With powers-that-be at Warner Bros. giving the story of Jamie Reyes (the third and most renowned Blue Beetle) a chance to shine on the silver screen, new modern audiences are being introduced to a fresh hero. This iteration of the Blue Beetle is steeped in science fiction and dramatic high school shenanigans.

This has led some to question whether 90-150 minutes is enough time to display all that the Blue Beetle property has to offer. The character has been featured on multiple animated television projects (i.e., Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Young Justice), but Jaime has yet to step up and take the lead in his own project. With the character set to make his debut in theaters, we are left with the task of looking at why the character deserves the spotlight on the small screen as well. Here we look at the different positive aspects of a Blue Beetle-focused television series and present why such a project is worth the screentime.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

Teenage Drama

     Netflix

Jamie Reyes is often depicted as a 16-18-year-old teenage boy, either a high school junior or senior. With this comes plenty of drama, as Jaime is often caught in the middle of his two closest friends, Brenda and Paco, who constantly squabble despite their close bond. Jaime is content to live an everyday life with his parents and his annoying little sister, going to school and chasing his crush.

His entire world would be flipped upside down when the scarab known as Khaji-Da attached itself to his spine, and it was discovered that he couldn’t remove it without fatal consequences. Despite his newfound abilities, Jaime still wishes to live an everyday life and is often more caught up in the latest drama at school than worrying about the potential end of the world. While Jaime would have to grow up fast over the course of a single film, a television series would allow the character to have room for character development over time instead of rushing into a place of maturity from sudden actions and judgments.

Representation

     DC Comics

With the events of the series often taking place in Texas, there is a large contingent of the Latino community that comprises the main cast of characters. Jaime Reyes is in a position to be a hero for his people, with many of his early adventures being grounded in the street crimes that run rampant in his hometown. Alongside his family, Jaime begins to see the troubles of his home and begins to realize he can make a difference.

With the superhero scene becoming more diverse with every major release, a Blue Beetle series can take the time to focus on the plights of the projects of El Paso. Instead of having our hero defend his town from the crimes of random thugs or street gangs, Jaime can approach from a place of understanding, and we may be treated to episodes where he can speak to the petty criminals on an equal level, reminding them that violence doesn’t have to the answer. And should the need arise, Blue Beetle can then turn his sights on the evil corporate manipulator that has considered the people as nothing more than collateral damage on the road to profits.

Family Values

     Warner Bros. Pictures

A vital aspect featured throughout every iteration of Jaime Reyes’ story is the inclusion of his family. Being raised by a paramedic mother and a mechanic father, Jaime would understand the values of hard work and compassion, even if he didn’t always have his priorities straight. Add in his little sister, Milagro, and Jaime’s family would be the picture of the average American family.

After Jaime relents and reveals his identity as the Blue Beetle to his family, many things start to come to light. While his family feared for his safety, they also understood that Jaime could not simply stand by and do nothing as people were hurt, a trait he had likely picked up from his mother, who had begun treating gang members in an illegal facility, knowing they couldn’t go to a hospital without fear of being prosecuted. With many scenes featuring Jaime receiving the support of his family and friends, there would be many inspirational scenes featured throughout a show that would connect emotionally with audiences everywhere.

The Mystery

     Warner Bros. Distribution

Sprinkled throughout the series would be clues as to the scarab’s (eventually known as Khaji-Da) true purpose. Khaji-Da attaches to Jaime’s back after a terrible accident, and despite their efforts, no one can remove the beetle from Jaime without causing lethal consequences. Over the character’s multi-year history in the comics, there have been different origins, some mystical, and some alien.

The origin most recognized in alternative media is that Khaji-Da is a member of the alien species, The Reach. The Reach are considered a high-level intergalactic threat, often in the crosshairs of the Green Lantern Corps. Each scarab of the Reach has an objective of attaching to a member of another species and turning them into the ultimate weapon, eventually turning them on their own people and taking the world over in service to the Reach, be it as enslaved people or soldiers. At some point during a struggle in which Jaime became entangled, the scarab had suffered damage leading to it failing to take over Jaime’s mind. While Khaji-Da maintained a sense of individuality, the two would be forced to work together if they wished to find a way to continue their goals, and over time, it would appear one had begun influencing the other. Who would ultimately win in this strange battle of symbiosis? We can’t wait to see where Warner Bros. takes us on the exciting adaptation.