The character of Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle finally has his own theatrical film. As part of the new DC Cinematic Universe, he's sure to have a bright future ahead. Many DC fans might be aware that this is not the character's first on-screen appearance, having been previously been featured in several animated films and TV series. Some may have forgotten, however, where it was that he actually received his first outing in DC-related media.
It was actually thanks to The CW's Superman prequel series, Smallville, that Blue Beetle was finally given his first ever live-action interpretation. The Season 10 episode, "Booster", managed to give the character an exposure to mainstream audiences who may not have even been aware of his existence in the comics. It's been nearly twelve years since the episode first aired, but how does its adaption of the character hold up in comparison to the new film?
Smallville Introduced Blue Beetle to Wider Audience
While the primary focus of Smallville was on the origins of Superman, the show also featured a number of younger versions of other DC heroes like Aquaman in guest-starring roles, as well as those like Green Arrow in supporting ones. "Booster" featured not one, but two, DC heroes that were relatively unknown to non-comics readers. The episode depicts Jaime Reyes as a bullied high school student, who is saved by Booster Gold (who also makes his first ever live action appearance in the episode) from getting hit by a transport truck from Kord Industries. The crash of the truck, however, leads to Blue Scarab escaping before latching itself onto Jaime.
The Scarab later takes control of Jaime, encasing him in a powerful suit of armor, and sets out on a path of destruction. The Scarab's rampage comes to an end after Jaime's will overcomes its control, thanks to some encouragement from Booster Gold. The young teen then chooses to keep it, wanting to learn how to use it for good. With Season 10 being the show's last, the character was never seen again on the show afterward, but he did reappear a few times in the Smallville Season 11 comic book series. Despite the limitations in both its budget, runtime, and ability to develop Jaime any further, the impact of the episode was undeniable. It opened the door for several animated portrayals of the character before finally receiving big-screen glory nearly a decade later.
Blue Beetle's Movie Has Given Jaime a Greater Story and Future
While Smallville's take depicted Jaime as a socially troubled high school student, Blue Beetle ages him up to a college graduate, who is trying to financially support his struggling family. Unlike the show, the film also acknowledges the Scarab as its own character, Khaji-Da. It actually uses the dynamic between the Scarab and Jaime to not only further develop the former character, but even give the latter a small arc of its own.
"Booster" featured the character of Ted Kord in a more notable appearance, but this version ultimately ignored the character's past as the previous Blue Beetle. The film, however, teases future developments with a post-credit scene, revealing the ambiguous fate of Kord and suggesting a possible future appearance from the hero. Blue Beetle's first appearance on Smallville may have been weighed down from the inclusion of other characters with bigger roles in the story, but his new titular film has finally given him a much deserved chance to have the spotlight all to himself.
Blue Beetle is currently playing in theaters.