"Booster"

I am no fan of Booster Gold. He's the most generic lackwit ever created. The character only existed for one reason: to be Blue Beetle's double-act partner in the Giffin/DeMatteis run of Justice League. Booster Gold's usefulness ended when the powers that be at DC instigated the surge against fun by having former comedy relief Maxwell Lord shoot Blue Beetle in the head.

The reemergence of Booster Gold in comic books leaves me dumbfounded. The character doesn't merit a volume one let alone a volume two, and he is without a doubt the most ineffectual time traveler in the history of all media.

When I saw Booster Gold on the cover of Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century I was repulsed. Clearly J. Torres was pandering to this inexplicable Booster Gold renaissance, but after reading the story, I'm willing to concede that the issue is to quote the late, great Douglas Adams, mostly harmless.

Torres comports the somewhat mercenary hero with enough affability that I can comfortably ignore him as stunt casting. A story didn't need to be built around Booster Gold, but it's not the worst thing I've read. Booster Gold doesn't really impress, but he doesn't embarrass. He has little impact, and that's perfectly fine with me.

Outside of Booster Gold's guest role, Torres concocts a peppy Legion story that benefits from excellent versions of the heroes. I particularly enjoyed Triplicate Girl's display of martial arts, beautifully choreographed by Alex Serra, as well as her commentary regarding Booster Gold's willpower. Brainiac Five's understanding of the time/space continuum suits his intellect, and Superman comes out of the book savvier than usually portrayed.

The issue introduces one of my favorite Legionnaires to this incarnation of the team. Serra bestows to Dawnstar a decidedly Native American ethnicity that adds further diversify to the group and grants her striking beauty within the context of the animated model. The presence of John Stanisci affects the inking positively. For instance, his subtle addition of lines around the eyes of the Legionnaires on the splash page showcasing Booster Gold enhances the emotions evoked and the actual lighting effects. The entire art team, including Heroic Age, deserve credit for the impressive two page time tunnel backdrop depicting an encapsulated history of the Legion.

Booster Gold is prominent in this issue of Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century. Torres' story doesn't make me feel any warmer toward the character, but even readers such as me who loathe Booster Gold will still enjoy Torres' latest foray into the future.

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