Issue #19
The Reyes family comes from a small, dirt-poor village in Mexico. Seriously, there's nothing there but shacks and some chickens. My father Alberto was a baby when he immigrated to the US--and yeah, legally. My grandfather joined the military and became a mechanic. My dad followed in his footsteps and fought in the Dominion War. And believe me, having a father with alien-fighting experience has come in very handy during the craziness that is my life as the Blue Beetle.
Growing up, I always wanted to work in the garage to help him, but he always made me focus on school work. He also wanted to give me a chance to be a kid. The day he said I could start working with him part time was the day I disappeared for a year. I came back and he needed a cane to walk. He'd also lost the garage. At first no one would tell me what happened--but anyway, that's another story.
My mother's side are the Leals. Grandma Leal is the wise matriarch of our clan, and she lives in Mexico City. Like my parents, she knows I'm the Blue Beetle and is behind me all the way. I took her flying once, and she loved it.
My mother, Bianca, is a paramedic and she kind of freaked out when she first found out about the Scarab and made me get a bunch of x-rays and stuff--which it didn't show up on--but eventually she calmed down. My dad helped with that I think. Mom is smart and snarky and doesn't take nonsense from anyone. Ever. Only Kara will have any idea what this means but she told off Guy Gardner this one time and it was epic. Both my parents keep me grounded, keep me honest, and keep me sane. I don't know how I'd ever be able to handle my life without them.
My sister, Milagro, is an obnoxious brat with way more attitude than should be able to fit inside a small girl. I love her very dearly. One of the things that worries me most about being the Blue Beetle is that it might put her in danger. I mean, it has put her in danger. At the same time, I have a sneaking suspicion she's going to grow up to be a Green Lantern or something.
So, long story short, my family is amazing and I know exactly how lucky I am.
Growing up, I always wanted to work in the garage to help him, but he always made me focus on school work. He also wanted to give me a chance to be a kid. The day he said I could start working with him part time was the day I disappeared for a year. I came back and he needed a cane to walk. He'd also lost the garage. At first no one would tell me what happened--but anyway, that's another story.
My mother's side are the Leals. Grandma Leal is the wise matriarch of our clan, and she lives in Mexico City. Like my parents, she knows I'm the Blue Beetle and is behind me all the way. I took her flying once, and she loved it.
My mother, Bianca, is a paramedic and she kind of freaked out when she first found out about the Scarab and made me get a bunch of x-rays and stuff--which it didn't show up on--but eventually she calmed down. My dad helped with that I think. Mom is smart and snarky and doesn't take nonsense from anyone. Ever. Only Kara will have any idea what this means but she told off Guy Gardner this one time and it was epic. Both my parents keep me grounded, keep me honest, and keep me sane. I don't know how I'd ever be able to handle my life without them.
My sister, Milagro, is an obnoxious brat with way more attitude than should be able to fit inside a small girl. I love her very dearly. One of the things that worries me most about being the Blue Beetle is that it might put her in danger. I mean, it has put her in danger. At the same time, I have a sneaking suspicion she's going to grow up to be a Green Lantern or something.
So, long story short, my family is amazing and I know exactly how lucky I am.