As teased in today’s final issue of “Blue Beetle: Graduation Day,” Jaime Reyes is receiving a new ongoing series this September, which will reunite “Graduation Day” writer Josh Trujillo, artist Adrián Gutiérrez, colorist Wil Quintana, and letterer Lucas Gattoni. The first arc, titled ‘Scarab War,’ will pick up with Jaime, who’s now living in Palmera City, and training the alien refugees Dynastes (Yellow Beetle) and Nitida (Green Beetle).
“Jaime has his hands full navigating being a leader,” says the synopsis, though “thankfully, he has [childhood friends] Paco and Brenda by his side as they settle in at Palmera State University. But what lurks in the shadows of Blue Beetle’s new home, and what does it mean for the Blue Beetle legacy?” The book will also continue to feature Jamie’s own mentor, Ted Kord, and his fellow Titan Starfire, as well as Ted’s sister, Victoria, the CEO of Kord Industries.
The comic marks Jaime’s fourth ongoing, following the 2006-2009 series launched by his creators Keith Giffen, John Rogers, and Cully Hamner; the 2011-2013 ‘New 52’ run; and the 2016-2018 ‘Rebirth’ run, originally written by Giffen with art by Scott Kolins. It will begin shortly after the movie, starring Xolo Maridueña as Blue Beetle, and Susan Sarandon as Victoria Kord, releases in theaters on August 18. Director Angel Manuel Soto created Victoria for the film, as well as the coastal setting of Palmera City, citing the need to give Blue Beetle his own Gotham or Metropolis (in contrast to his comics counterpart’s real-world hometown of El Paso, Texas.)
In the meantime, DC will release all six issues of “Blue Beetle: Graduation Day/Día de Graduación” in English and Spanish-language edition trade paperbacks on August 1. Both editions of the collection will include a preview of the new series.
