Justice League
“Massacre in Gray”
Volume 1, Issue 6, October 1987
Released July 2, 1987
Cover Price: 75¢
Guide Price: $3.00 (as of 2011)
Writers: J. M. DeMatteis, Keith Giffen
Penciller: Kevin Maguire
Inker: Al Gordon
Colorist: Gene D'Angelo
Letterer: Bob Lappan
Editor: Andrew Helfer
Heroes: Batman, Black Canary II, Blue Beetle II, Booster Gold, Captain Marvel, Creeper, Doctor Fate I, Martian Manhunter, Mister Miracle
Villain: Gray Man
Setting: Stone Ridge, DCU, USA, 20th-century
Cover Description: With his mind controlled by the mystically empowered Gray Man, Captain Marvel prepares to smash a prone Martian Manhunter with a very large rock. (No Booster Gold.)
Brief Synopsis: Despite their best efforts, the Justice League's battle with the Gray Man goes poorly.
Issue Summary: Reveal Potential Spoilers
Booster Gold's role in this story:
Featured (Booster Gold plays a prominent role)
Costume Worn: MARK I power-suit
This story has been reprinted in:
Justice League International Book One: Born Again (2020)
Justice League International Omnibus (2017)
Justice League International Volume 1 (2009)
Page 6, panel 3
Booster finds that making tactical suggestions to Batman, the Justice League's resident strategist, is not always the best idea when Batman takes Booster's advice the wrong way.
Page 8, panel 2
Booster learns that waiting until the last moment is probably not the best time to investigate his teammates' powers when a possessed Captain Marvel throws both Booster and Canary into the sky.
Page 14, panel 1
The Gray Man has taken headquarters inside Stone Ridge's vintage 1940's Rialto Theater. The marquee for the Rialto advertises "Timothy Dalton in 'The Living Daylights'." The movie was released in July 1987, approximately the same time as the publication of this issue.
Page 15, panel 1
Booster and Beetle agree that they are not interested in involving themselves in battles of a mystic nature. Clearly, neither science-based hero feels comfortable with subject of magic.
Page 16, panel 4
POWER DOWN: Booster's fears about a mystical battle prove accurate when his trusty, "impenetrable" force field is effortlessly penetrated by the Gray Man's minions. This incapacitates Booster for the remainder of the fight.
Boosterrific Review: New to the team, Booster Gold is quickly taught the lesson of why there needs to be a Justice League. This story of the League versus a cosmic-level threat is exactly the sort that showcases the strengths of the League concept. Though Booster is relegated to little more than the role of tagalong, Keith Giffen's plot is gently easing Booster into his own role with the team in a manner that is both organic and satisfying.
Boosterrific Rating: Worth Its Weight In Gold.
Average Fan Rating: (1 vote)
I enjoyed this issue-again like Justice League 5, a great issue if not a great Booster issue.
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