Top 10 Reasons You Should Be Reading…

I’m going to attempt something with this post that has never been done – well done on this blog at least. I’m going to give you ten reasons why Blue Beetle is amazing using only examples from the most recent issue. Here they are in no particular order.

10) Rafael Albuquerque’s Art

Now I really loved Hamner’s art and when he left I had some major worries. However, there was nothing to fear. Albuquerque’s art is stylized so that it smacks of originality but isn’t so far out that that is distracts from the story or the takes away from the human traits of the characters. It fits just right.

9) Action Galore

Now a deep story, dealing with everything that it means to be a hero is pivotal, no doubt about it. If it isn’t backed by a good knock down, drag out fight every now and then the comic can fall flat. Not an issue goes by without Jamie Reyes using the scarab to take it to someone.

8) Evil Villains

I’ve always said that a hero is only as good as the enemies he or she faces and Blue Beetle is no slouch in that department. Not only is he fighting bad guys and gals original to his series, like the magician crime boss La Dama and the world conquering Reach, but he is important enough in the DCU for heavy hitters like Ultra-Humanite and Eclipso to be thrown in.

7) Super Guest Stars

There are very few things I like seeing in my comics more than a good cameo. Blue Beetle has had run-ins with Superman, Guy Gardner (in the very first issue), the New Gods, The Phantom Stranger and now Traci Thirteen.

6) A Strong Supporting Cast

While the adventures of Jamie Reyes and his suit of armor are the crux of the comic, the heart is in Jamie’s interactions with the supporting cast. Dealing with his family and friends, learning what it means to be a superhero while still keeping everyday relationships going, it is everything that was good with early Spider-man comics done today.

5) Humor

Rogers never lets the opportunity for a joke to pass. He infuses every page with such lightheartedness that you can’t help but chuckle even while Jamie is off fighting the good fight.

4) The Unexpected


More often than not we, as readers, know what is coming next in a comic. We’ve seen it all before. Blue Beetle has proven itself time and time again to be a comic that keeps me guessing.

3) Real Coming of Age Issues

Superhero stuff is great, all the villain hitting, the reoccurring crises. However, Jamie is a young man trying to fit in all those things that a normal teenager has to deal with into his already crazy life.

2) Real Emotional Weight


As a reader of anything we need to be able to connect with the protagonist. This can be hard to do when they are flying around fighting asteroids or whatnot. A key way to get us to empathize is by throwing in emotions we can understand: love, loss, regret and so on. Blue Beetle never fails at this.

1) A Great Hero

No matter how great all your other components are if your hero does not hold his or her own then the comic drags. Jamie Reyes is a hero’s hero. He is always going that extra yard, putting everyone else before himself. He is human and likable and it is worth $2.99 every month to see his continuing adventures.

There, ten reasons to read Blue Beetle. If I can get all that from one issue just imagine what the series is like.

On a completely different tangent, we are recording the fourth Big Monkey Podcast tonight. If you have any questions for the Lightning Round send them to Thosewednesdays@gmail.com. Get them to me by 6:00 pm EST. Thanks.