Tomorrow is the birthday of the Carter twins, Michael and Michelle. Boosterrific.com is devoted to the adventures of Michael Jon Carter, at least the portion since he adopted the identity of Booster Gold in 1985. As a result, we know a great deal about his history and personality. However, his twin sister still remains something of a mystery.

The siblings were born on December 29, 2442. Although the pair are twins, Booster is considered the older sibling. We know little of the pair's upbringing, save that Booster found his way through life by way of his incredible athletic ability. Michelle was left in her brother's shadow, caring for their mother. By their own admission, the siblings were not close. This could in part be due to the fact that Michelle is every bit as headstrong as everyone else in her family. If nothing else, the Carters are all fiercely independent spirits.

When Booster's life fell apart in the 25th century and he retreated to the past, Michelle was left behind, surviving as a highly-lauded flying school bus driver. Whatever sense of disappointment or abandonment Michelle might have harbored against her brother, she did not hesitate to risk her own life to save his when Booster returned to the future and was facing a death sentence. Heroics also run in the family. When Booster again fled to the past, he this time took Michelle with him.

Michelle was excited to live in the 20th century, but had great difficulty adapting to the world around her. Her desire to understand her brother's motivations for being a hero led her to steal the Booster Gold International Goldstar costume. Unfortunately, wearing the costume caused her to be confused for a hero herself, and ultimately resulted in her apparent death. Fortunately for Michelle, her nephew is Rip Hunter, Time Master. Rip saved Michelle from the moment of her demise and transported her into the 21st century. Michelle at long last had access to travel anywhere and any time, allowing her to see the world, past, present, and future.

To date, Michelle has appeared in 33 different comics. All but 5 of those issues has been written by Dan Jurgens. Despite this consistency, Michelle has never been given the opportunity to express much of her individual character. We know that she often frowns on the Time Masters' methods but has an affinity for time tourism. She considers Skeets to be a soulless, high-tech appliance. She volunteered to step in and aid her brother in raising Rani. And like her brother, she has no idea that Rip Hunter is his son.

Unfortunately, we still may never get the opportunity to learn any more about her. Like Skeets and Rip, she has yet to seen in the DCnU. Like Rani, she has yet to even be mentioned. Does Michelle even exist in the post-Flashpoint DCnU? I'm sure I'm not alone in wishing for the return of Michelle Carter on her birthday.

Happy Birthday, Michelle! Here's to many more.

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As I said last week, 2012 was not a good year for Booster Gold. When the best thing that you can say is "at least DC didn't treat him like they treated one of the most popular and best-selling characters of the past 20 years by pretending he never existed," that's not a good year.

Last week's poll question: ( votes)

Booster Gold turns the big negative 430 this Saturday. How would you celebrate if you were a time traveler who still wouldn't be born for another four hundred and thirty years?

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You would think that a time traveler could re-visit the happiest days of his life over and over. However, for poor Booster Gold, there really haven't been that many great Christmases.

For example, Booster Gold will spend the Christmas of the year 2462 on Death Row for his crime of stealing a time machine. Although, you have to admit that when you are facing a death sentence, being rescued by your twin sister probably seems like about the best gift in the world.

Read the details in Booster Gold, Volume 1, issues 13 through 15 and have yourself a merry little Christmas.

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While DC may not have room for a Christmas book in the New 52 (the heroes are probably all too busy infighting to exchange gifts), we'll always have ghosts of Christmases past.

Way back in the Good Old 52 days of 2008, Booster Gold helped the Justice League celebrate the holiday in DC Universe Holiday Special #1. Whenever the Justice League throws a party, you'll find Booster Gold!

Indicative of Booster's rekindled popularity at the time, our hero appears in not one but two stories in this anthology, albeit in very, very small roles. (He sings! He dances! He appears only in backgrounds!)

No, it's not a great issue. Fortunately, greatness isn't a requirement for Christmas Specials. A bunch of "lesser" heroes get some much deserved spotlight in this issue, and that should be good enough for the price of admission to this party.

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Be aware that there will be no post on the blog tomorrow. (Why? Part holiday, part continued maintenance.) Blog posts will resume on Monday. Enjoy your weekend, Booster boosters!

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