Booster Gold One Million marks the end of an era. Well, it’s the end of a year-long run. Does that count as an era? I don’t care. The point is Geoff Johns has turned in 12 fun-filled issues of Booster Gold.
If you’d have told me pre-52 that I would ever have looked forward to a Booster Gold series, I’d have called you a liar. My exposure to the character came by way of really lame, second tier Justice League titles. Extreme Justice, anyone? Didn’t think so.
But 52 recast Booster is a time-jumping savior of the multiverse. And Geoff Johns (along with Booster Gold creator Dan Jurgens on pencils) have really made the most of that premise. In just one year, they have retroactively crossed over into both Zero Hour and DC One Million. I can hardly wait for the Bloodlines tie-in.
If you have no idea what DC One Million was, there’s no need to worry. Johns and company keep the continuity out of the way. If you read the crossover, there’s a few references for you to savor.
Basically, Booster gets thrown far into the future (the year one million to be exact) and is dis-heartened to see his legacy in the form of the obnoxious Peter Platinum. Having just lost his best friend for the second time, Booster starts questioning whether or not being a Time Master is right for him. Making matters worse, Green Arrow and Green Lantern show up and start busting his chops.
Poor Booster is the Rodney Dangerfield of the DC Universe.
By the end of the issue, Booster has an unexpected encounter with Batman and is re-united with a character who has not been seen in comics for years. Plus, Johns answers a question that readers have been asking since the series began - who is Rip Hunter? It’s all good stuff.
Yes, this series plays to the fanboys. And Johns’ finale is no different. But if you’re any kind of DC fan at all, you have to admit that the past year has been a fun ride.
Here’s hoping the series can maintain this level of energy now that Johns is moving on.
Tags: DC Comics, Geoff Johns, Booster Gold, Jeff Katz, Dan Jurgens
July 14, 2008 at 6:35 pm
If you’re on a Booster Gold high, I recommend Keith Giffen’s I can’t believe it’s not the Justice League and Formerly known as the Justice League. It’s hilarious stuff and Booster is in it as well. This has been the one Geoff Johns series I haven’t been reading but I’m glad it is good.
July 15, 2008 at 12:32 pm
I always thought Booster Gold was the Charlie Brown of the DCU, but Rodney Dangerfield! Thats good!