SORRY!

I've been SO busy lately - - interviewing for and getting a new job and adjusting to that, plus finding a new place to live... it has been H-E-C-T-I-C. The good news is that there is a comic shop just a few blocks from where I'll be working, so you can't go wrong there!

Nonetheless, I have FINALLY gotten around to buying JL:GL 6 and 7, BG35, and Time Masters 1. After reading, TM1 will go into my frame that includes BG V1 #1, V2 #1, and JLGL #1. Nothing but the best for Buster. Booster.

Just wanted to mention about JL:GL 6 - HOLY CRAP. Way to up the ante! This is a grand-scale context that the story needs, and Power Girl was especially disturbing. So many more questions to ask after that.

Sometimes stories like in 6 can be frustrating and lead to what I call the Dragon Ball Z effect. See, my brother LOVED that show, but I never saw the appeal. I watched with him one day as two characters were "powering up" for battle. The entire episode consisted of their thoughts and flashbacks and by the end, neither of them moved a muscle. Other times, the stories can really reveal key information and make it worthwhile, and today's was definitely that.

But didn't Captain Atom blow up a second time in this story arc? I can't recall, but I'm pretty sure. I wonder if we'll get more flash back/forward things. I'm so intrigued and VERY pleased with the direction of this story.

Anyway, reading 7 now and will be on to the others soon.

Sidebar

First, I will be doing my review of JL:GL 5 tomorrow. Since we now have 4 Booster issues a month for the next little while, I'll be planning on one a week. For now, that means I'll put off JL:GL. Who knows for the future?

In other news, as someone who is doing reviews, this caught my eye.

The Nostalgia Critic recently did a review of the truly terrible movie "The Room." The production company of The Room's director, Tommy Wiseau, forced him to take it down by threatening legal action.

Except that reviews are protected under fair use guidelines. It isn't a violation of copyright. It is patently ridiculous. If anything, the Nostalgia Critic is helping him - he encouraged people to check out the film at the end of his review!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tommy-Wiseau/22835463449?filter=2

This is Tommy Wiseau's Facebook page. Let him have it.

Also, theroom@theroommovie.com is the e-mail for the production company. The guy's name there is John.

Booster Gold #34 - Anger, Fun, and then Anger Again

I apologize for my lateness; I've been busy with job interviews this week, and that does have a way of taking precedence. Anyway...

Boy oh boy did they get this one wrong.

If you were thinking of asking, "O Greatest Blogger (whom I have never heard of), is it possible for 5 pages of bad artwork to negate another 17 pages of otherwise acceptable artwork?" you are in luck, as that is exactly the question that this review will answer. For those of you who would like a hint, the answer is "yes."

This issue serves little purpose other than for Giffen and DeMatteis to go and relive their JLI days. As others have pointed out, this isn't even particularly their GOOD JLI days, more like the parody driven "ICBINTJL." But at least those pages LOOK good...

OK, let's get to it...

The Cover:

In Booster Gold #34, Maxwell Lord is something of a red herring. So why is he on the cover? And what happened to anything resembling detail? This is an uber close-up, Booster's face is roughly the size of mine. And ANOTHER speech balloon? I HATE those on covers. I don't think it's TERRIBLE, it just isn't my cup of tea.

The Story:

I can't even treat this like it is one book. There are two distinct sections to this book: Anger, Fun, and then Anger again. Normally I'd praise a book for ending the way that it began - symmetry to a story helps with closure - but NOT this time. Keith Giffen drew the sections that I labeled "Anger," and the writers especially forced humor into those sections rather than let it happen naturally. Chris Batista drew the section labeled "Fun." I'll examine "Anger" and "Fun" separately, as there is such an enormous disconnect between the two that it barely qualifies as anything.

Anger:

I will summarize this through the voice of Michelle Carter.

"Oh, hi, remember me? I went away for a while, but now I'm back looking totally different. Michael has a little girl running around whom I've never met before, but Michael should totally keep her because she's like, so cute, y'know? And that'd be totally more responsible of him. I know a lot about responsibility, like that time when I disappeared and traveled through time and hooked up with this guy and traveled and nearly died in Coast City. Hey, and check out my costume, it is ENTIRELY gold now instead of white with gold accents like it was in every other appearance from me. Isn't that totally hawt? Anyway, I'm gonna go and take this girl that I've only just met and travel through time. Kthanxbai."

I could complain about the "humor" used in that section, but Erin_Starlight does a much better job than I would do. Check out her livejournal. My issue comes from a completely far out take on Michelle, totally different than anything we have seen from her.

The Fun Part:

Ok, now I get to relax a little bit before I trash Keith Giffen for drawing like a three year old.

Booster travels back in time and immediately encounters the Blue Beetle. I don't have any problem with this exchange. I nearly cringed when he mentioned a "repo job," but the Book of Destiny thing isn't a bad MacGuffin for this. You could see a reason for some urgency with this.

The setup of the story is promising. I really don't like Beetle's improvisation - a Kirboid from Quatloo - but I suppose that's somewhat in character with Beetle.

I suppose the problem I have with a journey back in time like this is that it puts Booster's status from that time period in the DCU front and center. We get an issue of folks who have low expectations of Booster Gold. We know through his role as a Time Master that his disguise is a buffoon, but we see enough of the heroic things that he does to know better. Those who aren't as familiar with the character already think that enough. I'd hate to see the great work that Geoff Jones and Dan Jurgens have done at establishing Booster as a real player who is on the ball disintegrate because two guys want to relive their glory days.

So anyway, they team up with Big Barda and Mr. M and follow the trail of the robber. Barda punches out a dragon. Pretty ho-hum stuff, but fairly effective filler - if this is a JLI book and not a Booster Gold book, but more on that in a second.

We finally meet our villain - Hieronymous the Underachiever. If you hated Brigadoom, you'll absolutely loathe this. The premise of this character is ridiculous, as is the demon who serves him (apparently a "grow your own demon" ad on a magazine). What the crap?

Next, we have the obligatory inner thoughts of Booster Gold - his talk about how he has changed, and how this isn't right, and how he should have listened to Skeets because he isn't the moron that he was back then. I said in the first Giffen/DeMatteis issue that this felt forced and I argue it again. If they think that they can send him through all the goofy bull crap that they want, but apologize for it by talking about how much he has changed once an issue, they are sorely mistaken.

Still, this is just one issue. Breathe, TGB, breathe!

Finally, Booster saves them from a rain of arrows with his force field, and an angry mob runs at them. Then, the issue kind of ...ends. This is the most questionable cliffhanger that I've ever seen. I'm not interested in the next part, nor do I feel that there is an insurmountable conflict coming up because of the lack of any closure to the issue.

The bigger problem is that Booster has very little to do in this issue. Last time I checked, this is called "Booster Gold," not "Super Buddies" or "Justice League International." Beetle has the plan, Mr. Miracle zaps them to the universe, Big Barda punches out the dragon... all Booster does is zap the arrows with his force field, and he does that by standing still. Troubling to me. The book was fun, and I enjoyed reading this middle material, but it just wasn't Booster Gold.

Ok, get ready. Let's move on to...

The Artwork:

I'm not the only one to take note of the issues here. Erin_Starlight mentions many of the same issues that I have in her blog, which I have already linked. Clearly something is amiss here. Walter of Boosteriffic asks:

"All of this outcry has to raise the question: how strong a role does art style play in the success of Booster Gold? Traditionally all super hero comics have been presented in naturalistic detail, and Booster Gold is no exception. Is Giffen's use of caricature such a dramatic departure from the norm as to be offensive to his audience? Or is it just too hard to maintain suspension of disbelief for a costumed melodrama when the adventures are rendered in a cartoonish style?"

I have two things to say to that: The first is that caricature, as I understand it, is when the drawing focuses on a particularly noticeable part of a character and exaggerates it. I don't recall anything about Rani resembling a young Rosie O'donnell with bad hair, about Michelle looking like a skinny whore, about Rip hunter looking different in every panel - and looking like a Geico commercial (time travel - so easy a caveman can do it!), or about Booster's eyes being able to move up and down his head at will. Though, that would be a rather astounding yet completely useless characteristic.

The second point that he poses - "is it just too hard to maintain suspension of disbelief for a costumed melodrama when the adventures are rendered in a cartoonish style?" - this is, I think, the answer.

I'm 24, and I don't think I'm anything like the stereotypical comic book reader. If I want cartoons, I'll wake up on Saturdays; I'm looking for something a little less mindless that looks a lot better. I'm already reading about people in tight, form fitting costumes that are colored like a bag of Skittles. Of COURSE what I'm reading is fantastical, but it maintains a degree of grounding by making the characters look familiar and relatable. If comic readers didn't value that, the days of Rob Liefeld's ammo pouches and impossible body proportions wouldn't be looked back upon with scorn. There is so much disbelief to suspend in a super hero yarn as it is without the artwork looking cartoony and inconsistent.

How bad was it? I've read everything Booster gold that I can find - all of Volume 1, all of Volume 2, poured over everything I can get my hands on for JLI (I was only 3 or 4 when it started)... and still, for all of that fandom, I was ready to stop reading this issue. I couldn't even focus on the words it was so distracting.

Over the first 31 issues, Booster has been established as a more serious character - though obviously one where humor is not a foreign object - who is doing serious work. Now, its like he's doing things just for the hell of it. I was pleased with the first two issues of this run, but I'm worried for the future after this issue.

Keith Giffen, stick to breakdowns. And both authors, please remember that the name of the book is BOOSTER GOLD, and we're reading it to watch him do stuff, not everyone else BUT him.

A Quick New Comic Day Post:

Just wanted to give a few notes in prep for my in-depth reviews in the coming days. I read these a little faster than usual - I try to savor them - so I'll have to take a little more time.

JL:GL was a transitional issue, and I thought a necessary one after the events of the previous. Positioning the pieces, a little character development, etc. Also, I LOVED the way that they bookended it with Booster's monologue and flashbacks.

Max Lord's explanation was a total cop-out. Clearly he's manipulating them (again), and I find it difficult to believe that they're doing anything other than exactly what he wants them to do.

Booster Gold 34 had me worried for the first several pages. Keith Giffen needs to stick to breakdowns if he must draw anything at all. I would have skipped it had the artwork looked like that the whole issue. Thank GOD that was not the case. I nearly stopped reading in disgust. I would rip the fact that Michelle doesn't look a thing like her prior appearances, but I would have to rip the fact too that NOBODY looked like ANYONE that they were supposed to, except perhaps for Skeets.

Rip Hunter looked like a caveman, Rani looked like a boy, and everything was too cartoonish. Booster looked like five or six different versions of himself.

Luckily, the majority of the issue was Chris Batista, and a solid effort from him.

I sincerely hope that we don't see this again. It's the kind of garbage that will hurt a book's numbers, and I don't want Booster Gold to go anywhere. If something negative happens to Booster Gold Volume 2 before Dan Jurgens can take it back, I will point to this specific instance of Keith Giffen artwork as the reason.

If anyone knows editor Mike Siglain's e-mail, make sure he knows how terrible the first and last 2-3 pages of this issue look. You better believe I will be talking about this in my review.


/rant.

Booster's Schedule // Small Tweaks

This is going to be a GREAT month for Booster Gold. Next week, we have both BG#34 and JL:GL 5 to look forward to. In the first, Booster will continue his trip back to the JLI - I'm sure we'll finally get Booster and Beetle together this time! In the second, we're sure to find some more intrigue in the wake of Max's reveal.

Then, we don't have to take a week off - Time Masters: Vanishing Point begins. This will kick off a 6-month cycle wherein we will have 4 Booster appearances each month, guaranteed. Craziness!

The following week is, of course JL:GL 6.

Finally, I'm making some minor tweaks - mainly, I'm making it so that the two most recent posts will display on this main page of the blog.

Otherwise, enjoy! I know at least the guy from Boosteriffic is reading, I hope others are as well. Feel free to comment or e-mail, I do my best to respond to all.

greatestblog@gmail.com

Digital DC Comics

The voice behind Boosteriffic was asking for thoughts on the new DC/ComiXology partnership - how the books look and the like. He is (and you are) in luck, as I purchased JL:GL #1 on the iPhone version of the app.

Now, why did I do that? Well, as a Booster fanatic, I added JL:GL 1 to a frame that includes Booster Gold Vol 1 #1 and Vol 2 #1. I'd like to keep it there, mostly because it was a pain in the butt to get them positioned correctly rather than out of a desire to preserve the integrity of the comic book.

Of course, purchasing on ComiXology also grants me access via their webpage, so I will review my experiences with both versions.

ComiXology: The iPhone App:

Buying the comic:

Browsing and purchasing are a snap; everything works through the app store and it is a very natural and intuitive process. Nothing much else needs to be said!

Browsing your collection:

This app gives you several options in this way; you can sort by series, creator, imprint, and genre. As I have only one comic, this is not an issue for me. Others who end up amassing many will be happy to find a similar alphabetical browsing system as on the iPhone contacts list. You can scroll through the titles, or you can use the alphabet on the side to snap to a specific letter.

The only complaint I have for this part is that when you select the comic that you wish to read, the next screen summarizes the issue, has user ratings, talks about buying it in print, has an option for a preview... all of these buttons are larger and more centralized than the button to read the issue. This button is stuck up in the top right corner of the screen, which is not the first place one looks when all of the other information pops up.

Reading the comic:

This is what's really important, now, isn't it? Luckily, they get this right.

Turning the pages is done by tapping the bottom left or right of the screen or using a sweeping gesture in that direction. Intuitive enough. Actually, while I say "pages," I suppose it would be more accurate to say "panels." Luckily, load times are rarely present as you move from panel to panel, creating a fairly fluid reading experience.

Many panels are better read in landscape. This is fine, as the app is quick to respond to the accelerometer. There is also an option to allow you to rotate the panel automatically based on how the specific scene was drawn.

Splash pages are not a problem either. The app will zoom itself in so that characters and conversation can be seen and will also be presented in a full view so that the reader can get an idea of the scope of the page. They also thought ahead and made sure that the text would be presented in story order.

Take, for example, the page in JL:GL 1 where Captian Atom is introduced. First, the bubble at the top as well as the text boxes introducing the character are featured. Next, the app zooms to the two text boxes near his left arm. After that, we see the radio broadcast bubble in the bottom left of the panel. Finally, we zoom out so that we can see the entire page.

Whether you like to peripherally notice other panels as you read or feel that it would be a distraction in this type of setting, you are also in luck. you can either view the comic "letterboxed," whiting out everything that is not the current panel, or without letterboxing, allowing you to see the corners of other panels.

To wrap it up:

I am pleased to say that reading comics is easy and intuitive on this iPhone app!

The Browser-Based Version:

After logging in, I click "My Comics" and there it is. I click on the series, I click on the issue, and we're off to reading.

First let me say that graphically, they are trying to play on familiarity with the iPhone OS. The X in a circle on the top right of the screen, the little italic I for information, it all screams iOS motif.

This is, unfortunately, less exciting than reading on the iPhone. My laptop has a 15 inch widescreen monitor - which has never been inadequate for anything else - and the website just doesn't do it right. Everything is tiny, a good 2/3s the size of a comic book even in full screen mode. You can zoom in and out easily with the space bar and then scroll around, but this is just like reading a PDF document in Acrobat. You can't use the arrows to scroll around the page, it must be the mouse. It is just far less interactive.

However, they do have a saving grace: You can access "Guided View," which opens a smaller frame and allows you to view the comic in much the same way as on the app. I think that this should be the default. Everything is readable and you need nothing more than the left and right arrows to navigate it. The mouse also works, either by clicking the left or right side of the panel.

I suppose that it isn't ultimately TOO dissimilar from the iPhone version, but there's something far less organic about it. Maybe it is the keyboard/mouse interface rather than the touchscreen. Maybe it is just the fact that I'm on a computer rather than a sexy little pocket sized device. I mean, part of the fun of a comic book is that it is slim and easy to take most places, fit in a folder and pack in a suitcase, etc. While reading it on an iPhone is different, it's still the same benefit of a small package. Reading it on a bigger and heavier computer is just odd.

Well, whatever the reason, it's just not as 'fun' to read on the computer. The ComiXology website is functional and easy to use, but it isn't my favorite.

The Overall Verdict:

ComiXology works, no doubt about it. Whether comics fans will forgo their print purchasing in favor of the digital medium has yet to be seen. I'm a completest, so I'll likely continue to buy in print. What do you think? Will you make the switch?

Happy 4th (In Advance)

Ah, nothing like a quality ensemble! Not many people seem to actually do this, but when the National Anthem is played, EVERYONE is supposed to sing along! It's true - there's an entire set of rules of decorum dealing with the playing of the piece. Another little-practiced fact is that the National Anthem is not to be applauded regardless of how moving the performance. There are also very specific guidelines regarding how the piece is to be played. Jimmy Hendrix's solo at Woodstock - though impressive - was nonetheless against the rules. Trust me - I'm a musician and have conducted the piece enough times.

Well now, happy Fourth of July! As I will likely be busy with model rockets, grilling out, badminton, and family this weekend, I felt that a post recognizing America's "Birthday" would be best served coming this evening.

See, you must remember, without America's freedom and attitude, we couldn't have Booster Gold. As Independence Day approaches, I've decided to wax poetic about Booster's heroic role in our country.

Is there a more American character than Booster? I submit that there is not. Superman gets a patriotic reputation, but let's face it, he's simply an illegal alien trying to fit in to a foreign world. Wonder Woman? Puh-leeze. Olympians - or whatever it is that she's going to be from nowadays, I dislike the costume and story change, for the record - need not apply. No, Booster Gold's story reads like the following of the American Dream, if the American Dream includes lots of lasers and people in spandex.

In all seriousness, you have to face it - Booster Gold is a true American success story. He was a star in his own time playing what must have become America's pastime by the 25th century (sorry, baseball). His golden boy status was shattered by scandal, something we've seen with many celebrities lately - Brittney Spears, Tiger Woods, Ben Roethlisberger, Pac Man Jones... man, was Dan Jurgens ahead of his time! Yet, the scandal was not due to his own selfishness, but his desire to help his family out of a terrible situation. This was Booster's first major sacrifice, and he wasn't even a superhero yet!

Sure, Booster acquired his powers by somewhat dishonest means (ok, OUTRIGHT dishonest means) but we know from Skeets' conversation with Superman from way back when that he is SUPPOSED to be here doing what he is doing. Is that fate, negating the issue of his theft of materials from the museum? That may be another issue for another conversation. We'll spare the moralistic side of this for now.

A media darling nearly from the get-go, he built his career based upon capitalism and the almighty dollar. Sound familiar? It seems to be the current American Dream. In the beginning, his fame was based upon hype. He was almost the Paris Hilton of super heroes - doing very little, but gaining much acclaim. Yet again, Dan Jurgens was ahead of his time! He garnered the ire of other heroes and struggled to find respect, but in the beginning, the money was enough for him. That began to change slowly (despite some writers giving him fluff roles), but no change was more significant than the death of his best friend. This woke him up once and for all and he came to realize that he needed to do the right thing because it was right, not because of the pay day that it could bring.

He's been through his share of ups and downs, no doubt. His fortune has been lost and remade many times over, his reputation shattered, his credibility ruined over and over again - - but ultimately he salvages his situation. Really, that's Booster's life - salvaging the situation and finding a way to come out better, or at least the same. Even if he is he only one who knows it, as is the case with his work with Rip Hunter, Booster manages to come out a little wiser and a little better off.

This perseverance has even carried over in to the real world. His first run was canceled, but he found his way in to the Justice League. Those days came and went, but he found his role in other places. Then, the big break - just as he was about to give up when in the hospital, he ended up playing a crucial role in Infinite Crisis, broke through in 52 with a key story arc, and has now risen to a place that perhaps was impossible to envision when Booster Gold Volume 1 Issue 1 came out. Sure, that's a ridiculously cursory glance at a 25 year history, but I'm a man on a schedule.

Booster Gold represents many things, good and bad, about America - rampant consumerism, yet a desire to do good; failure, yet perseverance; overconfidence, yet moments of humility. If one only saw Booster on the Brave and the Bold cartoon, or only knows of him in a cursory sense, they may think that he is a very one-dimensional character. We know better.

All hail Booster Gold, a true American Hero!

JL:GL #4 - The Team is Assembled

I hope you are enjoying your week - a new Booster Gold related release makes it easy for me to enjoy mine, in addition to a little vacation to sunny Florida. The weather here has been great, as has the beach. I am on the Atlantic coast rather than the Gulf coast, so my stay has not been oily in the least bit.

But you aren't here to read about me.

This issue was a huge step in the right direction. We get a few answers, but we have even more questions. This review may be a little more stream-of-consciousness than prior ones. I'm going to try to dig in to a lot of the subtext here (though I'm no literature teacher), so some of the sections that I had will be gone and integrated into other sections. This may end up being the method for JL:GL, with my "traditional" format for the Booster Gold main title.

In any case, enjoy!

-------------------------

The Cover:

I like it; makes me think of a poster that you'd see in a dystopian sort of atmosphere. Now, the figures don't look anything like the Rocket Reds do in the book, but it doesn't necessarily HAVE to be them on the cover. No complaints here. Moving on.

What is going ON anyway?!

The first two pages are quite interesting. It gives a glimpse of Max that, based upon other reviews of the book, many fans felt was sorely needed. It seems that Max's mind control powers are on the fritz, turning his targets into deceased Black Lanterns. My thoughts echo those of dear Maxwell - "Why the hell is this happening?" Could it be a side effect of his resurrection? A leftover from his becoming a Black Lantern? Whatever the case, this is truly something to ponder. I haven't been reading other Brightest Day titles, so I can't speak to the experiences of other resurrected characters in comparison with Maxwell.

This seems to manifest itself when he is attempting full-scale control over another individual. His powers of persuasion and manipulation are obviously well in hand - see his deceit of Captain Atom and Fire for that, as well as the cops at the beginning of this series, and of course that minor matter where he made everyone forget that he ever existed.

Moving forward, we discover that the Rocket Reds were not targeting the de facto JLI, but were actually going after a rogue Rocket Red named Gavril Ivanovich, who desires the return of communism to Russia. While he is clear as day about his anti-capitalist feelings, he is nonetheless pleased to see the members of the JLI, who got involved once they realized the damage done to civilians.

In the midst of all this, we have a splash page where this renegade Rocket Red declares the arrival of the Justice League International, and we again clearly see Ice's nipples beneath her halter top. Let me again say that as much as I like boobs, I find this unnecessary and while I understand the element of fan service, I think it is wasted here. But, I digress.

After moving the battle to more isolated ground, the group deals with the Rocket Reds (in a battle not shown) and moves on to more pressing matters.

Rocket Red is convinced that the JLI is here, reassembled short of having a Green Lantern present. Booster quickly realizes that he is right. The team takes his turn as a fate/meant-to-be sort of thing. The OLD Booster may indeed have done that, and would have tried to assert himself as a leader or something. This is exactly what the current group expects. Booster, however, has become a little more of a grizzled veteran than that. He turns and calls them all morons, himself included. The confused facial expressions are priceless at this point, and I must say that, aside from Blue Beetle looking worried about 90% of the time, the faces have been spot on throughout these four issues so far. Kudos to the artistic crew.

I'm going to pause here and mention that Booster is clearly the go-to guy in this grouping of heroes. While the bonds that hold these six together is still tentative at best, he is the one who is making many of the decisions. He has convinced Ice of her duty each time she expressed a desire to quit (however reluctantly she responded). He deduced Max's plan and found him in the embassy in the first issue. He is the first voice in the decision to avoid involvement in the altercation in the first place (and the one to offer the explanation). While he defers to Captain Atom on the decision to get involved, he is clearly checking for agreement with his own train of thought. Finally, he is the one to put the pieces together that Max has pulled the strings once more and reassembled the core of the JLI - minus, as Rocket Red astutely observed, a Green Lantern.

I assert again that if a Green Lantern does not get involved here, it will be a massive oversight on part of the writings team. We know that artificial intelligences remember Maxwell Lord, we know that GL Rings are artificial intelligences, and that the Green Lantern's trust their rings for accurate information. It must come to pass.

In any case, no sooner does Booster shout a challenge to Max than we hear his voice come from a Rocket Red's uniform. It sounds as if we are about to get some answers from him. By the way, I found it hysterical when he said "I'm having kind of a bad day too" and we saw him surrounded by dead Black Lanterns. His powers are DEFINITELY on the fritz.

Now we know many things - Maxwell Lord was directly involved in getting this team together. He, then, was responsible for the JLI signal that read as Ted Kord, which also likely meant he was the hacker of Jamie's armor. The OMACs were to drive the original four and Jamie together. The random transportation to Russia was to put the Rocket Red traitor (and one who held Vladimir Pushkin in some esteem) in league with the team. Now the bigger question is: Why? What will Maxwell Lord gain from this?

As I said in an earlier post, I know that Keith Giffen would like to reclaim some of the past Max Lord persona rather than the man who killed the Blue Beetle. I can't see that coming to fruition. There is no way that Booster Gold will accept Max, not after the murder of his best friend Ted Kord. It would take some serious amounts of retcon to make that work. Now, with Max Lord, that isn't anything new, but I'd hate to see it spill over onto these characters - especially Booster, who has grown much in the wake of Ted's death.

A few thoughts about what is to come:

- Fire will discuess her encounter and the team will look into Checkmate for answers...

I'd put that at about a 75% chance. It's the best lead they have so far, though it could have been a mental trick of Max's. One thing is for sure, if this glitch in his powers continues unabated, it is going to be harder and harder for Max to hide.

- Batman COULD get involved, at least in a minimal capacity.

His exchange with The Black King was quite telling. He seems to lend some degree of credence toward what this group is doing. Grayson is one of the few who has knowledge of, and therefore respect for, what Booster has been doing. Perhaps he feels a little more inclined to trust what is going on, especially given the involvement of Captain Atom, who is pretty level-headed, Fire, who lives up to her name, and Ice, who has been rather reluctant throughout all of this. There is diversity in this group, and it isn't something that would just happen without a reason. Batman is intelligent and must know this - while he can't see it specifically, there is SOMEthing going on here.

- I'm not getting my hopes up that Max gives any major answers.

Let's face it, we know that Max is a manipulator and has been from day one - apart from any leanings that he has had, this has been his role. He got the Justice League together in the first place back in the late 80s and has made it happen again. It is possible that something extra will slip out that he didn't want to - his problems with his powers will likely have him off-kilter - but he's a pretty disciplined guy.

Max will tell the team what he wants to tell them to try to get them to jump the way he wants them to jump. His answers will not be trustworthy at most and will be variations on the truth at the very least.

- Something is going to happen to give this group a little more of a bond.

The story won't survive for 24 issues if it doesn't. It doesn't need to happen soon, but it needs to happen by about half to 2/3s of the way through the story arc.

- Issue 5 will come out in less than two weeks, as will the next issue of Booster Gold.

Duh!

The new Justice League has me seeing red!!! A first look.

Just finished with the issue and while I am currently on vacation, I nonetheless plan to have the full review posted within the next couple of days.

I think that #4 was exactly what it needed to be. We're seeing more of Max and we're getting closer to his plan - whatever it may be. The whole group is in one place, so no diversions next issue. We will be getting some answers - true or otherwise - from Maxwell Lord.

Once again, we find some answers in this book, but many more questions.

We now know how the team was brought together - it was Max's direct interference. But why? For what purpose? If we are to believe Maxwell's diatribe to Booster when he was discovered in the former JLI embassy in New York, he looks fondly on those days and claims to regret shooting Ted Kord... what could the reason possibly be? These people have no reason to trust him.

I know that Keith Giffen would like to right the ship as far as Max Lord goes; I'm not certain how much that can happen. Can anyone imagine, barring a severe retcon (and for Mr. Lord, that would not be the first), how Booster could ever get past the murder of his best friend? I can't see it. The reason for Booster's developing maturity has been his dedication to the memory of Ted Kord.

Anyway, I'm going to have to force myself to stop here, because I don't want to make my formal review too redundant! My format may change a bit this week, as now there is much more to discuss four issues into the strip. I'm also going back and reading the trade paperbacks of the old Justice League run from the late '80s just for fun as I do this.

Until my next post, have a Boosterrific day!

BG#33

Obviously this issue came out a week ago; I'm still considering how to balance the pace of the blog with two BG-centric titles coming out the same day each month.

This is the second issue in the new authorship of Booster Gold. It was solid, if not necessarily memorable, from start to finish. Many things that I felt took away from the previous issue were lessened in this one, and that's quite good. I liked that Booster went back to the old JLI (as we knew he would through interviews) but did not yet encounter Ted Kord. I'm thankful for that, as that encounter may deserve an issue by itself.

I find it pretty neat that we will get to see a little of the old school Blue and Gold even as a new Blue and Gold partnership seems to be developing in Justice League: Generation Lost. I think some of the parallels (and the differences) in the relationships will make things interesting.

That may be another post for another time. For now, though, Booster Gold #33.

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Continuity:

I'm adding this section in to the reviews only because with three featured roles a month, Booster is getting a little crowded. I want to make sure that I keep this all together.

This issue could only fit in during the middle of JL:GL#2... that one ended on a cliffhanger, and #3 picked up right there. My guess is that these events take place during the side stories in JL:GL#2 where the various characters are asking their fellow superheroes about Maxwell Lord.

The Cover:

I like it. The cover is a reflection, in my mind, that Booster kind of got the hell beaten out of him in two out of three issues last month, which is further made funny/ironic given its similarity to the cover of #32... at the beginning of last month, Booster was fine, smiling, self-assured. In the time since then, he witnessed the destruction of Daxam, got his suit busted up, saved a litte girl, found out that Max Lord is still alive, got the crap beaten out of him by Max Lord, and by the end of JL:GL#2, was ready to square off against some OMAC drones. Yeah, Booster looking boat-raced is about right.

The Story:

This issue is bookended by some Rani moments. They're a little funny, especially because her messing around with Rip's board must drive him mad - longtime readers know how much jargon he keeps there. Largely, this was just purely for an intro and conclusion and had little to do with the story - though we must ask now if it is possible that Rani is of the Carter bloodline, given that she said that Rip looks like her grandpa.

At first, I thought of the Big Bad that Booster is battling as pretty ridiculous. Upon reflection, it occurs to me that as random as Brigadoom's appearance in the middle of the city seems, that's simply the conceit of the classic super hero story. Sometimes, a baddie just appears. The purpose of this fight, of course, was to set up his encounter with Cyborg and get his mind going about the JLI.

When you think about it, Booster's plan isn't a bad one. If he can find the proper piece of evidence of Max's existence, he may gain a little more support - perhaps at least Batman, who has sympathy for Booster's mission and situation.

So Booster's foray back into the old JLI managed to be pretty interesting... His interaction most especially. The exchange with J'onn was funny - leave it to him to see through the deception just in passing - especially when he grabbed Booster by the collar. We know that our writing team is planning on going back to those days with some degree of regularity, so I wonder if this will set up future strife between the two...?

The bit with Black Canary was funny, but it really felt pointless. Did we need two panels of Booster listening at the door for her to leave? In any case, the most significant thing, in my mind, was Booster's encounter with Max. After everything that happened, Booster was right on - it WAS the old Max there, right before him.

In any case, Booster goes to look for DNA for Max Lord briefly before realizing that it won't be any good in the future. Then he had a fantastic idea - the JLI recruitment tape. Booster takes it and zips back and immediately begins cursing up a storm - the tape was gone. Rip's reasoning for this is sound - solidified time means that since the artifact was important to Power Girl joining up, he can't take it.

I understand that and it fits with the canon so far. That's fine. So what about:

1) Copying the tape
2) Going to a time when said tape was no longer important.

I mean... duh? Obviously it's one of those things that will be ignored because otherwise, there won't be a point to the rest of the story. Sort of like if the gunner had bothered to destroy the escape pod with R2 and C-3PO on it at the beginning of Star Wars... no more movie after that.

I like the artwork in these so far. I was a big fan of the artwork before the new team as well, but this good; perhaps in a slightly different way, but good nonetheless.

What I Liked:

- Could Rani be a Carter? This would be an interesting twist; I'm struggling with whether or not it would be a predictable one, but I think it would be a good direction to go. I know that JMD played the question lightly in an interview, but I don't necessarily believe him!
- It's nice to know that Booster, like the rest of us, needs his coffee.
- Booster slapping down Cyborg was great. First, I'm not big on Cyborg (no real reason why, I guess the Titans just annoy me sometimes). Second, for all of his shenanigans back in those days, the JLI really did mean something to Booster.
- Brigadoom? Seriously? What a terrible name. I love it.
- Still lots of word bubbles, but the things that were said felt more relevant and it was not nearly as crowded as last issue.
- Once again, Keith and J.M. alleviate my fears of the "Bwa-ha-ha" taking too much precedent (until we start seeing more of Ted Kord).

What was "ehhhhh..."

- The issue felt a LITTLE rushed.
- There were a couple of situations that really didn't feel necessary (Black Canary)... not everything needs to be story, but I'd like it if the filler felt a little less forced.
- Would it have been THAT much trouble to go back again and copy the VHS tape? Or to go back after the tape's significance had ended and grab it then?
- I fear that Rani's remark about Rip looking like her "Boppy" is going to end up a red herring just to make her parts seem significant until there's no more use for her. JMD said it was just a joke in an interview, but I'm not sure there wasn't a *wink wink* there.

To sum it up...

I don't want to be a cheerleader, but I did like this. I'm pretty optimistic, after all, and since this is a Booster-themed blog, I'm in a position of WANTING to like it! It was a solid issue, not a particularly memorable one, but it met expectations in most cases and exceeded them in some instances. Despite all of the changes, 33 issues in to this series, Booster is still in good hands.

Hopefully, we can still say that in another 33 issues!

Generation Lost #3

Watch out! We are OFFICIALLY 3/26ths of the way in to the Generation Lost storyline! Hard to believe, isn't it?

Ok, maybe not. Issue 3 doesn't sound like much of a milestone, but I did enjoy it. This issue was interesting, and overall a step up from #2. We learned a few key pieces of information as well, one of which I think is significant and I fear that the writers may forget about, and the other is clearly going to advance the story to the next step.

Chronologically speaking, this story picks up right after issue 2 and therefore happens AFTER the latest Booster Gold issue. However, with another one coming in less than two weeks, I wanted to get this done now.

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The Cover:

No complaints. I like it. Jamie Reyes with Ted Kord as a watermark. The new Blue Beetle taking over, finally, for the old - alongside Booster, where the Blue Beetle belongs. Finally, there is no Fire or Ice on the cover so I can't complain about how Fire's outfit is wrong, or how Ice looks pudgy. Or how Booster looks like Jim Carrey. This is the first cover of the three that I like, hands down, no issues.

The Story So Far:

I'm going to handle each arc separately rather than do it exactly the way it is done in the book.

Fire is off to Checkmate to determine what has happened to her status in this organization. She meets a lot of resistance along the way - namely, a squad of troops attempting to deny her access to the facility. The Black King comes out and explains that she has failed her psychological evaluation two times. She is befuddled - how can this have happened - when the answer peeks its head out of a doorway. Max Lord.

My first thought was that this was deceit much like what Captain Atom experienced last issue. My last thought is... well, just as uncertain. The man on fire at the end appears to be one of the shock troops rather than Max. However, even if this encounter was mentally charged, it still "happened." The conversation took place whether it was Max intruding on Fire's mind or it was truly Max standing in the middle of Checkmate.

So that brings us to our first key piece of information - Max may be hiding within Checkmate. That wouldn't be a terribly bad place to set up shop. Further, it makes sense considering the image at the end of the first issue - Max, with a drink, standing on what appears to be a castle. As you can see from this issue, Checkmate's HQ is a castle. So whether Fire's encounter was real or mental, Max is or was there.

The other portion of the story deals with Booster, Ice, and Captain Atom's rescue of the Blue Beetle from the OMACs. A lot of this is simply fighting. Jamie talks to his suit a lot, setting up the fact that the scarab is a form of artificial intelligence.

The OMACs are transported away, with the group going with them. Ice is reluctant for the second time in as many issues, and Booster again reminds her of their duty. Score another for the bloggers making the case that the JLI has reformed and Booster is the leader.

For reasons that I'm still completely unsure of, the gang ends up in Russia. There is no sign of the OMACs, so this probably wasn't the place that they were taken to. Why Russia? It's entirely too convenient a meeting place for the Rocket Red Brigade, which of course is what ends up happening. Still, I'm about as confused as Jamie Reyes here. How DID they "teleport all the way to nowhere with the cyborgs from hell and still manage to lose them...?" It really doesn't make sense.

The scarab then fills Jamie in on all things Max Lord. I LOVE the look on Booster's face on the bottom of this page while this is going on - head cocked, one eye closed, pursed lips - HILARIOUS depiction. Even though he knows that Jamie communicates this way, it still looks like he's talking to himself. Still, at least Jamie seems to have bought in - he's "along for the ride."

What or why something was hacking Jamie's suit is probably for another time. The more significant thing here is...

THIS PART IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH FOR ITS OWN TITLE:

Skeets' theory that the scarab remembers because it is a form of artificial intelligence. AMAZINGLY USEFUL piece of information, but one that I fear will be used inconsistently.

Can anyone think of another form of artificial intelligence that is in the DC Universe? A very significant one that we've dealt with quite a bit lately...?

THE GREEN LANTERN RINGS.

I quote the Book of Wikipedia: "Power rings also appear to be highly advanced computers; they are able to talk to and advise the wearer as to various courses of action, as well as act as a universal translator. The ring can also scan for energy signatures or particular objects."

The Green Lantern Corps trusts their rings; it is their tool for everything - all of their powers, their protections, their information. We see Lanterns communicating with their rings all the time. Surely the rings must remember. I hope that this plays in to the story at some point. It is too significant to be ignored, especially considering how much the Corps has played into the DC Universe of late.

Then, the Rocket Red brigade enters... I quote again from the Book of Wikipedia regarding the powers of a Rocket Red: "Their abilities included super strength, invulnerability, flight (through rocket packs/boots), the ability to project powerful energy blasts and "mecha-empathy" — the ability to sense and control computers and machines (though to what extent it's not clear)."

Clearly this computer stuff is going somewhere.

Questions Old and New
- Will Rocket Red join up? More than likely.
- Who hacked Jamie's armor? Why? How did it trigger Ted Kord's JLI signal?
- Who else can be convinced by artificial intelligences? I still say that a Green Lantern shouldn't be out of the question. Guy Gardner...?
- Jamie joined up as guessed earlier. It wasn't a tough one to decipher, but it was nice to see.
- WHAT is Max up to? I suppose if Maxwell Lord's continuity made more sense, this would be an easier question to answer.

In Conclusion...

Honestly, this review is long enough, and while I would normally do a "what was good/what was ehhh" segment, I can't. I really liked this issue; I found it solid from start to finish and don't have a lot to complain about. While I find Russia ridiculous, I'm willing to suspend the disbelief a little bit.

New Booster and JL:GL

Oh how I love the second Wednesday of the month! Two new issues featuring Booster Gold. I won't give too much away here - and I'll probably get to the first of the reviews later this week - but I wanted to put down some preliminary thoughts.

!!!POSSIBLE SPOILERS! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

I've actually had the chance to read them both already, and I'm not disappointed by either. We find out two key pieces of information in JL:GL, the issue does a lot with Blue Beetle (though the cover is kinda a giveaway there), and pits our newfound JLI against an old ally...

BG#33 was fine. I was thankful that the crowded speech balloons were lessened this issue and the humor was toned down just a teeny bit. Seeing a snapshot of Booster from back then really underlined just how much he's changed (and for the better).

So, the reformed JLI looks like this so far:

Booster Gold
Captain Atom
Fire
Ice
Blue Beetle

Could Rocket Red join back in? I think it'd make sense - why else pit the team against the brigade?

Waiting A Week // Blue & Gold Reunited!

I almost wish that JL:GL was released on the opposite two weeks than what it is... that would mean only one week off a month rather than two!

That said, a new comic book day is here, and no new Booster. Of course, that means only one short week until we have a new book to gobble down!

The guy at Boosterrific has a link to an article in USA Today... it seems that Judd Winick was interviewed about the new bi-weekly series.

I like what he says about the new relationship between Blue Beetle and Booster. While it will certainly be a different dynamic than Ted and Booster, Jamie has grown quite a bit since he acquired the scarab; Booster is way more "in the know" than Jamie and that could make for more of a master/student thing, though in a very Booster-like way. Sort of a lighter Batman and Robin (actually I have some thoughts there that I'll share later).

Regardless, I've felt that their relationship has been underplayed ever since Infinite Crisis. Booster is, in a lot of ways, the reason that Jamie is a superhero. The scarab had some nasty influences working on it, and had Booster not grabbed him right away and put him in with the white hats, who knows what could have happened?

I was very hopeful when he showed up in the Blackest Night tie-in, but then we saw nothing more after that. This is why I was quite encouraged at BB's appearance at the end of last week's Justice League issue. Also (SPOILER ALERT!), note the cover of next week's issue - featuring Jamie Reyes' BB in the foreground and the Ted Kord BB as a background. All signs point to it -

The Blue and the Gold will rise again!

JL:GL #2 - Moving the pieces

After last week, I was really excited to see where this next issue would go. I'm not sure what it was that I expected for number two, though I do think that this is the type of issue that had to go here. The events of last issue were BIG and a little crazy, and the four clearly need to absorb them in their own way. Anyway, onward and upward!

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The Cover

I thought that the cover was especially appropriate - Maxwell Lord positioning pieces on a chessboard. On one side - our heroes from the story (minus Booster, plus The Blue Beetle). On the other, some of the folks that didn't believe them - Guy Gardner, Wonder Woman, and Batman.

A few of the discrepancies as far as character drawing is concerned still exist. Ice just sort of looks a little pudgy, Fire's shirt still has that low cut to it. I mean, I'm totally aware of how they've been drawn in the past, but can't we look into the book that the cover is for and see how they're being drawn currently?

Regardless, I like this cover MUCH better than last week's, if only for the fact that there's no "Jim Carrey as Booster Gold" on it. Max's bloody nose as he's controlling his pieces foreshadows the trickery he'll employ upon Captain Atom later in the issue. The opposing pieces indicate the friction between the characters who know and those who don't.

I was also excited at first glance to see the Blue Beetle on there - I was hoping they'd bring him in on this.

I've seen the alternate cover and I like that quite a bit; it reminds me of the zero issue of "Blackest Night." Nonetheless, it highlights each hero in their own element.

The Story So Far

This is really sort of an aftermath/position-the-pieces sort of story. As a fan of LOST, I sort of know how those go. It was pretty appropriate for where we were.

Essentially everyone that the four are close to don't believe that Max Lord ever existed. Some think that they're outright crazy, or as our friend Booster said, "cheese and crackers." No matter what evidence they see of Max Lord, something mentally blocks the truth and replaces it with another fact. Lex Luthor hijacked Brother Eye. Bruce Wayne reformed the Justice League. And, most shockingly, Ted Kord killed himself.

I have to think that the last one was an especially deliberate move on Lord's part. It was a clear shot at Booster Gold; his loyalty for Ted goes a long way and Max had to know how he'd react. That the entire superhero community would believe that Ted truly committed suicide is something that any friend could not stand for. I'm continue to be touched a little by Booster's feelings for his old friend.

Captain Atom intends to check in with his superiors and give a full report as to what has occurred - and then Max gets him. That's the interesting thing about Max. He doesn't really need to be anywhere near you to attack you. Captain Atom thought he saw Max - it was really an illusion - and attacked him. In actuality, he was attacking his superior officer.

Back at HQ, the heroes discuss these recent events. Fire has been dismissed from Checkmate. Ice doesn't want in anymore. Booster is angry about the world's perception of Ted. Finaly, Fire flies off on her own - I can't help but wonder how many times the characters will branch off from the group in this - and the rest go in search of a unique signal picked up by Skeets. What do they find? Jamie Reyes under attack by a bunch of OMACS!

Dun dun dunnnnnnn!

So what have we learned? Well, earlier in this issue, Skeets theorizes that their exclusion was simply because they were in the eye of the storm, so to speak. I favor this theory, too, if only because I can't imagine one single logical reason why he would intentionally allow four individuals to retain their memories when he's gone to so much trouble to make EVERYONE forget.

What was good

- I enjoyed the page of reactions to our quartet's questions about Max, asking them if they hadn't gone crazy. Especially PG's "Did Booster put you up to this?"

- The interlude with Captain Atom really drove home the fact of how dangerous Max truly is. He can really screw with you when he wants to, and he doesn't need to be anywhere nearby.

- OMACs! Blue Beetle!

- Another solid cliffhanger! I think that BB is the one who is most likely to believe any of them. He knows that Booster has time travel experience and therefore some wild true stories; also, if it wasn't for Booster he wouldn't even have the scarab...

- Skeets did his best to be a unifying force for the team. I like that.

What was "ehhhhhh..."

- I'm not sure why we need to clearly see Fire and Ice's nipples under their costumes. Don't get me wrong, I REALLY like boobs. A LOT. Still, It's a little over the top. Are these two always cold or something? I mean, Fire is already practically naked in her fire form. Again, just a little over the top, that's all I'm saying.

- This issue was either about sitting and talking or sudden action. While this does allow the reader to deflate from the last a little, I found it a little disjointed.

New Questions!

- Are we going to see Max's new attempt at his old goal, or is there a new driving force in his pursuits?

- Why are there OMACS - has Max rehabilitated Brother Eye, or found a backup system, or... what? Leftovers? I thought they were all gone...

-Why just discredit the fearsome foursome? If he could make EVERYONE forget, why can't he just make four people forget now, after the fact?

- How big a role will Blue Beetle have? As I said, I think he is the most likely to believe any of them about Max Lord, especially due to his relationship with Booster. The negative part of that is that other heroes are probably not as likely to believe Jamie. Again, especially due to his relationship with Booster.

Another solid issue, I thought. I'd appreciate something more fast paced for the next one, but I also recognize the need to slow down for an issue in order to keep the pacing of the series where it needs to be.

New Comic Book Day!

Grabbed the new JL:GL today; review up soon.

I didn't feel like springing $7.99 for the One-In-Ten cover, which in a lot of ways I prefer to the other cover. That said, the common one appears to be improved from the last despite a few character inaccuracies yet again. I'm getting ahead of myself, though.

I'm finding this to be a lot of fun so far, and if I can get my hands on Time Masters #1 once it comes out (I WILL get my hands on it), I'll probably go through that miniseries as well.

Having reflected, I'm pretty happy with the direction that Booster is going, and the first issue of this new series really exceeded expectations. Here's hoping it holds up!

Also, a question for anyone reading this: I was re-reading the "Day of Death" story arc in Booster Gold and realized that the Black Beetle storyline is just hanging there. Will Dan hit on it in Time Masters? Will Bwa-ha and Ha-ha resolve it in their books? He was around for too much of the run to go away. Perhaps I'd know more if it was July and we had Time Masters!

Justice League: Generation Lost #1

Here we go with the new bi-weekly series from DC. I'm excited for anything that features Booster Gold in a prominent role, and in my opinion, this one doesn't disappoint. So, let's dig in to the first issue!

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The Cover

Ok, I'll be honest, I'm not a big fan of this cover. Don't get me wrong - in terms of artistry, I think it is fairly well done. So what's wrong with it? Well, first, Booster doesn't even LOOK like Booster. He looks somewhat deformed, or perhaps like something out of Dragon Ball Z. His hair is pointing up strangely and his face is shaped totally wrong. Fire and Ice look a little off as well. Actually, Fire's costume is completely incorrectly drawn. Her top does NOT have a plunging neckline like that - don't believe me? Go ahead and look at the rest of the book!

Ice's outfit is a little wrong, too. This is more nitpickey, but the white area that comes up her legs shouldn't end by her crotch, it should go up towards her halter top further. Also, aren't her lips usually blue?

However, Captain Atom looks pretty sweet, and Max Lord looks rather devious. Obviously the cover is centered around him (given that this is his return and all) and for the most part they did a good job getting that across. Still, a lot of him is obscured by Captain Atom. I think that if the characters were drawn a little more correctly, this would be a pretty solid cover. Luckily, the cover doesn't hold a candle to the rest of this book.

The Story In General...

I liked the story. The plot was great, and I especially enjoyed the quote on the end splash page: "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he doesn't exist." The ending REALLY left me wanting more. I'm getting ahead of myself, though... Let's step back.

The Booster material really worked; it was true to the character and enjoyable all around. As for the rest, it was clear to me that Fire, Ice, and Captain Atom were doing... something. The whats and the whys of their actions were, to me, totally unclear. Compared to Booster, their material felt a little rushed. Now I'll never complain about a big spotlight on our futuristic hero, but for the grand military scale of the others' operation, I have no idea what they were setting out to accomplish. In hindsight, it was clearly some sort of underground Max Lord hideout. I just think it was poorly explained.

So anyway, in the midst of this, Booster is thinking through the Max Lord situation. I loved his determination whilst considering the information despite Skeets' Debbie-Downer role. "...but BATMAN already..." "but didn't BATMAN..." He drew his own conclusion based upon his own knowledge of Max Lord. I will always root for a situation where Booster acts in a way that his fellow supers wouldn't expect him to. This all set up my favorite scene - the JLI Embassy.

Max blindsides Booster, Booster manages to call the JLI (pretty slick of them to still carry those - nostalgia or a little bit of caring for one another?), and they arrive just in time for Max's psychic explosion.

Now from a realism standpoint, I have no idea how Max lost all that blood and still managed to look so dapper and in control on the last page. I know that he had one or two IV bags of blood hooked up, but that really seemed like a lot.

Anyway, for whatever reason (by accident or by design?), the JLI members present are the only ones who remember that Max ever existed. Until Superman said "Who's Max Lord?" I didn't understand the significance of Fire's conversation about Operation Land Lord.

Finally, we end with a great quote, the one I began the article with - and it was quite appropriate. We all know that Maxwell is evil. He killed Ted Kord. He hacked Brother Eye and bent it to its will, creating the OMACs - his personal secret army specially designed for combating Metas. Equate him with the devil? Sure, why not? Now he can operate in secrecy, pulling strings, moving pieces all over the board.

As Superman said, "He's the only one who ever got close to defeating us all."

Wow. This going to be a great book. A LOT happened here in what really felt like a short amount of time, and this truly sucked me in. I can't wait to see how this plays out.

What was good:

- Good plot, great cliffhanger ending that left me wanting more.

- Great story for Booster Gold. Even though he got his butt kicked (can't blame him - what kind of coward attacks someone in the back?), he outsmarted Batman and Skeets and found out exactly where Maxwell was. Potentially, if he hadn't, he and the other three wouldn't have been immune... depending on the reason that they were immune, of course.

- I liked Captain Atom's little heroic move with the bomb even if I thought the scene setting it up was a little unclear. He didn't have much to do after exploding though.

- Nice villainous plot by Maxwell - amplifying his psychic power to make EVERYONE on the planet forget that he exists. Crazy.

- Booster's desire to get more active than he was allowed to be in the search for Max is just another sign of how far he has come. While much of this is likely motivated by his desire to avenge Ted, the inner fire is great to see continued even though good ol' Dan Jurgens isn't writing anymore.

- Did you ever think that we'd have THREE TITLES at one time where Booster had a starring or solid co-starring role? It's amazing! I hope it translates into book sales for the main title. I really enjoyed both that I've read thus far as well.

What was "Ehhhh...":

- This wasn't something I hated, but man, Power Girl is a BITCH.

- The cover. I just didn't like it.

- How many ways and places will we have Booster's power suit deactivated just to complicate things for him? It's almost too convenient a plot device. "Hmm, how can we make sure that Max can hit him?" "OOO! EMP Device!" This is in the same week where Booster, in his solo title, was stuck on Daxam due to suit damage.

- What was Max Lord doing hiding a bomb in the middle of the Saudi desert? Maybe I'll have to re-read that part, but I truly don't get the point. Was there once a lab or something of his out there?

What questions I have - feel free to respond to these in the comments:

- Were the four from the JLI ALLOWED to remember, or was it an accident? If it was planned, is he going to toy with them? Does he disrespect him that much? Or is this massive dramatic irony - we know that they're still looking, but he won't? Seems awfully careless of him.

- What is Max Lord planning? This is obviously what we'll find out in the future.

- Does anyone believe for a minute that he is truly haunted by shooting Blue Beetle? I didn't.

- Time will tell, but I wonder how much we'll see this quartet truly working together and how much we'll see them completely at odds.

- Is Dr. Fate (his artifact was revealed at the end of this BG #32) going to play a role in Time Masters, Booster Gold, JL:GL, or some combination of the two?

Wrapping It Up:

In the future, I hope to be able to begin some theories about what we'll have happen. They'll all be wrong, but it'll be fun to talk about. Right now, I'd like to let the story play out for another issue or two and go from there.

Have a Boosterrific day!

Booster Gold #32: The New Direction.

Ok, so I'll try to set a standard for my review format in this one. We'll see how it evolves. This issue is what I was waiting for, and I'm doing this before JL:GL because, story-wise, it comes first.

Finally, the "SPOILER ALERT" goes without saying!

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The Cover

Pretty typical Booster stuff here. Can't really complain about it... serves as sort of a re-introduction for the character, which I suppose makes sense given the "new beginning" aspect of this book. I've never been a fan of speech bubbles on a comic book cover, even when I was little, so that's a turn-off. The thing that concerned me on first glance, though was the tag: "Giffen and DeMatteis reunite to bring the bwa-ha-ha back to Booster Gold."

I thought that, while the issue 1-31 stories were more serious in tone than the old JLI stuff, there was still a lot of levity. I know that the Bwa-Ha-Ha is the KG/JMD brand of stuff as far as this goes, but it still made me worry that it'd be too far. Enough of that for now. Let's move on.

General Thoughts:

With Booster's time traveling, it's always a treat to open up and see where they'll throw you in. I enjoyed this beginning simply because you're immediately thrust into a crisis situation. I thought the "Come with me..." line was hysterical...flipping over onto a big splash page of red beams "WAKA-TOOM"-ing down onto the planet. This is big stuff that he's in the middle of, though the girl talking about how she has to pee was an interesting contrast.

The credits on the second page of the splash had me again a little worried... apologizing to Dan Jurgens for soiling his creation yet again. Ok, since they brought it up... I already said that was a concern of mine and thankfully, it was unfounded. There's a LOT of dialog in this story, and some is a little ridiculous, but it is truly balanced out with the Booster that I've come to enjoy reading about in the Volume 2 run.

I like the art, but sometimes characters facial expressions don't seem to match what's going on. I'm guessing that this is going to get more in sync as we go here.

It took WAY too long for Skeets to come in. I like the little droid, especially his interactions with Booster. Always have. As a guy from the future, as a guy whose peers regard him with some disdain, the little guy is really his only friend. Speaking of which, I wonder what Rip was doing to him? Just some diagnostics? Something new? We'll see, I guess. Could be nothing at all.

What I Liked

- The balance of humor and seriousness was good.

- Something about Booster's "son-of-a-bitch" when he saw Max Lord alive and well was great. Just really seemed to sum it all up. What else can you say?

- His immediate turn-around from self-doubt to outward confidence when Rani asked if she was going to die too.

- The story was well-paced, a nice transitional issue.

- I wonder how Ekron feels about that eye? He sure was sore about it in 52.

- I liked how Booster was a very in-control foil to the confused and bewildered 31st-centry-ers.

- When Skeets did come in... well, it was exactly why I like Skeets. I can just picture him schmoozing with the hybrid.

- These guys still know how to write good Booster, even with how many changes he's undergone. I like that they maintained the seriousness, the doubt, the bravado, the charm, but...

What Was "Ehhh"

- Booster's self-doubt after the Emerald Empress killed all those people was good, yet it felt a little forced. A page ago, Booster was zooming around and reliving his football days. Now he's on the opposite end of the spectrum. Don't get me wrong, I like the human side of Booster, but he's a little bipolar in this book.

- Since when did Booster have the technical know-how to repair his time-travel circuitry? Maybe I missed that somewhere.

- I was ready to see the Emerald Empress pull out some Clear Eyes eyedrops on her splash page. Reminded me of Ben Stein.

- The Eye jokes made sense in EE's dialog, given the slightly nutsy nature of the villain and her attachment to the Eye of Ekron, but I felt a little "been there, done that" due to Brother Eye's forms of conversation..

- SO much dialog!

Overall

I REALLY liked this. This will not be a bad direction for our boy from the future. I'm especially excited to see how this will bump up against Generation Lost. While the I definitely found some negatives in the +/- section, I really see the positives as outweighing any negatives by a long shot. This is going to be a fun ride.

Stay tuned for more - there'll be a new JL:GL before you know it, and I still haven't posted the first one! This is going to be fun.

First!

In this space, over the coming year, I'll be reviewing each issue of Justice League: Generation Lost as it comes out. If I find some time, I'll also be reviewing each month of Booster Gold: Vol. 2. Finally, if this catches on, I'll continue even as the bi-weekly series ends.

If I really get ambitious, I'll start digging in to the new "Time Masters" series. Depends on my mood.

Just as a little introduction for myself, prior to my life as The Greatest Blogger You've Never Heard Of (you could also call me Major Idiot), I was just a regular guy. While growing up, I had the typical interest in comics and super heroes, but somewhere along the way, I lost that. Then, searching for a way to get back in to comics, I came across Booster Gold.

I was still in diapers during the first run of his series, but in looking at some comics, I stumbled across Booster and Skeets. There was something that interested me about him, something that made me want to learn more.

So I did.

Anyway, that brings me to now. I was incredibly curious waiting for the new writing team to start. On the one hand, KG and JDeM could probably be credited with keeping Booster in the eye of the comic reader through their work on the Justice League. On the other hand, especially after reading 52 and the new stuff, I was concerned that it'd be too much "Bwa-ha-ha," as everyone so lovingly calls it, and not enough of the person that Booster has developed in to.

In any case, was I disappointed? Happy? Well, I decided to start a blog, if that gives you any indication. I suppose you'll simply have to find out when I make my next post!