Blue Beetle #14

[Claude]

This book 's improved so much in the last few months it's not even funny. Leaving behind the slightly shallow retread of the pre-Flashpoint run that was the first 6 issues, and the improved but rather generic - and a little too dependant on Guest Stars - fare of Jaime's New York adventures, the title's really come into it's own as a Space Book. Which, at least, bodes well for Threshold.

Sadly, as a massive fan of the character, I can't honestly say I'll be sad to see the book go. The developments of the last few issues (Jaime in space, Lady Styx) seem rather more like set-up for what sounds like a superior title to come rather than a resurgence of the book itself.


One thing I wondered - is there going to be enough material for a third trade? When the book was announced cancelled, there was a lot of talk of the second collected book being expanded to cover the remaining material, but every listing I can find for "Blue Diamond" only mentions it containing issues 7-12 as well as New Guardians 9. Would #00, #13-16 (And selected pages from Justice League International Annual #1?) be enough to support it's own release?

[LoneNecromancer]

I reckon those issues will be expanded into the second trade. Wasn't the release date of it pushed back? That would point to it containing them.

[JaggedFel]

I still miss the family element a whole lot.

[Claude]

I reckon those issues will be expanded into the second trade. Wasn't the release date of it pushed back? That would point to it containing them.

That would make the second trade double length though, with 12 issues. Do they do them that length?

[doordoor123]

In the past two issues, this book has become so much better... It is sad that this book is cancelled. It wasn't before these past two issues.

[Bonemachine]

It's been pretty solid ever since 6. Definitely an underrated book.

[Robotman4]

In the past two issues, this book has become so much better... It is sad that this book is cancelled. It wasn't before these past two issues.

Agreed. 13 and 14 were really great issues! It makes me mad that it took Bedard this long to get to The Reach. That whole pointless New York arc really killed this book. I was excited when Bedard was announced as writer because I loved REBELS and was looking forward to seeing what he could do with The Reach. Sadly he waits until the book is cancelled to have Jaime fight them.

At least there's still Threahold to look forward to. Giffen writing Jaime again!!!

[Rixec]

Yeah! Blue Beetle has been getting better and better! Shame it's being cancelled. And as for the next trade, it'll probably have #0, #13-16, GLNG #10, and maybe something from JLI Annual.

[Desaad]

This book 's improved so much in the last few months it's not even funny. Leaving behind the slightly shallow retread of the pre-Flashpoint run that was the first 6 issues, and the improved but rather generic - and a little too dependant on Guest Stars - fare of Jaime's New York adventures, the title's really come into it's own as a Space Book. Which, at least, bodes well for Threshold.

Sadly, as a massive fan of the character, I can't honestly say I'll be sad to see the book go. The developments of the last few issues (Jaime in space, Lady Styx) seem rather more like set-up for what sounds like a superior title to come rather than a resurgence of the book itself.

It's gotten slightly better, but in a direction that doesn't excite me.

Well, I should clarify. I love sci fi.

But sci fi isn't what I wanted out of a Jaime Reyes Blue Beetle book, at least not as a focus. What made this book so strong was that it was a character focused story loaded to the gills with heart.

What has made this book 'better' is that Bedard has turned it into a decent plot-driven story about going into space 'n stuff.

I feel like this entire volume has been a complete abortion, and I'm so, SO upset that an opportunity like the New 52 was wasted. We might have gotten something more sustainable, as we did with Jonah Hex, if we could have gotten a Blue Beetle series that delivered on the promise of the last one. We wouldn't even have needed Rogers, although that would have been idea; Sturges did a more than acceptable job of continuing the tone of the last series, even if his plots were a little underwhelming.

[Claude]

Yeah! Blue Beetle has been getting better and better! Shame it's being cancelled. And as for the next trade, it'll probably have #0, #13-16, GLNG #10, and maybe something from JLI Annual.

Good call on New Guardians #10 - would seem to fit very naturally with the current Blue Beetle arc, and would give a "Reachworld" trade a full six issues of material. Seven, if they move New Guardians 9 across from where it was solicited in the second trade to put the whole story in one place.