BOOSTER GOLD #7 REVIEW

[Walt Kneeland]

Review by: Walt Kneeland (walt.kneeland@gmail.com )
Quick Rating: Very Good!
Story Title: BLue & Gold Chapter 2: O.M.A.C.'D

Summary: Booster and Beetle face a horde of OMACs as they begin to discover what changes have occurred in the timestream...

Written by: Geoff Johns & Jeff Katz
Pencil Art: Dan Jurgens
Finished Art: Norm Rapmund
Colors: Hi-Fi
Letters: Randy Gentile
Asst. Editor: Harvey Richards
Editor: Michael Siglain
Cover: Jurgens & Rapmund
Publisher: DC Comics

It's hard not to sound like a broken record...but I find myself enjoying this title more than just about any other monthly out there. It's been a consistent high-hitter...great story, great art, and character dynamics that remind me why I enjoy super-heroes in the first place.

This issue we begin to see some major fallout in the timestream due to Booster's rescue of Blue Beetle, and see the two interact with characters in a present that's been altered by Beetle not having been killed by Lord when he was supposed to have been. Additionally, further light is shed on the mystery Beetle, as well as the Supernova subplot.

Though it seems like Infinite Crisis just finished, it's great to see its earliest events being revisited in this context, as we see how things could have played out. That our characters are playing in the time-stream adds to the enormity of events that unfold, while also keeping them contained to this book without having to run around buying a bunch of tie-ins to "get" the story.

The writing is spot-on as usual, capturing the attitudes of the characters seen, and continue to remind me what a great matchup Booster and Beetle are--maintaining a sense of humour as the two deal with each other and outside events, while not feeling forced (nor like some vain attempt to recapture a bygone tone from two decades ago).

The art is also very strong, keeping everything clear, consistent, and in some ways fairly iconic. I not only have no complaint with the art, but feel that it's set a visual standard for these characters against which I'll find myself measuring any other appearances they make elsewhere in the DCU.

This is the second issue of the Blue & Gold arc (the first was #0, a play on the Zero Hour "Zero Month" the arc tied into)...and as such this may not be the best point to jump on-board. However, if you track down that #0 issue...I highly recommend jumping in with this title (and consider the upcoming collection of the first six issues). As far as DC super-hero titles go...this is one of the best-written, most dynamic and interesting books I can see, and is my favorite DC is currently publishing.

Very much recommended.


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[gregorv]

this book is still strong, but thats to expect from Geoff Johns...the art by Jurgens is awesome!

[Kani]

IMO this is the best book DC puts out

[Walt Kneeland]

I certainly hope the momentum is kept up with this title. That we're 8 issues in and I'm still looking forward to each subsequent issue (and eagerly reading the new issue before anything else in its week-of-release) is something I don't often find lately.

I've never really had anything against the character...but I certainly never expected I'd be so thoroughly enjoying a Booster Gold series.

If I was to buy only one DC title in a given month, right now this would certainly be it. (I'd need 3 each month to include GL and GL Corps)

[Mark Blicharz]

My second favorite DC book right now behind Action Comics.

[Richard Davidson, Jr.]

I'm really enjoying this book but I'm kind of worried that this story arc is leaving some readers in the dark. While the first arc had some wiggle room because nearly all of the moments that Booster was sent to were known by people who weren't steeped in comic book continuity. This arc seems to be hinged on one specific event which might leave a reader that either wasn't around at the time or didn't read the books in question a little in the dark. The fact that they've moved very quickly into the possible effects of the plot's cause has been very helpful to not let the book get to too stuck down.

[Ben Lehnsherr]

Originally Posted by Richard Davidson, Jr.

I'm really enjoying this book but I'm kind of worried that this story arc is leaving some readers in the dark. While the first arc had some wiggle room because nearly all of the moments that Booster was sent to were known by people who weren't steeped in comic book continuity. This arc seems to be hinged on one specific event which might leave a reader that either wasn't around at the time or didn't read the books in question a little in the dark. The fact that they've moved very quickly into the possible effects of the plot's cause has been very helpful to not let the book get to too stuck down.

Yep. That's why I dropped it.....and honestly, I haven't really missed it at all.

[Richard Davidson, Jr.]

Originally Posted by Ben Lehnsherr

Yep. That's why I dropped it.....and honestly, I haven't really missed it at all.

As someone who has been reading DC Comics since... hmmmm... the mid 80s, I have a bit of knowledge of past continuity but I can totally see how a book focused on bouncing around through past events can leave some readers a bit nervous about picking it up from the start or giving it a try at all.

Now please pardon me while I go sit in the corner and feel officially too old for the freaking room...

[Kani]

I really have a limited knowledge of DC continuity, and I am sure having more knowledge would make this title more enjoying. That being said, I think you can enjoy this book without being an expert in DC continuity, and there is always wikipedia to look up the past events in the DC universe that this book is dealing with.

[Ben Lehnsherr]

Originally Posted by Richard Davidson, Jr.

As someone who has been reading DC Comics since... hmmmm... the mid 80s, I have a bit of knowledge of past continuity but I can totally see how a book focused on bouncing around through past events can leave some readers a bit nervous about picking it up from the start or giving it a try at all.

Now please pardon me while I go sit in the corner and feel officially too old for the freaking room...

Originally Posted by Kani

I really have a limited knowledge of DC continuity, and I am sure having more knowledge would make this title more enjoying. That being said, I think you can enjoy this book without being an expert in DC continuity, and there is always wikipedia to look up the past events in the DC universe that this book is dealing with.

Well I'm in no way saying that the book is badly written or anything. Just with the way its set up and the point you mentioned, I had a very easy time letting this book go.

[Mark Blicharz]

Originally Posted by Richard Davidson, Jr.

As someone who has been reading DC Comics since... hmmmm... the mid 80s, I have a bit of knowledge of past continuity but I can totally see how a book focused on bouncing around through past events can leave some readers a bit nervous about picking it up from the start or giving it a try at all.

Now please pardon me while I go sit in the corner and feel officially too old for the freaking room...

Don't worry, you're not older then Craig.