Friday the 13th. It's an unlucky day for some, largely owing to the superstition around the number 13. Some high-rise buildings don't have a 13th floor, some cities skip 13th Streets, and few athletes wear the number 13. In comics, there is one notable exception:

That's right. While playing quarterback for Gotham University, Michael "Booster" Carter wore the number 13.

There aren't a lot of quarterbacks in history who have worn 13, and fewer still who could be considered "America's Best." However, back in 1985 when Dan Jurgens was creating Booster Gold, there was one 13 already in the process of shattering most major football passing records. That young quarterback was Dan Marino. Could Marino, who was also dogged by rumors of inappropriate behavior in college (in his case it was recreational drugs, not cheating) have influenced Jurgens' choice of uniform number for "Booster" Carter?

I put the question to Jurgens himself. He said no.

Jurgens: Booster's #13 had nothing to do with Dan Marino. It was totally symbolic of the "unlucky number" aspect. It just felt appropriate.

So there you have it: Michael "Booster" Carter's 13 was Jurgens' way of foreshadowing of Booster's bad luck. (It's probably no coincidence that we first learn that Booster Gold wore number 13 on the 13th page of Booster Gold, Volume 1, #6.) Poor kid.

This has been the first installment in our year-long series:

Do you have any questions about Booster Gold's origins after 30 years? Speak up, and we'll investigate!

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The fans have spoken! You like to see Booster Gold realizing his true potential. (Everybody enjoys a success story.)

Last week's poll question: Which is the quintessential incarnation of Booster Gold? (61 votes)

Yesterday, Convergence: Justice League International writer Ron Marz told Newsarama's Vaneta Rogers that Booster would be playing "a pivotal role in Convergence as a whole." What do you think that means? (You can read the whole Marz interview at Newsarama.com.)

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The latest installment of The New Adventures of Blue and Gold (or, as some people call it, Justice League 3000 #14) is released today. The preview of the issue at A.V. Club gives the impression that this will be a very Ice-heavy issue with a hint of Fire. That sounds like something I want to read.

(By the way, the rumor of Justice League 3000's demise has been greatly exaggerated. After Convergence, the book will be reborn as Justice League 3001. Whether Booster Gold survives that transition remains to be seen, but I'm betting yes).

And while you're supporting your Local Comic Shop, consider picking up Futures End #41. Booster Gold can be found in the issue preview seen on Crave Online. While it's probably just a brief cameo, you don't want a hole in your Booster Gold collection, do you? (Thanks to MetalWoman for the spot.)

Buy these issues and make Skeets happy.

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Got a special occasion coming up where you have to look your best? Like, say the World's Best Super Hero's 30th Anniversary Party? Well, these cufflinks are for you!

Those Booster Gold cufflinks are for sale at FrenchCuffed.com. If you wear them, you really will be the Best Man.

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I'm sure by now you've all noticed that DC announced it's post-Convergence line-up of titles on Friday. You may also have noticed that none of those titles appear to include Booster Gold. That's just an oversight, right?

It's hard to imagine that DC's first post-Crisis on Infinite Earths character isn't going to be around somewhere, especially with Dan Jurgens set to write two new series (Batman Beyond and Bat-Mite — which is a series I will definitely be investigating). Will some version of Booster still be in Justice League 3001? Fingers crossed.

If you want to see everything DC will be publishing after Convergence, Newsarama.com has the list.

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