Booster booster Rob Snow sent me an electronic-mail to share the news that Ryan Sook has already released his original pen and ink page art for Blue and Gold #5 for sale at felixcomicart.com.

Naturally, I went and took a look, and what I found blew my—hold on.

Since there is no dialogue in the line art (these days, the letterer places the speech balloons digitally over colored artwork), and we already know that Rip Hunter is on the solicited cover for the issue (as reported on the Boosterrific Blog back on September 20), I don't think telling you that a red-headed, bearded Rip Hunter appears in the pages qualifies as much of a spoiler.

But if you don't want to see what follows before the issue is released, I'll give you to the count of three to look away.

One.

Two.

Two-and-a-half.

Three.

Still here? Good, so am I. Now, where were we? Ah, yes. Here:

Blue and Gold #5 page 18 ($250 at felixcomicart.com)

Rip Hunter and Trixie Collins hugging? Needle drop!

As Rob said in his email

I swear if Rip calls her Mom imma lose my $#!+

You and me both, Rob.

I guess we'll find out what sweet nothings they are whispering to one another when Blue and Gold #5 is released next week.

Comments (5) | Add a Comment | Tags: blue and gold felinxcomicart.com rip hunter rob snow ryan sook trixie collins

On January 9, 1969, during a ceremony in which he received the Miami Touchdown Club's F.A.M.E. (Football Awards Miami Edition) Award for the Most Outstanding Professional Football Player of 1968, quarterback Joe Namath of the New York Jets was confronted by an aggressive Baltimore Colts fan. In response to the taunting, Namath guaranteed a Jets victory in the upcoming Super Bowl III.

It became the guarantee heard around the world.

Smart money at the time was that the Colts, representing the established National Football League (whose teams had won the previous two Super Bowls decisively), would handily beat the Jets of the upstart American Football League. No less than famous oddsmaker Jimmy the Greek had predicted the Colts would win by more than two touchdowns.

Therefore, Namath's guarantee, widely reported by the Miami Herald, was generally ignored or ridiculed.

As you may have heard, when the game was played on January 12, the Jets not only covered the 17-point spread, they won outright, proving that the AFL was legitimate football and paving the way for the Super Bowl to become America's biggest sports spectacle. As Namath left the field that day, "The Guarantee" became legend...

...the sort of legend that time-traveling, 20th-century hero-worshiping, former-football-players (with problematic gambling histories) probably find irresistible.

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panel from Action Comics #596

Over the weekend, I got curious just how many heroes Booster Gold has interacted with over the years. So I did what anyone with a huge database of Booster Gold comics data would do, I wrote a query to tell me.

Here's the Boosterrific list of distinctly recognized heroic alter egos who have worked alongside Booster Gold in his 524 canonical adventures in the DC Universe. (The number in parentheses is the number of adventures they have shared as heroes.)

1. Ace Morgan (1)
2. Adam Strange (7)
3. Agent Liberty (9)
4. Air Wave I (1)
5. Akrillo (1)
6. Alpha Centurion (5)
7. Amazing Man II (39)
8. Ambush Bug (1)
9. Anatole (1)
10. Anima (1)
11. Animal Man (21)
12. Anthro (1)
13. Aquagirl IV (2)
14. Aqualad (2)
15. Aqualad II (1)
16. Aquaman (37)
17. Aquaman II (3)
18. Argent (2)
19. Argus II (2)
20. Arisia (5)
21. Arsenal (7)
22. Artemis (2)
23. Aten (3)
24. Atom I (3)
25. Atom II (22)
26. Atom IV (3)
27. Atom Smasher (10)
28. Atomic Knight (1)
29. Atrocitus (1)
30. August General in Iron (14)
31. Aura (1)
32. Avenger (1)
33. Awkward Man (1)
34. Azrael (1)
35. Aztek (4)
36. Ballistic (2)
37. Bat-Mite (1)
38. Batgirl I (11)
39. Batgirl II (1)
40. Batman (112)
41. Batman II (2)
42. Batman III (6)
43. Batman IV (2)
44. Battalion (2)
45. Batwing (9)
46. Batwoman II (2)
47. Beast Boy (21)
48. Beautiful Dreamer (2)
49. Bedovan (1)
50. Beefeater II (3)
51. Betty Clawman (1)
52. Big Barda (28)
53. Big Bear (2)
54. Birdman (1)
55. Black Adam (1)
56. Black Canary II (65)
57. Black Condor II (4)
58. Black Condor III (1)
59. Black Lightning (20)
60. Bleez (1)
61. Blimp (2)
62. Blip (1)
63. Bloodwynd I (20)
64. Bloodwynd II (14)
65. Blue Beetle I (3)
66. Blue Beetle II (247)
67. Blue Beetle III (44)
68. Blue Devil (11)
69. Blue Falcon (1)
70. Bluejay (4)
71. Bogman (2)
72. Brainiac 5 (9)
73. Brainwave II (5)
74. Breach (1)
75. Brik (1)
76. Brother Hynn (1)
77. Brother Power (1)
78. Brother Warth (1)
79. Bruce Gordon (5)
80. Bulleteer (4)
81. Bumblebee (3)
82. Bushmaster (1)
83. Cameron Chase (1)
84. Captain Atom (121)
85. Captain Caveman (1)
86. Captain Marvel (25)
87. Captain Marvel II (2)
88. Captain Marvel, Jr. (3)
89. Carol Ferris (1)
90. Catwoman (2)
91. Chameleon Boy (3)
92. Changeling (4)
93. Chimera (1)
94. Cinder (1)
95. Citizen Steel (2)
96. Claw (2)
97. Colossal Boy (2)
98. Congorilla (2)
99. Cosmic Boy (6)
100. Crazy Jane (3)
101. Creeper (10)
102. Crimson Fox (20)
103. Cyborg (20)
104. Cyclone (3)
105. Damage (3)
106. Dane Dorrance (1)
107. Darkstar (3)
108. Darkstar Donna Troy (1)
109. Darkstar Phil (3)
110. Darla Dudley (1)
111. Dawnstar (3)
112. Deadman (3)
113. Deathstroke (7)
114. Demon (7)
115. Detective Chimp (1)
116. Divineq (2)
117. Doctor Fate I (10)
118. Doctor Fate II (17)
119. Doctor Fate IV (5)
120. Doctor Fate V (1)
121. Doctor Fate VII (3)
122. Doctor Light IV (31)
123. Doctor Mid-Nite I (3)
124. Doctor Mid-Nite II (8)
125. Doctor Midnight (5)
126. Doctor Mist (1)
127. Doll Man II (1)
128. Dominator QQ (2)
129. Donna Troy (13)
130. Dove I (1)
131. Dove II (7)
132. Driq (2)
133. Dumb Bunny (1)
134. Echo (3)
135. Edge (1)
136. Elasti-Girl (2)
137. Elongated Man (56)
138. Emerald Dragon (2)
139. Empress (1)
140. Enchantress (1)
141. Eradicator II (4)
142. Eugene Choi (1)
143. Evan Hughs (1)
144. Extrano (1)
145. Fatality (1)
146. Faust (1)
147. Ferro (2)
148. Fire (147)
149. Firebrand IV (1)
150. Firehawk I (10)
151. Firehawk II (3)
152. Firestorm I (5)
153. Firestorm II (6)
154. Firestorm IV (2)
155. Firestorm V (31)
156. Firestorm VI (11)
157. Flamebird (2)
158. Flash I (23)
159. Flash II (20)
160. Flash III (71)
161. Flash IV (8)
162. Flex Mentallo (1)
163. Floro (1)
164. Frankenstein (1)
165. Fred Flintstone (1)
166. Fringe (1)
167. G.I. Robot (3)
168. Gangbuster (4)
169. Ganthet (2)
170. Garv (3)
171. Gates (2)
172. Geist (1)
173. General Glory (9)
174. Geo-Force (14)
175. Glenn Gammeron (3)
176. Gloss (1)
177. Gnort (5)
178. Godiva (19)
179. Gold (7)
180. Goldstar II (5)
181. Grace II (4)
182. Graf Toran (1)
183. Green Arrow I (40)
184. Green Arrow II (7)
185. Green Lantern I (14)
186. Green Lantern II (52)
187. Green Lantern III (24)
188. Green Lantern IV (97)
189. Green Lantern V (19)
190. Guardian II (9)
191. Gunfire (3)
192. Guy Gardner (37)
193. Gypsy (22)
194. Hair Bear (1)
195. Halo (4)
196. Hannu (1)
197. Harley Quinn (10)
198. Hawk (8)
199. Hawkgirl II (18)
200. Hawkman I (20)
201. Hawkman III (6)
202. Hawkman IV (6)
203. Hawkslayer (2)
204. Hawkwoman I (8)
205. Hawkwoman II (2)
206. Hippolyta (3)
207. Hitman (1)
208. Hook (1)
209. Hourman I (3)
210. Hourman II (9)
211. Hourman III (3)
212. Human Bomb II (2)
213. Human Starfish (1)
214. Human Target (1)
215. Huntress II (11)
216. Hurricane (1)
217. Ice (111)
218. Ice Maiden I (6)
219. Impala (1)
220. Impulse (2)
221. Indigo-1 (1)
222. Inferno (3)
223. Infinity Man (1)
224. Invisible Kid II (2)
225. Iron (9)
226. Jack O'Lantern (2)
227. Jade (18)
228. Jakeem Thunder (2)
229. Jamm (1)
230. Jarro (2)
231. Jemm (1)
232. Jesse Quick (3)
233. Jessica Cruz (6)
234. Jet (1)
235. Joe Public (1)
236. John Constantine (3)
237. Johnny Quick (1)
238. Johnny Thunder (1)
239. Jonah Hex (6)
240. Kamandi (5)
241. Karate Kid I (1)
242. Karin Grace (1)
243. Karu-Sil (1)
244. Katana (12)
245. Katma Tui (5)
246. Kayb (1)
247. Kid Devil (2)
248. Kid Flash (5)
249. Kid Flash II (5)
250. Kid Flash III (2)
251. Killowat (3)
252. Kilowog (18)
253. King Chimera (1)
254. Klarion the Witch Boy (2)
255. Krag (2)
256. Krypto (1)
257. Kyle Rayner (3)
258. Lady Blackhawk (2)
259. Lady Quark (4)
260. Lady Shazam (1)
261. Lagoon Boy (1)
262. Layla (1)
263. Lead (8)
264. Liberty Belle II (2)
265. Lieutenant Crater (2)
266. Lightning (1)
267. Lightning Lad (4)
268. Lightray (6)
269. Linear Woman (2)
270. Lionheart (4)
271. Little Mermaid (1)
272. Lobo (14)
273. Looker (1)
274. Loose Cannon (3)
275. Maash (1)
276. Magenta (3)
277. Magog (3)
278. Man-Bat (1)
279. Manhattan Guardian (1)
280. Mark Moonrider (2)
281. Martian Manhunter (117)
282. Mary Marvel (16)
283. Max Mercury (1)
284. Maxi-Man (6)
285. Maxima (68)
286. Maya (5)
287. Medusa (2)
288. Mento (1)
289. Mera (2)
290. Mercury (10)
291. Merry Man (1)
292. Metamorpho (50)
293. Miguel Montez (2)
294. Mirage II (1)
295. Miri Riam (1)
296. Miss Martian (7)
297. Mister Bones (4)
298. Mister Miracle (88)
299. Mister Miracle II (2)
300. Mister Terrific II (17)
301. Mogo (1)
302. Molotov (1)
303. Mon-El (1)
304. Mongrel (2)
305. Morro (1)
306. Munk (1)
307. Murr the Melting Man (1)
308. Myriad (1)
309. Mystek (1)
310. Naomi (4)
311. Negative Man (3)
312. Negative Woman (2)
313. Nemesis (3)
314. Nicky Walton (1)
315. Nightblade (1)
316. Nightmaster (1)
317. Nightrider (2)
318. Nightshade (6)
319. Nightwing II (34)
320. Northwind (2)
321. Nuklon (4)
322. O.M.A.C. (3)
323. Obsidian (19)
324. Odd Man (1)
325. Olympian (2)
326. OMAC IV (11)
327. Omen (2)
328. Oracle (3)
329. Orion (5)
330. Osiris (2)
331. Owlwoman (1)
332. Pantha (5)
333. Patchwork (3)
334. Pax (1)
335. Peacemaker (4)
336. Pedro Pena (1)
337. Peter Platinum (1)
338. Phantasm III (2)
339. Phantom Girl (1)
340. Phantom Girl II (2)
341. Phantom Lady II (2)
342. Phantom Lady III (1)
343. Phase (4)
344. Pied Piper (1)
345. Plastic Man (18)
346. Platinum (9)
347. Power Girl (67)
348. Praxis (3)
349. Prince Zerep (2)
350. Prism (4)
351. Proty II (1)
352. Prysm (1)
353. Question (1)
354. Race (1)
355. Ragman III (2)
356. Ram (1)
357. Rampage (1)
358. Ratchet (1)
359. Ravager V (2)
360. Raven VI (14)
361. Ray II (43)
362. Razorsharp (1)
363. Rebis (2)
364. Red Arrow (7)
365. Red Bee (1)
366. Red Devil (1)
367. Red Hood (1)
368. Red Robin (5)
369. Red Ryan (1)
370. Red Star (9)
371. Red Tornado (27)
372. Redwing (4)
373. Reverb (5)
374. Rex the Wonder Dog (1)
375. Rick Flag, Jr. (2)
376. Rip Hunter (74)
377. Rising Sun (1)
378. Risk (1)
379. Robin I (3)
380. Robin III (15)
381. Robin V (8)
382. Robotman II (7)
383. Rocket Red (7)
384. Rocket Red 07 (19)
385. Rocket Red 4 (31)
386. Rocket Red 7 (5)
387. Rocket Red Brigade (1)
388. Rocky Davis (1)
389. Romat Ru (1)
390. Saint Walker (1)
391. Sandman I (1)
392. Sandy (3)
393. Sapphire (1)
394. Sasha Bordeaux (6)
395. Saturn Girl (6)
396. Sayd (1)
397. Scorn (1)
398. Seneca (2)
399. Sergeant Rock (1)
400. Serifan (1)
401. Shade the Changing Man (1)
402. Shadow Lass (2)
403. Shadowstrike (2)
404. Shazam (7)
405. Shazam Jr. (1)
406. Shining Knight II (1)
407. Shrinking Violet (1)
408. Sideways (1)
409. Signal (3)
410. Silencer (1)
411. Silver Sorceress (4)
412. Simon Baz (3)
413. Sinestro (4)
414. Sister Sercy (1)
415. Skallox (1)
416. Skrocket (1)
417. Skyman (5)
418. Slam Bradley (3)
419. Slingshot (2)
420. Slushh (1)
421. Snapper Carr (1)
422. Soranik Natu (1)
423. Spark (3)
424. Sparx II (4)
425. Spectre (4)
426. Speedy (1)
427. Speedy II (1)
428. Spoiler (1)
429. Star Boy (1)
430. Starfire II (3)
431. Starfire III (30)
432. Stargirl (11)
433. Starman I (1)
434. Starman V (11)
435. Starman VII (3)
436. Starman VIII (3)
437. Stealth (3)
438. Steel III (22)
439. Steel IV (7)
440. Strata (2)
441. STRIPE (3)
442. Sun Boy (3)
443. Superboy (5)
444. Superboy III (14)
445. Superboy IV (2)
446. Supergirl II (3)
447. Supergirl III (7)
448. Supergirl V (9)
449. Superman (110)
450. Supernova I (18)
451. Swamp Thing (9)
452. Takion (2)
453. Tasmanian Devil (11)
454. Tattooed Man III (1)
455. Technocrat (1)
456. Tekik (1)
457. Telepath (3)
458. Tempest II (5)
459. Terra II (2)
460. The Booster (1)
461. Thorn II (3)
462. Thunder III (3)
463. Thunderbolt (1)
464. Thunderer (1)
465. Thunderlord (1)
466. Timber Wolf (1)
467. Tin (7)
468. Tomar-Tu (1)
469. Traci Thirteen (1)
470. Tri-Eye (1)
471. Triumph (4)
472. Troia (1)
473. Tuatara (1)
474. Ultra Boy (8)
475. Ultra the Multi-Alien (1)
476. Uncle Sam (2)
477. Valor (7)
478. Vapor (3)
479. Velcoro (3)
480. Vigilante I (1)
481. Vixen (29)
482. Vox (1)
483. Vril Dox II (5)
484. Vykin the Black (2)
485. Warrior (16)
486. Waverider (8)
487. Waverider II (4)
488. Wild Dog (2)
489. Wild Huntsman (1)
490. Wildcat I (18)
491. Wildcat III (4)
492. Wildcat IV (1)
493. Wildebeest III (3)
494. Wildfire (1)
495. Windfall (2)
496. Wolfpack (3)
497. Wonder Girl I (6)
498. Wonder Girl II (8)
499. Wonder Twins (14)
500. Wonder Woman (88)
501. Wonder Woman II (1)
502. Wrath (1)
503. Zach (1)
504. Zachary Zatara (1)
505. Zatanna (17)
506. Zauriel (4)
507. Zena Moonstruck (1)
508. Zilius Zox (1)

That's a pretty long list. I'm sure I haven't haven't had 500 co-workers over the course of my entire career. Booster must have quite a rolodex!

If you would like to know more about Booster's interaction with a given character, use the dropdown selector here.

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It's been a rough week for me, so I'm very pleased to end it with this brilliantly gleeful "scribble" from Mike Hartigan (via Twitter.com):

Hard to stay in a bad mood looking at those two (and a half) having so much fun!

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Writer Joshua Williamson continues to channel Grant Morrison for Justice League Incarnate, and in this week's issue 3 the team takes a side trip to Earth-33 (the reincarnation of former Earth-Prime, home of the multiversal villain Superboy-Prime), now the Earth where ideas are born. One idea is obviously Booster Gold, as seen in this fella's t-shirt:

Footnote 1 — I know that this is a Booster Gold fansite, but I personally think that the real value of Justice League Incarnate #3 lies not in the reveal of "Booster Gold t-shirt guy" of Earth-33 but the discovery that Doctor Batman has been sent to Earth-26, formerly known as Earth-C. Last we'd heard, in Dark Nights: Death Metal: Multiverse's End #1, Captain Carrot's "funny animals" Earth-C Earth-26 Zoo Crew had been killed by Perpetua's minions (so dark!). It's good to know that my favorite childhood heroes are alive and well again in the Infinite Frontier-era Omniverse. Hooray!

Footnote 2 — Earth-26, Earth-Prime, Earth-33, Earth-C, Multiverse, Hypertime, Dark Multiverse, Omniverse... boy, howdy. Does anyone else remember that 1985's Crisis on Infinite Earths was supposed to simplify the DC Universe to make it accessible to new readers? So why, now that the multiverse is back, is it more complicated than ever before? Did we finally just give up on new readers?

Footnote 3 — Both Justice League Incarnate and Justice League Infinity, both released this week and both featuring Booster Gold references, are about plots to destroy the multiverse. (Technically, they are separate multiverses, as the JLU never crosses over with the original JLA.) It sure seems like even DC's writers think the darn thing has gotten too complicated.

Oops. I'm starting to sound a bit like Superboy-Prime myself, aren't I?

Never mind grumpy old me. Buy some comics and make Skeets happy.

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