Today's Saturday Showcase revolves around one of my favorite members of the JLA/JLI there ever was. His name is Ted Kord but you may know him as the Blue Beetle. He has and will be one of my favorites.
Here is some background info for you. Ted Kord is the second Blue Beetle, a superhero who was originally published by Charlton Comics and later picked up by DC Comics.This version of the character was created by Steve Ditko and first appeared as a back-up feature in Captain Atom #83 (November 1966), with Gary Friedrich scripting from Ditko's conception and plot.
DC Comics acquired the Charlton heroes in the mid-1980s and used the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover event to integrate them all into the DC Universe. During this period, Blue Beetle had his own series, written by Len Wein, which ran for 24 issues from June 1986 to May 1988. Also published during this time was Secret Origins #2 (cover illustrated by Gil Kane), which explained the origins and careers of the Ted Kord and Dan Garrett Blue Beetles in the post-Crisis continuity. They would also follow up on the hinted android in stasis from the Charlton series, which would eventually become "Carapax, the Indestructible Man".
Ted Kord was sometimes shown as an industrialist, the owner of KORD Industries; more often he was short on money, leading to his entering "get-rich-quick" schemes with Booster Gold. A brief appearance in JLA: Year One showed the young Ted working in Kord Industries R&D, where he designed the JLA HQ security system. Upon meeting the heroes, he thought, "Screw the family business. I want to be one of those guys," possibly explaining the company's fluctuating status since he took over. In recent comics, it has been implied that KORD Industries has become a subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises, headed by Bruce Wayne (also known as Batman).
Sure, Ted Kord's Blue Beetle has had some success on the small screen in episodes of the Brave and the Bold cartoon series, but his character should be a mainstay on Arrow or Legends of Tomorrow to show real appreciation. We all know he has a best friend in Booster that Time Travels so there is your intro to Legends, lol.
For some to say this version of Blue Beetle is not important is someone who doesn't know comics. I mean, they brought Ted back from the Dead in the Green Lantern Blackest Night saga. During the New 52 Justice League 3000 series we found Booster and Blue in action and now thanks to the DC Rebirth movement, he is now a mentor to the 3rd Blue Beetle, Jaime Reyes.
Ted Kord has lead an interesting life in the world of comics, but I feel it is time we see more. What about you?
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