The focus of this story was primarily about what it is like to live as a Mexican immigrant or a child of immigrant parents in America. The entire sci-fi element that makes this a "Blue Beetle" is a bit of a side note. This story is also a great way to understand what the Alt-Right pipeline is and what it does to people as well as how easy it is to fall down it. The story was well written and I did enjoy it. It managed to be succinct in its portrayal of anti-immigrant hatred and how it destroys local communities, but it never gets preachy. I also really enjoyed the art!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

The duo of Anta and Salcedo knocks it out of the park once again!

I really enjoyed this Blue Beetle story. I've been anticipating it since it was announced and it exceeded my expectations. It's great to see Jaime's story told in the context of his Mexican-American identity and the issues of racism and border policing in Texas (as well as in other states). It shows the very realistic ways in which different people respond to conflict, including fear, compassion, confusion, anger, and more. It also confronts the very real issues faced by US business owners when the border is shut down. And it does all of this in the well-known world of Blue Beetle: the traditional scarab encounter, its attachment to Jaime, and the intergalactic villains that fans of the character will already be familiar with.

Anta's storytelling is always a win and Salcedo's art style always matches the story being told. And the color work is chef's kiss! Fans of the duo will also notice a couple of easter eggs from their previous book, Frontera!

Shout out to NetGalley for giving me an Arc of this amazing graphic novel.

I assure you it is better than the movie.

4/5 Stars!

Thank you to DC Comics and NetGalley of this eARC!

I enjoyed this book! I love graphic novels, and this was no exception. The social conflicts within it are great to be talking about as well. I want to watch the movie that recently came out now as well. I had never heard of it before requesting this book. If you’re interested in Blue Beetle or liked the Teen Titans graphic novels, I’m sure you’d enjoy this. As well as if you enjoy books that tackle adventure and social issues.

Jaime Reyes is a teenager with his head in the stars, more interested in space than in current events. But when the U.S.-Mexico border is closed and some racist groups start making threats, Jaime is thrust into the middle. This is a new take on the Blue Beetle origin story with a focus on immigration and immigrant issues. I like it.

I definitely like the origin story graphic novels, and this was no exception. The story is fun and moves well, although I will admit to knowing very little about Blue Beetle as a whole in the DC universe. So little in fact that I had to Google if he was DC or Marvel. This story definitely touches on some issues, especially the immigrant situation in the US. I also found that Jamie was struggling with so many things in his life - his dad's business, the immigrant situation, being taken over by alien tech, etc. - and it irked me that his friend kept putting all this pressure on him to be part of her schemes. I get that she wanted to do things in protest of what was going on, but some of the thing she did were risky and putting others at risk too. She wanted Jaime to participate more, but was completely blind to the fact that he had other concerns and factors to consider.

I also found it interesting how the story juxtaposed the beetle trying to control him with a friend basically doing the same thing. Both of them use pressure and his love as a way to push him into behaving how they want him to behave.

The artwork was good. Easy to tell who was who which is not always the case with these. And an overall good graphic novel about superheroes as teens.

This story is about a kid who becomes a superhero, while struggling to control the thing that has attached itself to him and sometimes controls him. While he is dealing with this new power things are not going so well in his home due to hate groups. While both sides are protesting they get a visit from aliens from outer space trying to kill people. This has some really good points in it.

As someone who isn't familiar with Blue Beetle, I thought this was a great introduction to the series. It follows Jaime Reyes as he awakens his powers as a superhero and navigates his newly found double life. The book tackles subjects such as identity, immigration, nationalism, and the process of how a person can become radicalized. The characters feel very human and I loved the way they presented these touchy subjects. It didn't feel preachy, and it was engrossing to read about.

Salcedo does an amazing job with the artwork. The illustrations are consistent and well-drawn, and I loved their linework and usage of color!

I love Blue Beetle, but this story was realllllllly cringey. Reminds me of one of those 90s ads that tell kids not to do drugs.

Another excellent entry in the line of DC Graphic Novels for Young Adults. This one does an amazing job of blending together multiple storylines, tackles social issues without feeling preachy and sets up a future that I really hope we get to see. I always feel the need to write that I know I am not the target demographic for this line, but every time I read one, I love it and this one is no exception. I really hope we can see another volume soon.

Special Thanks to DC Comics and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for an E-ARC of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.

The novel includes many subtle details in each scene that, if not carefully observed, might be overlooked but contribute interesting nuances to the characters, setting, and storyline. The illustrations are well-executed, vibrant, and effectively convey the narrative and events. The writing is clear, engaging, and descriptive. The characters are relatable and well-developed, offering ample room for future growth. The plot skillfully combines elements of fantasy, contemporary themes, and mystery to create a captivating and enjoyable story. The integration of text and artwork results in a vivid, engaging, informative, and concise reading experience. Minor elements like specific clothing worn by characters, highlighted words, and the use of colors like red in text boxes enhance the reader's connection to the characters, setting, and plot. While the graphic novel may center around superheroes, it also touches on significant contemporary issues such as violence, discrimination, social justice, self-discovery, relationships, and family dynamics. The portrayal of navigating morality through online influences is realistic, relatable, and particularly relevant in today's digital age with the prevalence of social media and other forms of media. The piece showcases a diverse range of characters from different cultures and races, each with distinct personalities, hobbies, and opinions. While the graphic novel's brevity and dramatic nature might not suit all readers, it opens up opportunities for the development, evolution, and further storytelling of the Blue Beetle character and the overarching narrative. This Land is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story is a concise, engaging, educational, approachable, and authentic contemporary superhero graphic novel that will resonate with readers aged 14 and older who appreciate ordinary superheroes and beetles.

I went into this knowing absolutely nothing about Blue Beetle other than... aliens? So that my color my review. Or lack there of?

The story is alright; it's not bad, but its not something I see myself super remembering and raving about. I've read a few superhero comics lately that have touch on how/why people become radicalized. I appreciate the humanization, especially since we're dealing with youth. Smarter teens will infer how to NOT let this happen to themselves and their peers, but I feel like a direct PSA would not have been out of place or unwelcome.

Because of my proximity to the border, and the demographics of my area, I see my readers connecting with this material. I am excited for them to see themselves in a superhero.

The artwork is great! I love a good dessert scene.

Some comics and graphic novels are not just extremely well created, but also perfectly timed. This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story by Eisner-nominated duo of writer Julio Anta and artist Jacoby Salcedo is one of those comics. Given our current political climate, this graphic novel is both poignant and timely.

Jaime Reyes is an ordinary high school student in El Paso, Texas, with a deep love for his family, culture, and home. But lately he’s begun to realize that he and his border community are being used as pawns in an increasingly toxic immigration debate. One of Jaime’s oldest friends, Riley, has bought into the propaganda of El Paso’s growing immigrant population. What started off as innocent web searches has now led Riley down a path to joining an unabashed hate group with a chapter in El Paso looking to cause some real-world violence.

Jaime’s problems get even more complicated when he finds an odd bug-like artifact while stargazing. He’s been having surreal dreams that show him that the true threat El Paso faces isn’t “illegal aliens,” but actual aliens known as the Reach. According to his dreams, Jaime is meant to pave the way for the Reach’s impending invasion!

Not know much about what we were getting involved with when opening This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story for the first time, we were extremely pleasantly surprised at an original story that deals with important political and personal issues while also telling a origin story. Tackling one well is a feet on its own, but nailing both is a truly wonderful thing.

Julio Anta's compelling writing is smooth and easy to follow. He seamlessly weaves topics of identity, friendships, family and social justice together to make a timely and relevant story for all ages. The message of doing the right thing, even if it is difficult resonates in today's world. While we deal with important issues within this original graphic novel, there is plenty to be sad about telling a great origin story of Jaime Reyes becoming the Blue Beetle and fending off an invasion.

As we have seen in the Eisner-nominated Frontera, Anta's writing pairs extremely well with Jacoby Salcedo's artwork. Salcedo illustrates a simple, yet elegant 200+ pages that captures the emotion and real issues while still keeping things on the lighter side. The characters are well designed and executed allowing us to connect on a personal level. We can immerse ourselves into the story without being overwhelmed by complexities of more detailed artwork. Salcedo, along with the colors by Francesco Segala and lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, create a visual appealing experience.

At its heart This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story is a superhero origin story, but truly is so much more. It's a poignant reflection of societal issues and personal responsibility. While Jaime grows from cover to cover, other characters grow and redeemed themselves as well. It's a powerful story with a superhero suit on.

With This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story, Julio Anta and Jacoby Salcedo have created a truly outstanding and thought-provoking graphic novel with high stakes, heart and a sense of responsibility. While fans of Blue Beetle and DC Comics will take a lot from this graphic novel, there is so much more packed into a this graphic novel making it one of our comics of the year contenders. Those in charge would do themselves a favor by allowing this creative team handle a few more stories in the DC Universe, that's for sure.

The amazing duo Julio Anta and Jacoby Salcedo return to bring not only another great coming-of-age comic with a relatable teen character but also an origin story for a teenage superhero. Who wouldn't want to read that? What I love about “This Is Our Land", except for it's amazing story and captivating illustrations, for someone tired of reading superhero stories, the superhero element is just a bonus. You are not bogged down by the superhero elements but as the reader, you can appreciate the important themes that it conveys, particularly the sentiment of staying true to your instincts, no matter what the world around you tells you. All I know is, the world could use Jamie as the voice of reason and a voice of bringing unity to our communities.

Another winner by Anta and Salcedo! Truly, a great and inspiring superhero origin story that readers will have no problem identifying with the characters and being engrossed in the comic's thought-provoking, inspiring storytelling. A must-read when it comes out in the Fall!

I’ve been anticipating this one since it was announced. From the great team behind one of my favorites last year, Frontera.

This is an excellent origin for the uninitiated that also reads fantastic for long time Jamie fans. Tackling tough subjects like nationalism, immigration, and falling into the wrong crowd online.

Salcedo’s art is wonderful and so much fun. This book is also littered with so many neat easter eggs. I NEED the Darseid & Demon shirts Jamie wears.

The DC Ink line hasn’t missed a beat yet and this is another fantastic title that’s a must for any Blue Beetle or DC YA fan!