If you're like me, you've eaten enough food in the past month to survive into 2023 without taking another bite. So it's good to have motivation to get a little exercise tomorrow... by walking to my car and driving to my Local Comic Shop to pick up the newest issue of Human Target, specifically because it has this delicious cover:

Hmm. That image reminds me of something. What could it be? Ah, yes.

For the record, Dan Jurgens' splash page from Booster Gold Volume 1 #10 was metaphorical. The evil Director was not really a giant holding the employees of Goldstar, Inc.

I assume that Human Target #3 will be something similar. However, even if Human Target #3 is all about Booster Gold eating bagels, I'll still buy it. Maybe I'll buy two. Bagels are good eating.

To see more of what Smallwood's actual interior art will be, check out the 3-page issue preview at AIPTcomics.com. Once you've done that, buy this issue and make Skeets (and your mouth) happy.

Comments (0) | Add a Comment | Tags: dan jurgens director of death greg smallwood human target new releases

The life of any comic book hero would be a lonely one if not for the many characters who have made up their supporting cast. Just as Superman has Lois Lane and Batman has Alfred, Booster Gold has also shared his adventures with quite a few people over the years. Today we look at two of those, Benny and Marty.

From the moment Booster Gold made his public debut, publisher Skip Andrews realized the larger-than-life hero would be a perfect addition to the Blaze Comics universe of characters. And thus did Andrews unwittingly set in motion the events that would lead to the death of his star writer/artist team of Benny Lindgren and Marty Kramer.

This is their story.

Booster Gold #4, 1986

Booster Gold #7, 1986

Booster Gold #9, 1986

Booster Gold #10, 1986

Being a comic book creator is a dangerous life!

By the way, in 2015, I asked Booster Gold writer Dan Jurgens whether Benny and Marty were based on real world New Teen Titans creators Marv Wolfman and George Pérez. Jurgens answered:

I wouldn't go that far with Benny and Marty, though there may be a hint of truth to it. In a way, they were based more on the idea of team books and their creative teams of that era.

Thanks, Dan. And thanks to Marv and George for being so inspiring!

Are you interested in meeting other "People in his Neighborhood"? Follow these links to get to know Mrs. Carter, Daniel Carter, Michelle Carter, Trixie Collins, Nurse Devlin, Dirk Davis, Rani, Skeets, Jack Soo, Mackenzie Garrison, Rip Hunter, Monica Lake, Doctor Shocker, Blackguard, and Mister Twister.

Comments (1) | Add a Comment | Tags: benny and marty dan jurgens george perez marv wolfman people in his neighborhood supporting characters

It is always worth remembering that if you work hard and don't give up, you will find second chances in life. For example, after a 23-year wait, Dan Jurgens got a second chance to write a series named for the character he created.

Booster Gold had been a peripheral team player ever since his first volume was cancelled following Millennium in 1987. But after the character's star turn in the wake of Infinite Crisis and 52, he got a second chance at stardom in a second Booster Gold series.

The new title was written by the pairing of fan-favorite writer Geoff Johns and movie producer Jeff Katz who quickly established a new paradigm for the "Greatest Hero You've Never Heard Of." When the time came — in the series' second year — for Johns and Katz to move on to greener pastures, the reins were finally turned back over to Booster's original scribe.

Jurgens' first Volume 2 issue was Booster Gold #15, released on this day in 2010. It didn't take him long to re-establish the sibling rivalry he invented decades earlier.

Just like old times!

Eleven years later, Jurgens is now working on yet another Booster Gold title. Perseverance pays off, kids.

Comments (0) | Add a Comment | Tags: dan jurgens elongated man goldstar skeets

Last Sunday, the Fire and Water Podcast Network's JLI Podcast released a new episode in which the Irredeemable Shag interviewed Dan Jurgens and discussed Blue and Gold.

I... haven't listened to all of it yet. I mean, I did hear the part about the sponsor, InStockTrades.com, having the Booster Gold volume 1 hardcover collections on sale for 45% off. (Just in time for Christmas!) That part was pretty good.

But I seriously do have the utmost faith in both Shag and Dan, and I don't think you should have to wait for me to find the time to finish it before I inevitably recommend the episode to Booster boosters everywhere.

If you are better at managing your time than I am, you can listen to the podcast at fireandwaterpodcast.com.

Comments (1) | Add a Comment | Tags: dan jurgens fire and water instocktrades.com interviews podcasts shag

I do not have Blue and Gold #4 in my hand yet, but DC Comics' exclusive direct-market partner, Lunar Distribution, expects it to ship this week for a November 16 release, and I'm going to take them at their word.

DC feels so confident, in fact, that they've already released a sneak peek of the book to Comic-Watch.com. It's a cute couple of pages of Blue and Gold being interviewed by their adoring press, but the best part is

"Art, Present Day" by Ryan Sook, "Art, Blue Beetle's Sequence" by Kevin Maguire, and — most importantly — "Art, Booster Gold's Sequence" by Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund?! It's a Justice League International and Booster Gold Volume 2 reunion! That alone should be worth the wait.

Buy this issue and make Skeets (and Buggles) happy!

Comments (0) | Add a Comment | Tags: blue and gold dan jurgens kevin maguire new releases norm rapmund previews ryan sook