Daniel Garrett (New Earth)
From DC Database
Contents |
History
It was said that Pharaoh Kha-Ef-Re possessed a powerful artifact, a figurine in the shape of a blue scarab; with its powers, he was able to defend his followers from all evil. When Kha-Ef-Re died, the Scarab was buried with him in his tomb; over the years, thousands died attempting to claim it for their own.
In August 1939, a couple of weeks before the Second World War, archaeologist Dan Garrett and his companion Luri entered Kha-Ef-Re's tomb, becoming the first people to reach the Pharaoh's sarcophagus in millennia. Atop the sarcophagus rested Kha-Ef-Re's scarab.
As Dan and Luri admired the figurine, a cave-in began, the walls of the tomb collapsing on them. As Dan attempted to save Luri, the scarab flared to life, transforming Dan into a costumed superhero. Dan used his new-found superhuman strength to stop the cave-in, identifying himself as the Blue Beetle.
Dan smuggled the scarab out of the country, using its powers to become one of the so-called 'mystery men' of the 1930s and 40s, though little is known of his career. He was also active after the Vietnam War, teaming up with Christopher Smith, the first Peacemaker, at least once.
Dan married, and had at least one child, a son, and a granddaughter, Danielle, named after him. His family were entrusted with the knowledge of his secret identity.
At some point, Dan became a professor of archaeology, teaching the subject at university. One of Dan's students was engineering genius Ted Kord, and the two of them formed a bond. When a major crisis arose, Ted turned to Dan for assistance. Ted had learned that his uncle, Jarvis Kord, intended to take over the world, and Ted needed Dan's help to stop him.
Together, the two men succeeded in foiling Jarvis's plans, but only at the cost of Dan's life. The dying Dan asked Ted to take up the Blue Beetle legacy, and passed the Scarab onto him. Dan's body was lost in a subsequent cave-in.
However, Ted discovered that the Scarab wouldn't work for him, and ultimately lost it during the Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Some while later, after Ted had established himself as the Blue Beetle, Dan returned, apparently resurrected by the Scarab, half-crazed and intent on fighting Ted. When Ted eventually confronted Dan, the Scarab spoke to him, offering him its powers if he would become its new host. Ted rejected the Scarab's offer, and convinced Dan to break the Scarab's hold on him. The Scarab's physical form shattered, and Dan was allowed to die a final death.
Dan's funeral saw the presence of the Question, Judomaster, and Tiger, among others, suggesting that Dan had met them in his superhero career too. So far, however, those adventures remain unrecorded.
Dan's granddaughter Danielle holds a number of his notes, although a good quantity are missing. She also asserts legal claim on the Blue Beetle Scarab. Since the Scarab's current instantation is attached to Jaime Reyes' spine, she has put her claim on hold for the time being.
Earth-Four Dan Garrett
Prior to the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Dan was a native of Earth-Four, a world of 'action' heroes. He died before the Crisis hit, passing the Blue Beetle Scarab onto Ted Kord. His life and death were incorporated into the history of the Post-Crisis Earth, albeit with some modification. His history was modified again with the formation of New Earth.
Recently, following the events of Infinite Crisis and 52, a new Multiverse has come into being, made up of 52 different Earths. One of these Earths, Earth-4, bears a striking resemblance to the Pre-Crisis Earth-Four, featuring versions of many of the heroes who originally dwelled there, including Dan Garrett. How closely this Dan resembles the Dan of New Earth, or that of the original Earth-Four, remains to be seen.Powers and Abilities
Powers
None known, apart from those granted by the Blue Beetle Scarab.Strength level
Dan normally had the strength of an athletic male of his height and build. Calling on the Scarab's powers boosted it to superhuman levels.
Paraphernalia
Equipment
- Blue Beetle Scarab: Dan could call on the Scarab to gain the costume and powers of the Blue Beetle. The main powers he used were:
- Superhuman Strength
- Unassisted Flight: Dan could fly without the use of wings.
- Energy Blasts: This manifested as lightning bolts Dan shot from his hands.
- Costume Manifestation: Dan's costume was blue chainmail with red highlights. The costume's appearance altered somewhat over time, although how and why are unknown. While the costume could hold up to a certain degree of physical damage, it was vulnerable to energy damage - a fact which resulted in Dan's first death.
See Also
- Discuss Daniel Garrett (New Earth) on the forums
- Appearances of Daniel Garrett (New Earth)
- Character Gallery: Daniel Garrett (New Earth)
- Quotations by Daniel Garrett (New Earth)
- Images featuring Daniel Garrett (New Earth)
Recommended Reading
Post-Crisis
New Earth
- Blue Beetle #18 (Volume 1, DC)
- Blue Beetle #8 (Volume 2, DC)
- Booster Gold #2 (Volume 2)
- Booster Gold #6 (Volume 2)
Related Articles
Links and References
Footnotes
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