Blue Beetle and The Fantastic Four

 

Nothing like a Kirby-Ditko combo to deliver some Silver Age action!  Blue Beetle previously met the FF along with Booster Gold in STF #3590. The FF met the Jaime Reyes Blue Beetle in STF #1632.

Blue Beetle and The Hulk / Zatanna and Son of Satan

 

I never had much disposable income growing up, so comics that featured multiple stories always appealed to me.  This issue would have definitely had me at least flipping through it at the stands.

Blue Beetle last crossed paths with The Hulk in STF 1855...

Blue Beetle & Booster Gold and Nighthawk

 

Despite his wealth and abilities, Nighthawk was never quite able to rise above B-list status.  Still, I always liked Kyle Richmond and he had a very cool costume, so I always welcomed his appearances.  I think he would work well with the Blue & Gold team, acting as kind of a less gruff Batman.

Blue Beetle and Booster Gold Vs. Apocalypse

 

These two have found themselves in all kinds of predicaments, and this one might just top them all.  It would be interesting to see a time traveler like Booster facing off against a centuries-spanning villain.

The Hulk and Blue Beetle in: "Bodyguarding Banner!"

 

This is the third meeting between these heroes.  They first met with Booster Gold and The Defenders way back in STF #165, and The Hulk almost replaced Booster in STF #1855... 

Blue Beetle took a little tweaking on this one.  Here's a peek behind the scenes: 

Blue Beetle and Rom

 

Time for another double dose of Ditko. His skilled design work extended to the various creatures that he would create. This big guy wasn't given a name, so I cam up with one for him.

Blue Beetle Vs. The Scorpion

 

It's time for another double-dose of Ditko.  Who better to face The Scorpion in his STF debut than a similarly themed hero that was also designed by the legendary comics creator?  It would have been cool to see him illustrate this entire issue!

Blue Beetle and Booster Gold Vs. Aliens

 

The Blue and Gold team have a way of getting in and out of tight spots, so this is a scenario that I can see happening.  You can't wise-crack your way out of a Xenomorph infestation, so I'd like to see how they deal with this particular menace. 

All-Star Squadron and The Invaders (And more!)

When I was a kid, the 100-Page comics and Annuals that featured classic reprints were my introduction to the characters and creators of the Golden Age. It was cool to see the building blocks of the heroes and stories that I had been currently enjoying.  I thought that I would pay homage to those specials for this Anniversary Issue.

Here are the full sized images of each story: 

Blue Beetle & Booster Gold and Power Man & Iron Fist

 

These are two of my favorite buddy teams in all of comics, so it is long overdue that I have them meet up on the blog.  While one team is literally all about business, the other likes to have a little fun while they are crime fighting, which might make for a fun dynamic.

Doctor Strange and Blue Beetle & Booster Gold

 

It looks like Beetle and Booster have found themselves in another fine mess.  Let's hope they can rescue Doc Strange and get back on his good side after their ill-fated attempt to join The Defenders way back in STF #165...

Blue Beetle Vs. The Mole Man

 

Mole Man was the first Fantastic Four villain, but will that be reflected in the movies?  He may not be as imposing as some of the other FF villains, but between The Moloids and giant subterranean creatures that he commands, I can imagine some pretty cool action sequences that could happen.  How cool would it be to see a live action depiction of the cover to Fantastic Four #1?

Blue Beetle and Deathlok

 

Deathlok was always a welcome guest star in Marvel titles.  His solo stories were a lot of fun too.  He is definitely a character that deserves another shot in live action after the disappointing low rent version we got on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.  Like his appearances he could work in the larger MCU or on a solo show all his own.

Blue Beetle Vs. The Lizard

 

I finally checked out the Blue Beetle movie, and I thought it was OK.  I probably would have been more impressed with it 10-15 years ago, but at this point I felt like I had seen most of the story beats done before in other superhero flicks.  The very generic villains did not help.  I did like Jaime and his family though, and some of the effects were fun to watch, especially with the Bug ship.  I liked the nods to Ted Kord, but wonder if the mid-credits scene concerning him will ever be followed up on.  Blue Beetle is supposed to be one of the few characters that well be crossing over into James Gunn's new DCU though, so I suppose there is a chance.  Maybe in the proposed Booster Gold series?

Blue Beetle Vs. The Beetle in: "Beetle Battle Two!"

 

Every box office forecast I have seen for Blue Beetle indicates that it expected to be another DC movie dud.  The trailers look ok, I'm not sure why the movie isn't clicking with people.  Perhaps Warner Bros should not have announced a whole rebooted DCU before they were done releasing all the movies from the previous iteration.  James Gunn has indicated that Blue Beetle will be showing up in the new DCU even though his movie is not necessarily connected.  Yeah, I don't really get that either, maybe that's why it hasn't moved the needle.

The Beetle tangled with the Ted Kord Blue Beetle back in STF #2611...

Blue Beetle and The Punisher

 Here's another unlikely pairing.  I can't really seen these two working together unless presented with a scenario like the one above.  It might be interesting to see how their different attitudes and crimefighting styles clash when they find themselves battling side by side.  

Blue Beetle and Captain America (Vs. The Hate Monger!)

 

A Blue Beetle/Booster Gold buddy movie was one of the many ideas floated by Warner Bros in the last decade that never seemed to go anywhere.  Now that there's new leadership for DCU films and given James Gunn's fondness for everyman type heroes, maybe there's a chance that this one could get back on track. 

Cap last appeared with Ted Kord under a mountain in STF #1741 and they two first met way back in STF #234. Cap met Blue Beetle Dan Garrett in STF #1078... 

Blue Beetle and Ghost Rider in: "Cousins in the Crosshairs!"

 

With all of the recent project cancellations from the Warner Bros/Discovery merger, many have been worried about the upcoming Blue Beetle movie.  Fortunately, it seems to be safe so far, which is good news.  The set photos were so impressive that I can only imagine how the finished project will look.

The Reyes Cousins first appeared together back in STF #2826...

Blue Beetle and Wolverine

 

There was a rumor about Ted Kord showing up in the upcoming Blue Beetle movie, to be played by Jason Sudekis.  Alas it was quickly debunked, but the casting seems so perfect to me that I hope maybe fans can will it into existence like happened with John Krasinski as Reed Richards. Kord Industries will be playing a big role in the film, so I suppose there is still hope that he can show up.  Maybe just a mid-credits scene where he arrives to help Jaime Reyes with some kind of tech issue.

Booster Gold & Blue Beetle and The Fantastic Four

 

DC keeps teasing movie plans for Blue Beetle and Booster Gold, separately and together, but nothing yet seems to stick.  The latest rumor is that Donald Faison's mysterious role when he joins DC's Legends of Tomorrow with be that of Booster.  I suppose that's something, but I have long since given up on that show having much if any fidelity to the actual DC comics line. Let's hope we are pleasantly surprised, either with the TV role or concrete movie plans.