On the surface, this is a rather generic origin for a new super-hero, and the writers even throw in the cliched misunderstanding/fight between two heroes. But the new Blue Beetle has a lot going for it as well. There's an amalgam of unlikely influences at play here that helps the new character stand out amid the myriad of other colorfully clad super-heroes to be found on comics shop shelves. The book's greatest strength is the art of Cully Hamner, who's merited a high-profile, ongoing assignment for some time.
Jaime's a regular kid living in El Paso, Texas. His parents want him to work harder on his studies, and his kid sister is the bane of his existence. He and his best friends taunt and tease one another mercilessly, but they also care about each other. Unbeknownst to Jaime, his discovery of what appears to be a blue, bug-shaped stone will lead him down an impossible path, that sees him jaunt into space to aid super-heroes in a crisis on the edge of infinity, fight against the roughest, meanest Green Lantern there is and see scary figures, watching him from the sidelines with eyes that aren't there.
It's a real pleasure to see Cully Hamner back at work on a monthly series. His line art in this first issue put me in mind of the styles of such artists as Philip (Vimanarama) Bond and Amanda (JSA: Classified) Conner. he coenveys the Jamie's youth incredibly well, but the most eye-grabbing visual is the Blue Beetle armor itself. There's a Mignola-esque touch to its appearance. I particularly like the blunt fingers; it grants the character an even more alien appearance.
Most comics fans are quite familiar with Keith Giffen's name and his work in the industry, but John Rogers isn't quite the same known quantity. Comics enthusiasts might know him for his screenplay for the Halle Berry Catwoman flick, but personally, I'll always think of him as a standup comic. Rogers is Montreal, if memory serves, and his days as a comedian were well-documented in various standup comedy TV programs here in Canada (if you see him at a con, ask him about the "In-Law Shark Cage" and "Honeymoon in Ottawa"). Trust me... Rogers is a funny man, and we already know Giffen is as well. The pair don't play the new Blue Beetle as goofily as Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis have in the past, but there's an over-his-head comedy riff at play here that puts me in mind of Spider-Man.
I'm pleased that the writers offer an accessible introduction to this new character while acknowledge his role in Infinite Crisis. At the same time, they're careful not to give away any spoilers from the crossover event, which still has two issues left to go.
I think what's most intriguing about this new Blue Beetle concept is that Giffen and Rogers have combined the look of a tech hero a la Iron Man with the creepy, surreal qualities of a supernatural warrior. Combining that with the innocence of a teen makes for an unusual and original new character. It's easy to relate to Jaime, but the violence in which he's immersed and the parasitic nature of the scarab are ever-so slightly disturbing. One can empathize with Jaime but is a bit alienated by the Beetle. 7/10
