offering a fill-in issue and getting back on schedule with the next issue as opposed to bumping the climax of an arc to some point in the future.
via DC Comics
Or – “The Little Azure Scarab That Could…”
It may surprise some of our readers to know that Blue Beetle, chronologically speaking, is one of the oldest heroes extant, dating back to August of 1939, a little more than a year after Superman. This means that Beetle predates The Flash, Green Lantern, and Aquaman, and only trailed Batman into print by a month or two. BB had been printed by Fox Comics, Holyoke Publishing, Charlton Comics, and Americomics before being purchased by DC, and even had a relatively successful run as a radio character. Such was his popularity that, when superheroes were no longer commercially viable, he hosted his own anthology series, narrating “true crime” tales in a “Crime Does Not Pay” vein. This particular character is either the third or fifth Beetle, depending upon how one counts, and his new series is technically Volume SEVEN (taking into account that Charlton Comics, notorious for changing the titles of existing books to get around postal statutes, had three different volumes of big Blue), so young Jamie Reyes has some pretty big shoes to fill. 13 is considered unlucky by many, but will this issue succumb to triskaidekaphobia?
Or – “It’s Like When You Can’t Quite Break Up With The Unhealthy Girlfriend…”
Well, it’s time to review Manhunter, and that means it’s time for…
CANCELLATION WATCH 2007!! *cues dramatic music/graphics package*
Attention Mr and Mrs America and all the ships at sea! Manhunter, originally cancelled with issue 25, then revived, then recancelled with issue #30, has officially been uncancelled. DC, always a bit manic depressive with cancelling Manhunter, announced at the New York Comicon that Kate’s title is ongoing again, and this time it’s for the long haul. None other than Dan Didio announced at the convention that this is not just an extension, Manhunter will continue for the foreseeable future. I don’t know if it’s the cameos (Batman AND Wonder Woman appear this issue), the variant cover, or just the fact that people love the underdog, but the adventures of Kate and company are off the chopping block, and I, for one, couldn’t be happier. Wanna see why? Click ‘er and let’s roll!
DC Comics has made previews availabe for titles shipping January 31, 2007. Take the jump for all the goodness from Blue Beetle, JSA Classified #22, Teen Titans #43, and Trials of Shazam! #5. I’m especially interested in Teen Titans as we finally get to see what Deathstroke has been up to with Titans East!