Booster Gold has a reputation for being “the greatest hero you never heard of”, but despite his relative obscurity compared to giants like Superman and Batman, he’s led plenty of great stories over the years. He got his start as a solo hero and went on to join the founding roster of the Justice League International, shepherding in an enhanced new era for the classic team. Now, Booster Gold is joining James Gunn’s DCU, finally putting this overlooked hero on the map.
With Booster Gold’s DCU debut on the horizon, there are certain stories that should inform how he’s written, as they encapsulate his essence more than any others. From his original time-hopping travels to his tenure on different iterations of the Justice League, Booster Gold’s decades-long history of superhero endeavors is teeming with potential inspiration for his televised adaptation. Here are 6 Booster Gold comics that DC should study closely as a reference when bringing this underrated icon to life in live action.
6 Booster Gold Marks the Beginning of This Hero’s Story
Creators: Dan Jurgens, Mike DeCarlo, Tom Ziuko, and Agustin Más
Dan Jurgens’ original Booster Gold series from 1985 serves as the titular hero’s introduction to DC lore. Spanning 25 issues, this original run chronicles the adventures of Michael Jon Carter, a former football star from the 25th century who has traveled back in time after getting caught in a gambling scandal. In the 20th century, he uses his knowledge of the future to become the superhero Booster Gold in pursuit of newfound fame.
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These early stories feature Booster as he navigates carrying out his ambitious get-rich-quick scheme, including his very first exploit where he saves Ronald Reagan’s life and earns his hero name. Joined by his robot sidekick Skeets and aided by various artifacts that let him feign superpowers – including his Legion of Super-Heroes flight ring – Booster Gold’s first comic lays the groundwork for him to ultimately become the lovable – if sometimes misguided – icon he is today.
Creators: Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, Kevin Maguire, Al Gordon, Gene D’Angelo, and Bob Lappan
Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, and Kevin Maguire’s Justice League International sets up an unlikely team of heroes to lead DC’s flagship team. When most think of the Justice League, they tend to picture the likes of Superman and Wonder Woman at the forefront. That is, until this revamped roster flipped the script of what the Justice League could be. Maxwell Lord assembles this ragtag lineup of underdogs, with Booster Gold at the center.
Booster Gold may have debuted in his solo series, but his role in the Justice League International is an iconic part of his history that’s defined his legacy to this day. It’s on this team that Booster meets Ted Kord’s Blue Beetle, who goes on to become his best friend and closest ally. Booster Gold assembling the Justice League International in live action would be a perfect callback to this cult-classic roster.
4 Booster Gold: 52 Pick-Up Turns This Underrated Icon Into a Time Master
Creators: Geoff Johns, Jeff Katz, Dan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund, Hi-Fi, and Rob Leigh
Dan Jurgens returns alongside Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz for Booster Gold’s second solo series. In the aftermath of the 52 event, he grapples with the untimely death of Blue Beetle as he becomes a time traveling hero. Booster Gold is enlisted by Rip Hunter – who he just might have a secret connection with – to traverse the timeline of the DC Universe and prevent the elimination of every superhero.
Along the way, Booster Gold is joined by his own supporting cast outside of the Justice League. Among these colorful characters is his sister, Michelle, who also goes by the hero name Goldstar. With Goldstar and Rip Hunter aiding him, Booster jumps across time and space to keep time flowing as it should. The DCU would be remiss not to include Booster Gold’s time-traveling feats in its take on the character.
3 Justice League: Generation Lost Reunites Booster Gold With His Allies
Creators: Keith Giffen, Judd Winick, Aaron Lopresti, Matt Ryan, Hi-Fi, Sal Cipriano
Giffen, Winick, and Lopresti bring Booster Gold back to DC’s premier team in Justice League: Generation Lost. Years after the Justice League International’s disbandment, a mysterious enemy starts targeting them, and they must join forces again if they want to save themselves and their past teammates. As it turns out, the mastermind is none other than Maxwell Lord, and only Booster and his fellow JLI heroes remember that he ever existed.
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While modern stories tend to treat the Justice League International as a joke due to the team’s comedic habits, Generation Lost instead treats them – and Booster, by extension – with refreshing sincerity. Booster’s fight with Maxwell Lord displays his emotional maturity as he faces the man who took his best friend away from him. Booster Gold has been reduced to a joke again in the years since this comic, so DC should learn from his portrayal here.
2 Blue and Gold Shines a Spotlight on Booster Gold’s Greatest Friendship
Creators: Dan Jurgens, Ryan Sook, and Rob Leigh
Dan Jurgens and Ryan Sook tackle DC’s fan-favorite bromance in this Blue and Gold miniseries, starring Booster Gold and Blue Beetle. Ted may have been killed off in the pre-Crisis continuity, but he’s since been resurrected post-Flashpoint, and he’s back and better than ever by Booster’s side in this hilarious tale. Booster Gold leans back into his glory-seeking roots by becoming an online influencer with his best pal.
No portrayal of Booster Gold in comics, television, or otherwise would be complete without emphasizing the importance of his bond with Blue Beetle. The two friends are nigh inseparable throughout their histories, with a friendship strong enough to endure even after Blue Beetle’s initial death. If the DCU plans to integrate Booster in the near future, then Ted Kord’s Blue Beetle shouldn’t be far behind.DC All In Special #1 Kicks Off Booster’s Next Adventure
1 DC All In Special #1 Makes Booster Gold DC’s Most Important Hero
Creators: Joshua Williamson, Scott Snyder, Daniel Sampere, Wes Craig, Dan Mora, Tamra Bonvillain, Alejandro Sánchez, and Steve Wands
DC All In Special #1 is an ambitious flip-book that kicks off the All In era of the DC Universe with a bang, and Booster Gold plays a prominent role in the “Alpha” story by Joshua Williamson, Scott Snyder, and Daniel Sampere. As the Justice League reunites following a long hiatus, Superman recruits Booster Gold to rejoin the team’s ranks at last in a moment that should be cathartic. Instead, though, Booster feels a sense of foreboding.
Booster Gold’s fears are realized when Darkseid strikes, and through his shocking death he spawns a new universe that changes the trajectory of DC’s future. Booster takes it upon himself to visit this universe on the Justice League’s behalf, then gets trapped there as the main continuity heroes forget his existence. Booster Gold has officially been set up to be more important than ever, just in time for his DCU debut.
