With Xolo Maridueña set to bring teenage hero Jaime Reyes to life in the upcoming Blue Beetle movie, interest has been piqued in the various comic book iterations of the character over the decades. Blue Beetle has had three main incarnations in DC Comics history – Dan Garrett, Ted Kord, and Jaime Reyes – each putting their spin on the mantle.
Xolo Maridueña as Blue Beetle
Xolo Maridueña is best known for playing Miguel Diaz on The Karate Kid sequel series Cobra Kai. Landing the lead role in a DC superhero movie is a major step for the young actor. As Jaime Reyes, Maridueña will bring a relatable teenage perspective to the Blue Beetle legacy. The discovery of alien power and technology will force Jaime to mature quickly into a hero for his community. Maridueña’s earnest likeability should endear audiences to this newest cinematic superhero.
Dan Garrett, the Original Blue Beetle
Dan Garrett, the original Blue Beetle, debuted in 1939. His powers came from ingesting a special vitamin, gaining super strength, speed, and stamina. This early version dressed in a red acrobatic costume with a blue mask, gloves, and cape. Garrett established the adventurous archetype for subsequent Beetles. But his era was simpler, lacking the high-tech suits to come
As the first Blue Beetle, Dan Garrett established key traits that lasted throughout subsequent iterations. His daring adventurous spirit launched the dynasty. And his ingestion of a special vitamin provided an early explanation for Blue Beetle’s enhanced abilities. While simplistic compared to later tech-heavy suits, Garrett’s red acrobatic costume began the motif of an agile, insect-themed hero. And he paved the way for the Blue Beetle title to pass to successors while retaining brand awareness.
Ted Kord, the Powerless Hero Blue Beetle
In the 1960s Ted Kord assumed the mantle, though he lacked superpowers and relied on martial arts skills, gadgets, and physical skills. Kord wore a blue and yellow outfit modeled on an insect with goggles. He led the lighthearted Justice League International superteam. Kord brought brains more than brawn, pioneering Blue Beetle’s gadgetry legacy. But he remained a capable fighter
Lacking superpowers yet committed to justice, Ted Kord demonstrated that brains can outdo brawn. His Blue Beetle depended on intelligence, martial arts, and gadgetry rather than brute strength. Kord expanded the gadgetry legacy of the Blue Beetle mantle. And as leader of the lighthearted Justice League International, he brought a sense of fun and humor. Kord proved an ordinary human could keep up with superpowered allies through skill and aptitude. And he passed the torch with honor when his time was up.
Also Read: The Many Adaptations of Jaime Reyes’ Blue Beetle and Why The High Tech Hero Works: From 2008 To 2023
Jaime Reyes, Teenage Blue Beetle
Most recently, Jaime Reyes became Blue Beetle after finding the alien Scarab that grafts onto his spine and provides armor with weapons like energy cannons. This modern Blue Beetle wears more high-tech alien designs in black and blue. As a teen hero, Reyes adds relatability and high-tech style, ushering Blue Beetle into a new era for a new generation.
As a contemporary teenage hero, Jaime Reyes adds diversity, youth appeal, and cutting-edge style to Blue Beetle. The extraterrestrial Scarab bonded to his spine provides flashy alien armor and weaponry, updating Blue Beetle to be a high-tech marvel. As a young hero new to his powers, Jaime brings relatability. And as a Latino character, he increases representation. Jaime Reyes advances Blue Beetle into the 21st century for a new generation.
Also Read: One Key Detail Makes Young Justice’s Blue Beetle 100X Better Than Xolo Maridueña’s Jaime Reyes
Xolo Maridueña will bring Jaime Reyes and his extraterrestrial Scarab armor to the big screen in 2023. But Jaime has two predecessors who paved the way as very different versions of the bug-themed hero over many decades in DC’s ever-evolving comic mythology.
Blue Beetle will land in theaters on August 18, 2023.
Source: Nerdist
