Review — ‘Blue Beetle’ #1 Is A Unique And Delightful Trip Into The DC Universe
by Tony Thornley
There’s no denying that Jaime Reyes is one of the most unique and exciting characters in the DC Universe. Now that he’s been around nearly twenty years, you might think he might not be as fresh, but Blue Beetle #1 shows that’s just not the case.
Josh Trujillo, Adrian Gutierrez, Wil Quintana, and Lucas Gattoni bring Jaime’s adventures back to the DC Universe.
The Horizon have sought refuge on Earth. New Scarabs have become heroes. And Jaime Reyes is still trying to figure out if he’s going to start college or take a gap year. It’s all in a day’s work for Texas’s greatest hero, but a new and terrifying threat to the Blue Beetle is about to strike at Jaime’s friends and family.
Trujillo did all the worldbuilding in the recent Blue Beetle: Graduation Day. This issue is an opportunity for him to take advantage of it. He does just enough that you don’t need to have read it to understand this, but it does deepen the story.
Instantly though, Jaime’s new status quo draws me in. Palermo City is quickly gaining a personality, and the arrival of the refugee ship makes it unique among the DC Universe. Dynastes and Nitida are great additions while Paco and Brenda continue to be stalwarts in Jaime’s life. Best of all, Jaime continues to be a great mix of youthful energy and the experienced hero he’s grown to be.
Gutierrez’s art is extremely kinetic all through the issue. His take on Jaime reminds me of the best Spider-Man artists- the characters are always on the move, the POV is extremely dynamic, and everyone feels human, even if they’re not. The downtime moments are given time to breathe, and he makes it all feel grounded while keeping the energy of the action. Quintana’s colors are vibrant, and he uses bright whites and yellows to make it all seem like it’s under a Texas sun.
Gattoni’s letters nail it. He gives each character a distinct voice, without overpowering the art and the script. It would be easy with different fonts and balloons to do so. However, he keeps it enough to make it seem like different voice qualities, and alien languages without being confusing or overwhelming.
Blue Beetle #1 is available now from DC Comics.
Overview
Blue Beetle shows how a familiar character can still feel fresh while honoring his past. The story and plot is fun, the art is a high energy romp, and it’s a great beginning to Jaime Reyes’s new adventures.
