Review: Blue Beetle 23

Reviews

PhotobucketReview: Blue Beetle #23

Writer: John Rogers

Artist: Joseph Albuquerque

I love writing about this book. Blue Beetle is the best book that you had damn well better be reading by now. Jaime Reyes is a Hispanic Texan who finds a scarab that gives him armor with incredible powers. The armor is from an alien race seeking to enslave humanity, patiently, and nearly in detectibly. This is the penultimate chapter in Jaime’s struggle against his armor’s creators.

Jaime has been studying quite a lot of strategy and critical thinking exercises, notably from Ted Kord, the former Blue Beetle. Using these strategies he has decided to take it to the thousand year old empire attempting to enslave our grandchildren… Well, better to stop them while we have our free will, right?

The issue opens with Beetle realizing his decision is made and talking to his friends and parents. Despite all the cool superheroics that come later and the actual great strategy to take it to the evil empire, the best part of the issue is, as always Jaime dealing with his interpersonal relationships. He’s endearing and likable and one moment really has emotional gravity to it.

The cliffhanger ending is very successful. The hope is built to a great height and then the rug is pulled out, the tension is palpable. This is storyline structure, as well as characterization, done right.

The art style is simple is brightly colored superheroics. I say this often, but it really is reminiscent of early Spider-man. This is the perfect teen superhero comic. It has the escapist teen power fantasy mixed with the real life implications, smart characterization of supporting cast and heroes, great superheroics and gorgeous, flashy art. What more could you possibly want from your superhero comics?

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Glazer is a former senior editor at Pulse Wrestling and editor and reviewer at The Comics Nexus.