Russkie-Smashers BLUE BEETLE "Rookie Trouble!"

We presented a Russkie-Smashing story featuring this character HERE...

...and, oddly, though Dan Garret had been a cop since 1940, he's still considered a "rookie"....in 1955!

This never-reprinted tale from Charlton's Blue Beetle #20 (1955) was part of the first batch of new stories about the character after several issues of reprints from the original Fox Comics run.
Penciler Ted Galindo, inker Ray Osrin, and an unknown writer treated the character as a less-powerful Superman, with most of the Man of Steel's powers and relationships transposed to Dan Garret/Blue Beetle and his supporting cast!
There are some changes in his abilities from his just-reprinted Fox Comics tales, so this may actually be a reboot, and not merely a continuation of the earlier series, though it's never clearly-defined!

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Russkie-Smashers BLUE BEETLE "Last Chance!"

Another costumed Russkie-Smasher takes the battle against evil to the vacuum of deep space...

...just as Blackhawk, Captain Atom, and Spurs Jackson and His Space Vigilantes did!

This never-reprinted tale from Charlton's Blue Beetle #20 (1955) was part of the first batch of new stories about the character after several issues of reprints from the original Fox Comics run.
Penciler Ted Galindo, inker Ray Osrin, and an unknown writer treated the character as a less-powerful Superman, with most of the Man of Steel's powers and relationships transposed to Dan Garret/Blue Beetle and his supporting cast!
Note: for December, we're taking a break from Russkie-Smashing to do Yuletide tales featuring superheroes!
The Russkie-Smashing will resume after the New Year!

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Blue Beetle Companion

Reading Room: BLUE BEETLE "His First Case" Conclusion

When Last We Left Our Hero...

Despite a rough upbringing in the slums, including the death of his mother during an epidemic, Dan Garret becomes a scholarship student at State University, not only making Honor Roll, but becoming a letterman at several sports as well.

During his senior year, he receives word that his policeman father has been shot and badly-wounded...

This tale from Fox's Blue Beetle #1 (1939) was written and laid-out by Will Eisner (yes, that Will Eisner) and illustrated by Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski, who later used the name "Charles Nicholas" for his comic work until he retired.
You'll note there's no explanation of how or when Dan developed the Blue Beetle identity or costume.
And, following this tale in the first issue of his own book, are reprints of Blue Beetle's first few appearances from Mystery Men Comics, including his premiere, which featured him in a radically-different costume!

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Reading Room: BLUE BEETLE "His First Case" Part 1

Several months after debuting in Mystery Men Comics, the Blue Beetle got his own book...

...and, finally, the story (at least some of it) behind his first appearance!

Who wounded Dan's father?

Will he get away with it?

How does this event cause the birth of the Blue Beetle?

For the answers to these and numerous other questions...

...be here tomorrow!

Same Beetle time!

Same Beetle blog!

You'll note we don't call this untitled story an origin.
That's because, you learn some aspects of how Dan Garret became the Blue Beetle, but you won't learn all of them (including the most important one)!
This tale from Fox's Blue Beetle #1 (1939) was written and laid-out by Will Eisner (yes, that Will Eisner) and illustrated by Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski, who later used the name "Charles Nicholas" for his comic work until he retired.

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Reading Room: BLUE BEETLE "Trap for the Blue Beetle"

The Blue Beetle was a beat cop without much pocket money...

...so, unlike Batman and the other millionaire heroes, Dan Garret had to depend on his local pharmacy for gimmicks and disguises!

Dan's partner, Mike Mannigan survived for the entire Golden Age run of the Blue Beetle, but when Dan Garret was revamped by Charlton in the Silver Age and became Dan Garrett (note the extra "t"): archeologist, Mike was nowhere to be found.
A different version of him did pop up in DC's CountDown mini-series in 2007!

This story from Fox's Mystery Men Comics #5 (1939) is credited to the the pen-name "Charles Nicholas", but was written by Will Eisner and illustrated by Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski, who later used the "Charles Nicholas" name for all his comic work until he retired.

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Reading Room: BLUE BEETLE "Protection Insurance for Newsboys"

At last, the Blue Beetle hits his stride...

...as he finally appears in the armored costume that will (with minor variations) strike fear into the hearts of evildoers for the next decade or so!

This story from Fox's Mystery Men Comics #4 (1939) is credited to the the pen-name "Charles Nicholas", but was written by Will Eisner and illustrated by Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski, who later used the "Charles Nicholas" name for all his comic work until he retired.

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Reading Room: BLUE BEETLE "Loan Shark Racket"

In the early Golden Age, superheroes helped the "little guy"...

...when sleazeballs took advantage of honest citizens' dire financial straits!

The Blue Beetle finally gains his mask in his story from Fox's Mystery Men Comics #3 (1939) which is credited to the the pen-name "Charles Nicholas", but was written by Will Eisner and illustrated by Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski, who later used the "Charles Nicholas" name for all his comic work until he retired.

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