Double-Sized Issue Reviews!

*This article contains spoilers for Blue Beetle: Graduation Day #5*

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! War has come to Blue Beetle: Graduation Day (2023), in the most action packed issue of the series! Batman has assembled a heavy-hitter team to take out Green Beetle, Yellow Beetle, and Blue Beetle. Starfire is still one of the only people on Jaime’s side, armed with her cultural myth of The Horizon—and she’s just the super-friend Jaime needs. 

Previously, doubt was cast in the relationship between Ted and Jaime after Jaime broke into Kord Industries and accidentally released Yellow Beetle. And this doubt left the reader uncertain of the future of their relationship. However, all it took was Ted jamming the com link to Batman’s team to prove Ted is still in Jaime’s corner—so is Victoria (Ted’s sister). 

As Cyborg blasts Yellow Beetle, Jaime jumps in the way and is sent into a “final temptation” situation, where he is called to by The Reach. “Take all the time you need. Every minute you hesitate, every moment you falter, we get closer. […] It’s not too late to negotiate…to join us! To join The Reach!” (Trujillo 21). During this vision, Jaime realizes he and Khaji Da are both afraid of The Reach. But they do not need to be. And as this revelation happens, Blue Beetle gets an upgrade. Legado Armor is what Khaji Da calls it—as the language translator starts functioning again.

While it looks like a war is about to wage, Superman and Batman descend from the sky, admitting they made a mistake. They should not have suppressed Jaime and sidelined him. They lost an opportunity to learn information. And they realize Jaime needs to take the lead.

And the issue ends with a Horizon ship appearing in the sky. 

Graduation Day really sped up in this issue, allowing for the action some readers were missing—though, I personally liked the character development Jaime has been going through. Comics do not always need to be action, they can be intrigue and drama. They can tackle things other than each other. 

At least by the end of this issue, people trust Jaime. They trust his judgment and his relationship with his scarab—even Batman is willing to give Jaime a chance again. Though this seems like a huge turn around since Batman’s team was just ordered against Jaime, I think it is a logical tactical move. Put trust in the person who has a connection with The Horizon, since Batman has no connection himself. 

Overall, this may have been the best issue in the series. I am super excited for the next issue!

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Rating: 4/5 Stars. Action packed issue. Great character progression. It felt like a strong narrative throughout. 

Suggested reading: Blue Beetle: The New 52 (2011) Get to know the New 52 era! This is a great Blue Beetle story!

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