Review: Blue Beetle #7

Josh Trujillo writes a heartfelt tribute to the late legend Keith Giffen, cleverly disguised as a plot-advancing transition issue between the Scarab War arc & Jaime's next adventures.

Jaime goes on a whirlwind adventure through the DC Universe's past, present, & future, all thanks to the affable Booster Gold's wonky time travel tech. This journey serves a dual purpose. It allows Jaime to connect with elements of the Universe Giffen helped create, while also laying the groundwork for what's to come. While he could have easily turned this into a collection of separate mini-stories to honor Giffen, Trujillo deftly crafts an engaging linear story that doesn't feel clunky or misguided.

What truly elevates the issue is the way it celebrates Giffen's work via the art. A variety of artists, each w/ their own unique style, depict the different eras Jaime visits. This stylistic shift beautifully mirrors the time travel aspect & pays homage to Giffen's artistic collaborators throughout his career. Series artist Adrián Gutiérrez bookends these sequences w/ his usual beautiful artwork.

One of Giffen's trademarks was his ability to blend humor w/ genuine emotional moments. Blue Beetle 7 captures this wonderfully. We see lighthearted banter between Jaime & Booster Gold, but also a touching scene where Jaime encounters his mother. These moments add depth & heart to the issue, reminding us why we love these characters.

This was a tribute comic, a plot-advancing issue, & a celebration of DC history all rolled into one. The story is engaging, the artwork is fantastic, & the emotional core shines through. This is a must-read for any Blue Beetle fan or Keith Giffen fan!

Rating: 9.5/10