Justice League

ARTISTS

Writers: J. M. DeMatteis, Keith Giffen
Penciller: Kevin Maguire
Inker: Al Gordon
Colorist: Gene D'Angelo
Letterer: Bob Lappan
Editor: Andrew Helfer

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CHARACTERS & SETTINGS

hero: Booster Gold
supportinges: Maxwell Lord, Ms. Wootenhoffer

Setting: 20th-century Washington, DC, USA

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ISSUE SUMMARY

Cover Description: Justice Leaguers Batman, Black Canary, Guy Gardner, and Martian Manhunter are attacked with a pink lightning blast from behind by a flying Bluejay, Wandjina, and Silver Sorceress. (No Booster Gold.)

Brief Synopsis: The new Justice League's second mission involves them in world politics as a group of otherworldly super-beings ally themselves with the rogue nation of Bialya to rid the world of nuclear bombs.

Issue Summary: Batman and Martian Manhunter are interrogating Doctor Light about her possession of a counterfeit Justice League signal device when Blue Beetle points out that the new League's actions are being discussed by media pundit Jack Ryder (whose name is misspelled on his own television talk show title). This news sends Guy Garnder into a rage, and he insults Captain Marvel as a scapegoat before Batman forces him to calm down.

Maxwell Lord has heard the same report and is planning to respond to Ryder's accusations when he is interrupted by one "Mr. gold." Elsewhere, Doctor Fate issues a warning to a mysterious gray man.

In the Middle-Eastern country of Bialya, the Silver Sorceress, Wandjina, and Bluejay are using their super powers to rid the country of its nuclear weapons as part of their mission to rid "all worlds" of nuclear weapons. Their actions attract the attention of the country's charismatic despot, Rumaan Harjavti, who negotiates a truce and offers to aid them in their mission.

News of a mysterious attack by a trio of super-powered people on several Israeli missile sites alert the Justice League, who interrupt their bickering to investigate. The League intercepts the three suspects, who turn out to be dimensional-travelers determined to see that the fate of their world is not repeated. The League joins battle against the trio who retreat into Bialyan airspace. Threatened with violence by the Bialyan military, the Justice League abandons pursuit. Safe, the trio discusses their future plans against Russia with Harjavti. Reveal Potential Spoilers

Booster Gold's role in this story:
Cameo (Booster Gold makes a minor appearance)

Costume Worn: MARK I power-suit

Issue Notes: Booster's first appearance in a Justice League comic occurs entirely off panel, revealed only through dialogue between Maxwell Lord and his secretary.

This story has been reprinted in the following issue:
Justice League International Volume 1 (2009)

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ISSUE ANNOTATIONS

Page 4, panel 8
Booster arrives at the Washington D.C. offices of Maxwell Lord. Since the business card that Lord handed Booster in Booster Gold, Vol. 1, #16 had a New York area code, this would presumably be one of Lord's many offices. The purpose of their meeting is not discussed, though this is in all likelihood the "first meeting" between the two during which they discuss Booster's "role with the team," as indicated in the aforementioned issue of Booster Gold. Neither character appears again for the remainder of the issue.

Page 6, panel 2
FIRST APPEARANCE: First appearance of the Gray Man, a future antagonist.

Page 8, panel 3
FIRST APPEARANCE: First post-Crisis on Infinite Earths appearance of the Silver Sorceress, Wandjina, and Bluejay. These three characters from another dimension are based on Marvel Comics characters and Avengers members Scarlet Witch, Thor, and Yellowjacket, respectively. These characters first appeared as foes of the Justice League in Justice League of America, Vol. 1, #87 in 1971.

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ISSUE REVIEW

Boosterrific Review: Booster Gold's appearance in this issue is so brief that it is an insult to cameo appearances. However, that should not detract from an otherwise excellent story proving that this new Justice League, despite the humor, is not as divorced from their pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths counterparts as many have feared.

Boosterrific Rating:

• Currently 4.0/5 Stars.

Average Fan Rating:

• Currently 4.0/5 Stars.

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