Secret Files & Origins Guide to the DC Universe 2000

ARTISTS

Writer: Scott Beatty
Penciller: Gus Vasquez
Inker: Claude St. Aubin
Colorists: Digital Chamelon, Tom McCraw
Letterer: Ken Lopez
Editor: Michael Carlin

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CHARACTERS & SETTINGS

heroes: Booster Gold, Hourman III, Mercury, Platinum, Red Tornado, Steel III
supporting: Doc Magnus

Setting: 20th-century Metropolis, DCU, USA

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ISSUE SUMMARY

Cover Description: Superman leads several heroes into action through space. Pictured, clockwise from top right, are Hawkgirl, Martian Manhunter, Stargirl, Batman, Kyle Rayner as Green Lantern, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Starfire, and Steel. (No Booster Gold.)

Brief Synopsis: The technology heroes of the DC Universe deal with the aftermath of the B13 Virus and the Y2K problem.

Costume Worn: MARK XII armored power-suit

Issue Notes: A narrative balloon establishing the events of this story occur in January 2000.

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ISSUE ANNOTATIONS

Page 85, panel 3
FASHION ALERT: Booster Gold is among the many heroes being inspected by Dr. Will Magnus (as Veridium) to verify that his powersuit technology has not been corrupted by the B13 Virus unleashed by Brainiac 13 on Metropolis. Booster is wearing a power-suit identical in appearance to his original costume. Presumably, this is the first appearance of a Ted Kord designed powersuit, built with late 20th-century technology to mimic his original 25th-century costume. The costume will not be donned full time until Booster joins the Super Buddies in issues of Formerly Known as the Justice League.

Other heroes pictured include the Metal Men Mercury and Platinum, as well as the heroes Hourman III, Red Tornado, and Steel III. This is Booster Gold's only appearance in this story.

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ISSUE REVIEW

Boosterrific Review: This issue, like so many of its kind, is an anthology of brief stories that will appeal primarily to hardcore DC Universe fans. It's contents, briefly amusing studies in the daily lives of the inhabitants of the DCU, are generally forgettable collages of generally forgettable characters. Each story in this grab-bag issue varies widely in style, purpose, and quality.

"Higher Learning": This 3 page vignette manages to insult almost every character it features, which, besides reminding readers that these characters still exist, seems to be its only reason for existing.

"Robots in the DCU": This story is a very brief (3 page) summary of how the B13 virus and much anticipated Y2K bug affected the technology of the DC Universe. The details are pretty irrelevant (if this story were important, the situation could have been handled elsewhere), but it is nonetheless interesting to know how the many artificial life forms of the DCU handled the technological crises presented by the turn of the millennium.

Boosterrific Rating:

• Currently 3.0/5 Stars.

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