Blue Beetle #22

Gosh, but I love this book. I will admit that I was a latecomer, but since I finally had the wit and good taste to pick it up, I can only say that there hasn't been a boring or bad issue yet. It is one of the most consistantly good books out there.

We have the proper writer and artist back for this issue, which is nice. John Rogers is a genius, and Rafael Albuquerque's art is quirky, but sensational. His expressions alone, just MAKE this book.

Jaimie is off rescuing some guys in danger from flowing lavaand an erupting volcano. Unlike MOST superheroes, Jaime also points out that they were awfully stupid to get caught by the lava in the first place, which is a hoot and a half. However, the volcano is important, because Jaime and the Scarab are finally beginning to piece together exactly what it is that the Reach is up to. Jaime is then joined by none other than Danni Garrett, the granddaughter of the first Blue Beetle in one of Ted Kord's Bugs, and together they plunge into the heart of the volcano. Danni is a little bit out there, but again, that's part of the fun.

Meanwhile, Jaime's mother has to deal with a slightly out-of-control Peacemaker at the hospital, which of course she does with aplomb. And Jaime's Dad handles the invasion of La Dama and a small army of her goons, when she shows up to bring Brenda home. He not only stands up to her AND her armed goons, he makes her ashamed of herself. Have I mentioned before that I adore Mr. & Mrs. Reyes?

Back inside the volcano Jaime and Danni are looking for a Reach outpost, as the Scarab seems to be developing something of a sense of humor. The trick is, that nobody can SEE their outposts and various shenanigans except Jaime and the Scarab. They land inside what seems to be a lost city, and are promptly attacked by Tovar the Lava King! I LOVE Tovar the Lava King! He's just so perfect, keeps referring to himself in the third person, and wants revenge upon the Atlanteans and so on and so forth. Jaime doesn't really want to fight him, but he does manage to pull a World-Ripper Station from N-Space into Three Dimensions!

Needless to say, the Reach aren't happy. In fac, they are becoming just a little bit more than pissed with Blue Beetle. I'd say that the gloves are going to be coming off as of now. Jaime has managed to piece together their nefarious plan, which involves releasing a chemical agent into the world's water supply that over decades of time will render our brains more succeptible to their machinations, so that in a century or so, they can simply take over. Tovar is actually just a creation of theirs, his outposts will explode, setting off the whole shebang in 100 years.

Poor Tovar is a bit bummed out to realize that all of his memories are false, but he handles it like a man. They are attacked by some Reach Probes, who are there to destroy the evidence, and if possible, Blue Beetle. Danni and Jaime run for the Bug, while Tovar insists on covering their escape. At first Jaime is trying to get Tovar to escape with them, but comes to realize that Tovar must do this, in order to show them who he really is...he's a hero, not just a construct. It is magnificent and full of pathos all at the same time.

Jaime has finally decided that enough is enough. He tells the Scarab to send a message to the Reach...to say that "I'm coming." The Scarab demurs, and the message becomes "WE'RE coming!"

Oh baby, I cannot wait!