Mort Game Review

Randy hit our last mort right on the head (figurtively speaking) when he guessed that he was Mister Bones, a former low-level DC villian, and member of the evil team Helix. Mister Bones' invisible skin emits cyanide, meaning he kills whoever he touches. Interestingly, Wikipedia reports that he is an African-American, which I think is a difficult thing to establish if your skin is invisible. Am I wrong on this?

As a break from the usual foolishness on this site, Randy recommended I give you a brief review of what was arguably the best comic book released last week, Booster Gold #1. Now, in complete honesty, my opinion is that the Booster Gold #1 that came out in 1986 was better than the issue we got last week, but I'm so excited that we actually have a series featuring the Corporate Crusader that I won't complain. Plus, I'm not sure any of you would read a review of Booster Gold #1 (1986).

Anyway, to the review: The issue begins with Booster Gold taking out the Royal Flush Gang in a scene purposefully reminiscent of Justice League #4, where Booster joins the League. The scene is perfunctory, but it beautifully sets up the story-telling device the writers used to frame the story (Will Booster join the Justice League again?) . Recognizing that there will be more than a few Johnny-Come-Lately's to the greatness that is Booster Gold, the authors show some pity and give a quick two page recap of Booster's origin (The 1986 series waited six issues before rewarding the readers with this information, but they spent seven pages on the origin, so I guess it all balances out). The current Justice League makes a cameo, no doubt to help boost the sales of their own little series, and we get a quick look at the DC universe's feelings about Booster. It is mostly negative, although I find it most interesting that both Batman and Superman (two of the "Big Three") speak in his favor. Wonder Woman certainly would have as well, but I'm sure she was just overcompensating for her unspoken physical attraction for the hero from the future.

After the B-List move back to their own mag, the story moves on and we are reintroduced to Booster's supporting cast, namely his ancestor Daniel and his "boss" Rip Hunter. Skeets is here as well, sans his evil caterpillar induced persona, but he's hardly just a supporting character. We also get an idea of what the series will be about, as we learn that Booster must continually travel through time to "set right things that once went wrong". So, yeah, it's a little "Quantum Leap", but it also means that the writers have the whole of the DC universe- past, present, and future- to play with. Booster Gold will be the only place you get to see Barry Allen as Flash, Ted Kord as Blue Beetle, or Sinestro as a Green Lantern.

On a whole different level, Booster Gold is a deeply woven character study, as Booster, who has always been defined by his desire for recognition, must play the part of the fool, sacrificing his legacy so that he and his ancestors will be safe from evil time-travellers. Anyone who has read the previously mentioned series from 1986 (and I guess that would be me) knows that the question of whether he will be capable of living this lie is a legitimate one. Even if he can, the inescapability of this fate is tragic in its own right, like the story of someone who seeks love their whole life only to die friendless and alone. To make a long story just a little longer, Booster Gold is an important comic in the DC universe and one you should be reading.

Those of you who show up only to guess the Mort, feel free to examine the cover of Booster Gold #1 and guess about who you see on the playing cards.