Blue Beetle #23

"Blue Beetle" continues to sit a top my list of most fun reads each month. Writer John Rogers has done an excellent job of presenting Jaime's character growth over the last year's worth of issues. Artist Rafael Albuquerque has grown into an good artist as well and I'm always put of when he's not on board this title. Albuquerque captures the "Blue Beetle" vibe for me. Rogers tips his hat to all of the Ted Kord Blue Beetle fans out there with his pinup of "W.W.T.K.D" over Jaime's strategy board on the first page. Rogers' incorporation of the Blue Beetle legacy characters is outstanding. You really get the feel that Jaime respects the legacy. The first half of this issue is discussion and strategy with the last half implementing the strategy. Rogers has Jaime showing his growth utilizing the Blue Beetle armor and looking good doing it.

There's a lot going on in this issue and quite a few surprises. Issue #23 continues the streak of fun and exciting reads for this title. Even if you are a die-hard Ted Kord fan, hop on the Jaime bus for a few issues, you won't regret it.

Blue Beetle #22

Over on the Occasional Superheroine's blog she talks about Reboots Vs. Generational Succession. DC has done both with differing levels of success. The "Generational Succession" is best exemplified here in "Blue Beetle" with a nod to "The Flash" as well. Although this year "The Flash" took a giant step backwards by killing off Bart. "Blue Beetle", on the other hand, has done a great job passing the torch. Jaime Reyes is a great character and a good shepherd for the Blue Beetle mantel. Now I know there are quite a few die-hard Ted Kord fans out there. I'm a big fan of the Ted Kord Blue Beetle as well, but I find Jaime's adventures to be fresh and fun.

Series writer John Rogers and artist Rafael Albuquerque present an excellent issue in "Blue Beetle" #22. I dig the addition of Danni Garret and Ted Kord's bug. Roger's interludes with Jaime's dad, mom, and Peacemaker are also done well. The story is evenly paced and a nice read. Roger's continues to build on the Reach's backstory adding nice layering as the story progresses.

"Blue Beetle" continues to be a fun and interesting read. If you haven't tried this series, you should.

The All-New Booster Gold #5

Damn! "The All-New Booster Gold" #5 has plenty of curve balls. Writers Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz provide further definition to their theory of time and time travel in an outstanding issue. Across the message board, many were asking how this book would handle the continuity issues when Booster saves Batgirl from the Joker's bullet. Well, lets just say the Booster Gold team does a fine job of handling that conundrum. We are also presented with a much darker version of Rip Hunter than has been shown anywhere else. Rip's a bit psychotic here and I like the deepening of his character. The introduction of the main time villians was nice as well. Jurgens and Rapmund continue to provide great visuals to go along with the tight story telling.

Once again, "The All-New Booster Gold" was a fun read. From the cover to the final splash page, the Booster gold team continues to impress.

Blue Beetle #21

I dread when a series brings on a guest writer and artist to fill in while the regular creative team catches up. When I heard "Blue Beetle" #21 would not be the regular team I had my usual reservations. I was pleasantly surprised by Andy Kuhn's art and found that he stuck pretty much to the look and feel of the usual "Blue Beetle". Justin Peniston's writing could use a little tweaking in the transition department. Some of the transitions from scene to scene were quite abrupt and, at times, had me looking to see if I missed a page. I'm not up to speed on the who's who in the Spectre's current continuity and I'm not sure I like the goatee look he's sporting here.

Given my starting reservations, I enjoyed this read and found that Peniston did a good job of moving the plot forward with admirable backup from artist Kuhn.

Blue Beetle #20

"Blue Beetle" #20 is a "The Sinestro Corps Wars" tie in. If you are keeping up with this cross over event you don't need to read "Blue Beetle" #20. You really won't miss anything. However, if you are a Blue Beetle fan you need to read this as the events that unfold here impact both the Reach and Peacemaker story lines. The story suffers some because the lack of Jaime's supporting cast, but writer John Rogers brings the action as this book is one big slugfest. Rafael Albuquerque's art really fits this book well. Even in Blue Beetle's mask Albuquerque allows us to see Jaime's emotions. While this issue isn't the usual fun and funny Jaime, we get to see Blue Beetle in action and both Jaime and the Scarab working as a team. Rogers even gives a shout out to the Ted Kord fans. If you are a fan of old school Spider-man and I mean old school young kid gets new powers and has fun with them, then get this book.

Booster Gold #2

"Booster Gold" has rapidly shot up my first read list. Writers Geoff Johns & Jeff Katz have taken a joke character and really instilled a sense of purpose. Booster's supporting cast of Rip Hunter and Skeets also really shine in this book. The layouts by Booster Gold creator Dan Jurgens and finishes by Norm Rapmund are exceptional. While the main story of intercepting Sinestro so that Guy Gardner never becomes the Greatest Green Latern was executed quite well, the one page cut away to the original Blue Beetle intrigues me the most. I know at some point in the near future Booster will attempt to save Ted Kord (Blue Beetle II) from being killed. I am not a die hard Ted Kord fan, but there are a lot out on the internet ranting about his death. I'm looking forward to see Booster's story move forward as he meets other DC Universe characters and, just maybe, figuring out how to save Ted's life.

This book is fun. It brings a lot of what is missing from DC's bigger names and harkens back to a time when comics could be about adventure and being a hero, not grim, gritty, and reality.

Blue Beetle #18

Blue Beetle is a fun book to read. I was a fan of the Ted Kord Blue Beetle and was saddened to see him offed during the build up to "Infinity Crisis". I did not pick up the new Blue Beetle book when it first came out. I got my first taste of the character during Mark Waid and George Perez's "Brave and The Bold". I liked what they did with the character and decided to go back issue diving at my local comic store. I ended up getting the complete run 1-14 (missing a few issues in there). What I found was an engaging character the was fun and interesting. John Rogers, the writer, has done a great job of fleshing out the supporting cast and the lead character's, Jaime Reyes, introduction across the DC Universe. I have enjoyed Rafael Albuquerque's art, but was disappointed that he could not do the whole issue. Substitute art by Davidl Baldeon & Dan Davis seemed rushed and did not match the tone established for Blue Beetle.

In the issue, Blue Beetle and the Teen Titans team up to take on Lobo. Blue Beetle's armor continues to pull tricks out of the hat and show just how powerful it can be. The team fights Lobo to somewhat of a standstill and ends with Robin commenting on Beetle's lack of fighting skills. Robin invites Beetle to hang with the Titans and Jaime considers the invite. I'm looking forward to seeing Beetle in the Teen Titans as of issue #50. I believe he will be a breath of fresh air to a morose comic book and bring back some of the awe that is needed for that group. If you haven't picked up Blue Beetle, I recommend it!