It is a truth universally acknowledged that every comic book heroes will inevitably get in a fist fight with every other hero. Such was the case with Booster Gold and Superman early in Booster's career.

Every new super hero in a shared universe needs guest appearances from more famous characters to drive new readers to their title. Hence Superman's appearance in Booster Gold #6 and #7.

Pencils by Dan Jurgens, Inks by Mike DeCarlo

Not coincidentally, Dan Jurgens took the opportunity of a visit from the established star — in his very first appearance in the newly-merged post-Crisis on Infinite Earths DC Universe continuity — to reveal Booster's less-than-stellar origin tale. The image on the cover correlated well with the shock and disgust that audiences felt discovering that they had been reading the tale of a gambler and a thief. Superman was giving our hero nothing less than what many of us felt he deserved.

But the story doesn't end there.

Because Dan Jurgens was kind enough to accommodate John Byrne's post-Crisis revamp of Superman in the aforementioned issues, Byrne let Booster guest in Action Comics #594. The cover to that might look familiar; turnabout is fair play.

Pencils by John Byrne, Inks by Keith Williams

Once again, the cover was figuratively true. Booster had been growing into the role of a true hero, and history had been proven to be on his side. The story inside plays on Booster's bad reputation following the earlier story, making the cover reversal doubly sweet.

Aren't these some great covers? As a fan of traditional fine art, I love that the extremely foreshortened poses turn the heroes into grotesques personifying the ugly, violent acts that they are engaged in. As a fan of comic book artists, it's particularly interesting to compare young Jurgens' early take on Superman to Byrne's more iconic character (and also to Jurgens' future interpretation).

As a fan of comic book super heroes, it's just great to see two heroes going head-to-head.

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DC Comics released October solicitations about a week late because of Comic Con. (Why weren't they released during Comic Con? You'll have to ask DC.) Booster Gold shows up in two books:

HEROES IN CRISIS #2
written by TOM KING
art and cover by CLAY MANN
Suspected of murder, [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] find themselves on the run from the super-hospital called Sanctuary—with each thinking the other one is the real killer! It's up to Batman to solve this heinous crime, but suspicion falls on him when Superman and Wonder Woman ponder just how much Sanctuary's A.I. is telling them. Meanwhile, [REDACTED] tries to make a shady deal to hide from the Trinity, while [REDACTED] searches out an old friend to help him out of this mess—and only gets deeper in trouble.
ON SALE October 24 · $3.99 US

SUPERMAN: ACTION COMICS: THE REBIRTH DELUXE EDITION BOOK THREE HC
written by DAN JURGENS
art by VIKTOR BOGDANOVIC, RYAN SOOK, BRETT BOOTH, WILL CONRAD and others
Mr. Oz at last steps from the shadows—but the truth of his identity will rock the Last Son of Krypton to his core. And if Superman refuses to join Mr. Oz's cause, maybe Superboy will! Then, Superman and Booster Gold travel back in time to verify the claims that Kal-El's father survived the destruction of Krypton. What they find, though, is a vastly different world than history has shown. Collects ACTION COMICS #985-999.
ON SALE November 28 · $34.99 US

Note that Action Comics hardcover collection is the second volume to reprint Dan Jurgens' "Booster Shot" story. The first, Superman: Action Comics Vol. 5: Booster Shot, is due August 22.

You can find the complete list of coming attractions at Newsarama.com.

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You won't find Booster Gold in your Local Comic Shop today, but that doesn't mean he's gone for good. In DC's August solicitations, we learned that Booster will be playing a bigger part in future Injustice 2 issues.

INJUSTICE 2 #31
written by TOM TAYLOR
art and cover by DANIEL SAMPERE
The Red Lanterns, backed by the power of Starro, wage an all-out assault on Oa and the source of the Green Lanterns' power. But help is on the way in the form of the Titans, Blue Beetle, Booster Gold and...Lobo? Get ready for a rumble like you've never seen before!
ON SALE August 01 · $2.99 US · DIGITAL FIRST

INJUSTICE 2 #32
written by TOM TAYLOR
art and cover by BRUNO REDONDO
Then, the fate of the world hangs in the balance as Starro and the Red Lanterns head toward Earth bent on destruction. Beetle, Booster and the Titans are in hot pursuit. Following close behind is Lobo, armed with a weapon that may ultimately do more harm than good.
ON SALE August 15 · $2.99 US · DIGITAL FIRST

As mentioned earlier this week, Booster Gold is sporting a new jacket starting in Injustice 2 #30 coming July 18. Will he keep wearing the jacket in issues #31 and #32? I know I can't wait to find out!

While we're on the subject, I should mention that Booster will also be seen in the Deluxe Edition reprint of Action Comics #1000. You can find more info about that hardcover and the whole slate of DC Comics' August solicitations at Newsarama.com.

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You'll find the third and final chapter of "The Gift" appearing in Batman #47 is in your Local Comic Shop today. CBR.com has the preview, demonstrating that Booster Gold has lost his mind and Bruce Wayne is a real bastard.

If you missed the beginning of this story — lucky you. But if you still want a copy, DC is releasing a second printing of Batman #45 today. The first printing sold out all 96,000+ copies. To put that in perspective, that one issue has already sold more than *twice* the number of copies of any single issue of Booster's recent 6-part "Booster Shot" story in Action Comics.

(Consider that Booster's first series was canceled because the character was rejected by 1980s audiences for being too immoral, yet the version of Booster that sells best in 2018 is a much, much bigger jerk than Dan Jurgens' original incarnation ever was. Go figure.)

Batman #47 isn't the only issue out today featuring Booster Gold and Batman. A more traditional interpretation of both characters can be found in Injustice 2 #26. Our hero doesn't play a big part in the proceedings, but at least he's easy to recognize. He's the only hero attending Batman's meeting wearing a t-shirt with his own face on it.

Who says we can't have it all? Booster boosters who like the beard can pick up Batman #47. And for those who prefer a clean-shaven hero, grab Injustice #26. Everybody's a winner today.

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My shopping list for today's trip to my Local Comic Shop:

· Action Comics Special #1. Will we see any Booster Gold? Who cares. I'd buy it for either Dan Jurgens or Mark Russell alone. Maybe I should buy two copies.

· DC Nation #0. Who can pass up a DC comic for a quarter?

· Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles #5. No superheroes here, but Mark Russell again. 'Nuff said.

· Zero Hour: Crisis in Time reprint collection hardcover. Dan Jurgens introduction, updated timeline, new bonus material, and a guaranteed Booster Gold apperance? Yeah, I probably need to take a closer look at this.

Am I missing anything? Hmm. Anything? Oh, yeah. The follow-up to Batman #45.

As seen in the issue preview at DCComics.com, Batman #46 skips to "One Year Later" after the previous issue. What's Booster been doing in that time? Answer: growing a beard!

Looking good! But looks aren't everything, and, sadly, Booster is, if anything, dumber in this issue. The preview has him doubling down on his determination to duplicate "For the Man Who Has Everything" for Batman by telling him that in an alternate timeline, he loved Catwoman. So kill your parents and get the girl! *Sigh*

I sure am looking forward to that Action Comics Special.

UPDATE 2018-05-02: No Booster in the Action Comics Special. Yes Booster in Injustice #25. Not an ideal trade, but I'll take it. They're both way better than the mess that is Batman #46.

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