Chase
“Weep for the Future”
Volume 1, Issue 4, May 1998
Released March 18, 1998
Cover Price: $2.50
Guide Price: $2.50 (as of 2003)
Estimated Issue Sales: 19,231
Writer: D. Curtis Johnson
Penciller: J.H. Williams III
Inker: Mick Gray
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Comicraft
Assistant Editor: Dana Kurtin
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover Artists: Mick Gray, J.H. Williams III
Heroes: Argent, Atom II, Booster Gold, Cameron Chase, Firehawk I, Fringe, Prysm, Risk
Villains: Acidia, Clock King, Crackle, Radiant, Sharpe
Supporting: Skeets I, Trixie Collins
Setting: Metropolis, DCU, USA, 20th-century
Cover Description: Cameron Chase stands below three panels hinting at the book's interior content. The second panel contains Ray II, Argent, Prysm, Risk, and Booster Gold (erroneously depicted in his defunct Mark X armor).
Brief Synopsis: A simple assignment goes bad when Cameron Chase is assigned to oversee the Teen Titans' public appearance.
Booster Gold's role in this story:
Featured (Booster Gold plays a prominent role)
Costume Worn: MARK XI armored power-suit
This story has been reprinted in:
Chase (2011)
Page 8, panel 5
Booster Gold arrives unannounced at the Teen Titans' promotional public debut of their action figures at the L.L. Siegel & Shuster Toys store in Metropolis. The store and its annoying, piped-in self-promotional music is based on the FAO Schwartz chain of stores. The name of the store is a reference to Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joel Shuster. Titans present are Argent, Atom II, Fringe, Prysm, and Risk. Cameron Chase is in the foreground, watching the proceedings from a distance.
Page 9, panel 1
Booster's reference to the firm of Davis P.R. suggests that Booster's old manager, Manhunter agent, and embezzler, Dirk Davis was behind the publicity event. If Davis is behind this event, Booster is likely here as much as to irritate Davis as to promote himself.
Page 9, panel 2
Appearance of "Trixie" Collins, Booster's one-time secretary and sidekick. The last time the two appeared on panel together (in Booster Gold, Vol. 1, #25), they were kissing. It seems that their relationship has cooled considerably over time.
Page 11, panel 2
PRODUCT PLACEMENT: Taking the opportunity before the cameras, Booster promotes his own figures, the Booster Gold Line of Action Toys, including Medieval Booster and Aqua Booster. In the real world there was not a Booster Gold action figure released until 2005.
Page 12, panel 1
FIRST APPEARANCE: An argument between Booster, Chase Cameron, and the Teen Titans is interrupted by the timely intervention of the Clockwatchers, a newly formed group of villains led by the Clock King. The Clockwatchers includes the new villains Acidia, Crackle, Radiant, and Sharpe.
Page 15, panel 1
Chase confronts Crackle in the Star Warriors section of the store. The name of this area is a reference to the popular Star Wars films. Two X-Wing fighters are clearly visible. In the foreground is a life-sized Dalek from the British sci-fi television series Doctor Who.
Page 17, panel 4
Cameron Chase is clearly wearing a t-shirt with a star on the chest, appropriate for a Booster Gold guest appearance.
Page 18, panel 1
PRODUCT PLACEMENT: A Booster Gold action figure, the "Super Size Booster Gold" is among the toys shown in the Action Alley area of the store. This figure represents Booster in his Mark X/Flesh-Driver armor. Other toys in the store include Turtle Boy (a reference to Jimmy Olsen's popular television character which is in turn based on Olsen's popular Silver Age alter ego), Superman, and Steel.
Page 19, panel 6
Booster Gold's conspicuous absence during the fight is explained as he "returns from evacuating civilians" with Argent in time to save Prysm from Sharpe. A nearby narrative box indicates that the Department of Extranormal Operations has classified Booster Gold's file. The reason for this action is unrevealed, but may have to do with the relationship between the DEO and Blue & Gold Software, a technology firm co-owned by Booster Gold and the Blue Beetle.
Page 21, panel 2
As Booster Gold and Firehawk discuss Booster's newest costume, Booster's second speech balloon is left blank. This is likely a production oversight rather than an editorial action to censor Booster.
Page 21, panel 5
Firehawk had intended to try out for the Teen Titans, but found Booster Gold instead. As Booster Gold and Firehawk fly away (on a date?) Argent is disappointed that Booster didn't ask her to be his "partner." Booster's relationship with Firehawk will be a tempestuous one. According to 1999's DCU Heroes Secret Files #1, Booster and Lorraine (Firehawk's real name) will break up and get back together several times in the coming year.
Boosterrific Review: Disclaimer: J.H. Williams III is a favored artist at Boosterrific. That being said, this slice-of-life story in the DC Universe is a well-developed tale complete with interesting and realistic characters, dramatic action, and over-the-top super villainy. Great art, great story, great characters: this issue is everything you could hope for in a comic book.
Boosterrific Rating: Boosterrific!
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