Blue Beetle #7 (Spoilers)

[DWEarhart]

Cully Hamner's back. Yay. And John Rogers is solo.

Jaime takes his family, friends, and this weirdo with the bike called The Peacemaker to the sight where he crash landed back on Earth, and Guy Gardner attacked him.

He can't remember the year he lost, nor the last moments before he was sent to his limbo. His little sister, who's still frightened of him, enlightens him on the finer points of remembering.

He remembers puking in the Batcave.

It turns out Peacemaker is ex-military, worked in a "private sector." So, apparently, he's a badass.

Flashback:

Brother Eye is made of alien technology, part of the same alien technology the scarab is concocted of, which was how, with Jaime's actions, he and it were able to take down the satellite.

He fights Omacs with Green Arrow and Black Canary. He gets near John Stewart. The scarab detects any Green Lantern as an enemy, it seems, so it places Blue Beetle in a cloaked mode. None of the heroes see him as they are making their escape, and inadvertantly leave him behind on the satellite.

The scarab didn't think Jaime could take on the Green Lantern (Stewart), so it placed him "into the space between dimensions." At that moment, the satellite was blowing up, and the chain reaction sent Jaime further into limbo, where time reacts differently, so the missing year on Earth, was only a few minutes to Jaime.

Even though I'm still considering dropping this title, this last segment makes me want to keep it:

Peacemaker - "So now you know, kid. The Scarab was built by some alien race. Some alien race big and bad enough to have a beef with the Green Lanterns.

"You just gotta ask yourself two questions. Why did they make it? And what happens now that you woke it up?"

[Jack Zodiac]

This book's getting freakin' confusing. I don't mind that the same scarab that Dan Garret once used to get his powers is now, somehow, alien and technological in origin, because you can totally spin that with ancient Egypt. Just like Hawkman and Hawgirl and Thanagarian Nth metal. It could work.

I just wish they'd explain it soon. Six issues we've been wondering about all of this stuff, and Peacemaker reveals its origins in the last issue, but not to the extent that we can know, for sure, what it is that Jaime's wielding. It's alien, it's naturally afraid of Green Lantern rings and interferes with them like magic does, and it's somehow connected with Brother Eye's technology (how the hell did Batman build a satellite capable of existing in multiple dimensions simultaneously?).

[DWEarhart]

Yeah. It's taking far too long to get anywhere, and the people Blue Beetle has faced so far, have not been that impressive. I'm very disappointed with this book.

[Peter M.]

I disagree from the way it's stated, the only connection between Brother Eye and the Scarab is that they can shift dimensions not that their technology comes from the same source.

[Jack Zodiac]

I disagree from the way it's stated, the only connection between Brother Eye and the Scarab is that they can shift dimensions not that their technology comes from the same source.

"Because the creators of the scarab use the same technology!" That's what Jaime said. I suppose it could mean they use the same theoretical technology, not the same actual technology.

And if Jaime can talk directly with the rock in his spine, why doesn't he just ask it who made it?

[Damo]

"Because the creators of the scarab use the same technology!" That's what Jaime said. I suppose it could mean they use the same theoretical technology, not the same actual technology.

And if Jaime can talk directly with the rock in his spine, why doesn't he just ask it who made it?

Because the Scarab was damaged. He got most of it, but without a lot of the information files. Peacemaker found "something" that contained a lot of the files, but he can't access them properly, they just come as dreams and hunches.

I'm liking the title a lot. Right now it's weak point is definitely the villains. They've tended to... um... suck. But I'm loving the good guys.

Jaime saying flat out that he's got a truce with his "enemy", and he's not going to change that if he can help it, because she's way smarter than him.

The way he comes right out and tells his friends and family is just great. Instead of yet another rehash of trying to keep your identity secret, you've got genuine concern and emotion. Note to the idiots that killed Jack Drake: This is how you handle family knowing.

The bit with Jaime asking Bats "who would build something like Brother Eye"? was good. I'm not 100% sure about Bat's follow up "don't tell Green Arrow you said that". Is he concerned that GA won't let him hear the end of it... or is he implying to Jaime that GA built it? Either way it's funny, but I prefer to think it's Bats passing the bill.

Best part of the issue was Batman saying to Jaime "tell your family it was Superman that asked you, not me" followed by the scene of all Jaime's cast nodding and going "oh, Superman asked you? Okay, we understand, he's cool." Really cool.

[Jack]

Because the Scarab was damaged. He got most of it, but without a lot of the information files. Peacemaker found "something" that contained a lot of the files, but he can't access them properly, they just come as dreams and hunches.

I'm liking the title a lot. Right now it's weak point is definitely the villains. They've tended to... um... suck. But I'm loving the good guys.

Jaime saying flat out that he's got a truce with his "enemy", and he's not going to change that if he can help it, because she's way smarter than him.

The way he comes right out and tells his friends and family is just great. Instead of yet another rehash of trying to keep your identity secret, you've got genuine concern and emotion. Note to the idiots that killed Jack Drake: This is how you handle family knowing.

The bit with Jaime asking Bats "who would build something like Brother Eye"? was good. I'm not 100% sure about Bat's follow up "don't tell Green Arrow you said that". Is he concerned that GA won't let him hear the end of it... or is he implying to Jaime that GA built it? Either way it's funny, but I prefer to think it's Bats passing the bill.

Best part of the issue was Batman saying to Jaime "tell your family it was Superman that asked you, not me" followed by the scene of all Jaime's cast nodding and going "oh, Superman asked you? Okay, we understand, he's cool." Really cool.
I must agree with all of this. I've always wanted a hero who just came right out and told his family about his powers. Obviously keeping your identity secret from your enemies is a good thing, but why risk the lives of your family by not telling them? Sometimes characters have a good excuse, like classic Spidey not telling Aunt May because of her weak heart, but most of the time?

[Forseti]

Batman couldn't have been the one providing Brother Eye with the dimensional phasing technology. You'd think he'd know how to deal with it if he made it. It must've been Alex that put it in.

Another thing, isn't it weird how Booster wasn't shown in any of the flashback panels?

[Jack Zodiac]

Because the Scarab was damaged. He got most of it, but without a lot of the information files. Peacemaker found "something" that contained a lot of the files, but he can't access them properly, they just come as dreams and hunches.

Ah, that's right. I wonder, then, how they're going to deal with completing the scarab, if at all. Peacemaker doesn't seem to trust its presence, while Jaime's awkwardly accepting the fact that it's part of him.

And I totally agree that him coming to his family about it was a great idea. Hiding superpowers from family is one of the dumbest staples in comic book history.

Another thing, isn't it weird how Booster wasn't shown in any of the flashback panels?

Yeah. Jaime's friend mentioned him coming to Jaime in his sleep, but you never actually see him. Weird.

[Kent H]

I just wish they'd explain it soon. Six issues we've been wondering about all of this stuff, and Peacemaker reveals its origins in the last issue, but not to the extent that we can know, for sure, what it is that Jaime's wielding. It's alien, it's naturally afraid of Green Lantern rings and interferes with them like magic does, and it's somehow connected with Brother Eye's technology (how the hell did Batman build a satellite capable of existing in multiple dimensions simultaneously?).

Remember, Batman just built it. Then it was hijacked by Max Lord and Alex Luthor. And Alex at least definately altered it.

"Because the creators of the scarab use the same technology!" That's what Jaime said. I suppose it could mean they use the same theoretical technology, not the same actual technology.

And if Jaime can talk directly with the rock in his spine, why doesn't he just ask it who made it?

In the issue thread at Newsarama, Jon Rogers said that it was the same type of tech, not the exact same tech.

Another thing, isn't it weird how Booster wasn't shown in any of the flashback panels?

Both Jon and Cully Hamner said that was due to editorial mandate. No Booster anywhere outside of 52 until it's over. And both were confused by the brief appearance of Booster in JLofA 2 seeming to contradict that.

[Sean Walsh]

Peacemaker.......

A new revamped version of the original Charlton hero (killed by Eclipso 10 years ago) I take it?

[Jack Zodiac]

Peacemaker.......

A new revamped version of the original Charlton hero (killed by Eclipso 10 years ago) I take it?

That'd be cool, since he's showing up in another new revamped version of an original Charlton hero's book, but so far he doesn't seem very much like the original in anything other than name.

[Damo]

There's not a whole lot you can do to accurately give us a new Peacemaker that really reminds us of the old ones (honestly there've been, what, 4 "sequel" Peacekeepers now? And none of them have reminded me of the original). I suspect we'll either find out that this guys "loves Peace so much he's willing to fight for it" which was the original Peacekeeper's line of thinking, or they might retcon the original Peacekeeper to add some links to the new one (like they did with the Manhunters).

[DWEarhart]

The issue on my mind at this time is Phantom Stranger. I flipped like a monkey on crack, swirling a chainsaw when I saw he was going to pop up for an issue or so. He arrived, only to cross the scarab off of magic's item list.

Could he not have sensed that from elsewhere, without having to make the trip, since it's completely alien technology, or is it not 100% alien technology, and perhaps alien magic?

His appearence simpy seemed null and could have been spared.

It is an interesting notion, now that some of you have mentioned it, about Jaime's family knowing that he is delving into the superhero realm.

I loved how Batman told Jaime to tell his family it was Superman that asked him to join the team, as mentioned earlier, and the next panel, his mother speaks in regards to Superman. That is how you use comic book panels.

I'm torn on this title. I love the entire Blue Beetle legacy. I'll give this one a year's worth of books, but if it hasn't moved on to something significant by then, I will cut it off.

[Jack Zodiac]

The issue on my mind at this time is Phantom Stranger. I flipped like a monkey on crack, swirling a chainsaw when I saw he was going to pop up for an issue or so. He arrived, only to cross the scarab off of magic's item list.

Could he not have sensed that from elsewhere, without having to make the trip, since it's completely alien technology, or is it not 100% alien technology, and perhaps alien magic?

His appearence simpy seemed null and could have been spared.

Well, on top of trying to find out whether or not the scarab was magical, The Phantom Stranger needed Jaime to lead him to La Dama.

Oh, and an obligatory, "Any sufficiently advanced technology blah blah blah indistinguishable from magic." :p

I'm torn on this title. I love the entire Blue Beetle legacy. I'll give this one a year's worth of books, but if it hasn't moved on to something significant by then, I will cut it off.

That's usually what I do with books I want to like and books I have a feeling might take off given enough time to work with. Right now, I think this one's going to work once Jaime establishes himself as a hero and becomes aware of his powers, which is hopefully where this story arc will go.

[DWEarhart]

That's usually what I do with books I want to like and books I have a feeling might take off given enough time to work with. Right now, I think this one's going to work once Jaime establishes himself as a hero and becomes aware of his powers, which is hopefully where this story arc will go.

My usual cutoff is 5 issues in, all because of budgetary concerns, and the plethora of other books that I would like to try. I think Jaime's role as a hero will surely be a blurred one. This scarab is designed to take on Green Lanterns. This could have been a reprecussion from Hal Jordan's flipping out and becoming Parrallax, or something else entirely.

There's a lot I'd like to find out, but the pacing thus far is what's hurting the most. I understand a writer wanting to establish character, but EVERY character? Jaime's dad is one of my favorites, though.

[Damo]

Well, on top of trying to find out whether or not the scarab was magical, The Phantom Stranger needed Jaime to lead him to La Dama.

Oh, and an obligatory, "Any sufficiently advanced technology blah blah blah indistinguishable from magic." :p



Actually I think more so here than elsewhere. The Scarab has been mistaken for magic in the past, and does a lot better at detecting and dealing with magic than anything we've seen from technology before... except maybe the OMACs, who supposedly share some tech with the Scarab and were able to do things like depower Shazam-powered Marvels. I'd say this technology doesn't just look like magic to the normal eye, I think it actually feels like magic even to magic users. Which would explain why the Phantom Stranger wanted to give it a closer look.

I think the Stranger was essentially going along, looking at ducks, and then he saw a platypus. "Wait, what?"

[PastePotPete]

Okay, I was loving this book for the first four issues, and I'm still firmly onboard, but I really thought this last issue was weaker than the others.

First, the good points:

*The humor in this book is great. Very situational. Gets chuckles without pulling you out of the story. Love it.

*I'm liking a lot of the mystery and how it ties into the DCU as a whole. What's the deal with being enemies with the Green Lanterns??

*Supporting Cast and their full knowledge of Jaime's powers. To borrow vocabulary from my girlfriend, I'd describe Jaime's friends and family as 'cute.' And I mean that in the best, coolest way possible. The whole family dynamic is very warm and refreshing.

Now, what's bothering me...

*La Dama-- We set up La Dama to be this big ongoing villain who happens to lurk right around the corner and I was excited about that. She was going to take on a cool Norman Osbourne roll. Then, in issue six, they almost completely deflated her. They told you what she's trying to do, how she's doing it, and made Jaime completely aware of this as well. She's just not as cool anymore. Why did they get rid of all her mystery?

*Is it just me or is the dialogue not quite as good with Giffen gone? Like I said earlier, I love the humor, but some of the dialogue in this last issue didn't ring true for me.

*Peacemaker--the jury is really out on this guy. Why did Jaime immediately begin to trust him? Why does Jaime's family trust him? Not impressed with him so far as an addition to the cast.

Right on. I'll keep reading. I'll go twelve issues, sure. Because I want this book to work. It's got GREAT potential.

[Xanrn]

The last Peacemaker was killing during IC7 in the big Met battle.

Got blasted by that fool with the Helmet who recently 1 punched Shiva in BoP.

http://www.comics101.com/comics101//images/view.php?src=../news/Comics%20101/90/deadpeacemaker.jpg&w=

[Jack Zodiac]

Prometheus.

That's sorta' anticlimactic. For both characters. Prometheus is usually a much cooler character, not so much a random killer. Still, a throw-down's a throw-down.

[trickster]

Batman couldn't have been the one providing Brother Eye with the dimensional phasing technology. You'd think he'd know how to deal with it if he made it. It must've been Alex that put it in.



It was Alex, IIRC.

[Damo]

Prometheus.

That's sorta' anticlimactic. For both characters. Prometheus is usually a much cooler character, not so much a random killer. Still, a throw-down's a throw-down.

Not a random killer? Didn't you read that scene in Gotham Knights where he was randomly killing before he got schooled by Green Arrow? Who then wanted to kill him once he was unarmed and defenceless?

...oh wait, that was crap.

[Jack Zodiac]

Yep. Total crap.

This is why there's a mixed bag of outcomes when someone continues to use a creator's character. On the one hand, it's great that the character survives his creator's run on that book, but on the other hand, sometimes the people writing them aren't worthy enough to write that character.

Prometheus was created by Morrison to be the Injustice Gang's version of Batman. The only person who's used him to the better part of his potential since Morrison is Gail Simone, because she apparently understood his character and motivations.

[Fatguy]

I thought It was pretty good, the end sequence where he's in panic and doesnt want to be left alone was an honestly sad moment, which is good. Its always a good thing to feel any real emotion in what you're reading.

This issue kinda brought me back to caring about what happens again, I have been thinking about maybe giving this title the axe, but now I am just flat out curious.

I will say, I am almost positive my boost in enjoyment in this issue was probably also because there was no Posse...I really, really dont like the Posse.

[DWEarhart]

I thought It was pretty good, the end sequence where he's in panic and doesnt want to be left alone was an honestly sad moment, which is good. Its always a good thing to feel any real emotion in what you're reading.

This issue kinda brought me back to caring about what happens again, I have been thinking about maybe giving this title the axe, but now I am just flat out curious.

I will say, I am almost positive my boost in enjoyment in this issue was probably also because there was no Posse...I really, really dont like the Posse.

Agreed. The Possee can stay out for a while, if they want to. I wouldn't mind myself.

The need to know is what's kept me from dropping this book. And the last sentence from this issue has me wanting to keep it, yet again. La Dama side needs to go somewhere, Possee can go away, and the family knowing right away is uncommon, but fits with this book.