Every Beetle From The Blue Beetle Trailer Explained
The first action-packed trailer for the upcoming "Blue Beetle" film has been released, and the Jaime Reyes version of the hero has finally officially been unveiled. The jam-packed DCU trailer features a first look at the DC character's iconic blue armor, highlights a supporting cast that includes George Lopez and an original villain played by Susan Sarandon, and teases the journey ahead for the Blue Beetle in the Angel Manuel Soto-directed film.
For longtime DC Comics readers, one particular shot from the end of the trailer should have caused considerable excitement. Jaime Reyes is shown out of costume inside the Blue Beetle Bug ship. In the background, sharp-eyed fans can spot the original costumes for the Blue Beetle from the pages of Charlton Comics and for the most prolific DC Comics version of the character, Ted Kord. The moment establishes that Jaime isn't the first hero to sport the mantle, and the movie isn't afraid to acknowledge that. But who are all of the Blue Beetles?
Dan Garret was the first Blue Beetle
Before Jaime Reyes or Ted Kord first appeared in the pages of DC Comics, Dan Garret was the original Blue Beetle for Fox Comics.
Created by Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski and debuting in 1939 for the now-defunct publisher, Garret was a police officer who became the first Blue Beetle, a standard Golden Age costumed hero without powers (although some stories did give him superhuman abilities). Charlton Comics acquired the rights to the character in the '50s. After briefly publishing the original version, the spelling of his name was changed to Dan Garrett and he was given an origin that aligned more with superhero stories. In his updated backstory, Garrett was an archaeologist who discovered a blue scarab that gave him incredible powers.
While Garrett only lasted a few years, the Charlton iteration was a key inspiration for future versions of the hero, with his costume inspiring Ted Kord's outfit and his scarab later being passed onto Jaime Reyes. Garrett has made minor appearances in the pages of DC Comics since, but hasn't had a starring role in decades.
While Kord seemed like a shoo-in to be referenced in the new "Blue Beetle" film, it's fun to see Garrett's costume also showing up in the trailer, as the entire history of Blue Beetle — including the oft-forgotten beginnings of the first version of the hero — will seemingly get touched on.
Ted Kord is DC's most well-known Blue Beetle
Despite not beginning as a DC Comics character, Ted Kord is the most recognizable hero to become Blue Beetle. Kord debuted in a backup story in the pages of "Captain Atom" #83 by Steve Ditko for Charlton Comics. He started without any real superpowers, but that changed when he got his own comic series. Kord was eventually revealed to be a former student of Garett who assumed the mantle after his death — only without the scarab. Kord used his genius intellect, scientific prowess, and physical skills to become Blue Beetle, armed with unique tech. Among his arsenal was his spaceship, the Blue Beetle Bug.
Kord officially joined the DC Comics Universe after the publisher absorbed key characters from Charlton Comics, and he quickly became a fan-favorite character. While running KORD Industries, Ted eventually joined the Justice League International and developed a long-lasting friendship with the time-traveling hero, Booster Gold. Kord was killed in "Infinite Crisis" but later returned, continuing his team-ups with Booster and becoming a mentor to the armored Blue Beetle, Jaime Reyes.
Despite his complicated history, Kord's Blue Beetle is still very much an important hero and has a chance to appear in James Gunn's DCU, especially with "Booster Gold" getting his own television series.
Jaime Reyes is the most recent Blue Beetle
Jaime Reyes, created by Keith Giffen, John Rogers, and Cully Hamner, became the most recent hero to become Blue Beetle after debuting in the mid-2000s "Infinite Crisis" event. While his origin has been retconned a few times, Reyes became Blue Beetle after the scarab that initially powered Dan Garrett bonded to its unexpecting host, giving him an armor connected to an ancient race of destructive aliens known as The Reach.
The Latino hero often struggles to balance being a normal teenager with his incredible, shapeshifting powers. His nearly indestructible armor can create what his mind wants, with his most prominent weapons including a sword, a set of wings, and a powerful energy cannon. Even in his current "Blue Beetle: Graduation Day" miniseries from DC Comics, the hero is still learning new things about what he's capable of. Reyes has been mentored by Ted Kord's Blue Beetle, who has helped the youngster as the scarab has overtaken his body in his armored form.
Jaime Reyes' Blue Beetle has been a popular comic book character since his introduction, but his star rose considerably after being given a leading role on the "Young Justice" animated series. The show features Reyes coming into his own as a hero while learning about his alien history with the arrival of The Reach.
The other Beetles
DC Comics has introduced several other variations of Beetle heroes, including a Green Beetle from Mars on "Young Justice," a time-traveling Gold Beetle who debuted in the "Future State" initiative who is a combination hero inspired by Ted Kord and Booster Gold, and most recently the Yellow Beetle, a villain-turned ally in the still unfolding "Graduation Day" title.
While it's unlikely any of these alternate versions of Blue Beetle will appear in the upcoming "Blue Beetle" DCU film, it's not outside the realm of possibility that Garrett or Kord will be featured. Their costumes being shown in the trailer is a significant indication that they, at the very least, exist in the same world. Considering Jaime Reyes can be seen driving the Blue Beetle Bug and Kord's sister Victoria is the movie's main antagonist, the second Blue Beetle's presence certainly can be felt.
"Blue Beetle" from DC Studios starring Xolo Mariduena arrives in theatres on August 18.