In 1962, a console television sold for around $600, which is the equivalent of $5,000 in 2018 dollars. But even if you could afford such a luxury, you might not have enjoyed what you were seeing.

On this date in 1962, President John Kennedy interrupted your regularly scheduled news broadcast to announce the United States was on the brink of war.

"This Government, as promised, has maintained the closest surveillance of the Soviet military buildup on the island of Cuba. Within the past week, unmistakable evidence has established the fact that a series of offensive missile sites is now in preparation on that imprisoned island. The purpose of these bases can be none other than to provide a nuclear strike capability against the Western Hemisphere."

Things got worse before they got better, and the United States and the Soviet Union avoided nuclear war only by the narrowest of margins. You might think that historians and politicians alike would learn key lessons from such brinksmanship, but recent events — from Russia invading its neighbors to America withdrawing from nuclear limitation treaties — would indicate otherwise.

As the saying goes, those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

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Booster booster and art collector Cort was at Vancouver Fan Expo last week, and he picked up several Boosterrific sketches that he's willing to share with us:

Artists and Cort's comments are, from left to right, John Delaney ("He did this all from memory"), Pia Guerra ("She enjoyed doing the collar"), Steve Lieber ("Funny and generous"), and Mike McKone ("Probably the best Booster I've seen him do!"). Click on any of the above sketches to see larger images on Imgur.com.

That's truly a great haul, Cort. Congratulations!

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DC Comics' January 2019 solicitations are online at Newsarama.com, and it will be a busy month for Booster Gold, appearing in two issues!

HEROES IN CRISIS #4
written by TOM KING
art by CLAY MANN
cover by TREVOR HAIRSINE
variant cover by RYAN SOOK
Wonder Woman versus…Booster Gold?! Diana finds out the hard way that Booster can be a formidable opponent when his back’s against the wall. Of course, being the prime suspect in a superhero massacre and exposing a secret trauma hospital for metahumans will do just that. Meanwhile, Batman and the Flash combine their detective skills to investigate what went awry at Sanctuary and uncover a serious glitch in the system—not to mention an explosive, spoiler-ific secret!
ON SALE January 2 · $3.99

HEROES IN CRISIS #5
written by TOM KING
art by CLAY MANN
cover by TREVOR HAIRSINE
variant cover by RYAN SOOK
The secrets of the DC Universe are hacked! Sanctuary wasn’t supposed to keep records, but now that the A.I. is compromised, superhero secrets are leaking all over the ’Net. Booster and Harley set aside their differences to focus on who they believe is the real killer (assuming one of them isn’t lying, that is). Meanwhile, Batman and the Flash continue to investigate the mysterious murderer. The answer can be found in Sanctuary…but is it safe to go digging in the crime scene?
ON SALE January 30 · $3.99

Booster Gold is going to throw down against Wonder Woman? That's not going to go well.

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I've featured fan art by TJ Frias before, but twice is just as nice.

This sketch comes via DeviantArt.com, but you can also find more at tjsketchblog.tumblr.com.

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I've been such a downer recently, let me make it up to you by showcasing something truly awesome. Specifically this awesome custom Booster Gold figure in the style of Kenner's Total Justice line from the mid-90s created by Caenman and shared on FigureRealm.com:

While I've never been a fan of the Total Justice figures or the excretable tie-in comic series, something about knowing someone in 2018 took the time to make such a high-quality homage to Booster Gold's ugliest power suits just tickles my fancy. *standing ovation*

Enjoy your weekend, everyone.

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