Booster Gold #41

I finally read the book I was dreading, I'll get to my favorite parts first since the rest will take some explaining. I really like the concept of the time lab being under attack. Rani having flashbacks and Booster fighting along side Rip and then Michelle (who finally becomes useful instead of yelling at Booster.) I might have even enjoyed most of this if it was a straight up attack for the whole book. The exchange between Booster and Rani about him finally believing in god because of her is bad. There's simply not enough shown to warrant it. Likewise the screaming between the Carters is equally cringe worthy. Michelle has to be dense to think Rip was just trying to teach a lesson when he tazered her brother and told her that he's serious! WTF!

Now the big thing, retconning Boosters' backstory to make it work for the story they want to tell because Giffin doesn't feel comfortable with how Booster became a hero. No seriously, that's what this is because Giffin has admitted to not liking the fact Booster never paid for the stolen tech he's using. But there's a very good reason for that.

Back in Dan Jurgens' first series Booster had to return to the 25th century when he became sick. His body couldn't handle our times' dieases and was in fact dying. A very awesome cop named Broderick was intent on making sure Booster saw justice for his crime. This guy was basically Boosters' Inspector Javert. And no, he didn't care about the stolen equiment, no one did. The only crime anyone cared about was the fact Booster stole/used a time machine a crime that was punishable by death without trial. Broderick didn't care if Booster was a hero he was going to make sure the death sentance was carried out even if he had to be the one to do it.

Rip should be aware of this since he's the one who brought Booster to the future in the first place! This was an arc that brought Michelle to the present as well and guess what--both of them helped Booster escape! Michelle stole a school bus and had a highly illegal firearm! She literally had to go back to the past because she did all of this and was considered a criminal. They used another time machine to escape to the past. Under Geoff Johns another death sentance was put on Boosters' head for taking historical information in Infinite Crisis. So not only did they completely ignore Jurgens' plots (the reason for Booster not returning home) they took away the motivation from a great character that hasn't been seen for years!

This story is just so contrived from the moment Rip tazers Booster onward. Booster was always supposed to be a questionable hero even now he has to question if what their doing is morally right and has stolen items to do this job. His cover is meant to be seen like this. I'm amazed their doing this now with Johns adding to how messed up the 25th cenutry is and the connection Zoom shares with Booster.

Nothing to do but wait for another reused story idea to be over with. I just hope they don't have him violated in prison. Yes, I'm serious. They already had Emerald Empress try to get in his pants in the prision in #32 then that awful ongoing rape joke in #37. They said this was going to be serious. Only two more issues to go.

Power Girl 21 & JLGL #20:

WARNING SPOILERS of course

Power Girl #21:

Like in Gen Lost they already messed up Toras' outfit (use character sheets people) although it amuses me that the boob window mistake happens in a Power Girl issue.

I like this series, there's a lot of good thing like Niccos' attempt to BS his way outta getting their equiment taken. Overall this was a good issue, even having Kara feeling bad for fighting the JLI. But she has to make good on her promise to convince the others of the truth. Or at least she tries to but Dick Grayson keeps going in circles to the point Kara has to take desperate measures. The one thing that made me cringe: getting Ted Kords' body. Apparently like Giffin and DeMatteis, Judd Winick hasn't read Jurgens second run on Booster Gold. Because Teds' body isn't buried there, it's on Vanishing Point. Fanwanking this to a mission Booster has to do to ensure this works out. Otherwise I was happy to see Bruce but hope he doesn't take over the reins from Booster.

Justice League Generation Lost #20:

No, I'm still not buying it. Not until the series is over, not with Geoff Johns promoting Jaime and them advertising this so far in advance. BTW your "reveal" shot would have been more touching if Jaimes' head wasn't on Fires' groin with her posed like that. It just looks so wrong that I burst out laughing when I turned the page.

I caught the name changes with Maxs' parents but yeah, that amuses me too. Come on editors. Teen Max looks so goofy. I would have preferred more of an explanation to why Max became like this. I was expecting something like anger over all the crap he got put through because of the league. The JL putting him through the ringer like IC. I liked the touches like his fear over getting his powers and his talk with Booster. Not sure about the rest.

Time Masters Vanishing Point #6

Finally got the last Time Masters! I got JLGL 19 but I'll talk about that when the next one comes out. I rarely go to the comic book store since my LCS shut down. I loved it so and while the other one is nicer I still prefer my old one. Anyway, I enjoyed this issue although it had a lot of plots crammed in. Hal and Superman continue being jerks and I had the horrible image of what the timestream would be like if these two were left to their own devices. It's not pretty. Seriously, they both come off pretty dim. Superman can't even remember the details of Boosters' origins Skeets told him about when it caused friction between them. I don't mind him knowing about Supernova but does Booster have to tell them everything? It's supposed to be a secret for a reason.

I was caught off guard by how violent Black Beetle was. It's disturbing to see him out of control. I really want to know what he wants to change the timeline and why.

Wait--did someone write that or can his board do that by it's self?

I read the theories online (ew) and no I don't think Jurgens is going to have Michelle as Rips' mother. He carefully referred to them as different people in BG 30 and Rip calls Michelle his aunt here. Although the two have yet to have any moments together even though he saved her life. I do like how domestic the Time Master can be with plans to get pizza. I wish we could get more of that especially since grown up Rip doesn't have scenes where he's relaxed and off the clock so to speak. I enjoyed seeing more of him here through his childhood and POV. (BTW is it just me or does his mom sound like Oracle?) I'm dreading this last Giffin/DeMatteis Booster Gold arc so hopefully this won't be as bad as I'm expecting.

Justice League Generation Lost 18 and 19

Spoilers of course

#18:
I know some people didn't like Max telling Jaime that he's not the bad guy but that felt like a strong moment to me. I preferred his more emotional talk with Booster in the first issue but then again he isn't close to Jaime. Speaking of Booster I like how he's the one to figure out a weak point they can exploit on Power Girl even if he's not the one to use it against her.

Yeah the weird retcons with Cap seem weird but it's not that big of a deal to me. Ice gets a new costume (that's design is already messed up in the same issue.) Cut the gloves down to the wrists and get rid of the fur belt and it's fine.

#19:
I'm impressed that Winick got so much of Jaimes' story right. Yes I know Giffin was part of the plotting but still. When a writer makes the effort to put in these details it enhances the story. Jaime did feel pain when he transformed, it's not something that's been mentioned a lot in recent stories. And Paco was failing Spanish, a great gag from Jaimes' series.

I enjoyed the Power Girl, Fire and Ice exchange. For the first time in a while Bea is being bitchy (not just to Booster) and her pose shows it. Likewise Tora defends PG. (And they really mess up her new design.) Some nice little touches that really add to this book.

I never expected to see Max fighting it out with Jaime since, well Max can't really fight in a physical sense. But Winick makes this work while keeping Jaime strong without making him all powerful. The teamwork and interplay between the other characters really shows an interesting potential. Boosters' continuing concern for Jaime grows as they get closer to him. I don't believe the end but I'm still looking forward to seeing how this is followed up next issue. As well as the reason for Max going bad.