Blue-Skying, Part 1: Blue Beetle Dan Garret Part 1 - Atop the Fourth Wall

[@TheSkully343]

This is probably my favorite retrospective series for many reasons. 1) An interesting and cool character legacy.spanning decades 2) An intriguing backstory on how the character was created 3) The existence of Kooba Cola 4) Big Dix.

[@ivanprime93]

After Dan discards his second costume, a strong asylum inmate takes his suit and yells out SPOON!

[@daelen.cclark]

Wonderfully appropriate!

[@ThanksHermione]

Like The Tick? :)

[@TheRedRaccoonDog]

Linkara, that $20 is like $350 in today money. As far as I'm concerned that newsboy is a KING for turning it in.

[@omniviewer2115]

So, the guy whose costume makes him look like a giant blue pill must beat Big Dix before he makes a mess, but first the villains pound his head. I feel so filthy.

[@troin3925]

I can see a “Disaster Artist,” style comedy centered around Fox. Everything surrounding Dan Garret is entertaining to listen to.

[@thedarkestnightmare616]

HOly shit.. YES! I would PAY to watch the true story behind Fox comics!

[@TheHeroOfTomorrow]

@@thedarkestnightmare616 I got a name: "The King of Comics."

[@troin3925]

@@RealGateGuardian Sorry, I forgot all about this comment. I must’ve typed it on a mobile device or something.

[@enragedkaiser237]

This and Dan Garret Part 2 are my favourite Linkara videos ever. The batshit insane comics, Victor Fox and his fictitious drink, Big Dix, Hitler turning into Satan - all of it is so darn great.

[@akba666]

Just imagine the paper boy at the corner of the street screaming "HEADLINE, HEADLINE, Blue Beetle beats Big Dix!!!"

[@yugoxgc]

This comic makes me feel like a great epic hero xD

[@nicodemusedwards6931]

Big Dix pulls the boner of the century

[@TF2Fan101]

Given Dan’s propensity for getting knocked out, I think it’s a good time for this classic joke. ‘Ouch, the back of my head!’

[@cheezemonkeyeater]

"The white face gang." I'm a little disappointed they didn't turn out to be a bunch of black people with bleached hair and white face paint who run a classical symphony music hall and adopt absurd parodies of upper-class mannerisms (that actually fool people for some reason), but that would probably be too self-aware for the time period.

[@daelen.cclark]

cheezemonkeyeater If there’s ever a new dan garret series, that’d be a good way to take it.

[@cheezemonkeyeater]

He invented a product that didn't exist intending to create demand first, then invent the product later. I think that was the plot of an episode of DuckTales.

[@crazyinsane500]

"We must dedicate our lives to destroying all angels!" And thus young Dan becomes: SPAWN!

[@spookyrosev6467]

crazyinsane500 Or alternatively: Dan becomes an EVA pilot...or Bayonetta

[@SparkingEX]

@@spookyrosev6467 or a Chaos-route Demon summoner.

[@fleetadmiralauto6506]

Or Doom Slayer

[@arashimiyazawa8165]

I actually really like how in the first two issues he investigates and solves the crimes, and then gets the police involved to actually take care of the criminals. That's a superhero approach you don't see very often.

[@robbt.2386]

"Big Dix must be brought to justice!"

[@stanx96]

"So you see, I must get Big Dix!"

[@ricimer8517]

big dix has finally ben locked away. although there is a free dix movement now

[@robbt.2386]

+austin channel #freebigdix

[@guywhomstvepostgood]

+Stan Sketches we really need to get our hands on Big Dix.

[@stanx96]

DeadBoneJones I just can't seem to get a handle on Big Dix.

[@Kolbatsu]

And so Dan Garrett's father dedicated his life to destroying Angels! And thus NERV was born.

[@loganrepasky3652]

Fun fact, there is an official live action movie of this. Since Dan Garrett is in the public domain some random low budget company decided to make a movie of him. It's called Agent Beetle since Blue Beetle is trademarked, but it's still about Dan Garett and Joan Mason and Mike Mannigan and the Vitamin X2 drug.

[@Kandhaqprotector]

That’s not true Dan Garret is under the property of DC comics. Only some of his works are in the public domain. But the character itself is properly of DC

[@mr.multiverse1087]

​@@KandhaqprotectorWrong. DC has no rights to the Golden Age stuff the rights were never renewed by Fox.

[@RogersCadenhead]

@@Kandhaqprotector DC does not own Dan Garret. The character's earliest appearances are all in the public domain. DC only owns its version of Dan Garret.

[@dragonsword8129]

Whenever a Blue Beetle movie is made, they should do product placement with Kooba Cola... I'm completely serious. It'd be even better if they could get either Coca-cola or Pepsi to make the drink real in order to promote the film. No vitamin b1 or anything like that, just make a real Kooba Cola.

[@spookyrosev6467]

Dragon Sword I can at least see that as an Easter Egg

[@daelen.cclark]

I honestly could see blue beetle as more of a tv show, one 23 episode season for each version of the beetle. But yeah, definitely have kooba cola as the favourite drink of the beetles, with a real version of the drink for promotional stuff.

[@amytanner4931]

Better yet, make them team up.

[@lastlife0726]

It's safe to say there was one in production at one point since Ted wasn't allowed to be used in Arrow, he had to be replaced by Ray Palmer in season 3. My money is we'll at least get a nod to Dan in Black Adam.

[@jfdrac]

@@lastlife0726 There was indeed a plan for a Blue and Gold movie but it didnt even get as far as the Green Arrow Supermax movie did

[@AwesomeAutismHC]

I love the joke at 21:13 because you can tell Linkara wrote the first line and then thought to himself “wait a second”

[@gagecrawley6223]

“Actually, Dan, That was one of my laxative pills.” Had me laughing, but did not have me on the floor as those “Big Dix” jokes. XD

[@cerberus144]

#TheManyConcussionsOfDanGarret

[@ziggurattelevision5502]

"First I'll fight crime, then I'll help Santa!" LOL

[@spiderdoctor2269]

Y'know, not in a million years would I have thought the guy who created my favorite character from Batman Brave and the Bold was actually the 30s version of Rob Liefeld. Even unintentionally insulted Jack Kirby too

[@MaveriKat]

20:50 So... they moved to Tokyo 3 to fight the Angels head-on? I hear the Shinji Ikari Detective Agency is looking to expand; they could use some experienced policemen!

[@lastlife0726]

I remember being about 10 years old and being interested in the Blue Beetle, so I went to Wikipedia. There were so many twists and turns to the story I had no idea where to start and gave up. I wish you were around then.

[@deltaprime3509]

I the next retrospective series that is needed is captain marvel/Shazam/Billy Batson because this character just like blue beetle is underrated and at times is the punching bag for DC. Something I realize about the character is that he is proof in the DC universe for superman's ideals symbol of hope for what humanity can become billy batson is proof because a lot those ideals and dreams for humanity Billy tries to live by and he has to do this in a world and environment that harsh and cruel but persevere through while not slipping in ideals no matter how dark in gets for him.

[@dprototype6431]

It'd also be relevant because of the Shazam movie coming out soon that looks really good.

[@ilopominecrafter]

DeltaPrime350 that and maybe we can hear how it kind of makes no sense how he is restricted by a lawsuit on his name in spite of him being around decades before marvel’s version even came to thought

[@ianr.navahuber2195]

@@ilopominecrafter also mention a joke how neither the Captain Marvel or Shazam movies ever said the words "CAPTAIN MARVEL". Captain Marvel wasn't actually named until Spider-Man: Far From Home (2 MOVIES after her debut in a moive in which she doesn't even appears) as a quick mention of heroes Peter says would be better suited at fightning the elementals

[@ilopominecrafter]

Ian R. Nava Huber i actually realized it as well, but i have no idea why in either movie except my theory that both studios know they are so far being their respective characters/a good character they don’t want to taint the rep the actual character has by callin the movie version said name

[@SpadePyro]

When he said "Wireless phone" My first reaction was "What's so cool about a cordless phone?" then I remembered that that wasn't a thing 70 years ago

[@OnDavidsBrain]

24:11 Yes Dan you must Grab Big Dix before he can spread his evil again, especially to children. Bring Big Dix to jail so that he may never swing his power around again.

[@nathanthompson4613]

1TrulyMad Do you ever wonder if they really knew what they were doing?

[@ilopominecrafter]

Nathan Thompson like with stan lee: do you really want to know

[@Materminds187]

I wonder what Big Dix looks like

[@daelen.cclark]

That’s both funny, and accurate. No kid should ever have Big Dix in their face.

[@conradojavier]

Victoc Fox: I'M THE KING OF COMICS! I'M THE KING OF COMICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@daelen.cclark]

Victor fox: the real big dix.

[@MegaManDBZX]

Oswald Cobblepot: I’M THE KING OF GOTHAM!

[@dragonsword8129]

I was introduced to Blue Beetle through Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Not my favorite Batman show, but I immediately loved the Beetle. And now he's one of my favorite DC characters. Although I hear bad things about the New 52 version. Sad.

[@johnschou2172]

I actually realized something. Both Disney and comic books have had people named Eisner and Iger. Also, I think Big 3 may also be an attempt to rip off the Invaders trio of Captain America, Namor, and the original Human Torch.

[@billymccrary2246]

Seem interesting enough... I think...

[@flmbyz]

New credit sequence?! Nice job! And kudos to this being the first time that the lyric "He's a man, *punch*" actually synched up with the punch connecting on screen!

[@KidSnivy69]

I think he's had it for at least two weeks

[@flmbyz]

+KidSnivy69 Still, nice to see it finally sync up.

[@TheNumnutRandomness]

_You change your mind, like Dan Garret changes clothes_

[@ZoanBlade90]

You're hot and you're cold, you're yes and no! =D

[@RoyalKnightVIII]

TheNumnutRandomness He puts Janet Van Dyne to shame! what is it with Beetles, Wasps and Ants and other bug heroes and costume changes? XD

[@HoodedLord]

Ocelotl Chimalpahin I seem to recall Janet Van Dyne being fashion designer at some point or just being one in general, so hers and to a lesser extent Hank Pym's costume changes make some level of sense (although I believe Hank also suffers from some sort of split personality disorder)

[@aisnota5192]

I actually like the fact that the Blue Beetle uses his wits to defeat his enemies. It's very refreshing.

[@Safersephiroth777]

Must be a record for most costume changes! Seriously in every comic he had a different costume!

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

When I first started reading, it was right near the end of Ted Kord's solo series in the 80's and I loved it and his appearances in "Justice League International", even if they made him kind of silly. I do wish they would do more with Dan Garrett in the coming up series too. I felt as if Dan was never fully integrated into the DCU, even after the "Crisis".

[@saintdane05]

"We must destroy all angels!"And thus, Bayonetta was born.

[@samusstar251]

+saintdane05 I though it was a Eva refercence

[@ColeVecsion]

funny enough that both series use the song "fly me to the moon"

[@disneydork100]

my mind went to Supernatural.

[@spookyrosev6467]

saintdane05 Or possibly Evangelion either way works

[@fleetadmiralauto6506]

Or Doom Slayer

[@Rixec2]

I would so love to see Jaime Reyes take on some of Dan's old enemies, like a wrinkled Big Dix (I am not ashamed whatsoever XD)

[@KidSnivy69]

The writers weren't, why should you?

[@juliewinchester1488]

@@KidSnivy69 It's been close to a century, I'd hope we'd be better than that. >3>

[@chanceveres8348]

You sir are a super ultra mega turbo omega genius

[@lorddrayvon1426]

10:14 You know it's a Golden Age comic by the newspaper. Not only does it give all thier James in full (including his daughter who is less important than the banker realistically) but also that John Brandis was his secretary. Like, would a newspaper editor think the public would go "who cares about a banker? OH MY GOD! THR GUY'S SECRETARY IS GONE TOO! HEATHENS!"?

[@15oClock]

Hindsight is 20/20 is kind of a theme of the retrospectives, especially that remark about DC Rebirth.

[@chunkybrewster2581]

Hi Linkara. Thank you for making this channel so I can talk to my die hard comic friends. I read comics but I can never buy any, so thanks.

[@ultimastudios2098]

Imagine a Justice League Trinity starring Dan Garret, Alan Scott, and Jay Garrick!

[@DanielDAdkins]

Well at that point, it'd be the Justice Society.

[@ultimastudios2098]

+Daniel Adkins yeah, but they didn't have Dan Garret right?

[@DanielDAdkins]

+Ultima Studios But they're still all Golden Age heroes. It'd make more sense for Dan, Alan, and Jay to be on the JSA than the JLA.

[@ultimastudios2098]

+Daniel Adkins that's true

[@SpadePyro]

@@ultimastudios2098 They do now so why not retcon him to be a contemporary of Alan and Jay

[@faishiro5009]

Honestly I find this part so fascinating that I have watched it like over 50 times.

[@aarengabriel8106]

Oh so here is where Kooba Cola originated! Are we to assume Kooba Cola was actually successful in the Temlin's home universe, enough like to sponsor the Contest of Champions?

[@williamconner1491]

these character retrospectives are the best!!!

[@joelcraig9803]

14:16 Dan Garret is THE TICK!

[@OnDavidsBrain]

SPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!

[@tayojones9460]

I swear, Blue Beetle's second outfit reminds of the tick! It's like a golden age precursor.

[@daelen.cclark]

I honestly could see blue beetle as a tv show, one 23 episode season for each version of the beetle. Maybe even have kooba cola as the favourite drink of the beetles, with a real version of the drink for promotional stuff. Also: i wouldn’t really call frank miller a jester, jesters are intentionally funny

[@ryansg1000]

Will never have a Brad Tries Kooba Cola. :(

[@MrPokefan404]

Top 10 Saddest Anime Moments

[@troin3925]

Hew Man He didn’t even talk about anything Sonic related. Who cares?

[@CazMeister]

11:20 Wow, Moon Knight's new costume looks neat in blue! No, seriously, it reminds me a lot of the newer Moon Knight costume/suit.

[@daelen.cclark]

Mr. Knight could work with a hat, I think.

[@Eantrin]

The original Blue Beetle: Proving Gruncle Stan right about "nature's snooze button"

[@adrianrobertoruizmartinez9325]

Meet Big Dix, he was a nice guy, you know i like Big Dix.

[@GalactcusSpartan]

I would love a "Return of Big Dixx" throwback comic.

[@stephenquinn3447]

The only issue is they would never be able to capture the unintentional hilarity of his first appearance

[@guywhomstvepostgood]

"I am a great magician... Your gloves are now red."

[@daltonwilliams1723]

DeadBoneJones ha! Kung pow reference. Nice

[@AlriikRidesAgain]

... Linkara needs to cover the topic of Japanese Spiderman eventually. It seems so... Perfect for him.

[@conradojavier]

+AlriikRidesAgain that Spider-man is also one of the Foundation on what Super Sentai would eventually become.

[@AlriikRidesAgain]

+Conrado Javier Exactly. Leopardon is the OG MegaZord.

[@conradojavier]

+AlriikRidesAgain if only Mephisto & Scarlet Spider co-review that show with him, or Kamen Rider 1 Beats them because they all wear a Shocker Mask.

[@bigslim7777]

And here we are, amost 7 yrs later and a Blue Beetle MOVIE in theaters. Crazy times.

[@karldettlinger467]

Don't worry Linkara, you still look amazing. Time does not change our opinion of you.

[@anarchyreturns490]

These old comics sound like they were really fun to write

[@PsychadelicoDuck]

"Mystery Men Comics" features a character called "the Green Mask" who is blue on the cover. Did... the guys who create Mystery Men base the Blue Raja partially on this? Because that would be hilarious. Edit: And then the Blue Beetle's next costume is a LARPer version of the Tick.

[@BlastAction]

Big Dix, owner and proprietor of the Halfway Inn!

[@1krani]

10:25 Linkara, you missed the perfect opportunity for a Killer Mimes clip from Tim Burton's Batman there. What's the matter with you?

[@Materminds187]

It’s funny to think Blue Beetle’s name originally came basically to rip-off the Green Hornet

[@CaptainJZH]

I actually didn't watch your Blue Beetle retrospective when it originally came out earlier this year, so I'm excited to catch it in the reruns.

[@kidanarchy2105]

AT4W truly is just like comics. I love it, don't have time to keep up with it, when I occasionally catch a glimpse of it I have no idea what's going on, but I defend it whenever a friend criticizes it.

[@pandaman2234]

20:50 the plot to Neon Genesis Evangelion.

[@godzillavkk]

I snickered at the Big Dix part... until I saw the crimes he commits against children. I hope Blue Beetle gave Dix hell.

[@SasukeUchiha-ix2yk]

I admit, thanks to this retrospective, I might pick up a blue beetle comic or two

[@H250V]

So Dan Garret used to be The Tick?

[@MrZerothejedi]

Behold, the first Blue Morpho!

[@OnDavidsBrain]

Before Jonas Venture Sr turned him into is personal slave before turning him into Robocop.

[@DwRockett]

Fantastic video. Great job going so in-depth on blue beetle's history, it made the video so interesting

[@seanblack1320]

Sure, Mike and Mike. While on patrol they also have a snack of Mike and Ikes.

[@Mask0fFate]

You know what I find ironic? Victor Fox created the Blue Beetle to compete with DC, but now Blue Beetle is owned by DC. If that ain’t retribution, I don’t know what is.

[@tht1person523]

14:02 man crimes gotta be around really bad around Christmas time for that town

[@Jygerthe2nd]

Here's a question for everybody: If you were Robert Kanigher, being sat down by W.W. Scott and asked "Tell me a story", what would say to him to convince him to let you do a comic with this idea?

[@jfdrac]

Interesting never knew how much they changed about Garret....I only knw him from later apperances where he was a archeologist and he found the Scarab ...never knew he was fully retconned

[@nathanyou1899]

You make that joke about agressive mimes but hawkeye was deafned by a killer mime.

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

20:50 I guess Dan will partner up with Bayonetta, then.

[@Spiderkeyblader]

I’m not gonna lie Dan Garret blue beetle and Bayonetta sounds like a cool team up

[@kaihedgie]

Goddamn, I love these crazy-ass stories. Always nice to see what these guys used to look like back then. Honestly kinda reminds of me of Mortal Kombat before the shift to 3D

[@ultimastudios2098]

Honestly, I wish more comic book movies would be as insane as old comics

[@kaihedgie]

Sadly, people are more focused on "realistic" stories these days rather than letting imagination run wild

[@ultimastudios2098]

+kaihedgie yeah, it's sad. It seems the only movies/shows that are allowed to be creative are Deadpool, The Flash, and X-Men

[@Burori1]

Considering all the costume changes and blows to the head, can we blame the outfit switches on the concussions?

[@ZoanBlade90]

20:55 And suddenly, and the battle theme for SMT: Devil Survivor starts. =D

[@tavor2099]

The second Blue Beetle costume looks like the costume of beloved Mexican hero "El chapulín colorado"

[@DaGlassMan4797]

28:33 So Dan Garret will be the Brown Beetle that day?

[@Jygerthe2nd]

Big Dix. WOW. There is NO way they didn't know what they were doing. lol

[@TheCinemaniac]

+Jeffery Phillips I guess you could say that they were being Big Dix when they came up with that

[@Gasoline85]

Moe Syzlak: Big Dix! Hey guys, I'm looking for Big Dix!

[@Jygerthe2nd]

Gasoline85 ...You win. Guys? This guy wins. XD

[@LesterRamos]

+Jeffery Phillips I need Big Dix. Please, help me! D:

[@SMAXZO]

+Gasoline85 Barney: Didn't know you swing that way, Moe.

[@ShinoSarna]

14:26 20 dollars in '39 is equivalent to about ~350 dollars today, so the newsboy things kinda makes sense - it's pretty much as if someone lost entire wallet-full of cash. It makes sense to report bigger amounts of lost money to cops (at least that's what I was taught as a kid).

[@TaylorOnyx123]

Linkara needs to release a shirt with "Big Dix Energy" on it.

[@dakotadoyle7573]

Am the only one who wants Batman and Jamie team up to catch Big Dix?

[@godzillavkk]

And give him all the karma he deserves for those children.

[@billymccrary2246]

Or Ted Kord's Blue Beetle?

[@lorddrayvon1426]

25:28 I dunno why anyone's surprised about his magical ability to change clothes? He's clearly from Mars. The hell is this colouring?

[@Eunacis]

26:10 It stands for "EXecution Points".

[@ShanaReviews]

Hearing Dan calling his team up series Big 3 makes me wonder if he was psychic and tried to rip off Bleach, One Piece, and Naruto before they were a thing props to the anime fans who get this ^_^

[@Wolf-Zuzu]

The Blue Morpho anyone? Looks so similar to the Venture Brothers character, they probably took that as an example.

[@mitchfletcher2386]

Oh, most likely!

[@taylormansonshadicstorm9008]

20:52 GET IN THE EVA DANNY!!!!!!!

[@JaelinBezel]

20:49 There's this witch I've heard of. Maybe she can help you.

[@charlesgorman4919]

Great series.

[@jamiestarr2234]

26:29-26:34 Nice to see the reference back to Suburban Knights there : )

[@sethhancock40]

I see the Blue Beetle in the snazzy blue suit, and it makes me think of the Silver Shroud in Fallout 4. Maybe the Shroud was inspired by that version of the Beetle? Lol

[@KidSnivy69]

8:34-8:45 So it was trying to do Brute Force before Brute Force?

[@Jygerthe2nd]

+KidSnivy69 Pretty much.

[@lorddrayvon1426]

24:38 anyone else think that the art makes it look like he's firing a massive mouth laser?

[@abchasi27]

I was drinking hot cocoa when he mentioned "Big Dix"

[@DeathGodRiku]

Now is the time to seize the day!

[@SMAXZO]

Wait, Samson and the Flame? Didn't they show up in Project Superpowers? We'd almost got Dan Garrett Blue Beetle on that book too.

[@vibe_sauce]

The Blue Beetle should have said "Allons-y Allonso."

[@wildkiva877]

I just realized something, DC stands for Detective Comics (it does right?)

[@TsukiCondor]

Wild Kiva Bingo,Also nice profile

[@troin3925]

Wild Kiva Detective Comic Comics.

[@EternalKHFan0]

Wild Kiva Yep, and that's why CinemaSins gives 1 sin every time they see logo, "DC Comics". *DING!*

[@JaelinBezel]

When I was little, I thought it stood for District of Columbia.

[@SpadePyro]

It did. Now its just a thing