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| As a result of the New 52 in 2011, the entire line of DC characters was relaunched, incorporating properties belonging to the company's imprints: Wildstorm, Milestone, and Vertigo. As such, elements of this character's history have been altered in some way from the previous incarnation. For a complete list of all versions of this character, see our disambiguation page. |
Dan Garrett was the original Blue Beetle, having been an active superhero during World War II.
History
While working as an archaeologist, Garrett uncovered a blue scarab in the tomb of Kha-Ef-Re, an ancient Egyptian pharoah and sorceror.[1] He found that the scarab granted him powers and a costume when activated by the phrase "Khaji Da," and used it to take on the superheroic identity of the Blue Beetle. As the Beetle, he defeated and sealed away Kha-Ef-Re's mummy, which had been transformed into an undead giant by the the radiation of a hydrogen bomb and the Blood Scarab, a counterpart to Garrett's artifact.[2]
During the Second World War, he was sent on a mission with the Losers, the Sandman, and Sandy the Golden Boy by the United States Government to liberate the mystical Tibetan village of Nanda Parbat from the mad scientist General Electric. Though several of the Losers were captured, they were joined by the time-traveling Forager and a group of Abominable Snowmen, stormed the village, and overwhelmed the general's forces. They freed their allies and Rama Kushna, the guardian goddess of Nanda Parbat, who teleported the outsiders away and erased their memories of her village.[3] He took on a young sidekick, Sparky, who was among the "Lost Children" abducted and taken out of time by the Childminder.[4] Garrett fought crime until his death, at which time he passed his mantle, though not the use of the scarab, to Ted Kord, the second Blue Beetle.[5]
Following the adulteration of the timeline, Dan Garrett was an archaeologist who found the scarab some time after the public debut of the superhero Batman. Garrett's discovery inspired his neighbor Ted Kord to use the name "Blue Beetle" in his own heroic career, while Garrett developed an addiction-like dependency upon the Scarab. He later lost possession of the scarab, and while seeking it out was hunted by Doctor Fate, who forced Garrett's car into a river and caused him to drown.[6] Later, Garrett was among the many deceased heroes resurrected by Batman using a Black Lantern Ring to fight the forces of the One Who Laughs.[7]
Powers and Abilities
Abilities
Paraphernalia
Equipment
- Blue Beetle Scarab: Dan could call on the Scarab to gain the costume and powers of the Blue Beetle.[2]
Notes
- Dan Garret was created by Charles Nicholas, first appearing in Mystery Men Comics #1. However, in the Prime Earth continuity, Dan Garret first appeared as part of the New 52 DC Universe in Blue Beetle (Volume 9) #4 by Keith Giffen and Scott Kolins.
- This version of Dan Garrett incorporates aspects of both his Golden Age incarnation, such as his participation in the Golden Age of superheroics and partnership with Sparky, and the Silver Age Dan Garrett, such as his origin and relationship with Ted Kord. Blue Beetle: Graduation Day (Volume 1) establishes that three Blue Beetles have existed in Prime Earth continuity, Dan Garrett, Ted Kord, and Jaime Reyes,[5] indicating that Dan Garrett is a single individual.
Related
- 9 Appearances of Daniel Garrett (Prime Earth)
- 4 Images featuring Daniel Garrett (Prime Earth)
- 1 Quotations by or about Daniel Garrett (Prime Earth)
- Character Gallery: Daniel Garrett (Prime Earth)
Footnotes
  This character is or was a member of the All-Star Squadron in any of its various incarnations. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "All-Star Squadron members" category. |