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Blue Beetle (1939)
Blue Beetle Companion
The Blue Beetle debuted in 1939, rivaling such icons as Superman and Batman for longevity in comics, but not in popularity until his recent death and resurrection as a result of DC Comics' hit Infinite Crisis series. Now, Comic Book Artist Magazine's Christopher Irving explores the history and uncovers the secrets lurking under the cover of the character's comics in The Blue Beetle Companion! Follow his 60-plus years of evolution - from the world of Fox Comics to an in-depth history of Charlton Comics - all the way to the hall of today's DC Comics. Find out what really happened to infamous Golden Age publisher Victor Fox, and get an in-depth look at the Blue Beetle radio show and Jack "King" Kirby's Blue Beetle comic strip. Also, presented for the first time since 1939: the first appearance of The Blue Beetle from Mystery Men Comics #1! Featuring interviews with Will Eisner, Joe Simon, Joe Gill, Roy Thomas, Geoff Johns, Cully Hamner, Keith Giffen, Len Wein, and others, plus never-before-seen Blue Beetle designs by Alex Ross and Alan Weiss, as well as artwork by Will Eisner, Charles Nicholas, Steve Ditko, Kevin Maguire and more! It also features an introduction by Tom DeHaven, the acclaimed author of the novel It's Superman! and Derby Dugan's Depression Funnies. Featuring a new cover by current Blue Beetle artist Cully Hamner, this is the ultimate look at one of comicdom's longest-living heroes!
128 pages, Paperback
First published March 7, 2007
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39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 17, 2012
I'm well aware that it's madness to say, when reviewing a book, "this isn't what I would have done". But, well, this book isn't what I would have done.
There's definitely a story to be told here. And Irving tells parts of it. The Blue Beetle is one of the few superheroes to span the decades since the 1940s. There's a lot of history there...but only bits of it get told. I can't parse the decision to devote fully 60% of the book to the Golden Age version of the character. Yes it's an important era, but frankly, most readers aren't going to be terribly interested in it. Particularly when the Ted Kord version gets fairly short shift.
More perplexing are the odd digressions, such talking Busy Arnold and Quality Comics because it was maybe possible that Victor Fox and Arnold might possibly have maybe done business together. Maybe. There are a number of other digressions. Not quite as odd as that one, but that make you wonder what the author was thinking.
I won't argue strenuously against the inclusion of a transcript of a Blue Beetle radio program. I found it mind-numbing but I can't say it absolutely didn't belong.
There is just enough interesting stuff here to barely make it worth a read. But it's not a terribly good or compelling read.
There's definitely a story to be told here. And Irving tells parts of it. The Blue Beetle is one of the few superheroes to span the decades since the 1940s. There's a lot of history there...but only bits of it get told. I can't parse the decision to devote fully 60% of the book to the Golden Age version of the character. Yes it's an important era, but frankly, most readers aren't going to be terribly interested in it. Particularly when the Ted Kord version gets fairly short shift.
More perplexing are the odd digressions, such talking Busy Arnold and Quality Comics because it was maybe possible that Victor Fox and Arnold might possibly have maybe done business together. Maybe. There are a number of other digressions. Not quite as odd as that one, but that make you wonder what the author was thinking.
I won't argue strenuously against the inclusion of a transcript of a Blue Beetle radio program. I found it mind-numbing but I can't say it absolutely didn't belong.
There is just enough interesting stuff here to barely make it worth a read. But it's not a terribly good or compelling read.
August 18, 2015
It's a shame that this isn't better. The Blue Beetle is an interesting character and the history of his publication (particularly in the Golden Age) isn't one that is often told. Unfortunately. This book is not well written. The style is uninteresting and stilted, with repetitive and poor word choices. There's some decent information contained here, but it's not enjoyable getting to it.
June 28, 2021
I have this theory that very obscure, specialized media naturally garners more favourable reviews (than may be warranted) because it's only sought out by hardcore fans who may or may not be starved for information and content related to their interests.
Would I have read this book if Ted Kord, a.k.a the second Blue Beetle, wasn't one of my favourite characters? Of course not.
Did I enjoy reading it? Also no.
One reason is Irving's biases: It's very, very obvious that his main area of interest in this book is the first iteration of the Blue Beetle (Dan Garret in the 30s). I get a very keen sense that's what he wanted to write about. Maybe his editor told him it was too narrow a subject, maybe he thought he'd reach a wider audience if he wrote about the three+ later iterations as well (I guess I proved that right), but his heart clearly isn't in it. Chapters get shorter and shorter as the book progresses -- sloppy mistakes start to pile up (even to the point where he says Ted's name is Edward -- which to my knowledge was a continuity error that appeared ONCE in a story, in all other instances his name has been Theodore).
And even the Dan Garret section is a slog. I appreciate anyone who puts in the work to dive into comic book history -- it's a subject that's been ignored for too long -- but Irving puts in every single thing his researched has unearthed regarding the early years of the Blue Beetle comics: Complete biographies of every person involved, every person who MIGHT have been involved, every person who was meant to be involved at some point but wasn't due to some unrelated circumstances. At one point he prints a photocopy of someone's DEATH CERTIFICATE (!) because they were involved with the Blue Beetle comics earlier in their life. I can't begin to explain how bizarre that is for a book about comic book history.
And he'll recap every plot, every side character, every adjustment of superpowers, opine on the artwork, for all those early Dan Garret stories -- and then in the Ted Kord chapter he goes "and then he was part of the Justice League for eight more years" and move on. Nothing about how the character evolved, or his backstory, the spinoff projects that were advertised but never realized, or what major DC universe events he took part in (like, say, the death of Superman). I'll accept that the latest iteration of Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes) was still very new by the time the book was released and thus that equaled the shortest chapter of all, but still. The creators and artists of those eras don't get their careers explored, their comic book pedigrees celebrated like the ones early in the book.
I'll admit this book still wasn't a total loss -- I did learn a few fun things, I did get to read a book about a fairly obscure set of characters that I have a lot of affection for. But it's scraps. It's just what I have to tolerate if I want to read non-fiction books about media I enjoy.
Would I have read this book if Ted Kord, a.k.a the second Blue Beetle, wasn't one of my favourite characters? Of course not.
Did I enjoy reading it? Also no.
One reason is Irving's biases: It's very, very obvious that his main area of interest in this book is the first iteration of the Blue Beetle (Dan Garret in the 30s). I get a very keen sense that's what he wanted to write about. Maybe his editor told him it was too narrow a subject, maybe he thought he'd reach a wider audience if he wrote about the three+ later iterations as well (I guess I proved that right), but his heart clearly isn't in it. Chapters get shorter and shorter as the book progresses -- sloppy mistakes start to pile up (even to the point where he says Ted's name is Edward -- which to my knowledge was a continuity error that appeared ONCE in a story, in all other instances his name has been Theodore).
And even the Dan Garret section is a slog. I appreciate anyone who puts in the work to dive into comic book history -- it's a subject that's been ignored for too long -- but Irving puts in every single thing his researched has unearthed regarding the early years of the Blue Beetle comics: Complete biographies of every person involved, every person who MIGHT have been involved, every person who was meant to be involved at some point but wasn't due to some unrelated circumstances. At one point he prints a photocopy of someone's DEATH CERTIFICATE (!) because they were involved with the Blue Beetle comics earlier in their life. I can't begin to explain how bizarre that is for a book about comic book history.
And he'll recap every plot, every side character, every adjustment of superpowers, opine on the artwork, for all those early Dan Garret stories -- and then in the Ted Kord chapter he goes "and then he was part of the Justice League for eight more years" and move on. Nothing about how the character evolved, or his backstory, the spinoff projects that were advertised but never realized, or what major DC universe events he took part in (like, say, the death of Superman). I'll accept that the latest iteration of Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes) was still very new by the time the book was released and thus that equaled the shortest chapter of all, but still. The creators and artists of those eras don't get their careers explored, their comic book pedigrees celebrated like the ones early in the book.
I'll admit this book still wasn't a total loss -- I did learn a few fun things, I did get to read a book about a fairly obscure set of characters that I have a lot of affection for. But it's scraps. It's just what I have to tolerate if I want to read non-fiction books about media I enjoy.
September 20, 2015
Very good history and reference book for this Golden to Modern age comic character. Well laid out and written. Tons of art reprints from the entirety of the characters history. Very recommended to comic fans
May 31, 2014
Blue Beetle Companion: His Many Lives from 1939 to Today
Author: Christoper Irving
Publisher: Two Morrows Publishing
Published In: Raleigh, NC, USA
Date: 2007
Pgs: 124
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Summary:
In 1939, a man discovered a scarab that gave him superpowers. A superhero’s career was born. From then to today, from Fox Comics to Charlton Comics to DC Comics, the Blue Beetle has evolved and changed with the times. This book chronicles his 60+ years of history and features a Who’s Who of comic book writers, artists, and editors from the Golden and Silver Age of Comics. This is the story of the comic, the characters, and the creators.
Genre:
Adventure
Behind the Scenes
Comics and graphic novels
Crime fiction
Fantasy
Fiction
Non Fiction
History
Mythology
Science fiction
Superheroes
Urban fantasy
Why this book:
I have a love for Dan Garrett, Ted Kord, and Jaime Reyes.
This Story is About:
courage, working hard, doing the right thing, greed, history
Favorite Character:
Dan Garrett, Ted Kord, and Jaime Reyes, alternately known as, Blue Beetle I, Blue Beetle II, and Blue Beetle III, respectively.
Least Favorite Character:
Victor Fox. Can’t believe he got away with not paying his freelancers as often as he seemed to.
Character I Most Identified With:
Ted Kord. I’ve always identified with Ted Kord. He was always more serious than he was given credit for, largely, because he cloaked himself with his sense of humor. I loved this character.
The Feel:
This isn’t fiction and it is. The story of how he was created and those who worked on him and, then, his story.
Favorite Scene:
Pacing:
The pace of the prose is good. The subject matter in a few spots drags on the narrative, but, by and large, it is well done.
Plot Holes/Out of Character:
Hmm Moments:
Victor Fox, the gentleman behind Fox Features, the original home of the Blue Beetle, comes across as a robber baron cheapskate. He’s a Great Depression villain stereotype.
I find it interesting that the “actual” creator of the Blue Beetle is in dispute.
Wish we got a look at some point at a modern take on the original costume of the Beetle, the one that owed some of it’s trappings to the Green Hornet or the original Crimson Avenger.
I never realized that Beetle ran afoul of Wertham’s witch hunt in the 50’s. But I was never a fan of much of his pre-Charlton stuff. I don’t recall ever reading any of the true crime books where the Blue Beetle was the Hitchokian narrator for the other stories in the comic.
Wow. Fox was in bed with the mafioso in a Puerto Rican horse track deal. He failed to learn the lessons that the Blue Beetle had been teaching all along. Crime doesn’t pay.
John Santangelo, the head of Charlton Comics, spent a year in jail for copyright violations before the company became a comics company. That history makes an interesting juxtaposition when you look at the state of copyright and how it relates to the internet age that wasn’t even a glimmer in the minds of folk back then.
I wouldn’t have ever guessed that superheroes like the Blue Beetle, The Question, and Captain Atom once shared a publishing house with Hustler magazine.
This book did make me relive the events of Countdown to Infinite Crisis. One of the books that I have both most loved and hated. It gave the Ted Kord Blue Beetle a rebirth and a hero’s death. It was hard to read, harder to love, and harder still to put down when it was over.
Why isn’t there a screenplay?
N/A
Casting call:
N/A
Last Page Sound:
Bye Beetle.
Author Assessment:
Irving’s history and publishing history of the Blue Beetles is great. I would consider other stuff written by this author.
Editorial Assessment:
Why would you have someone who admits in the text that they aren’t a Blue Beetle fan write the introduction to the Blue Beetle Companion? Just doesn’t track well for me.
Knee Jerk Reaction:
glad I read it
Disposition of Book:
Irving Public Library
Would recommend to:
genre fans
Author: Christoper Irving
Publisher: Two Morrows Publishing
Published In: Raleigh, NC, USA
Date: 2007
Pgs: 124
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Summary:
In 1939, a man discovered a scarab that gave him superpowers. A superhero’s career was born. From then to today, from Fox Comics to Charlton Comics to DC Comics, the Blue Beetle has evolved and changed with the times. This book chronicles his 60+ years of history and features a Who’s Who of comic book writers, artists, and editors from the Golden and Silver Age of Comics. This is the story of the comic, the characters, and the creators.
Genre:
Adventure
Behind the Scenes
Comics and graphic novels
Crime fiction
Fantasy
Fiction
Non Fiction
History
Mythology
Science fiction
Superheroes
Urban fantasy
Why this book:
I have a love for Dan Garrett, Ted Kord, and Jaime Reyes.
This Story is About:
courage, working hard, doing the right thing, greed, history
Favorite Character:
Dan Garrett, Ted Kord, and Jaime Reyes, alternately known as, Blue Beetle I, Blue Beetle II, and Blue Beetle III, respectively.
Least Favorite Character:
Victor Fox. Can’t believe he got away with not paying his freelancers as often as he seemed to.
Character I Most Identified With:
Ted Kord. I’ve always identified with Ted Kord. He was always more serious than he was given credit for, largely, because he cloaked himself with his sense of humor. I loved this character.
The Feel:
This isn’t fiction and it is. The story of how he was created and those who worked on him and, then, his story.
Favorite Scene:
Pacing:
The pace of the prose is good. The subject matter in a few spots drags on the narrative, but, by and large, it is well done.
Plot Holes/Out of Character:
Hmm Moments:
Victor Fox, the gentleman behind Fox Features, the original home of the Blue Beetle, comes across as a robber baron cheapskate. He’s a Great Depression villain stereotype.
I find it interesting that the “actual” creator of the Blue Beetle is in dispute.
Wish we got a look at some point at a modern take on the original costume of the Beetle, the one that owed some of it’s trappings to the Green Hornet or the original Crimson Avenger.
I never realized that Beetle ran afoul of Wertham’s witch hunt in the 50’s. But I was never a fan of much of his pre-Charlton stuff. I don’t recall ever reading any of the true crime books where the Blue Beetle was the Hitchokian narrator for the other stories in the comic.
Wow. Fox was in bed with the mafioso in a Puerto Rican horse track deal. He failed to learn the lessons that the Blue Beetle had been teaching all along. Crime doesn’t pay.
John Santangelo, the head of Charlton Comics, spent a year in jail for copyright violations before the company became a comics company. That history makes an interesting juxtaposition when you look at the state of copyright and how it relates to the internet age that wasn’t even a glimmer in the minds of folk back then.
I wouldn’t have ever guessed that superheroes like the Blue Beetle, The Question, and Captain Atom once shared a publishing house with Hustler magazine.
This book did make me relive the events of Countdown to Infinite Crisis. One of the books that I have both most loved and hated. It gave the Ted Kord Blue Beetle a rebirth and a hero’s death. It was hard to read, harder to love, and harder still to put down when it was over.
Why isn’t there a screenplay?
N/A
Casting call:
N/A
Last Page Sound:
Bye Beetle.
Author Assessment:
Irving’s history and publishing history of the Blue Beetles is great. I would consider other stuff written by this author.
Editorial Assessment:
Why would you have someone who admits in the text that they aren’t a Blue Beetle fan write the introduction to the Blue Beetle Companion? Just doesn’t track well for me.
Knee Jerk Reaction:
glad I read it
Disposition of Book:
Irving Public Library
Would recommend to:
genre fans
March 23, 2011
An interesting read and review of the history of The Blue Beetle from the Pulp days through the current period (pre-Black Beetle, however).[return][return]I realize that there was a lot of information and details unearthed by this book, especially for the Golden Age period, but, in the end, I would say that it didn't have as much "meat" to it. Not because of the author, but rather, simply put, because of the hero. Although it seems like BB was quite a big draw for Fox Publications way back when, because of its publishing history, none of that really strikes home any more.[return][return]For me, Dan Garrett was a curiousity, with Ted Kord being the absolute favorite. I guess I was hoping to read more about the creators who brought me the characters and stories (regardless of the fact that TKBB only lasted a little more than 2 years in his own book).[return][return]In the end, it does its job well (in terms of being a "Companion" book), but it wasn't what I was looking / hoping for.
April 13, 2011
This is a well-researched study of the history of a comic book character who has gone through several revisions at multiple companies. I love the Blue Beetle of DC's Justice League International, and was hoping it would focus more on him (he is most prominently featured on the cover). Still, it was interesting to learn about the origin of the original Golden Age Blue Beetle (I had no idea that Will Eisner and Jack Kirby played roles in it), as well as how the character was updated by Steve Ditko at Charlton in the 80s (which I knew very little about).
If you are a fan of any incarnation of the Blue Beetle (including the radio drama), you would do well to pick up this book.
If you are a fan of any incarnation of the Blue Beetle (including the radio drama), you would do well to pick up this book.
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September 4, 2016¿Antología del Bicho Azul?
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews