Blue Beetle #23 - DC

I started out really not liking this whole series. And even now, 23 issues later, I still really don't like the art. I've grown accustomed to it. It's what I expect when I pick up this series. But . . . that doesn't mean I really like it any better. However, after 23 issues of character development . . and watching the different issues that Jamie has had to deal with, coupled with his learning and adapting to these powers that are really just an extension of the alien technology that is grafted to his spine . . . I find myself rooting for the guy. He's got a great supporting cast of family and friends. Each has their own quirk, or history, to add to the story. Plus, he's recently had quite a bit of interaction with the Teen Titans. Brenda even shows a little jealousy when Jamie brings them up in conversation. Jamie replies, "This is about the point when Ravager tries to stab somebody and Robin starts that grind-y thing with his teeth. You're way cooler!" Right now I think we're at the point in his story that he's either going to become much more adept and knowledgeable, or . . it's the end of him. Recently this alien race, the Reach, have come to Earth. They've presented themselves as generous and benevolent. When actually, they're in the final stages of their century long plan to take over the Earth. However, Jamie appears to be the only one that doesn't trust them. Well . . that and the fact that his Scarab keeps screaming out for him to kill them. So this issue he's attempting to muster up his courage . . and use some of the knowledge he's learned from Ted Kord's journals . . to confront the Reach head-on and attempt to bring them out in to the open. Right now they have several "world-rippers" stationed around the planet ready to go in to action . . but they're cloaked. As is their mother-ship. So Jamie is attempting to bring them out of hiding . . plus, then, confront them head-on. A suicide mission at best. He accomplishes all of his plan, except when he gets on board the ship, to confront the "negotiator", the Scarab is ripped from his spine, severing the connection, and leaving him lying on the ground in his human form. On the final page, as he's watching the "big-screen" he sees his home, with his friends and family inside, blown to bits. And the "negotiator" screaming, " . . . you are the Blue Beetle no more!" Like I said, he'll either come back from this much stronger . . . or he won't. This book is finally getting interesting.