Booster Gold #21
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BOOSTER GOLD #21
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciler: Dan Jurgens
Publisher: DC
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“I’m Batman.”
In order to squeeze a little more money out of readers and make up for the cancellation of the Blue Beetle ongoing series, the Blue Beetle’s adventures have become a 10-page backup feature in Booster Gold. It’s a comic and a half for the price of one and a third. Thanks to that little change, this and all future Booster Gold reviews will be divided into two parts.
This issue starts off with Booster Gold passing through Coast City and saving a group of people trapped in a burning building. Because of all the smoke and the survivors being trapped inside of an elevator, nobody saw who saved them, but assumed it was Green Lantern as usual. Skeets has to remind Booster not to correct them, as he’s supposed to be maintaining his mission as the greatest time traveling superhero that the world’s never known. Booster and Skeets are then summoned by Rip Hunter.
Once again, we’re treated to one of those infamous “Rip Hunter’s chalkboard” scenes. There isn’t much this time, however. It just says “Superman 2965? Is it possible?” Interpret that how you will.
Anyway, Rip continues to be a man of less than forward intentions, and reminds Booster that Batman had pictures from Booster’s failed mission to prevent Barbara Gordon from being crippled by the Joker. With Batman dead (see: Final Crisis, Batman RIP, Battle for the Cowl… pretty much everything Batman-related right now), Booster has to venture into the Batcave to retrieve the pictures before they fall into the wrong hands. When he arrives, he’s approached by Dick Grayson, the new Batman. As Booster explains why he’s there, they’re both suddenly attacked by the villainous Black Beetle, who wants Dick dead so that there will be no one to continue Batman’s legacy. The Black Beetle changes his methods, travels back in time, and kills Dick while he’s still Robin. Now Booster has to go back in time to save Dick Grayson and once again stop the Black Beetle.
This issue was the beginning of a new storyline. With little reference made to previous issues, this would be the perfect place for new readers to start reading. All that you need to know is a vague idea of who Booster Gold is, and that Batman is dead. If you didn’t know about Batman, then you’re clearly not reading anything by DC at all, these days. It helps to know that Booster Gold fought an evil version of the Blue Beetle named Black Beetle some time ago, but new readers will honestly know just as much about the character from this issue that the rest of us do. He’s a time traveling bad guy, and none of the main characters know anything about him.
Though I do like that this was an easily accessible issue, I am trouble by the lack of mention of Booster Gold’s sister, Goldstar. Just a few issues ago, Goldstar discovered that she was supposed to be dead for all of these years, and that she’s still standing only because Rip Hunter saved her to cheer Booster up. She then disappeared into the timestream, with Booster and Rip both distressed. Not referenced at all in this issue. I don’t even think Rip is looking for her anymore.
To all of the old Blue Beetle fans out there picking up this comic simply because your favorite character got shoved into the final 10 pages, read the Booster Gold feature as well. You’ll likely enjoy it.
FEATURING…
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BLUE BEETLE
Writer: Matthew Sturges
Penciler: Mike Norton
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“The Longest Battle of Ever”
I’d always heard good things about the Blue Beetle comic, but I never got around to picking it up. In hindsight, I (and those like myself) probably should have, as it was cancelled not too long ago. However, it’s back now, and though I can’t tell Blue Beetle’s old readers whether or not the co-feature has hindered Sturges’ writing in any way, I can at least tell new readers like myself that Blue Beetle seems like a pretty fun character, and it compliments Booster Gold fairly well.
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The story starts off with Jaime and his two best friends hanging out, though apparently his two friends dated one another in the past, and that ended badly. Suddenly a giant robot calling itself Thinko attacks the town. After about three hours of slowly pulling it apart and destroying its armor, Jaime/Blue Beetle completely destroys it. Jaime’s friends look up Thinko online, and discover that the robot was originally built in the 1940s. They find the son of the mad scientist who created Thinko, a mad scientist himself, and interview him under the guise of journalists. This issue ends with Jaime and Paco suddenly being attacked by an army of robots calling themselves Unimate.
Thankfully, introductions are handed out all around via Jaime’s narration. This story, even moreso than Booster’s, is incredibly accessible. I first got to know Jaime Reyes through episodes of Batman: The Brave and the Bold, so it’s nice to finally read about him in comic form. As far as reasons go to add a dollar to a comic book’s price, this one wasn’t bad. I’m looking forward to the adventure continuing next month.
