Warning: Contains Spoilers for Blue Beetle #11!
Summary
- Blue Beetle #11 introduces a romance between Jaime Reyes and alien Oo'li, reminiscent of Dick Grayson and Starfire's cosmic love.
- Jaime Reyes' new romance with an alien adds a fresh dynamic to his character and supporting cast in the DC Universe.
- The romance in Blue Beetle #11 offers a change of pace from the usual tragic origins, highlighting a more lighthearted approach to superhero love.
In a world of aliens, gods, and monsters, it's only a matter of time before a few of these DC Universe citizens start falling in love. Back in the day of the original Teen Titans, the romance was between Dick Grayson's newly minted Nightwing persona and Starfire, a Tamaranean alien. Since then, I've been waiting for a romance of that magnitude, and I think I've found it beginning with Blue Beetle and Oo'li.
In Blue Beetle #11 by Josh Trujillo and Adrián Gutiérrez, Jaime Reyes and the alien Oo'li share a sudden kiss, with Blue Beetle thrown back like a damsel in distress. This image has a revamped Dick and Kory vibe, and you can't convince me otherwise.
Ever since DC gave Blue Beetle a fresh start with his scarab's origin in outer space (instead of from Egyptian magic), Jaime Reyes has had almost exclusively otherworldly battles. Like Superman, having powers originating from a different world means having enemies from likewise alien worlds - and even lovers, too. This new romance with Oo'li of the Horizon is the perfect change of pace for Jaime's love life and cast of supporting characters, even if it does echo the classic Titans romance, Nightwing and Starfire.
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The Blueprint for Blue Beetle's Romance
Nightwing and Starfire have had a bumpy road, but many fans argue that they're DC's best couple. However, more recently, Nightwing and Batgirl are furthering their romance as Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon (also a redhead — everybody has a type) finally take the next steps in their relationship. That leaves the slot for an alien-human romance in the DCU wide open. It seems that Blue Beetle is up for the challenge, although Oo'li is the one initiating the romance in the first place, just like Starfire did.
In an ever-changing world of crises and continuity shifts, it would be nice to see a Teen Titans romance that lasts.
Dick and Kory both shared a tragic bond in that they were forced to watch their own parents die. While this similarity wasn't enough of a reason to stay together, I think the more lighthearted pairing of Jaime Reyes and Oo'li will get it right, showing me that tragedy isn't a good basis for romance. Leave the tragedy to Batman, I say. Let other heroes fall in love.
Blue Beetle Is Due For a Good Romance
Variant Cover by Jacoby Salcedo
I think nothing sweeter is owed to Jaime Reyes for upholding the Blue Beetle legacy than a fresh romantic start. With an alien scarab, he is the perfect candidate for a romance from outer space. Personally, I just think the entire moment is too cute, with how nervous Jaime gets, like Dick losing his cool, and how much Oo'li echoes Starfire in her brash questions about human customs. The way she is the one driving the romance by dipping Jaime into a kiss reminds me so much of how Starfire was much more powerful than Nightwing.
While Blue Beetle and Oo'li parallel a long-past memory of Dick and Kory, I just hope they don't end up like them. In an ever-changing world of Crises and continuity shifts, it would be nice to see a Teen Titans romance that lasts. If anything, Blue Beetle deserves a romance, especially if his new love interest is from outer space.
Blue Beetle #11 is available now from DC Comics!
BLUE BEETLE #11 (2024) | |
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Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle is a DC superhero who first appeared in August 1939. The more recent iteration of the character focuses on Jaime Reyes, who first appeared in Infinite Crisis #3 in 2006. In August 2023, the character received his first live-action film starring Xolo Maridueña and directed by Angel Manuel Soto.
- Created By
- Keith Giffen , John Rogers , Cully Hamner
- Alias
- Jaime Reyes
- Franchise
- DC Comics
- POWERS
- Melee weapon production, translation of alien languages, energy pulse shield projection, hand blasts/beams, sound manipulation, technomorphy, pyrokinesis & mechanokinesis.
- Birthday
- August 1939
