Released to coincide with the recent live-action movie starring Xolo Maridueña, DC's Blue Beetle #1 signifies a new beginning for Jaime Reyes while paying tribute to the hero and what he represents. However, this isn't just another origin story in a long line of reboots. Instead, it spins out of the pages of the six-issue miniseries Blue Beetle: Graduation Day. It also boasts the return of the creative team behind the series, with Blue Beetle #1 written by Josh Trujillo, drawn by Adrián Gutiérrez, colored by Wil Quintana, and lettered by Lucas Gattoni.
The first installment of the "Scarab War" sees Jaime in Palmera City. While he still has Ted Kord as his mentor, he is now leading his own team, training two new beetles: Dynastes and Nitida. He soon discovers that being a leader comes with challenges and isn't as simple as many believe it to be. At the same time, he needs to adjust to civilian life in this new city as well.
Trujillo brings the same whimsical quality from Blue Beetle: Graduation Day to this story. There's a comforting nature to the adventure as Jaime feels like a friend the reader has known all their life in much the same way early Amazing Spider-Man tales resonated with teenagers back in the day. Despite the breeziness of the narrative, Trujillo tackles the serious subject matter of acceptance and tolerance in how the townsfolk treat aliens trying to have a simple meal. There's a hint of Chris Claremont's X-Men approach to this particular scene, as Jaime doesn't fight fire with fire but believes in the power of hope for a better tomorrow.
Gutiérrez injects Blue Beetle #1 with cartoonish, high-octane energy. From the first page to the last, the story keeps moving with a delectable mix of action-packed and emotional moments that don't stop for a second. Undoubtedly, the artist shines the brightest in the super-powered beatdowns, whipping up a storm of spectacular sequences. Gutiérrez isn't afraid of playing around with the Blue Beetle's impressive abilities in the panels, showing off how the scarab makes Jamie one of the most powerful heroes in the DC Universe.
Quintana's colors add to the playful vibe of the book. They are vibrant, striking, and evocative of the rich characters in the story. The colorist also knows when to mute the background colors and focus on the characters in the panel, stressing the importance of each moment. With the heavy emphasis on superpowers and action sequences, Gattoni digs out the necessary sound effects and different alien dialects through the lettering to further bring the story to life.
Much like the rest of the Dawn of DC, Blue Beetle #1 possesses an optimistic quality. It doesn't try to overwhelm the reader with too much lore or decades of backstory, as the story remains simplified in the same way as a comic book animated show tends to be. Equally importantly, it marks the next step in the evolution of Jaime Reyes as he transforms from mentee to mentor in the DC Universe.