Blue Beetle #14 Review

In my last column, I mentioned reviewing and critiquing some of DC Comics’ new comics that they are publishing under their "Rebirth" banner. So, I went to a local shop and bought a stack of new comics for the first time in years! The first book that I read and am reviewing? None other than The Blue Beetle #14: "Road Trip".

 My reasons for choosing this book to review first are several. First, I have ALWAYS been a fan of the Ted Kord Blue Beetle! I HATED when they killed him off (almost as much as I HATED the way that they utterly screwed up the Maxwell Lord character! That is just ONE of the reasons that I prefer the older stories -- the characters were done right and well respected! They were not ruined just so that they could fill a story need for hack writers)!  Well, Ted has been brought back and is now a mentor to the newest Blue Beetle, Jaime Reyes. Jaime is alright; certainly a much better and realized character than he was when he was first introduced.

 As the story opens, Jaime and his girlfriend Naomi (the only one of Jaime's friends and family that does NOT know that he is the Blue Beetle ) are watching a science fiction movie. The movie is dull and they soon leave. Meanwhile, we see a couple who are driving out into the desert and encounter their fate at the hands of aliens. After the movie, Jaime and Naomi discuss the ending of their summer and the upcoming beginning of their senior year in high school. Naomi questions Jaime about his future plans. Jaime is still uncertain. The next day, Jaime is at Kord, Inc. being put through his proverbial paces as the Blue Beetle. Ted and Jaime have a relationship much like the one between Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown and Marty McFly from the "Back To The Future" films. Ted especially, has very much has a "Doc Brown" vibe to him. After finishing with Jaime's training, Ted asks Jaime about his plans post high school. "Not you too!!" Jaime exclaims. Ted writes Jaime a check (which according to Jaime has "too many zeroes") as a sort of "sign up bonus" for Jaime at Kord, Inc.

Ted tells Jaime to think it over during the next two weeks. Ted will be incommunicado until then. Why? Because Ted is going on his OWN two week vacation! There is a great scene where Ted flies off in -- The BUG! YES! The Bug is large Beetle shaped aircraft that Ted uses to travel via air. I have missed the Bug over the years. Blue Beetle and the Bug are exactly like Booster Gold and Skeets -- they just are NOT complete without them! Jaime, with the huge monetary bonus that he has just gotten, decides to do as most kids in his position would do -- ROAD TRIP!

 Jaime, Naomi as well as Jaime's old friends Paco and Brenda (whom have a "secret" love/hate type of relationship) go out cruising. Jaime makes Paco and Brenda promise to cover for him with Naomi if he has to indulge in any "Blue Beetle business" since she does not know the secret. And what do you think happens once they head out into the desert? In a strange coincidence , they encounter the selfsame ALIENS that the ill fated couple did earlier that evening! Jaime realizes that he will have to become the Blue Beetle in order to rescue his friends from the hostile aliens. During the battle, an angry Jaime taunts the alien whom he is fighting until a small squad of the aliens emerge from the spaceship and surround him! To be continued!

 I enjoyed reading this issue and will heartily recommend the Blue Beetle comic book! The new writers provide both a solid story plus a perfect jumping on point! I have even placed the Blue Beetle on my permanent hold list at one of my local comic book shops! The only problem? I have just found out that the Blue Beetle comic book has been CANCELLED by DC Comics! Cancelled! The book ends with issue #18! Why could they not give the new writers a chance? Why even put new writers on the book, if cancellation loomed that closely? I was actually looking forward to seeing Jaime's senior year in high school and more (MUCH more) of Jaime's and Ted's relationship over the course of the next issues.

Those plots will/would have brought interesting stories that could have/would have added new readers to the book! I will enjoy the last few issues at any rate. Perhaps this newest character hiatus will be a short one and those plot ideas will be picked up on soon! My verdict? Go ahead, read the book until the end! The book itself is a fun reading experience and it is an enjoyable one!