This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story

Written by Julio Anta
Illustrated by Jacoby Salcedo
Published by DC Comics

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.

order here

Honors and State Lists:

  • 2025 YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens

  • 2025 Texas Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List (Starred Title)

  • 2026 Rhode Island Latino Books Award - Grades 9-12 List

TEACHER GUIDE (FREE DOWNLOAD)

Reviews:

“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

“This well-timed superhero outing unpacks thorny topics—online extremism, radical activism, climate change—from an earnest, almost utopian angle, reinforcing a belief in community as a method of resistance from threats both internal and external.”
- Kirkus

Blurbs:

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 

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/Blue Beetle

The best time I had at the movies this summer was reading an advance copy of Julio Anta and Jacoby Salcedo's THIS LAND IS OUR LAND: A BLUE BEETLE STORY. 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

"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

“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