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.
Showing posts with label Keith Giffen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Keith Giffen. Show all posts
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
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?
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?
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
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.
-------------------------
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!
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.
-------------------------
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!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
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?
!!!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?
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