Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes) — tradition

The Blue Beetle identity originated in Golden Age comics (Mystery Men Comics #1, cover-dated August 1939) as the costumed vigilante Dan Garret, who in early portrayals gained super-energy from a special vitamin (Vitamin 2X). In a 1964 Charlton revamp Garret's origin was revised to involve a "sacred scarab" of Egyptian association. Ted Kord was introduced (mid-1960s) as a successor who lacked superpowers and relied on his inventions. DC Comics later introduced Jaime Reyes as the third major incarnation: he discovers the original scarab which bonds to him and morphs into an armored battle suit. Across its publication history the mantle moved between publishers (Fox → Charlton → DC) and was editorially reinterpreted over time.

Appearances vary by incarnation. Dan Garret/Garrett (Golden Age) wore a special bulletproof costume in his early stories. Ted Kord presented as a costumed inventor-hero whose identity centered on gadgets and devices rather than innate superpowers (no specific costume detail provided in the cited summaries). Jaime Reyes' Blue Beetle is characterized by a scarab that "morphs into a battle suit," producing an armored, morphing appearance that equips the teen host for combat and travel.

Abilities attributed to the Blue Beetle mantle differ by era and holder. Dan Garret originally derived "super-energy" from a special vitamin (Vitamin 2X) in Golden Age stories; in later Charlton revisions his power was tied to a mystical scarab. Ted Kord had no innate superpowers and instead used science and inventions to create devices for crimefighting. Jaime Reyes' scarab morphs into a battle suit that grants offensive and defensive capabilities and enables space travel; he fights crime as a teen hero and has headlined his own series and appeared with teen superhero teams.