High school, dating, parents, acne, figuring out what you’re going to do with your life after graduation… Let’s face it, it’s stressful being a teenager. The urge to fit in and live a normal life free of embarrassment is overwhelming. So it’s a fair bet that being targeted by an alien artifact that resembles a big bug to become a super hero known as Blue Beetle probably wasn’t high on Jaime Reyes’ playlist.
Blue Beetle #6
Story by: Keith Giffen & Scott Kolins
Script by: Keith Giffen
Art by: Scott Kolins
Colors by: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Writing
We finally get to the big fight we have been waiting for, as Blue Beetle throws down with Mordecai! And although the issue is economical, and wastes no time in getting the confrontation, we still have some great scenes that continue the excellent characterization I have loved about this book since I started reading it. We get a great one in Ted Kord’s lab that expresses the relationship between Jaime, his mother, and Kord that features some fantastically humorous dialog. The talking makes you chuckle and drives the story forward. It’s great storytelling.
The cliffhanger here (as all the others have been) is perfect serialization. But this one leaves you with the Beetle armor, sentient, and Jaime-less, facing the very pissed off Dr. Fate! So yeah, kudos to Giffen and Kolins for that moment.
Art
The big fight scene in this chapter might be some of the most energetic art I have seen from Kolins. It practically shocks you with electricity and “Kirby krackle” effects. I swear it kind of felt like it could actually leap off the page and blow your hair back!
The faces continue to be expressive and detailed, giving you the right amount of emotion. Even Jaime’s masked face conveys feeling (not easy feat for an armor-clad character).
Coloring
Romulo Fajardo Jr. is adding a TON to Kolins’ pencils. The vibrancy of the pallet is simply a joy to take in and looks great on either digital or printed. It’s simply fantastic.
Conclusion
Blue Beetle is delivering one of the best classic and pure comic book storytelling experiences available today. Old school funny book fans, and new school DC Rebirth readers, pick this up, sit back, and just ENJOY reading a comic book.
