Warning: Spoilers for Blue Beetle #10!

Summary

• Jaime Reyes' refusal to destroy a corrupted Beetle showcases his heroism and respect for life.
• Blue Beetle's legacy deserves more recognition among DC's heroes like Batman and Superman.
• Jamie and Ted's understanding of heroism sets them apart, emphasizing the importance of redemption for all.

The underrated legacy of Blue Beetle is too important to overlook. Thanks in large part to the fairly recent release of his big screen debut, Jamie Reyes has been pushed to the forefront of DC Comics as one of its leading faces. However, the long-running legacy of the Blue Beetle is still a long way from being as revered as DC's other legacy acts.

Blue Beetle #10 by Josh Trujilo and Adrián Gutiérrez showcases exactly why public opinion should change in the title character's favor. Jamie's refusal to destroy a corrupted Beetle shows off not only that he understands what it means to be a hero, but how a hero can contribute to the legacy of those that came before him.

Jamie's refusal of death and violence gets to the heart of superheroism as a whole in a way that should earn both him and the Blue Beetle moniker some newfound respect and adoration in the long run.

Blue Beetle Saves the Green Beetle's Scarab from Incineration

How did Jamie Reyes Get Here?

Jamie Reyes is the third Blue Beetle, succeeding Dan Garrett and Ted Kord, who also appears as Blue Beetle in this series. Similar to Reyes, Garrett was granted powers from a sacred scarab, while Ted's powers are rooted in science and his inventions. In Jamie's new series, Ted's devious sister, Victoria Kord (who thinks she's one of DC's newest heroes, the Green Beetle, to give up her scarab. With Green Beetle's Nol-Dar scarab in her hands, Victoria uses the sentient technology to build an uncontrollable death machine called Pinnacle.

Miraculously, Jamie finds a way to permanently destroy Pinnacle, leaving behind only the scarab. Against Victoria's orders, Jamie refuses to kill Nol-Dar. Jamie recognizes that Nol-Dar, like any other scarab (including his own Khaji Da) is a living creature. Victoria corrupted that creature, but Jamie doesn't think that Nol-Dar is irredeemable. He'd rather save the corrupted beetle and believe that it's still capable of offering something good to the world, regardless of how much destruction it has caused. Jaime's unwavering belief is what being a hero is all about.

Blue Beetle's Legacy Deserves More Clout in the DCU

Jaime and Ted Understand What Being a Hero Is All About

As a legacy hero, the Blue Beetle doesn't evoke the same response as DC's other legacy names like Batman or Superman, but it's moments like this that highlight why he should be respected in the same regard. Jamie Reyes understands what it means to be a superhero better than some heroes have been shown to understand the term. It's not just about saving people: it's about knowing that no one is beyond redemption. Everyone can and should be saved, and Blue Beetle's understanding of scarabs gives him a unique perspective on the topic.

Blue Beetle #10 is available now from DC Comics.