Booster Gold
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Booster Gold is a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. Created by Dan Jurgens, he has been a member of the Justice League and first appeared in Booster Gold #1 (1986).
Background / History
From the future
Michael Jon Carter was a college football star in the 25th century, who was banned from the sport when he was caught betting on his own football games. He took a job as a night watchman at the Metropolis Space Museum, where he began studying displays about past superheroes and villains, particularly those of the 20th century. With the help of a security robot named Skeets, he stole various devices from the museum displays, including a Legion of Super-Heroes flight ring and Brainiac 5's force-field belt. He then used Rip Hunter's time machine (also on display in the museum) to travel back to the 20th century, intent on becoming a superhero and on starting a corporation based around himself to make a comfortable living. As such, he was a shameless self-promoter, whose obsession with fame and wealth irritated other heroes.Celebrity
Booster Gold was originally based in Metropolis, the home city of Superman. He started his hero career by preventing the shape-shifting assassin Chiller, an operative of The 1000, from killing the President of the United States and replacing him. With the public exposure he gained from this rescue, Booster was quickly able to sign a multitude of commercial and movie deals. During his superhero career, he saw his sister Michelle Carter, powered by a magnetic suit, follow in his footsteps as the superheroine Goldstar. She would die soon thereafter, leaving him devastated. Amassing a small fortune, Booster founded Goldstar, Inc. (later Booster Gold International) as a holding company and hired Dirk Davis to act as his agent. During the Millennium event, Davis revealed that he was a Manhunter in disguise and had been siphoning money from Booster's accounts for months in hopes of leaving Booster no choice but to do the Manhunters' bidding. Though the Manhunters were ultimately defeated, Booster was left bankrupt.
Justice League
Booster Gold was a key character in the late '80s/early '90s revamp of the Justice League under writers Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis. Booster Gold was frequently partnered with fellow former Justice League member Blue Beetle II, and the two quickly became best friends. The pair were most recently seen in Formerly Known as the Justice League and I Can't Believe It's Not The Justice League. The duo of Booster and Beetle was responsible for some of the most memorable moments in the Justice League series, including a stint as superhero repo men and the construction of a gaming resort, Club JLI, on the living island Kooey Kooey Kooey. When an alien of awesome power came to earth and began a rampage of destruction, it was Booster Gold who coined the name Doomsday for it. In the ensuing battle with Doomsday, Booster's costume was destroyed. Blue Beetle II was able to design a new (albeit bulkier) costume to replace it, though this costume often malfunctioned. During a later battle with Devastator a servant of the Overmaster, Booster was nearly killed and lost an arm. Again, Blue Beetle came to his aid, designing a suit which acted as a life support system in addition to replicating the powers of Booster's previous costumes. This suit also included a cybernetic arm to replace the arm Booster had lost.Extreme Justice
Not long after this, the Justice League fell apart and Booster Gold joined Extreme Justice, a team led by Captain Atom. It was while a member of this team that Booster made a deal with the super-villain Monarch, who fully healed Booster's wounds so that he could once again remove his battle suit. With his arm returned to him, Booster donned a new costume created in part from Skeets, who was able to aid Booster and even take control if Booster was rendered unconscious.
Infinite Crisis
Countdown to Infinite Crisis
After the events of the limited series Identity Crisis, Booster Gold temporarily hung up his costume and retired from crime-fighting. However, in Countdown to Infinite Crisis barely a year later, he once again assumed the role in order to help his best friend Blue Beetle discover who was manipulating Kord Industries. Over the course of the story, he is heavily injured in an explosion at Kord's home, and it is revealed that his companion Skeets has been dismantled for its 25th-century technology by the Checkmate organization.The OMAC Project
In the pages of The OMAC Project, Booster Gold gathered together the old Justice League International heroes to investigate the disappearance of Blue Beetle and ultimately find his killer. By the series' end, he was ruined both physically and emotionally, having destroyed much of his gear in the fight against the OMACs, seen more friends fall in the battle, and lost his trust of the other heroes of the DC universe. In a moment of self-reflection, he realized that if only he had bothered to recall more of what was history in his native era, he might have been able to warn his friends. Giving a tender farewell kiss to the forehead of his wounded teammate Bea as she lay in a hospital bed, he dropped his trademark goggles on the floor and left, saying only that he had to "go home"; the implication being a return to the 25th century.
The new Blue Beetle
In the pages of Infinite Crisis, Booster Gold has resurfaced in the ruins of the Justice League's Watchtower on the moon, along with Skeets and an updated costume, again branded as a criminal in his time for "hijacking historical records". When Skeets failed to locate the absentee Martian Manhunter, Booster set off to search for Jaime Reyes, the new Blue Beetle, whom he promptly took into the Batcave. Booster revealed to the Batman the object of the stolen records: the battle the Dark Knight was going to wage against Brother Eye would be a failure, but Booster, having stolen for himself knowledge from the future, implies that, with the aid of Jaime, they can change the past for the better. The mission is in fact successful, and Booster plays a pivotal role in the destruction of the satellite.52: Looking back at Tomorrow
After the end of Infinite Crisis, Booster has again taken up his "superhero for hire" attitude in the pages of 52. Appearing with various advertisements on his costume and even making an impromptu advertisement in the middle of the street after defeating Mammoth, he presents himself as Metropolis' new hero. He is using Skeets' stolen knowledge from the 25th century to predict crimes before they occur. Although as Skeets has stated, Booster's never read the history books himself.
However, at the memorial ceremony for Superboy, where his history states that "The greatest Justice League ever", will be formed, temporal alterations come into play. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman don't show (though a depowered Clark Kent does), and this paradox seems to short out Skeets, sending Booster into a fit. Booster then takes Skeets to Doctor Will Magnus where the doctor says Skeets is a self- repairing machine and that he cannot find anything wrong with him.
Skeets is then turned back on by Will and Skeets informs Booster that what happened earlier must have been a glitch. However, he mentions that if it wasn't a glitch, someone is altering the fabric of time. Several days later, Skeets informs Booster that Flight 2824 is in need of assistance. Skeets tells Booster to wait in the wrong place, and the flight nearly plows into him from behind. Luckily, Booster does eventually save the flight, but insists Skeets is still "fragged". Meanwhile, a newspaper article reads that hundreds are dead on Flight 2428. One week later, Booster defeats Shockwave in Metropolis and has invested in Akteon-Holt Pharmaceuticals due to Skeets' advice. However, the CEO, Mister Akteon himself, is soon arrested for securities fraud by the Secret Service. Skeets then comments that he may be malfunctioning after all and Booster tells him to get all the information he can on the whereabouts of Rip Hunter.
About three days later, Bea approaches him and asks that he join in the search for the superheroes still missing after the Crisis. He then says that is on a very tight, "second-by-second" schedule, but would join them otherwise. Upon finding out that part of his "tight schedule" was a meeting with Big Belly Burgers for a sponsorship deal, Bea burns a decal off his costume, stating "I thought it wasn't about you anymore". She goes on to say that she thought Beetle's death had made Booster act more heroic. Booster angily responds by saying that since he had risked his life saving the world, he felt he was now entitled to put himself first. Bea storms off, burning right through the door of his apartment.
Two weeks later, Booster hires a little known African-American actor named Bob (or Bill) Castell to dress as a fake villain named "Manthrax", in a costume somewhat similar to that worn by War Machine and colored like that of Iron Lantern, for a considerable sum. Booster "saved" thousands during a stunt where Manthrax acted as a marauder and calmed panicked bystanders while Manthrax disappeared. Booster also appears to be going into business with Promethium Razors. About a day later, Boost finally reaches Rip Hunter's last known address in "the middle of the desert". Within he finds several strange writings including the message that 'Time is Broken' and, even stranger, a room covered with the words "it's all his fault!", referring to Booster Gold himself.
A week and one day later, Booster is approached by Ralph Dibny to aid him in his search for the mysterious "Cult of Conner", a group of resurrectionists that may be trying to resurrect his wife, Sue Dibny. Booster is distracted by endorsement deals, and Skeets, who is counting down to when a riot will break out outside the LexCorp building. When Ralph hears this and remembers that Skeets and Booster are from the future, he accuses Booster of not telling Ralph his wife was going to die. In actuality, Boost admits he had no idea it would occur. Ralph then tells Booster "With Superman gone, Metropolis needs is a hero--Not a celebrity pitchman!" Booster, however, asserts that he is Superman's replacement, won't "take any crap" off Ralph and is one of the very few heroes who have actually "suited up in eight months!"
Their argument is then finally interrupted by loud "Boom" near the LexCorp building. A tanker truck has jackknifed, causing the propane tank it was carrying to burst into flames. Booster flies down through the fire into a manhole where he is able to find a water main and save all the lives of a large crowd which had gathered outside LexCorp. Afterwards, Booster is interviewed by Lois Lane, and is interrupted by Castell, who, appearing in costume, is angry because Booster's check to him bounced. Accusing Booster of staging the explosion, Castell also explains the truth of last week's "Manthrax" stunt. When Booster tries to explain, a still upset Ralph Dibny (who had followed Booster to the scene of the explosion), grabs a microphone and, in mock-reporter fashion, says "Ralph Dibny, Human Race. How many other of these last six weeks' "death-defying rescues" have you staged to improve your marketability?" Lois asks Ralph if he questions Booster's integrity. Ralph responds coldly, "Absolutely". As all cameras turn their attention to Ralph, he continues to publicly ostracize Booster. Finally, as he finishes, Ralph blames Booster for the deaths of his wife and Ted Kord as he slowly walks way.
Five days later, news reports say Booster has been brought up on allegation of fraud. Four days after that, Booster himself angrily comments on Supernova, who Booster considers to be his unwanted replacement.
The story is ongoing.
One Year Later
Although Booster Gold appears active directly after the Infinite Crisis, he has yet to make any appearance one year after the start of 52 though he appears on the cover of Justice League of America #1
Powers
Booster Gold originally gained his powers from the stolen artifacts he brought back with him from the future. A power suit granted him super strength enough to lift several tons. A pair of wrist blasters allowed Booster to project force blasts of varying power; he could stun a foe at low power or blast through two feet of concrete at the highest power. In addition, these wristbands contained the primary controls and power supply for the suit as well as communications equipment to monitor all frequencies. Circuitry from a force field belt was incorporated into his costume allowing him to resist both physical and energy attacks. In addition, the force field could be used to repel objects with great force. The costume's goggles had infrared and magnifying capabilities as well. In addition to the powers from his suit, Booster could fly thanks to a Legion flight ring. The eighth issue of his title demonstrated that he had the power to absorb mass, and eject it either in its original form or as a melted mass, but this power has been forgotten by recent authors, and is probably not present in his current costume.
Booster's later costumes have used many different technologies to grant him his powers, but the powers themselves have remained basically the same despite changes to the source. Booster's third costume acted as a mobile life support system as well as granting him super powers.
Enemies
Some of his known enemies include:
- The 1000
- The Director
- Mindancer
- Blackguard
- Shockwave
- Rainbow Raider
- Mr. Twister II
- The Manhunters
- Devastator
In other media
Booster Gold has a speaking debut in the Justice League Unlimited episode "The Greatest Story Never Told," voiced by Tom Everett Scott.
A shamelessly showboating and self-promoting superhero, Booster is dismissed as a hopeless wannabe by his colleagues in the Justice League (similar to the early days of Flamebird).
Because of this, during an epic battle with Mordru, where half of Metropolis is taken out, Booster is partnered with Elongated Man (due to the fact that Plastic Man is already a stretcher, and Ralph Dibny is not needed) and the duo is assigned to crowd control.
However, Elongated Man is soon reassigned to the proper fighting, while Booster Gold continues to partake of menial duties. At one point, he even has to help a pregnant woman deliver her child, in the absence of qualified medical personnel (the battle with Mordru disrupted first-responders citywide).
The titular plotline happens because a scientist, in a freak accident, turns into a walking black hole, destroying the city where Mordru has not smashed it. Booster is caught up in a frenzied attempt to save a world ignorant of its plight, while trying to save his robotic sidekick Skeets and impress the scientist's beautiful colleague. His calls for help to the rest of the League are assumed to be complaining about his menial duties and he is hung up on, leaving him as the only one who can save the day.
A running gag develops as Booster is repeatedly mistaken for Green Lantern by civilians, despite the facts that the two heroes' costumes have no matching colors, patterns, and that the current Green Lantern (John Stewart) is African-American.
Eventually, Booster Gold manages to prevail and gain a measure of self-respect, even snagging a date. The only point of contention for him is that nobody even realised he managed to save their lives, since as far as the League is concerned, that near-cataclysm never occurred. When he returns to his post, he finds that the Justice League have some how defeated Mordru, and Batman scolds Booster for not following orders and leaving.
He is voiced by Tom Everett Scott while Skeets is voiced by Billy West.
In the final episode of the series, the show ends with all of the Justice League members charging out of the headquarters in waves. The last few waves correspond to "generations" of the League in the comics, and Booster is seen flying out as fellow-Giffen era Leaguers Fire, Ice and Elongated Man are seen leaving.
Trivia
- The Super Buddies TV promotional featured in Formerly Known as the Justice League, in a nod to the Golden Age controversy on Batman and Robin being a gay couple, featured Booster Gold and his best pal Blue Beetle as A heterosexual dynamic duo for the new millennium. The ensuing embarrassment led to the idea being dismissed.
- During the same series, Booster Gold claimed to have married a much older wealthy woman, Gladys, hoping to became her heir. His embarrassing matrimonial life (it was hinted that Gladys forced him to dress as Wonder Woman during their sexual performance) was erased due to the aftermath of Infinite Crisis. [link]
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