We learned over the weekend that reclusive artist Steve Ditko died late last month. His considerable contributions to the super hero comic book genre cannot be overstated, and you can find most of them listed in the many obituaries those contributions earned him.

But so far as Booster Gold fans are concerned, Ditko's single greatest accomplishment was the creation of the second Blue Beetle for Charlton Comics.

Ditko's Beetle was the second hero by that name. Unlike his magical predecessor, Ted Kord used science and technology in his pursuit of law and order. He had only a few adventures for Chartlon Comics before moving to the DC Universe where he would eventually help found the Justice League International and meet his soon-to-be best friend, Booster Gold.

Although Ditko had nothing to do with the character after Beetle's move to DC Comics, his original idea continued to inspire. Said Booster Gold creator on Dan Jurgens on Twitter:

We certainly agree. Thank you, Steve.

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Late last week in honor of Canada Day, The Toronto Star ran an article by Raju Mudhar celebrating Canadian super heroes. Naturally, he highlighted Wolverine, Alpha Flight, and Adam Strange (who is officially Canadian since 2014's Justice League United #0). Unfortunately, he also included Booster Gold.

This still comes up from time to time, so let me repeat that there is no canonical evidence that Booster Gold is anything other than American.

Yes, Dan DiDio told the audience at Fan Expo Canada 2011 that Booster Gold was going to have Canadian citizenship in the New 52 DC Universe. But no comic book ever came along confirming (or even insinuating) that.

Since his earliest appearances, Booster has been an American (thanks to direct intervention by United States President Ronald Reagan), and his citizenship has never been explicitly changed in Justice League International Volume 3 or in any other comic. To this day, Booster Gold remains Canadian only at Fan Expo Canada 2011 and nowhere else.

I know you'd love to claim Booster Gold as a native son, Toronto Star, but until DC actually retcons Booster's citizenship in print, he'll remain an All-American Boy.

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Happy Independence Day! If you can tear yourself away from fireworks and hot dogs, get yourself to your Local Comic Shop today and get your hands on Injustice 2 #29, featuring Booster Gold's new jacket!

Finally! A costume update that looks better than what he was already wearing!

While you're there, consider picking up a copy of the suddenly very controversial Batman #50. Your LCS probably ordered too many of them.

(A quick aside for those of you not glued to the comics press: on Sunday, with the consent of DC Comics, The New York Times newspaper spoiled the events of Batman #50. According to ComicBook.com, DC vice-president of sales John Cunningham defended the company's actions by essentially saying that DC wanted to mitigate what they knew would be terrible backlash if fans didn't find out about the issue contents until the day of release. That's practically an admission that they had promoted and sold the issue — retailers had to commit to orders for the 50+ covers two months ago — on false pretenses. I'm no lawyer, but I would think that qualifies as fraud.)

But I'm not advocating that you pick up Batman because I'm a nice guy who wants to see Local Comics Shops stay in business. No, like Booster Gold, I'm a little shallower than that. I'm suggesting you pick up an issue because Skeets is in it.

What is Skeets doing here? I have no idea. It being a Tom King written book, I bet there's no logical reason, probably just an excuse to get Booster Gold fans to buy a copy. At least in my case, it will work.

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My friend Michael pointed me to this video hosted by DCComics.com in which Collin Kelly and Mike Kalinowski debate whether Booster Gold or Blue Beetle, respectively, would win in a fight. Just a couple of comic book nerds talking about some of their favorite characters; it's like a podcast but with pictures!

(Frankly, I don't know why they're wasting so much time. We all know that Booster Gold would win.)

Once you've watched the video, be sure to drop by DCComics.com to vote for Booster Gold the character you think would win in a fight. Don't wait! Voting ends early Thursday morning.

Thanks for the link, Mike.

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