Justice League America Annual
“Tomorrow's League Today!”
Volume 1, Issue 5, June 1991
Released May 28, 1991
Cover Price: $2.00
Guide Price: $3.00 (as of 2003)
Writers: J. M. DeMatteis, Keith Giffen
Pencillers: Steve Carr, Dan Jurgens, Ty Templeton
Inkers: Jose Marzan, Jr., Bruce D. Patterson
Colorist: Gene D'Angelo
Letterer: Bob Lappan
Assistant Editor: Kevin Dooley
Editor: Andrew Helfer
Cover Artists: Steve Carr, Joe Rubinstein
Heroes: Blue Beetle II, Booster Gold, Fire, General Glory, Ice, Mister Miracle, Waverider
Supporting: L-Ron
Setting: New York, NY, USA, 20th-century
Cover Description: Clockwise from top left: Mister Miracle, Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, General Glory, Ice, Fire, Guy Gardner, and Martian Manhunter react to the entrance of Waverider into Maxwell Lord's hospital room. This cover was reprinted with silver ink on repeat printings.
Brief Synopsis: As the Justice League waits outside of Maxwell Lord's hospital room, Waverider travels the time stream to visit their futures.
Booster Gold's role in this story:
Featured (Booster Gold plays a prominent role)
Costume Worn: MARK I power-suit
Issue Notes: Events in this book take place immediately following the events of Justice League America #52, which does not include an appearance by Booster Gold. This story in this book is a tie-in to the summer-long "Armageddon 2001" storyline running throughout the 1991 DC annuals. The future events depicted in this issue, since proven impossible in DC Universe continuity, are still very similar to the events depicted in issues of the mini-series Formerly Known as the Justice League. This issue was promoted via house ads that include Booster Gold.
This story has been reprinted in:
Justice League International Omnibus (2024)
Page 29, panel 1
Booster Gold arrives at the New York Justice League International Embassy to join the vigil for Maxwell Lord. Already present are Blue Beetle, Fire, General Glory, Ice, L-Ron, and Waverider, who is disguised as Captain Atom. Though not pictured, Martian Manhunter is in the building.
Page 29, panel 3
Booster has brought "gourmet treats" from the restaurant Ivory Tower, a fictional restaurant likely based on the White Castle chain of fast food eateries.
Page 30, panel 1
ALTERNATE REALITY: Waverider's investigation of Booster Gold's future sees him returned to the 25th century and once again employed as a janitor in the Space Museum. Booster explains that he sold the costume and rights to "Booster Gold" in order to finance a scheme with Blue Beetle. While this is a plausible future, it is not necessarily the actual future. Waverider's trips through time have a tendency to change the events that he observes, meaning that what he sees is likely to not be the way the future will play out.
Page 31, panel 3
Booster's name tag identifies him as "M. Carter," employee # 00769480 of Drooley Janitorial Services. Presumably, the Space Museum employs contract firms for sanitation services, explaining why a convicted time offender like Michael Jon Carter would be allowed to return to work in the same museum he once stole a time machine from.
Page 33, panel 7
Rip Hunter's Time Sphere is on display in the Space Museum. If Booster returned after he had stolen the Time Sphere, why is it present in the museum? (The Time Sphere that Booster stole was buried outside of Metropolis and was not re-discovered by the Legion of Super-Heroes until the 30th century.) If Booster has returned prior to his theft of the Time Sphere, why is the Time Sphere protected from theft by a force field when it wasn't in the first place? It's these sorts of questions that make time travel stories so confusing.
Page 39, panel 1
Booster is introduced to General Glory by the newly arrived Mister Miracle. Though the two both attended the Justice League convention in Justice League Quarterly #3, they apparently were never formally introduced. General Glory is the third member to join the Justice League since Booster quit in Justice League America #37. The New Gods Orion and Lightray were members temporarily, joining in issue #42 and resigning in issue #50 (Booster Gold appears in neither issue).
Page 45, panel 1
In another one of Waverider's visions of a potential future, Booster appears in a future incarnation of the Justice League with Aquaman, Blue Beetle, Echo, General Glory, Guy Gardner, Ice, and Vapor.
Page 50, panel 1
In a third vision by Waverider, Booster is seen traveling (uncomfortably) through time in a cube.
Boosterrific Review: A fantastic annual that manages to tell an engaging story utilizing the entire ensemble cast while staying within the confines of the DC Universe spanning "Armageddon 2001" storyline formula while still advancing the plot of the ongoing Justice League titles. If the issue has any drawbacks, it would be an overdose of silly humor, but that shouldn't be a deterrent to the fans of the series most likely to be interested in reading an annual.
Boosterrific Rating: Boosterrific!
Average Fan Rating: (1 vote)
A lot of cheep laughs but an interesing look at the JLI. Waverider makes a shrewd observation in this issue-the JLI, while often at each other's throats, are tied together with strong bonds of affection despite it all. Interesting look at the future and nice to see Booster Gold use his brain a bit.
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