Blue Beetle #3

Part of DC's New 52 initiative, this January 2012 issue puts Jaime Reyes' Blue Beetle suit through its paces against a massive, molten-looking rock creature that dominates the cover — the armored hero blasting away with a hefty alien weapon while the creature's enormous fist threatens to crush him. Looming in the fiery background are two additional adversaries: a green-clad female fighter and a gold-costumed male figure, making the odds look decidedly grim. Cover pencils by Tyler Kirkham and inks by Sal Regla give the scene a kinetic, hard-edged intensity that fits perfectly with the "Metamorphosis Conclusion" story promise inside, with the main series team of Tony Bedard and Ig Guara delivering what looks to be a suitably action-packed finish.