Blue Beetle is a character that has been around for a long time.  The original character was part of the Charleton heroes that DC bought many decades back. The original Beetle was known for its comedy as well as its action.  The concept was updated in recent years for a new Beetle.

They provide a new origin for this Beetle, and I’m glad they did.  This might be one of the only true ‘origin’ stories in the new 52 launch.  It tells us who the character is, and how he gets his powers.  It also provides a nice origin story that ties it firmly into the DC universe with the green lanterns.  It looks like that connection will be explored in future issues.

The story is solid enough and provides personalities for the other kids that he goes to school with, and his parents.  I don’t really have an impression about the lead character yet, but that will probably come next issue.

The art good with a few really good touches. He adds some good detail on the pyramids, the playground, and the pool party.  I think the most outstanding part of the art is the coloring.  The color choices are great and really add to the movement of the story.

B-    — Don

This issue felt like a somewhat spotty remake done way too soon to me, as I felt like I had just read almost the same origin and character introductions in the last Blue Beetle series, which I admit was longer ago than it feels like.

The origin feels like it is both rushed and drawn out at the same time, but it’s probably that familiarity that’s causing the latter. The characters are mostly the same, but Jaime isn’t as likeable as he was in the last series. Tony Bedard’s attempts to mix in some Spanish don’t work nearly as well as the ones from the last series either — it looks like it’s mixed in at random just for the heck of it rather than to serve any real purpose in the story.

C+  — Ed