Saturday Showcase: Guy Gardner

   
    Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge Green Lantern fan.  I am a big fan of the Hal Jordan era, but I have to say I really dig the Guy Gardner era as the Green Lantern.  I realize he is a big fixture in the DC Universe, but I feel Guy still doesn't get enough props and that is why he is the focus of today's Saturday Showcase.

    Guy had a huge role in the '80's era of DC Comics, but he was first introduced to us in March of '68 in Green Lantern Vol. 2 # 59.  Originally he was created by Gil Kane and John Broome but some changes needed to be made to increase his popularity.  So, his appearance was changed thanks to Joe Staton and Steve Englehart , and it was his run in the '80's that really caught the reader's attention.  

    I think I first really liked the Guy Gardner Green Lantern while he was a member of the JLI or Justice League International with fellow members Blue Beetle, Mister Miracle, and of course Batman.  Guy and Bats really didn't see eye to eye which made for great reading.  Anyone who follows comics is aware of the one punch story that occurred between Bats and Guy.  For you new comers, here is the panel in which I refer.

     The famous "One Punch" occurred in Justice League International #5.  

    Besides the Green Lantern Corps, Guy has been affiliated with the Red Lanterns for a short while.  He was able to keep his rage in check and used his time with the Red Corps for good in the long run.  And as you already know from the above panel, Guy was also a member of the Justice League International.  While a member of the JLI, he meet the one true love of his life with fellow member, Ice.

    JLI Team Photo (More members would be added later including Fire and Ice)

        Even though Guy has made appearances in several comic titles ( including his own) as well as a few animated series and some video games,  he has never reached the full potential that his character has.  He should be in film in my opinion. One day perhaps, one day.

Saturday Showcase: Blue Beetle (Ted Kord)

    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?