Two years ago, for no obvious reason, DC made available to a limited number of attendees of the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con International a foil copy of Booster Gold #1. (Ohhh. So shiny.)

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the publication of that issue, so surely DC is planning something bigger for year's convention, right? I mean, that's why they erased our hero from continuity last year, right? So that he could have a big Homecoming party in 2025 for twice the celebration, right? Right?

According to DC's press release last Friday, their slate of events at this year's SDCC will predictably be mostly focused on the Absolute Universe and Superman (who apparently is in some sort of movie, have you heard?). Booster's creator, Dan Jurgens, will be on the Super-centric "DC Comics: Metropolis and Beyond" panel. Jurgens has a long history of helping Booster Gold steal a little of Superman's spotlight. Here's hoping he does it again.

While the press release doesn't mention Booster by name, DC hasn't entirely forgotten about the Corporate Crusader. Also per the press release:

At the DC Booth, Warner Bros. Discovery’s DC Shop will offer a range of exclusive must-have items for DC Super Hero fans and Super-Villain enthusiasts while supplies last. This includes a special “Legends Forever” hoodie designed to honor the DC Trinity of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. There will also be a t-shirt, pin, and hat with the new Batman comic book logo (debuting on Batman #1 in September), a 24k Gold-plated over 925 sterling silver S-Shield gold necklace, Krypto the Super-Dog hoodie, and assorted pet goods based on Superman, a Supergirl t-shirt, and more.

I hear you thinking "Hmm. That doesn't say anything about Booster Gold." Well, you're correct. But it does say "and more," and that must mean this:

That looks like a Booster Gold (and Skeets!) "Omega" pin based on Daniel Sampere's art from page 21 of DC All In Special #1. It appeared in an image accompanying the press release that showcased many of the items listed in the above paragraph. I'm sure that failing to mention the pictured Booster Gold merchandise in the text was simply a clerical error. Surely, no one would ever exclude Booster Gold on purpose.

Is that what it looks like? How exclusive will it be? How many arms and/or legs will it cost us? Here's hoping more details will become available when we get closer to Comic-Con International next week.

UPDATE 7/25: Steve dropped by the comments below to tell us DC gave these away to panel attendees. Sounds like a pretty limited edition! Congratulations, Steve!

UPDATE 7/26: If you're reading the comments, you'll note that Hawkman Carter Hall tells us the pins are being sold to attendees for $15 at the official DC Booth. So maybe not *quite* so limited. Thanks, Carter!

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McFarlane Toys announced a new selection of 7" DC Multiverse figures this week, and their selection includes a familiar face, albeit one in an unfamiliar costume.

That's Waverider, but probably not the one most DC Comics readers remember. By which I mean that is not Matthew Ryder, the protagonist of the 1991 Armageddon 2001 event.

As devout Booster boosters can tell from the costume, that's actually Michael Jon "Booster Gold" Carter. Or one of them, anyway.

Here, I'll let the mcfarlane.com promotional text explain:

During the Convergence event, an aged Booster Gold (Michael Jon Carter) from an alternate Earth became the new Waverider when he was fed into the timestream by Earth-0's Booster Gold. This Waverider took on a career in the Multiverse, initially helping Telos and various Super Heroes convince Brainiac to realign the Multiverse. Waverider's ability to surf the timestream enables him to discover secrets hidden in the past and also gain knowledge of future events.

This is kind of a deep cut, even for McFarlane Toys. Booster-rider has only ever appeared in 2 comics: Convergence Booster Gold #2 and Convergence #8 both released on the same day in 2015. And the costume on that figure appears in only the first of those two comics!

I'm no fan of the ridiculously overworked "New 52" era design of Waverider II with its unnecessary armored leggings gold-plated abs, traffic-sign shoulder arrows, and call-back to NuBooster's hideously medieval gauntlets, but it looks positively svelte compared to the bulky McFarlane figure, which I can only assume is re-purposing re-colored pieces from previous steroid-abusing figures into an approximation of the comic book Waverider II costume. The economics of toy production is a bitch!

But if you (rightly) believe that any Booster Gold figure is a good figure, you can already pre-order your own for $19.99 at Target.com.

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First things first: the "BLUE BEETLE & BOOSTER GOLD 2-PACK" teased by McFarlane Toys last weekend on Twitter is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com, EntertainmentEarth.com, BigBadToyStore.com, and McfarlaneToysStore.com.

Personally, I've authorized my Local Comic Shop to get me the figures whenever they can, so consider supporting your Local Toy Shop as an alternative (or in addition) to those websites.

Judging by the emails I've been getting, there was a lot of pent-up demand for more Blue and Gold action figures, which is good. Pre-order demand is necessary to see these figures to market. The last time DC solicited a Booster Gold/Blue Beetle figures in 2017, they canceled them citing lack of retailer interest. Let's not let that happen again.

For those of you who need to know a little more information about this toy before you buy it, McFarlane.com has the deets (and plenty of pictures):

Product Features:

• Incredibly detailed 7" scale figure based off the DC Multiverse
• Designed with Ultra Articulation with up to 22 moving parts for full range of posing and play
• Blue Beetle and Booster Gold are featured in their looks from the comic Blue Beetle & Booster Gold: Blue and Gold
• Blue Beetle and Booster Gold include a grapple launcher, a blast, a cellphone, a drone, and mechanical themed base
• Included collectible art cards with figure artwork on the front, and character biography on the back
• Collect all McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse Figures

Uh, I'm not sure that I'd call "Collect all McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse Figures" a "feature," but I suppose that's not really aimed at me. I gather from their other marketing, that whoever is writing McFarlane's ad copy doesn't actually read DC comic books, at least Booster Gold and Blue Beetle comics. That doesn't really bother me, as they are a toy company not a comics publisher, and they are pretty good at what they do.

You do you, McFarlane Toys; I'll just get my wallet out.

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Over the weekend on Twitter, Booster booster The Blot Says called our attention to the upcoming line of Heroclix Justice League Unlimited. It's a good looking set based on one of the best cartoons ever made. (Hard to believe that the last episode was broadcast in 2006!)

Of course, I wouldn't have much to say about it if it wasn't for one figure in particular. Feast your eyes on this:

As you can see, that's just a computer rendering of the figure. Perhaps we'll get a picture of the actual product closer to its release in April. I'll keep you posted, because I'm sure you'll all want to get your own JLU Skeets.

In the meantime, if you want a better look at what else you'll find in the set, check out wizkids.com.

Thanks, Blot.

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It's looking like a golden year for Booster boosters. In addition to our hero co-starring in Action Comics — another issue will be out this week! — we've also gotten several collectible figures.

First came the Previews Exclusive Funko Pop Blue Beetle and Booster Gold two-pack (sold in both standard and metallic variants). Those should now be available at your Local Comic Shop.

Then the much-discussed 12-inch Justice League Action arrived at Amazon.com. (Order yours today!)

But that's not all! In addition to these other fine collectibles, Wiz Kids Games' released Heroclix Booster Golden Organized Play prize support late last month. That's right, there are new Booster Gold themed Heroclix, including Skeets!

Booster is a reuse of the same sculpt from last year's World's Finest set. However, this is the first standalone Skeets sculpt in the Heroclix line (which has been making DC characters since 2002).

Booster and Skeets are officially available only through tournament play at authorized specialty shops, but you can probably find them for resale on eBay and other secondary markets.

I hope you all have room in your collections for all the good stuff coming our way!

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