When is a rock more than a rock?

Jaime Reyes, the third Blue Beetle, is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters in the DCU. I first ran into him during the Co-Feature on Booster Gold, but have since raided Kris’s back catalog and have been reading his original book. It’s been very enjoyable watching Jaime start as confused high schooler and slowly figure out how to be a superhero.

Kris and I have think that part of the appeal of the character, at least for us, is how absolutely normal he is. Jaime didn’t start out wanting to be a superhero, he didn’t have some great tragedy that shaped his life, nor did he have some latent superpower that manifested itself at some awkward time. Instead, he was just a normal kid who found a cool looking rock that happened to be a piece of alien technology that fused itself to his spine one night as he slept. Simple, right? Unlike most superheroes who strive to keep their identities secret from everyone, allowing them an excuse for their inability to create lasting emotional connections or weird “I love her but she loves my secret identity” situations, Jaime’s family knows of his powers, his friends know of his powers, and even some of his friends’ family know of his powers. This creates a rich story tapestry allowing for some great scenes with his family. The way that Jaime’s family is portrayed feels like the family of every Hispanic friend I have, which really gives the whole book a sense of authenticity.

Jaime’s most recently shown up in Justice League: Generation Lost, filling the void in the Justice League International left vacant by the death of the second Blue Beetle, Ted Kord. Geoff Johns has also be showing off CGI tests for a live action Blue Beetle TV show, most like something to replace Smallville after it’s 10th (and probably last) season. I say the more Jaime, the better!

Travis, what’s on your pull list?

* Birds of Prey #2 - Gail Simone continues the “stuff’s messed up” theme of Brightest Day as we face off with White Canary. We also learn more about other characters from the original Birds of Prey run. Still hoping that White Canary is Cassandra Cain.
* Darkwing Duck #1 - This is a pure nostalgia buy, since this was one of Tiffany’s favorite cartoons. Very funny and enjoyable.
* Tiny Titans #29 - If the George Perez homage cover isn’t awesome enough, the multiple Robins definitely make this issue worth it.

Kris, what’s on your pull list?

* Angel: Barbary Coast #3 - I really hope they continue the adventures of the recently souled Angel.
* Azrael #9 - This book has really taken off with the last two issues, and while I think it ended the 8th Sin story too quickly I’m excited to see where it will go.
* Birds of Prey #2 - Good book, I’m excited to see Oracle step up her game for the 21st century.
* Brightest Day #4 - AH! Crazy salt girl! Every story seems to be picking up, but the choppy nature of the story is becoming frustrating.
* DC Universe Legacies #2 - Good book end to the Golden Age.
* Joker’s Asylum II: Harley Quinn - Harley Quinn not written by Paul Dini is really not Harley Quinn. Still good, but it just wasn’t my Harley.
* Joker’s Asylum II: Mad Hatter - Too gimmicky, which seems to be the theme with Joker’s Asylum 2.