Blue Beetle, Vol. 2: Road Trip

Blue Beetle (2006) (collected editions) #2

by Keith Giffen, John Rogers, Cully Hamner (Illustrator)

During Infinite Crisis, the mystical Blue Beetle scarab chose sixteen-year-old Jaime Reyes as its new guardian, but its supernatural powers are both a blessing and a curse. The newest hero in the DC Universe will now have to deal with strange and dangerous days as he learns to handle his new abilities.

In this volume, Jaime discovers the secret of his Blue Beetle armor and hits the road looking for answers from the Scarab's original owner.

Collects Blue Beetle #7-12.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Superheroes, Science Fiction, Fiction, Comic Book

144 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2007

About the author

Keith Ian Giffen was an American comic book illustrator and writer. He is possibly best-known for his long runs illustrating, and later writing the Legion of Super-Heroes title in the 1980s and 1990s. He also created the alien mercenary character Lobo (with Roger Slifer), and the irreverent "want-to-be" hero, Ambush Bug. Giffen is known for having an unorthodox writing style, often using characters in ways not seen before. His dialogue is usually characterized by a biting wit that is seen as much less zany than dialogue provided by longtime collaborators DeMatteis and Robert Loren Fleming. That approach has brought him both criticism and admiration, as perhaps best illustrated by the mixed (although commercially successful) response to his work in DC Comics' Justice League International (1987-1992). He also plotted and was breakdown artist for an Aquaman limited series and one-shot special in 1989 with writer Robert Loren Fleming and artist Curt Swan for DC Comics.

Giffen's first published work was "The Sword and The Star", a black-and-white series featured in Marvel Preview, with writer Bill Mantlo. He has worked on titles (owned by several different companies) including Woodgod, All Star Comics, Doctor Fate, Drax the Destroyer, Heckler, Nick Fury's Howling Commandos, Reign of the Zodiac, Suicide Squad, Trencher (to be re-released in a collected edition by Boom! Studios)., T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, and Vext. He was also responsible for the English adaptation of the Battle Royale and Ikki Tousen manga, as well as creating "I Luv Halloween" for Tokyopop. He also worked for Dark Horse from 1994-95 on their Comics Greatest World/Dark Horse Heroes line, as the writer of two short lived series, Division 13 and co-author, with Lovern Kindzierski, of Agents of Law. For Valiant Comics, Giffen wrote XO-Manowar, Magnus, Robot Fighter, Punx and the final issue of Solar, Man of the Atom.

He took a break from the comic industry for several years, working on storyboards for television and film, including shows such as The Real Ghostbusters and Ed, Edd 'n' Eddy.

He is also the lead writer for Marvel Comics's Annihilation event, having written the one-shot prologue, the lead-in stories in Thanos and Drax, the Silver Surfer as well as the main six issues mini-series. He also wrote the Star-Lord mini-series for the follow-up story Annihilation: Conquest. He currently writes Doom Patrol for DC, and is also completing an abandoned Grant Morrison plot in The Authority: the Lost Year for Wildstorm.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Road Trip is quite an improvement on Blue Beetle Vol. 1: Shellshocked. It still has the warmth of the first volume, but the plot really seems to get rolling in this one.
You get the answer to Jamie's missing year, which was what I was hoping. Turns out the answer is kinda anti-climactic, but the story leading up to it is good.
Peacemaker is an interesting character, and his interactions with Jamie add something that the first volume was missing. They've got that I-Don't-Wanna-Like-You-But-I-Kinda-Do-Anyway thing going on between them.
There's also a nice cliffhanger at the end that makes me hope I can track down Blue Beetle Vol. 3: Reach for the Stars.

[Centauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

really get the feel that the character is a child trying to find their place in the world of heroes. it is a far more realistic and believable concept than acrobatic robin or teen titans with no adult supervision. Jaime has real problems, both in AND out of the suit. it is also delivered in such a way that the reader is lost in the same mystery as Jaime as to the relationship of the scarab and alien technology and purpose. a good read for sure

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an okay book but nothing too memorable. It did have an introductory "Our story so far" page that was helpful in explaining why we had a confused teenager rather than the original (or second) Blue Beetle, but there were way too many characters and every time a storyline was initiated it seemed to be dropped and went off in another silly and/or confusing direction without resolution. The art was serviceable but not especially striking.

[[Name Redacted] · Rating 4 out of 5]

All right, MUCH better. The art still seems to vary too much, but is generally better than in the first volume, and the writing is (for the most part) crisp, clever and contains many genuinely funny lines and scenes. My personal favorite is the flashback to the Infinite Crisis in which Jaime is gushing about how great it'll be to tell his parents that he helped Batman save the universe, at which point Batman tells him to tell them it was Superman because everyone likes Superman; when Jaime asks "But doesn't anyone like YOU?", Batman responds "They're not SUPPOSED to."

This volume also benefits from the inclusion of the New Gods and their mythos, which can ameliorate a multitude of sins as far as I'm concerned! I love Jack Kirby's New Genesis/Apokolips conflict! I'm STILL pissed off that they decided to kill them all off during the "Final Crisis" just so Jimmy Olsen could get a bunch of powers which supposedly came from them but which were entirely unrelated to them... And I digress.

The only real weak spot for me was the one-page "parody" of TV news. They included an unnecessary and mean-spirited caricature of Stan Lee & his "Who Wants to Be A Superhero" show, as well as a straw-man caricature of Fox News (specifically Bill O'Reilly); I had a friend who was on season 2 of Stan Lee's show and she still has fond memories of the experience and of how nice Stan Lee was to them; and one of the benefits of having a passionately Republican brother is that I have actually SEEN things on Fox News, not just the sound-bites or out-of-context clips that are used to encourage anti-Fox confirmation bias, and the comic's caricature of O'Reilly is way off (did you know that he is pro-gun control, and a firm believer in climate change, nee global warming, and immigration reform? no, of course you didn't. because that would require actually WATCHING HIS SHOW). *sigh* In any event, this page was the sole sour note in an otherwise enjoyable comic, but it was so unnecessary and obnoxious that it made me drop a whole star from what otherwise would have been a 5 star review.

The series is picking up, and I appreciate that. I'm glad my faith in Linkara's judgment was not in vain!

[John Yelverton · Rating 3 out of 5]

The character just seems so much weaker than the original that he replaced, which makes the whole book series less enjoyable.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked Volume 2 even better than Volume 1. There was more continuity, even though the first part is told in a flashback, and there were some great moments of entertaining action, clever problem-solving, and tongue-in-cheek humor. I liked how they incorporated his friends and family into the story, and the various tensions between them and the superhero/supervillain universe.

There are plenty of mysteries that serve as long arcs, continuing past this Volume, but each chapter here had an entertaining plot and stopping point. We learn more about the scarab technology, about the interactions among the Justice League, Green Lantern, and other powers that be, and things continue to slowly progress with the Blue Beetle's media face, and his dealings with La Dama.

I think this version has finally equaled my experience with the reboot, and the cliffhanger at the end of this Volume was much more dramatic than the one at the end of Blue Beetle, Vol. 2: Blue Diamond. Plus, this series actually continues! Yay!

[Brad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume builds on the first collection nicely. Some of these stories, like the explanation for what happened to Blue Beetle during One Year Later, should have come earlier in the series. The writing also evens out as Blue Beetle goes on more single-issue adventures, including a trip on a Boom Tube and digging up information on the first Blue Beetle.
Rogers and Giffen gradually keep adding interesting characters to Blue Beetle's universe. "Team Beetle," Blue Beetle's bumbling version of Batman's oracle, offer nice comic relief. Somehow Peacemaker, who's usually a joke of a superhero, is an interesting friend and possible foe to Blue. And Jaime's interactions with his suit are very reminiscent of C-3PO talking to the unintelligible R2D2.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

What makes Jaime fun and special is all missing here. The book doesn't read like anything from Keith Giffen as there isn't much humor at all. Instead of getting a new hero learning the ropes, we get New Gods, Peacemaker, and a boring look into Beetle's past, just not this Beetle. It had no soul. The art, by a few different artists, was fine. Overall, a misstep for a fun character with no direction.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The storyline matures in this book & becomes more interesting as we learn more about the book's characters and mysteries.

[Eskana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second volume in the original run of Blue Beetle III (Jaime Reyes). Not as strong as the first volume, for reasons mentioned below, but still enjoyable.

Plot This felt like a set of filler issues. At the same time, though, it does let us see more of what Jaime can do. The previous volume focused a lot more on relationships between Jaime and the others, and I felt we didn't really get to know Jaime much. In this one, we see a lot more of Jaime and his capabilites as Blue Beetle, but other than that, we don't get a lot of plot. A few two-issue stories, some self-contained issues, and a lot of backstory. "Road Trip" is probably a good name for the volume.

Art: The issues jump between artists, which isn't a great sign, but mostly the art is pretty solid. I would give it 7/10.


Issue-by-Issue synopsis (spoilers)

Issue #7: This one slows down for a minute to allow us to catch up. Jaime, his family, Peacemaker, and his friends go back to the desert, where he landed on his return to earth. There, they help him remember what happened during Infinite Crisis and why he was left behind. We do get some humorous moments when he goes through the memories (fun character moments with Batman, Green Arrow, etc.) but mostly it's just a description of what happened. Since I haven't read every issue of Infinite Crisis (because there were infinite tie-ins) this is nice, but you can tell there is still more that they are leaving out of the story.

Issue #8: Brenda, Jaime, and Peacemaker hit the road to visit Danielle Garrett, the granddaughter of the original Blue Beetle. She clarifies what her grandfather could do with the scarab and explains his connection to Ted Kord, the Blue Beetle II. The monster from earlier issues (#5) attacks again, and Peacemaker helps Jaime stop him. Jaime and Brenda agree that they must learn more about Peacemaker.

Issue #9: While organizing the papers from Dani Garrett, Peacemaker tells Jaime and co. his backstory. (For the record, this IS Christopher Smith, but this is not really the same character as seen in "The Suicide Squad" movie and Peacemaker show.) Anyway, later, Paco shows Jaime the virtual "Beetle cave" jhe created with two friends, Nadia and Hector, to help them respond to calls for help. Jaime goes out to help as the Blue Beetle, and his parents are slowly getting used to the idea. At the same time, Brenda sees her aunt talking to the superhero Fire (I guess Checkmate was checking up on her) and finds a Mother Box in her aunt's study. It seems she was taken off into space...

Issue #10: Brenda ends up on a planet known only to people of New Genesis, it seems, and runs into native creatures who eventually attack her. A human-looking guy, Lonar of the New Gods, helps her, and Brenda faints. Jaime arrives, assumes the worst, and attacks Lonar.

Issue #11: Lonar and Jaime continue fighting until Brenda, with the help of New God Metron, put an end fo their confusion. Turns out the planet was originally supposed to be a refuge for people of New Genesis, but was converted into a permanent death trap by someone named Devilance. Lonar and Jaime work together to get to the planet's control room, and then Brenda helps reset the planet. Metron states taht he can tell Jaime all about his suit, but before they get a chance to, he and Brenda are returned to earth through the Boom Tube.

Issue #12: With Brenda safely home, Jaime destroys the Mother Box, which does not win him any favors with La Dama. Jaime and Peacemaker investigate odd goings on and end up fighting a space ship. This ship opens to reveal an alien negotiator from a race called the Reach. They claim to have sent the scarab as a beacon to call them when a planet reaches a certain stage of technology. They claim they've come to save the planet!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue Beetle is quickly becoming one of my favorite superheroes. I especially like Jaime Reyes (partly because he's how I met the character in "Young Justice," but also because I just really like the dichotomy, and subsequent conflict, created by both his reluctance to being a "cape" and his genuinely good heart that won't let him not help if there's a problem). He's an interesting character, made all the more interesting by his interactions with his friends, family, and, of course, the Scarab itself. I enjoy the banter between him the Scarab, though I wish it wasn't one-sided. I would LOVE to know what the Scarab is actually saying, like in the "Young Justice" cartoon. But still, this comic had as much great INTERactions as it did action. If you're interested in learning more about Jaime Reyes as Blue Beetle, I would definitely recommend picking this one up.

[James Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Jaime Reyes deals with a motherbox, unlocking the truths of the Scarab, and remembering his missing year, this is an excellent volume that follows the terrific groundwork laid down by the previous volume. The balance of heroics and family life is lovely to read, while Peacemaker's gruff mentor role is a fun way to help Jaime grow while trying to find his place amidst this wider superhero world.

[Babsidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

That spectacular fake-out where Jamie and Paco straight up ask permission to go fight crime? A+. A superhero who's parents know and at least somewhat approve of their fighting crime: amazing.

[Mark Smiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure what happened to the original blue beetle, who I liked. It says in this volume he was killed. So now a kid has his scarab and more powers. Just does not seem right. But I liked the artwork.

[Nicholas Fossum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really slow in the first half, a lot better in the second half

[READERS RETREAT · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is probably more objectively a 4 star installment but i get so fucking hype when the negotiator shows up

[Aaron Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really liking this story so far, and I love Cully Hammers' art here.

[Adam Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book collects Issues 7-12 of the first Blue Beetle series with Jaime Reyes. This volume is all about Jaime coming to terms with his powers and understanding where they come from. He'll trackdown the granddaughter of the original Blue Beetle, Dan Garrett, have a strange space adventure involving magic.

This book is interesting. There's so much to like about Jaime. He stands in contrasts to all of the angsty characters out there. His family is even more different. He's told his family about his secret identity and they're okay with it (within reasonable parameters) and even his erstwhile sort of mentor Peacemaker better not run afoul of them and should show his parents respect. Awesome. I also enjoy Peacemaker as a character.

There's some great art, a fun story, and a good mystery that builds, through the book. Other than some issues with strong language by a few secondary characters, this book is almost kid-friendly, which is rare.

Overall, this is an enjoyable and interesting tale with a character that showed definite promise.

[Ottery StCatchpole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The books consistently get better, I'm sad to see that the first story arc (Book 1) was so weak and mired in typical current event issues that are supposed to interest the Latin American community which added with the bad Spanish and stuff turned me off to the book. I wont mention the constantly changing art teams. Because in this book and the one I'm currently reading the story seems to have improved vastly, it seems the less Keith Giffen writes the better the book gets, the addition of other writers has vastly improved the story and I've even grown to like Guy Gardener but he's in the next book not this one. Still, a good read, not good enough to buy but good enough to read. Rafael Albaquerque on art is cool too.

[Annice22 · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was way too much going on in this story from Jaime telling his family how he returned from being missing for a year to his friend Brenda transported to another world. And so many more things that clogged up the story. I also didn't understand why the Blue Beetle needed a tech team, couldn't he figure things out for himself. I guess not.

This wasn't very well written and there were too many useless characters adding nothing to this horrible group of stories. There were only two parts that made this worth reading: 1) the scene with Blue Beetle and Batman and 2) the scene with Green Arrow, Black Canary and Blue Beetle.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about a 16 yer old named Jaime Reyes. He stumbled across the blue Scarab. The next day, he woke up as the blue beetle. In this book ,He finds out more about the Blue beetle armor. He hits the road, with this man called "The Peacemaker". He needs more lnfo on where the Scarab came from. On the way, He meets an unexpected guest.

I have no Connections.

I gave this book 4 stars because, this was full of action. I really liked this book. I reccomend this book to people who likes Graphic Novels, DC, or super heroes.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed from Debi.

Much better than the first volume. In fact, it's almost as though the writers have responded to my complaints about the first volume. They've used flashbacks to fill in for what happened during the big crossover events. People have stopped responding to Blue Beetle as anything other than just another guy in a weird-looking suit. And we're starting to see Jaime and the Scarab working at cross-purposes.

In addition, the book has turned out to be kind of funny, and the side characters are finally given something to do besides existing as a one-note stereotype.

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Volume 2 did end up being an improvement over the first, but not by a whole lot. There are so many characters at this point and most don't feel relevant. Every time something needs to be explained or done a new character shows up. Plot wise they are clearly playing a long game and building up to something, but the random stuff that pads out the comic between info dumps about what the scarab is just aren't interesting in the slightest. The mystery of the scarab isn't exactly enough to make me want to keep reading.

[Nfnt-robin]

This is what a snappy teen superhero book should be, and look, he's Latino! Yay! Very fun, great art, and so far, different enough from the usual superhero fare to stand out. For example, when the Blue Beetle gets his powers, the first thing he does...is tell his family exactly what's going on. How rare is that? And his family and friends kick butt.

It's also Whedon-esque in terms of the funny one liners and conversations. And really, you can't complain about that.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book clears up some of the confusion as Jaime tells his family what he remembers about his time in space before he disappeared for a year. Also, the granddaughter of Dan Garrett, the original Blue Beetle, makes an appearance, helping Jaime to learn more about his legacy (the second Blue Beetle is dead). And the end kicks off the new story line, which I know from spoilers is going to be very interesting.

[Jeffrey Jelmeland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh! This character has so much promise, and is actually well written when making guest appearances in the Booster Gold books, but in his own series he is written more as a teen goof, and is an obvious attempt to appeal to a multicultural reader base. I wouldn't mind that so much if the story was actually decent and worth reading, but this one bored me to tears. I can't say that it encourages me to try more in the series.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jaime is worming his way into my heart. He is so endearing.

Paco is really the star of this volume. Forget Peacemaker, forget the New Gods - Paco's characterization is what kept me reading at a lightning pace. We really see what he's made of, how willing he is to save the people important to him. This actually bleeds into our understanding of Jaime as well, since we are, after all, the sum of our experiences (and influences!)

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jaime is worming his way into my heart. He is so endearing.

Paco is really the star of this volume. Forget Peacemaker, forget the New Gods - Paco's characterization is what kept me reading at a lightning pace. We really see what he's made of, how willing he is to save the people important to him. This actually bleeds into our understanding of Jaime as well, since we are, after all, the sum of our experiences (and influences!)

[Shaun · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story line bridging Jaimie's reappearance and his journey discovering what the scarab actually is. I love that his parents seem to at least accept his position as a new hero. Giffen gives just enough clues about the Reach, but at the end of the comic he leaves the reader wanting more.