7. The Aftermath of Kooey Kooey Kooey
Justice League America #37 Too many people write Booster off as an idiot that will do anything to make a buck. He's not, and his frustration with not being taken seriously finally bubbles to the surface. The aftermath of the Kooey Kooey Kooey incident does help explore Boosters' character though it doesn't do anything positive for Ted. But that's a whole another discussion. What's really tragic about this story is that no one takes any of Boosters' complaints seriously until he quits. Proof that even the class clown has feelings and can take only so much.
When I read those pages with him trying to get his point across only to get more jokes in return? I feel for him. For so much of his life he's struggled for respect and once he's finally on the league it seems like he's always the butt of the joke. This reaction also reflects my own frustration with Booster being written off as a one note character that is only good for gags, dumb and selfish. Thankfully some of that depth of character is present here.
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As much as I love Ted (and I DO) people tend to forget that he was frequently the instigator of the pair. Booster was a bit of a fish-out-of-water character, and sometimes I think Ted was a little to ready to take advantage of that.
ReplyDeletePlus, J'onn really was running a kindergarten in the old JLI. Ted and Booster certainly weren't alone in being childish. Guy, and even Bea, had their moments too.
But yeah, Booster could definitely get frustrated. And rightly so.
Boosters' relationship with Ted was as much of a burden to the character as it was a blessing. Writers as well as fans always got their characters mixed up. At times, especially under Giffin/DeMatteis, Ted comes off as an ass. He does take advantage of Booster.
ReplyDeleteAt this point in time Ted knew all about Boosters' past (Jurgens already did a retelling origin issue with Booster telling Ted about it.) Ted knows all about Boosters' problems with gambling and what does he do? He gets him to start up a gambling resort then suggests they rig the machines! Which a clearly distressed Booster says no to. Out of the two of them Booster has always been the better friend.