“Yesterday’s” Comic> Blue Beetle #53 (Charlton)

There are worse Blue Beetle villains I could think of to bring back.

Blue Beetle #53

Charlton Comics Group (December, 1965)

“The People Thieves”

no credits in the comic, and Comic Book Plus only lists the artist, Tony Tallarico

[Read along with me here]

Sorry the scans are kind of wonky. They could have tried to straighten out the pages.

Hunter Mann (yes, really), The Praying Mantis Man has returned, using a freezing gun to capture people to start his new civilization with after his giant insect army destroys the old one. Lucky for Dan, he just happened to decide to come up with an anti-insect spray that won’t affect humans. Praying Mantis Man captures Dan’s dinner date to bring out the Blue Beetle, and he freezes him. Good thing Dan’s date manages to thaw our hero, who can use the villain’s own lab to whip up enough anti-bug spray to stop his giant bug army and stop the villain.

What they got right: The lady of the issue actually gets to be useful here, saving Dan and later the other hostages while Blue Beetle saves the world. Praying Mantis Man, silly as his name is, actually makes for a decent threat for our hero.

What they got wrong: Though I can’t figure out his plan. First, I thought he wanted to replace humanity with his bugs, but then he says he wants to use the frozen humans to restart civilization under his control, and plans to wipe out the giant bugs after they destroy the world for him. I know he’s supposed to be insane, but the Joker is more consistent than this guy. I wouldn’t bring up our hero needing to be rescued if it didn’t happen so often, but I will point out how terrible Dan is at keeping his identity a secret, because Praying Mantis Man knows it. Also, when Blue Beetle sprays PMM (it’s a long name to keep writing) and his giant dragonfly, the dragonfly dies while the villain is in mid-air, and Blue Beetle let’s him fall to his death!!!!!! That’s ice cold, Dan, and the pun is semi-intentional.

What I think overall: I’m starting to see why Charlton never lived up to DC and Marvel if this was normal for their stories at the time. It’s become a regular comment with this series under all the runs: it’s a good idea but the execution needs work.