DCU Comic Book Reviews

BLUE BEETLE #17

...Something In The Water

September 2007

Written by John Rogers

Pencils by Rafael Albuquerque

Inks by Rafael Albuquerque

Cover by Cully Hamner

Synopsis

In Mexico, Jaime Reyes (aka Blue Beetle) is helping to save people in the middle of a hurricane that is threatening to flood the village and destroy nearby oil rigs.  With the help of the scarab, Jaime realizes that the storm is not natural.  It is being caused by Typhoon.  When Typhoon sends a wave of water into the town that kills several people, Jaime wonders why they weren’t inside the local hotel.  He learns from the manager that they are refusing to take care of anyone who isn’t a paying guest.  So, Jaime calls the owner of the oil rig and tells him the rig can’t be saved unless the people are taken care of.  The owner buys the hotel, securing a place for the people to stay.   Blue Beetle than goes out and defeats Typhoon and saves Wayne Enterprises oil rigs.  Later, upset he failed to save lives, Jaime is crying in his room.  His father offers comfort and advice. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

How can you not love this book?  I mean, I knew it was Bruce Wayne he was calling but when it was revealed that was who it was, I still loved it.  Blue Beetle acts smart and does what he must to save lives.  And added bonus was the use of Ted Kord’s books that Guy Gardner had given him a few issues ago.  That was a nice touch and great building onto continuity.  Jaime even acted smart when he kicked the bad guy’s ass, beating Typhoon at his own game.  Add in the great humor (re: the pants) and great dialogue (Brenda and Paco in the car is brilliant) and it makes this one great issue. 

I think the ending was the best part.  For awhile now we have been getting scenes of Blue Beetle growing as a hero, learning how to use the scarab and even getting help from others.  This is the first time that Jaime has faced failure to some level of degree and I liked how Rogers handled it.  There really was no speech about what happened, just a reaffirmation from Jaime’s father that no sometimes these things happen and if it does, he will be there for his son.  It showcases why family is so important, especially for a teen superhero.

It is probably just me, but when I read the name Typhoon, I had the image of the Pro Wrestler who used that name (or was it Hurricane or something like that; his partner was Tugboat).  Anyway, if you know who I am talking about, then you know what a funny image that is.

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