DCU Comic Book Reviews

BLUE BEETLE #29

Boundaries, Part One:  Crossing The Lines

September 2008

Written by Matthew Sturges

Pencils by Rafael Albuquerque

Inks by Rafael Albuquerque

Cover by Rafael Albuquerque

Synopsis

In El Paso, Jaime Reyes (aka Blue Beetle) stumbles upon a fight in which the combatants are competing for the right to use the name “Hellhound.”  On the U.S.-Mexico border, the Peacemaker helps a group of locals make sure no one crosses the border.  They capture four guys and a girl trying to sneak across and call for border patrol to come get them.  However, in the truck back to Mexico, the four guys inject themselves with a drug that enhances their abilities and they escape.  Elsewhere, Paco and Brenda spend dinner together, but it is not a date.  Meanwhile, Blue Beetle helps out Peacemaker to capture the drugged-up guys and protect the girl who was with them.  Not wanting to leave her alone or send her back, Jaime takes her to stay at Paco’s house.  In Mexico, a prominent businessman proclaims the four guys are dead, just before he receives a call from the girl to tell her father that she in position.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Despite the goof of putting John Rogers’ name on the cover, this first issue from Matt Sturges (better known as the writer of Jack Of Fables and House Of Mystery) maintains the same quality level this book has reached (pardon the pun) since its inception.  It is witty, fun and engaging with great characters.  Sturges makes sure to set the stage for his take on the character, while at the same time building upon what has come before him.  This is not a new direction or a new angle, just a new writer building upon what had come before him (Brenda and Paco) as well as introducing a few new wrinkles (Peacemaker).  And it works. 

Having said that, I don’t particularly care for the ending.  It seems too calculated; an attempt to end on an upbeat, positive note but it just doesn’t seem to work.  I think it is due to the fact that the main threat has been revealed to the readers but not to Blue Beetle.  We know that the drugged men are inconsequential, so seeing Blue Beetle so enthusiastic to go after them is misplaced.  I think the book should’ve ended with Mari’s call.  That moment definitely sets the stage for the rest of this story arc.

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