Double-Sized Issue Reviews!

*This article includes spoilers from Blue Beetle: Graduation Day #3*

Jaime Reyes returns in issue #3 of Blue Beetle: Graduation Day with some major momentum! This issue is an exhilarating expansion of the Blue Beetle and Reach mythos, making it essential for Blue Beetle fans. 

This issue starts with Ted Kord and Batman engaging in an impromptu meeting—a meeting where Batman indiscreetly intimidates Ted, threatening a bat-level intervention if someone does not pull reins on Jaime. Though, like a good friend or father, Ted reminds the bat of a human persistence found in youth—Jaime is far from a child who can be controlled. 

If anything, this interaction demonstrates the confidence and certainty Ted places in his protege, to literally go to bat for Jaime.

On another front, Starfire and Jaime have a heart-to-heart, where Jaime discloses his fears of The Reach and of his heroic status without his suit. He nearly died in his last battle, after all. But Starfire rekindles his confidence in himself—or tries to, if nothing else. But this conversation is disrupted by the arrival of another new alien acolyte—The Green Beetle! 

There is a wild battle, and while this occurs, Starfire has memories unlocked—a patch of lore which trickled through Tamaranian folk tales is unearthed—of a group within The Reach who opposed The Reach. The Horizon. 

The Horizon are defectors of the Reach race, an opposition to all The Reach stand for. Starfire hypotheses the beetles attacking Jaime—Yellow Beetle and Green Beetle—are actually heralds of The Horizon, meant to cleanse the way of Reach Technology. Killing Blue Beetle would make it safe for them to arrive. This is also hinted at by Yellow Beetle, Xiomara, who sees herself not as a villain, but as someone who can see greater importance. Potentially as someone who is part of true salvation.

This issue ends with readers excited to meet The Horizon for themselves! All these beetles are so cool, I cannot wait for them to team up—as we all know they are going to do!

---

Conclusion:

Rating: ⅘ Stars. The story is engaging and well paced, it keeps the reader interested. It also plays well with reinvigorating relationships which long-time fans might remember, like Ted Kord and Bruce Wayne. And it expands Blue Beetles Mythos in an elegant way. 

Suggested reading: Keep reading the Pre-New 52 Blue Beetle run! 

Don’t forget to stop by your local comic book store to pick up the next issue of Blue Beetle: Graduation Day!

---