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This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story

Author Julio Anta
Illustrated by Jacoby Salcedo
Paperback
$16.99 US
DC Comics
5.99"W x 8.99"H x 0.35"D  
On sale Oct 01, 2024 | 208 Pages | 9781779522825
Grades 8-12
FOC Jun 3, 2024
Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies
Writer Julio Anta and artist Jacoby Salcedo take readers on a gripping and inspiring journey filled with both high stakes and heart as Jaime embraces his new calling as Blue Beetle!

Jaime Reyes is an ordinary high school student in El Paso, Texas, with a deep love for his family, culture, and home. Whether it’s working with his dad at the auto shop or a multi-generational barbecue filled with music and dance, Jaime loves nothing more than his neighborhood’s spontaneous gatherings that go late into the night. But lately he’s begun to realize that he and his border community are being used as pawns in an increasingly toxic immigration debate.

The last few months have seen armed troops deployed along the U.S. and Mexico border, manufactured crackdowns at official border crossings, and now at the community level, a mounting resentment amongst a group of disaffected and reactionary youth who believe they’re being “replaced” by El Paso’s growing immigrant population. And to make matters worse, one of Jaime’s oldest friends, Riley, has bought into the propaganda. What started off as innocent web searches has now led Riley down a path to joining an unabashed hate group with a chapter in El Paso looking to cause some real-world violence.

But Jaime’s problems get even more complicated when he finds an odd bug-like artifact while stargazing. He starts feeling a little different—like there’s another voice in his head pushing him towards his most base instincts. And to make matters worse, he’s been having surreal dreams that show him that the true threat El Paso faces isn’t “illegal aliens,” but actual aliens known as the Reach. In fact, according to his dreams, Jaime is meant to pave the way for the Reach’s impending invasion!
Julio Anta is the author of many graphic novels and comic books for young readers and adults, including Frontera, his young adult debut illustrated by frequent collaborator Jacoby Salcedo, and Sí, Se Puede, a non-fiction graphic novel illustrated by Yasmín Flores Montañez. Julio was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and currently resides in New York City where he works to tell narratively rich stories about a diverse range of Latinx characters for readers of all ages.

Jacoby Salcedo, is a comic book illustrator who is based in Portland, Oregon. He is the co-creator of the HarperCollins YA graphic novel, Frontera with frequent collaborator, Julio Anta. He is also the artist on Dark Horse mini-series, It’s Only Teenage Wasteland. Jacoby has also been featured in multiple comic anthologies such as DC's Legion of Bloom, Panel X Panel, Graphic Mundi's Covid Chronicles, and the GLAAD award winning Young Men in Love from A Wave Blue World.
Julio Anta View titles by Julio Anta
Jacoby Salcedo View titles by Jacoby Salcedo
“Overall, the art style creates a cohesive visual experience that elevates the storytelling, making it both visually striking and thematically rich.” – School Library Journal
“Superhero collections in need of more diversity or a new title to change up and charge the collection a bit will find this a worthy addition. There is a lot of fodder for discussion. Hopefully, we’ll see more of the Blue Beetle around.” – School Library Journal

“Visually striking and thematically rich… Superhero collections in need of more diversity will find this a worthy addition. Hopefully, we’ll see more of the Blue Beetle.” – School Library Journal


This Land Is Our Land is the graphic novel people should be reading right now. Heartwarming, thought-provoking, and with an ending that will leave you wanting more…
—Andrew Aydin, award-winning writer of March and the Truth & Justice series
 
This Land Is Our Land is a deft reimagining of the origin of Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle, not to mention a love letter to the people of El Paso. Anta’s nimble script hits the bullseye with today’s delicate border politics, and Salcedo’s visual storytelling is nuanced and remarkable. What an enjoyable, teachable read!
—Cully Hamner, award-winning co-creator of Jaime Reyes, RED, and Ruby Actual
 
Touching, current, thrilling, and funny--it's got everything you could possibly want in a graphic novel, all delivered at a stunningly crisp pace.
–Chris Condon, writer of That Texas Blood and The Enfield Gang Massacre
 
THIS LAND IS OUR LAND is a masterful superhero tale that shows the power of the genre - and its ability to reflect the world we live in, while also blending the bombast and wonder of comic books. The acclaimed team of Anta and Salcedo are in complete lockstep, two pros at the top of their game, redefining Jaime Reyes and the Blue Beetle for a new generation. Heartfelt and evocative, THIS LAND IS OUR LAND inspires as much as it entertains - which is no easy feat.
–Alex Segura, acclaimed and bestselling author of Secret Identity, Alter Ego, and The Question: All Along the Watchtower
 
"The magic that comes from Julio and Jacoby's teamwork knows no bounds; They once again crafted a poignant and heartfelt story, giving Jaime Reyes a new voice in this gripping Blue Beetle story."
–Sweeney Boo, creator of Over My Dead Body and acclaimed artist of Harley Quinn
 
This Land Is Our Land is a heartfelt and compelling take on the Blue Beetle mythos. It confronts very real issues in a remarkable way, educating but never talking down to its readers. Soulful, smart, and relatable, Jaime Reyes is exactly the hero that we need right now.
–Josh Trujillo, writer of Blue Beetle: Graduation Day
 
“Anta and Salcedo are back, and they deliver an instant classic. ‘This Land Is Our Land’ is as relevant as it will prove to be timeless. I will give my children this book when they’re old enough.”
— Spencer Ackerman, Pulitzer Prize and National Magazine Award-winning reporter and author of “Reign of Terror” and IRON MAN

About

Writer Julio Anta and artist Jacoby Salcedo take readers on a gripping and inspiring journey filled with both high stakes and heart as Jaime embraces his new calling as Blue Beetle!

Jaime Reyes is an ordinary high school student in El Paso, Texas, with a deep love for his family, culture, and home. Whether it’s working with his dad at the auto shop or a multi-generational barbecue filled with music and dance, Jaime loves nothing more than his neighborhood’s spontaneous gatherings that go late into the night. But lately he’s begun to realize that he and his border community are being used as pawns in an increasingly toxic immigration debate.

The last few months have seen armed troops deployed along the U.S. and Mexico border, manufactured crackdowns at official border crossings, and now at the community level, a mounting resentment amongst a group of disaffected and reactionary youth who believe they’re being “replaced” by El Paso’s growing immigrant population. And to make matters worse, one of Jaime’s oldest friends, Riley, has bought into the propaganda. What started off as innocent web searches has now led Riley down a path to joining an unabashed hate group with a chapter in El Paso looking to cause some real-world violence.

But Jaime’s problems get even more complicated when he finds an odd bug-like artifact while stargazing. He starts feeling a little different—like there’s another voice in his head pushing him towards his most base instincts. And to make matters worse, he’s been having surreal dreams that show him that the true threat El Paso faces isn’t “illegal aliens,” but actual aliens known as the Reach. In fact, according to his dreams, Jaime is meant to pave the way for the Reach’s impending invasion!

Author

Julio Anta is the author of many graphic novels and comic books for young readers and adults, including Frontera, his young adult debut illustrated by frequent collaborator Jacoby Salcedo, and Sí, Se Puede, a non-fiction graphic novel illustrated by Yasmín Flores Montañez. Julio was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and currently resides in New York City where he works to tell narratively rich stories about a diverse range of Latinx characters for readers of all ages.

Jacoby Salcedo, is a comic book illustrator who is based in Portland, Oregon. He is the co-creator of the HarperCollins YA graphic novel, Frontera with frequent collaborator, Julio Anta. He is also the artist on Dark Horse mini-series, It’s Only Teenage Wasteland. Jacoby has also been featured in multiple comic anthologies such as DC's Legion of Bloom, Panel X Panel, Graphic Mundi's Covid Chronicles, and the GLAAD award winning Young Men in Love from A Wave Blue World.
Julio Anta View titles by Julio Anta
Jacoby Salcedo View titles by Jacoby Salcedo

Praise

“Overall, the art style creates a cohesive visual experience that elevates the storytelling, making it both visually striking and thematically rich.” – School Library Journal
“Superhero collections in need of more diversity or a new title to change up and charge the collection a bit will find this a worthy addition. There is a lot of fodder for discussion. Hopefully, we’ll see more of the Blue Beetle around.” – School Library Journal

“Visually striking and thematically rich… Superhero collections in need of more diversity will find this a worthy addition. Hopefully, we’ll see more of the Blue Beetle.” – School Library Journal


This Land Is Our Land is the graphic novel people should be reading right now. Heartwarming, thought-provoking, and with an ending that will leave you wanting more…
—Andrew Aydin, award-winning writer of March and the Truth & Justice series
 
This Land Is Our Land is a deft reimagining of the origin of Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle, not to mention a love letter to the people of El Paso. Anta’s nimble script hits the bullseye with today’s delicate border politics, and Salcedo’s visual storytelling is nuanced and remarkable. What an enjoyable, teachable read!
—Cully Hamner, award-winning co-creator of Jaime Reyes, RED, and Ruby Actual
 
Touching, current, thrilling, and funny--it's got everything you could possibly want in a graphic novel, all delivered at a stunningly crisp pace.
–Chris Condon, writer of That Texas Blood and The Enfield Gang Massacre
 
THIS LAND IS OUR LAND is a masterful superhero tale that shows the power of the genre - and its ability to reflect the world we live in, while also blending the bombast and wonder of comic books. The acclaimed team of Anta and Salcedo are in complete lockstep, two pros at the top of their game, redefining Jaime Reyes and the Blue Beetle for a new generation. Heartfelt and evocative, THIS LAND IS OUR LAND inspires as much as it entertains - which is no easy feat.
–Alex Segura, acclaimed and bestselling author of Secret Identity, Alter Ego, and The Question: All Along the Watchtower
 
"The magic that comes from Julio and Jacoby's teamwork knows no bounds; They once again crafted a poignant and heartfelt story, giving Jaime Reyes a new voice in this gripping Blue Beetle story."
–Sweeney Boo, creator of Over My Dead Body and acclaimed artist of Harley Quinn
 
This Land Is Our Land is a heartfelt and compelling take on the Blue Beetle mythos. It confronts very real issues in a remarkable way, educating but never talking down to its readers. Soulful, smart, and relatable, Jaime Reyes is exactly the hero that we need right now.
–Josh Trujillo, writer of Blue Beetle: Graduation Day
 
“Anta and Salcedo are back, and they deliver an instant classic. ‘This Land Is Our Land’ is as relevant as it will prove to be timeless. I will give my children this book when they’re old enough.”
— Spencer Ackerman, Pulitzer Prize and National Magazine Award-winning reporter and author of “Reign of Terror” and IRON MAN

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