For decades, the biggest knock against Booster Gold has been that he's only a hero because he stole his powers. His fans know that's not true.

With or without powers, Booster's always been a hero, as he proved on this day in 1993 in the pages of Justice League Europe #50, when he quite literally jumped into action with nothing but his wits and a sharp-looking pair of tights to protect him.

Justice League Europe #50, art by Ron Randall, Randy Elliott, and Gene D'angelo

This 54-page spectacular is the sixth and final chapter of the "Red Winter" storyline in which Green Lantern's old foe Sonar used his upgraded sound powers to disable the Justice League Europe and stage a successful coup of the former Soviet Bloc counties.

With their comrades down, the remaining active members of the Justice League International spring to the rescue. This includes Booster Gold — despite the fact that the same Doomsday that had recently befallen Superman had also destroyed Booster's 25th-century power suit and gauntlets, leaving him functionally no more powerful than a blind doctor.

Full credit to Booster for having the courage to campaign against a mind-controlling dictator with only his fists. However, it does leave him severely disadvantaged whenever a super-powered melee breaks out, as they often do in these sorts of situations. That means Booster spends most of the story on the sidelines, pointing out the obvious.

A real hero helps out however he can.

Another bit of trivia about this issue: it's the first story in which Booster Gold and his future teammate Godiva appear together. They don't share any dialogue, but they do get some great sound effects.

Ouch. Take care of yourself, Booster. Courage is great, but a man's got to know his limitations.

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Since I started the week with something borrowed from FirestormFan.com, I feel it is appropriate to end that way, too.

There's a lot to see in the piece, but the best part is no doubt Booster Gold and Godiva canoodling underneath the trees. Ah, l'amour.

The above digital print on canvas by Rey Taira, Saturday Morning in Front of La Salle De Justice, is clearly modeled on the classic 1884 Georges Seaurat painting A Sunday on La Grande Jatte. Taira created this and a companion piece of villains lounging before the Hall of Doom for DC's "We Can Be Heroes" campaign.

This picture was found at kicada.tumblr.com, but another view and links to more pieces in the exhibition can be found at The Idol-Head of Dibolu.

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