Booster Gold has been popping up in Harley Quinn stories a lot lately, and I'll let you in on a little secret: I don't understand them. Harley Quinn stories, that is. They all have at least two series of ongoing events, one clearly presented as a fantasy tale and the other as... reality? However, it's often a reality that doesn't quite square with the rest of what's happening in the DCnU or any of the dozen other Harley Quinn appearances each month.

So when Booster Gold shows up, which one is it? The "real" Booster Gold (at least as real as comic book characters get), or some alternate reality Booster, or a figment of the protagonist's imagination (assuming the protagonist isn't herself a figment of someone's imagination).

Even in its 70s, Harley's ongoing series continues to sell 5-10 thousand more units than what Booster Gold was moving near the end of his last self-titled series, which is to say that her title has some loyal month-to-month readers. I assume they enjoy the lack of concrete reality in her stories. I've got nothing against them or series' writer Sam Humphries, but you can guess that someone whose hobby is cataloging the minutiae of a fictional super hero's continuity might find such ambiguity unsatisfying. That unsatisfied person is me.

All of which is a long way of saying that I was planning on buying today's Harley Quinn #70 in the hopes that when I pick up next month's Booster Gold appearance, I might have some hope of figuring out what is happening. I say "was" because I've just learned from Booster booster Logan Peterson that Booster is in issue #70, too!

Hooray?

A preview of the issue (which gives no hint of Booster Gold — not that I doubt you, Logan!) is online at CBR.com. Buy it and make Skeets happy.

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I saw a pic on Twitter of Blue Beetle and Booster Gold in a very cartoon style (like you might find in one of DC's recent line of DC Kids productions), and quite by accident I discovered this starry-eyed pin:

This beauty, created by zara (@snailpng on Twitter), is for sale at BigCool.BigCartel.com. If you like that, know that the artist has more Blue and Gold art as Zeewa on DeviantArt.com.

I never did find what I was looking for, but I'm very happy with what I found.

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As longtime Boosterrific readers will remember from this post in 2012, the Marvel God of Thunder, Thor, can be seen (with Mjolnir!) in the background of Booster Gold volume 1 #6.

Thanks to the new, high quality printing of Booster Gold: The Big Fall, it looks like Thor isn't the only Avenger in Booster Gold's friendly neighborhood.

That photographer in Booster Gold #12 sure looks familiar. He doesn't happen to work for the Daily Bugle, does he? Is that you, Peter Parker?

Just how many Avengers did penciller Dan Jurgens hide in the backgrounds and crowd scenes of Booster Gold comics? Let the scavenger hunt begin!

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I had been prepared to remind you to buy Superman: Heroes #1 today at your Local Comic Shop, but that will no longer be necessary. According to Newsarama.com, DC has postponed the release until February 19.

Why? "The publisher did not give a reason for the change." Hunh.

This is disappointing news if only because it means I'll have to wait three more weeks to find out the in-universe explanation of why Harley Quinn is sitting at this table, as seen in last week's Superman #19:

At least Wonder Woman has the good sense to look uncomfortable to be sitting across the table from the Joker's former sidekick. Is anyone keeping track of how many people she's killed in her own title? I believe in second chances as much as the next guy, but it's not like she was a serial shoplifter. There has to be some limit to how many people you get to kill before you don't get to sit at the hero's table anymore, right?

Aaaanyway. Whatever reason DC has for postponing the issue, I hope they don't change the solicited cover. There just aren't enough books on the stands featuring Booster Gold's crotch.

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Earlier this month, I laid out what I consider to be the twelve best Booster Gold comics in the character's 35-year history. I start with my personal favorite. If you only read one comic book featuring Booster Gold in your entire life, make it Justice League #4 (1987).

The story, aptly titled "Winning Hand," begins with Batman considering the merits of allowing businessman Maxwell Lord IV to foister new members on the newly-formed league. It's a great twist on established canon. Membership in the Justice League to this point had been limited to those nominated by card-holding members. Just being nominated usually meant a big boost in popularity. Naturally, a glory hound like Booster Gold was itching to be involved, even if it meant being backed by someone so obviously unethical as Mr. Lord.

However, Booster isn't entirely without scruples (or pride). Following the example set by Dr. Light, he walks away from the complicated situation rather than let himself be used. What Booster doesn't realize is that Lord has planned for that, too. While Booster is giving his inevitable post-meeting press interview, lives are threatened. Despite the fact that he has just been emotionally crushed by Lord's con job, Booster selflessly jumps into action to save threatened innocents.

Inside the Justice Cave, Batman takes advantage of the chaotic situation. He orders his colleagues to observe Booster in action so that they judge what the newest hero on the scene is really made of. Thus, Booster Gold finds himself in solo conflict with longtime league foes the Royal Flush Gang.

Booster Gold is more than up to the challenge. Using a full array of his impressive technology-based powers and more than a little of his innate intelligence and verve, Booster defeats the four human members of the gang in as many pages.

The victory earns Booster a round of applause from observing leaguers. He even gets a smile from an approving Batman. Many people would have been irritated by Batman's refusal to aid them, but not Booster. The former quarterback is actually pleased to have an audience. He does love the limelight.

The afterparty is short-lived. The fifth and final member of the gang, the Amazo-like android Ace, crashes the scene to make quick work of the league's most powerful members. This leaves Booster Gold to save the day. Well, Booster Gold and his soon-to-be best friend, Blue Beetle. Having known one another for only a few minutes, the pair teams up to destroy the rampaging robot once and for all.

What began as a job interview leads results in Booster's dream coming true (and a dawning new friendship). Batman offers Booster full membership in the league in a show of appreciation and respect, giving the young hero the credibility he so desired (and earned).

How can you not love that?

The issue's script by Keith Giffen is as perfectly paced as the best action movies, and the dialogue by J.M. DeMatteis positively crackles with authenticity, wit, and enthusiasm. Booster Gold comes off as the hero the league needs, and the league itself is clearly a family in the making. Add in Kevin Maguire's unparalleled ability to express both action and emotion (not to mention his brilliantly "cheeky" cover), and you have a guaranteed recipe for success.

Did I say this is my favorite Booster Gold comic? Make it my favorite comic, period.

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