Publication history and fictional character biography
Charlton Comics
Ted Kord was a genius-level inventor and a gifted athlete, sharing much more in common with Dan Garret, the Fox Feature Syndicate original, than did Charlton's reimagining of the Garrett (a second "t" was added) / Blue Beetle character. Kord's signature equipment was his bug-shaped personal aircraft, which he entered and exited typically with a cable suspended from the cockpit. He also generally eschewed personal weaponry, except for a pistol that made a blinding flash of light and, additionally, a strong airblast to gain the advantage when he closed in for hand-to-hand combat.
The character ran as a backup feature in Captain Atom #83–86 (November 1966 – June 1967) before getting his own Blue Beetle title,[2] which ran for 5 issues between June 1967 and November 1968. A sixth issue was produced, but published in the Charlton Portfolio by CPL Gang. The Question ran as a backup series, with the fifth issue featuring a quasi-team-up in which the Blue Beetle story continues in part in the Question tale.
An origin was given in Secret Origins vol. 2, #2, linking him to the original Blue Beetle. Ted was a former student of Dan Garrett, and they were investigating his uncle Jarvis Kord, learning Jarvis was working to create an army of androids to take over Earth; Garrett fought Jarvis, but both were killed in the battle.[3] Garrett died and passed on the responsibility of the alter-ego to Ted, but was not able to pass on the mystical Blue Beetle scarab (a convenient means for Ditko to explain his preference for a power-free character). There was a hint that one android was still left in stasis, but this would remain unresolved until the DC series of the late 1980s.
In the early 1980s, the first issue of Charlton's anthology comic Charlton Bullseye featured a team-up of the Blue Beetle and the Question. Later, AC Comics would publish a story intended for Charlton Bullseye in Americomics #3, and a one-shot of a team-up of all the Charlton "Action Heroes" called the Sentinels of Justice, as the company called its lineup. Upon losing Blue Beetle, AC Comics created a similar character called Scarlet Scorpion.
DC Comics
DC solo series
Cover to Secret Origins #2, art by Gil Kane.
DC Comics acquired the Charlton heroes in the mid-1980s and used the Crisis on Infinite Earthscrossover event to integrate them all into the DC Universe. During this period, Ted Kord had his own Blue Beetle series, written by Len Wein,[4] 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".
In his monthly, solo series, Kord was shown as an industrialist, the owner of KORD Industries, which he took over from his father Thomas Kord and transformed it from a small R&D company to a scientific industry rivaling S.T.A.R. Labs. Upon joining the newly formed Justice League (following the events in the Legends) Ted was more often portrayed as a second string joke. 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 / Batman.
Kord is probably best known as the wisecracking Blue Beetle of Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis' lighthearted, five-year run on various Justice League of America titles (notably Justice League International), where he was memorably partnered with Booster Gold, and the two become best friends. Among fans, they are known collectively as the "Blue and Gold" team. After Giffen and DeMatteis left, the series continued to run until Justice League America #113. Dan Jurgens tied "The Death of Superman" storyline into JLA, in which Doomsday left Kord in a coma during his murderous rampage, as well as a six-inch scar on the back of his skull. Kord and Booster Gold both subsequently joined the short-lived Justice League offshoot known as Extreme Justice.[5]
Kord then entered a period of relative obscurity. The miniseriesThe LAW (Living Assault Weapons) reunited him and the other heroes acquired from Charlton, but the series met with critical disfavor.[citation needed]
In July 2003, Giffen, DeMatteis, and original JLI artist Kevin Maguire reunited for the six-issue miniseries Formerly Known as the Justice League, where many of the original JLI characters re-teamed with a storefront office. Ted (who had grown in maturity) was an important member of this new team known as the "Super Buddies". The sequel story arcI Can't Believe It's Not the Justice League was initially slated as a second miniseries, but instead ran delayed in JLA: Classified #4–9 (2005).
Ted made several appearances in Birds of Prey, at first as Oracle's internet friend and later in person. It was hinted in several issues that Ted had a crush on Oracle. Ted had gone back to his company, but still had many, many problems with it; problems Oracle tried to help resolve. During this time, it was revealed he had a heart condition (where he had actually experienced multiple heart attacks while in action without noticing),[6] but this did not stop him from assisting when it was needed. After his death, the Birds of Prey visited a statue in Valhalla Cemetery built in his honor; Black Canary revealed that being in the JLA was only fun when Ted was there, and Oracle revealed having had a cyber crush on him.[7]
Death and return
Ted Kord shot by Maxwell Lord, art by Phil Jimenez.Ted Kord as Black Lantern, art by Dan Jurgens.
In Heroes in Crisis, Blue Beetle breaks out Booster Gold, who is one of the main suspects in the murders at the mental health institution Sanctuary, from a cell in the Hall of Justice.[16]
In Dark Nights: Death Metal, Blue Beetle is imprisoned on Apokolips after The Batman Who Laughs takes over Prime-Earth.[18] During the heroes' fight with Robin King, Blue Beetle is killed by a giant beetle before Batman resurrects him with a Black Lantern ring.[19][20]
Hardcover collection
Nearly all of Ted Kord's Charlton Comics appearances as the Blue Beetle have been collected as part of the DC Archive Editions series.
Title
Material collected
Publication date
ISBN
The Action Heroes Archives, Vol. 2
Captain Atom #83–89 Blue Beetle vol. 5, #1–5 Charlton Portfolio #9–10 (written for and presented as Blue Beetle #6)
The Charlton Portfolio material is in black and white as originally presented, while the rest is in color. The collection includes nearly all of the Charlton appearances of the Question, as well as a brief appearance by Captain Atom. Volume 1 of the archive contained nearly all of Captain Atom's Charlton stories and a brief appearance by Nightshade.
Powers and abilities
Ted Kord had no superpowers; he possesses a genius-level intellect, with an IQ of 192.[21] He is proficient in numerous sciences such as physics, chemistry, computer science, genetics, mechanical engineering, and aerospace engineering. He additionally has a comprehensive understanding of extraterrestrial technology. Despero once claimed that Ted's mind was second only to that of J'onn J'onzz.[22] Former Justice League teammate Guy Gardner claims that Ted was smarter than Batman, "although nobody ever noticed".[23] Kord was an Olympic-level acrobat and skilled hand-to-hand combatant, having studied in the martial arts of karate[24] and aikido.[24] Dick Grayson stated that Ted was very adept physically, to the point where he was almost ambidextrous.[14] He is also highly skilled in espionage.[25]
Equipment
Kord created numerous gadgets, including suction pads, sight-enhancing lenses, and a protective costume. To prevent being forcibly unmasked, especially if rendered unconscious, Kord's cowl had a lock mechanism that only opened when he touched the mask under his jaw with a chip in his glove, which would at least force an enemy to perform the more troublesome task of cutting through the material to unmask him.
He also created a power armor suit for his friend Booster Gold. The suit contained a fully functioning artificial arm and also provided life-support for Booster as he recovered from potentially fatal injuries. He later converted a suit of alien power armor for Booster to use.
His BB gun was a handheld weapon that could blind villains with a flash of light, or knock them back with a compressed air blast capable of felling a charging rhino. The original BB gun was designed with a security feature so that it would function only when the Blue Beetle held it, becoming inactive without contact with special circuitry in the Beetle costume's gloves. The BB gun is solar powered.[26]
Blue Beetle's airship, the "Bug", contained high tech equipment, could electrify or magnetize its hull, fire electrical energy, and fly at 600 mph. All models had booster jets hidden under the shell of the Bug. The boosters on the first two models could speed the Bug up to the speed of sound for a short period of time; no time limit was ever given for how long the burst lasted. Later models of the boosters were used for intercontinental travel at supersonic speed. It was also 90% solar powered. Later models also had energy weapons of various types, from lasers to plasma. The last two models were capable of reaching orbit[27][28] and all models could operate underwater. No depth was ever given that they could go to, but one model Bug was seen operating on the sea floor after going through an underwater volcano.[29] All models were remotely controllable from controls built into Kord's gloves.[3]
He also built flight pads similar to Mister Miracle's flight discs used throughout the entire Extreme Justice run[30] and claimed to Barbara Gordon that he could keep the Birds of Prey jet flying 24-7 with technology based on the New Gods' Mother Boxes.[21]
As a Black Lantern, Blue Beetle is equipped with a "decayed", damaged version of the Bug, and black, power ring-derived constructs of his Blue Beetle suit and his BB gun. This iteration of the BB gun is an aggressive, rather than a defensive, weapon, able to pierce the powerful shields in the Supernova suit.[12]
Other versions
Ted Kord appears in Kingdom Come as one of Batman's generals who wields the Blue Beetle scarab and knight-like armor.[31][32]
A Wild West-inspired incarnation of Ted Kord appears in Justice Riders as an inventor who teams up with Booster Gold.[33]
A future incarnation of Ted Kord appears in Justice League America Annual #5. Having allowed his health and business ventures to fall apart and sold the rights to his name, he suffers a psychotic breakdown and attacks his former team.[34]
Several alternative incarnations of Ted Kord appear in Countdown: Arena, most prominently an anthropomorphic blue beetle named Ted who serves as the pet of Mr. and Mrs. Kord from Earth-33 who, along with Daniel Garrett of Earth-39 and the Scarab of Earth-26, are forced to fight for a role in Monarch's army, during which the latter kills him.[36][37]
Ted Kord appears in the Smallville episode "Booster", portrayed by Sebastian Spence.[38] This version did not take up the mantle of the Blue Beetle from Dan Garrett, who had died after failing to control the scarab. Kord attempts to use the device for good, but it bonds to Jaime Reyes. After Kord hires Booster Gold to help him find the scarab and locates Reyes, he agrees to help the latter control his new powers.
Ted Kord / Blue Beetle appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Wil Wheaton.[39] This version was the owner of K.O.R.D. Industries who worked with Batman and Booster Gold before sacrificing himself to stop his villainous uncle Jarvis Kord from obtaining the scarab, which eventually came into Jaime Reyes' possession.
Ted Kord / Blue Beetle makes non-speaking appearances in Teen Titans Go! as Booster Gold's boyfriend.[40][41]
Ted Kord / Blue Beetle makes non-speaking appearances in Young Justice.[39] This version was a member of the Justice League who recognized the Scarab's potential dangers and decided to rely on his inventions instead.[42] Sometime prior to the second season, Kord was attacked by Deathstroke and Sportsmaster and sacrificed himself to prevent them from obtaining the Scarab.
Ted Kord makes a vocal cameo appearance in the mid-credits scene of Blue Beetle, voiced by Bobby McGruther.[47] This version was previously based in Palmera City before disappearing sometime prior to the film, leaving behind an older sister and daughter named Victoria and Jenny Kord (portrayed by Susan Sarandon and Bruna Marquezine respectively).[48][49] He is later revealed to be alive and attempting to contact Jenny.
Ted Kord appears in the Injustice 2 prequel comic.[55] This version is Jaime Reyes' mentor and a participant in Batman's efforts to rebuild the world following the fall of High Councilor Superman's Regime. After Booster Gold informs him of his impending death, Kord reassumes the Blue Beetle mantle, but is attacked and abducted by the League of Assassins, who task Killer Croc and Orca with murdering him and other industrialists whose businesses have negatively impacted the environment on live television. Via a holographic message, Kord bequeaths Kord Industries to Booster and entrusts him to continue training Reyes. Additionally, an alternate universe version of Kord arrives to spend time with a dying Booster.
Reception
This version of Blue Beetle has been ranked as the 61st-greatest comic book character of all time.[56] An IGN ranking stated that his intelligence, his "bwahahha" antics, his endearing partnership with Booster Gold, and his brave sacrifice during the build-up to Infinite Crisis all serve to cement his legacy.[57]
Notes
^In many stories and character entries, it is noted that "Ted" is an abbreviated form of "Theodore", but in Chuck Dixon's Birds of Prey, Barbara Gordon states that "Ted" is actually short for "Edward". In Countdown to Infinite Crisis, the wizard Shazam repeatedly addresses Ted as "Theodore Kord"; and Checkmate's profile of Blue Beetle also lists him as such.
References
^Booster Gold vol. 2, #26, shows his tombstone engraved with the "Theodore Stephen Kord" name.
^McAvennie, Michael; Dolan, Hannah (2010). "1960s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. p. 123. ISBN978-0-7566-6742-9. After Ted Kord assumed the scarab as Blue Beetle in a back-up feature of Captain Atom #83, writer/artist Steve Ditko and co-writer "D.C. Glanzman" (who was actually Ditko) launched the Blue Beetle into his own series.
^Manning, Matthew K. "1980s" in Dolan, p. 219: "The Blue Beetle swung into his own DC series with the help of writer Len Wein and artist Paris Cullins".
^Beatty, Scott (2008). "Extreme Justice". In Dougall, Alastair (ed.). The DC Comics Encyclopedia. New York: Dorling Kindersley. p. 117. ISBN978-0-7566-4119-1. OCLC213309017.
^ abcde"Blue Beetle / Ted Kord Voices (DC Universe)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved April 9, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
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