Raided: Blue Beetle #16

Posted by Graig on June 29, 2007

(DC)

John Rogers, thank you. Although this issue of Blue Beetle may tie in with the events of Countdown…somehow, you’d never know it here. It’s a perfect example of turning an obligatory crossover into a simple, fun, done-in-one story that can play into the larger events of the title, and be easily enjoyed without having to partake in the larger epic it’s supposed to feed into. In this issue, Eclipso, within the body of Jean Loring (whom you may remember from Identity Crisis) is looking for a new host, preferably one strong in magic, and innocent. She targets the offspring of one of The Posse, a group of mystical and superpowered runaways that Blue Beetle is loosely associated with. Traci 13, the daughter of paranormal debunker Dr. Thirteen, is on Eclipso’s trail, but needs Blue Beetle’s help in saving the child. Though perhaps a little dense for newcomers hopping aboard Blue Beetle as a Countdown tie-in, it’s a nice, tightly integrated story within the Blue Beetle run, and Rogers writes it just as he would write any other, with equal sense of awe, fear and humour. Jamie and Traci hit it off instantly and Rogers introduces Blue Beetle’s first love connection, and it surprisingly integrates smoothly, even if suddenly. The chemistry is evident, and made even more clear by Rafael Albuquerque’s on-point illustrations. Albuquerque’s art isn’t clean, but isn’t busy either, having a cartoony edge to it without falling into anime territory. Though he doesn’t busy his pages with much detail, he captures the spirit of the characters that inhabit the panels every time. Perhaps not the best issue to jump on-board with, it’s still an excellent example of how fun and even classic this title is and how great, and dare I say unique, a character this new Blue Beetle is shaping up to be.

3 and a half out of 5 Vikings