by Russell Burlingame
Blue Beetle #27
This week's Blue Beetle #27 starts out with some of the great character moments that has made the book a fan favorite--the clueless badguys magically summoning creatures they don't understand remind me a bit of some of the best supporting characters in recent comics--from Hitman to Chase, most brilliant-but-cancelled books have more comic relief than your average copy of Superman.
Jaime is the new Peter Parker, as everyone had accused when he was created--but he's more than that. He's also a latter-day Phil Sheldon, seeing the world of the gods through the eyes of an unremarkable kid from El Paso. His conversation with Traci 13 at the start of the book, wherein they discuss what makes Batman special, is a great peek into the characters' minds--which is something really brave for a guest writer to take on.
While Pfeifer is a fill-in writer, this book plays to his strengths and he to Blue Beetle's. Jaime's supporting cast, who from the beginning have struck me as realistic, interesting characters who might easily slip into the "nuisance" category if handled by a lesser writer (again--think of Manhunter's Dylan Battles or Hourman's Snapper Carr), are handled perfectly here, and really add to the story.
The romance built with Traci 13 early in the series has long been one of the best elements of Blue Beetle, and seeing so much of the book dedicated to it is nice--you also avoid so many of the shabbier elements of things like the old Robin-Spoiler relationship, because Traci went off on her own to do her magic thing, and so you didn't get the "Oh, no! He hit my girlfriend!" thing in the middle of the fight scene.
Hot Shot of the Week Companion Feature
Ten Question About Blue Beetle With Will Pfeifer
A Preview Snip from Blue Beetle #27
Page last updated on June 7, 2008