The unfortunately named Justice League of America: Vixen Rebirth #1 was released last week. Telling the story of how celebrity supermodel Mari McCabe returned to her superheroic persona, Vixen, it's a solid book with some great art by Jamal Campbell.

However, it's not clear how this Vixen relates to the New 52 version, Booster Gold's teammate who was nearly killed in Justice League International #6.

The New 52 incarnation of the Justice League International appears to have existed in the Rebirth Universe, at least according to Green Lanterns #9. Yet Justice League of America: Vixen Rebirth gives the impression that Vixen is a new superhero on the scene. How can both of those stories be true in a shared universe?

In an interview with Matt Santori at Comicosity.com, Vixen Rebirth co-writer Steve Orlando said that so far as he's concerned, "All of [Vixen's] appearances happened." That's a great thing to say to the press to ease Vixen's worried fans, but unless you make it explicit in the comic itself, it doesn't matter. For example, an artist could claim that he thinks Booster Gold is a Canadian citizen, but until he commits that idea to continuity, Booster's published history as an American citizen must still take precedence. (Once again: no comic DC has ever published indicates that Booster Gold is any nationality other than American.)

I appreciate that from a marketing and story-telling position, it can be an advantage to ignore what came before — especially when what came before is a confusing mess after years of unending and unexplained continuity revisions. The down side of any reboot is that it damages existing fans' relationship with a character they thought they knew.

"Continuity" is really just another word for "character development." Without it, we might as well be reading about different characters with similar tastes in fashion.

Comments (6) | Add a Comment | Tags: justice league international rant vixen

As the DC Comics April 2017 solicitations began trickling in, the big news is that Superman is soon to be a pair of red shorts and a yellow belt away from his classic costume.

As happy as that makes us long-time Superman fans, I have to wonder if that doesn't signal bigger reversions for the DC Rebirth Universe.

Last month, we saw that Booster Gold will be appearing in a crossover with The Flintstones. The cover included in those solicitations clearly depicted Booster in his pre-Flashpoint costume.

I had assumed that the costume on that cover was an accident on the part of cover artist Mike Allred, who perhaps was using an outdated template. But since DC is now clearly backsliding on Superman's look, what's the chance they're finally fixing Booster's atrocious New 52 costume?

Maybe we'll find out more when Booster Gold/The Flintstones Annual #1 finally arrives on March 29.

Meanwhile, you can read more about DC's plans for Superman at Comicbook.com

Comments (0) | Add a Comment | Tags: comicbook.com costumes flintstones superman

It caught my attention earlier this week that DC Universe Online, the massive multiplayer online video game from Daybreak Game Company (formerly Sony Online Entertainment), is celebrating its 6th anniversary. No celebration of time would be complete without Booster Gold!

Says DCUniverseOnline.com, the game's official website:

Booster Gold is filling up Time Capsules with lots of useful and exciting items to send through the Multiverse to you!

The current in-game event where you can earn Stabilizer Fragments is "Antimatter Research." The Anti-Monitor is sending his Qwardian allies to weaken the Earth, and it is up to you to stop them.

Once you use a stabilizer to open a capsule, you'll see what sort of goodies Booster Gold has sent to you!

These Time Capsules first appeared in August of 2016, meaning that in recent months, Booster Gold has appeared on television shows and in video games, but not comic books. I didn't think I'd live to see the day!

Comments (0) | Add a Comment | Tags: dc universe online video games

Cdn dropped by the Boosterrific Forum yesterday to tell us that the Booster Gold episode of Justice League Unlimited cracked the top 5 in CBR.com's list of "15 Unforgettable Justice League Unlimited Episodes."

Well, of course it did. It's "The Greatest Story Never Told."

Says list compiler Colby Lanham:

It's a touching moment for Booster Gold, one that makes the audience feel for the character and his plight while adding layers of depth to the hero who doesn't get many opportunities to do good.

I think it's nice that people remember the episode favorably. But I think it's even nicer that people remember the episode at all.

"The Greatest Story Never Told" first aired in 2004. Twelve years before that, people couldn't watch what had been on television twelve hours earlier if they hadn't had the foresight to record it on a magnetic tape!

It's comforting to know that people will still be discovering both the adventures of Booster Gold long after comics are no longer printed on trees. (Maybe even into the 25th century.)

Long live Booster Gold!

Comments (0) | Add a Comment | Tags: cbr.com cdn colby lanham justice league unlimited lists television

Designer Shane Glines has been posting his character designs for Justice League Action to his Facebook account. He posted these "rough" and "final" versions of Booster Gold back in December.

Sharp eyed Booster boosters might recognize that the final design is the exact same image as spotted at Comic Con last year.

I love the hair on the rough, though the final does look more like his comic book self (except for the gold earpieces). So long as it's not the New 52 costume, I'm satisfied.

Is everyone enjoying Justice League Action?

Comments (1) | Add a Comment | Tags: costumes justice league action shane glines television