Showing posts 6 - 10 of 12 matching: rant
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
The unfortunately named Justice League of America: Vixen Rebirth #1 was released last week. Telling the story of how celebrity supermodel Mari McCabe returned to her superheroic persona, Vixen, it's a solid book with some great art by Jamal Campbell.
However, it's not clear how this Vixen relates to the New 52 version, Booster Gold's teammate who was nearly killed in Justice League International #6.
The New 52 incarnation of the Justice League International appears to have existed in the Rebirth Universe, at least according to Green Lanterns #9. Yet Justice League of America: Vixen Rebirth gives the impression that Vixen is a new superhero on the scene. How can both of those stories be true in a shared universe?
In an interview with Matt Santori at Comicosity.com, Vixen Rebirth co-writer Steve Orlando said that so far as he's concerned, "All of [Vixen's] appearances happened." That's a great thing to say to the press to ease Vixen's worried fans, but unless you make it explicit in the comic itself, it doesn't matter. For example, an artist could claim that he thinks Booster Gold is a Canadian citizen, but until he commits that idea to continuity, Booster's published history as an American citizen must still take precedence. (Once again: no comic DC has ever published indicates that Booster Gold is any nationality other than American.)
I appreciate that from a marketing and story-telling position, it can be an advantage to ignore what came before — especially when what came before is a confusing mess after years of unending and unexplained continuity revisions. The down side of any reboot is that it damages existing fans' relationship with a character they thought they knew.
"Continuity" is really just another word for "character development." Without it, we might as well be reading about different characters with similar tastes in fashion.
| | Tags: justice league international rant vixen
Jesster posted on Jan. 18, 2017 at 3:56 PM
AMEN!! A good writer can write in continuity, bad writers just write whatever. DC has forgotten what continuity is.
Tinuvial posted on Jan. 18, 2017 at 11:25 PM
Remember when some comic runs were up to their 100, 200, or even 300 issues? I think Superman and Batman got that high or close to it. That, my friends, is real continuity!
Even Booster and Beetle...they were in so many different comic runs and teams, yet they always managed to be mostly the same, regardless of writers and stories and so on. Their story marched on and changed and grew. They got mad at each other, they made up; they pranked and were pranked in turn.
But now, we're lucky if comic runs survive for a year, maybe two...at least it seems like that, anyway. Personally, I think it's the instant gratification culture. No one has any patience to wait for the next part of the story anymore. And really, that's just sad.
Boosterrific [Official Comment] posted on Jan. 19, 2017 at 12:08 AM
For reference, ACTION COMICS #904, SUPERMAN #714, DETECTIVE COMICS #881, and BATMAN #713 were released the month before FLASHPOINT overwrote the existing DC Universe.
Once upon a time, the companies restarted numbering to attract attention to titles with flagging sales. But now, yeah, they do it whenever a new creative team comes on board and throws out the old continuity. I assume it makes it easier to sell trades when readers know they only have to commit to one book to get them all instead of an indefinite number of monthly periodicals.
Brady Kj posted on Jan. 23, 2017 at 12:40 AM
'"Continuity" is really just another word for "character development."'
That is the best and most succinct argument for continuity ever!
kayla posted on Feb. 12, 2017 at 7:02 PM
Uh, the book literally said years ago, on the left or right hand upper corner tho, plus it's obvious that this is an origin story which means everything that happened in the new52 happened after this oneshot...
Boosterrific [Official Comment] posted on Feb. 12, 2017 at 8:41 PM
@kayla, "which means everything that happened in the new52 happened after this oneshot" is an assumption you are making that is not explicitly supported by the document itself. Your interpretation may be correct, and the issue may represent a retcon to Vixen's first appearance (updating 1980s culture and technology into the 21st century, if nothing else). It's the ambiguity of the situation that I find disconcerting.
Friday, June 3, 2016
Today is a red letter day in the history of Booster Gold publications!
- 336 days between Superman #124 and Chase #4 (Apr. 1997 to Mar. 1998)
- 303 days between Bat-Mite #4 and now (November 2015 to present)
- 302 days between Martian Manhunter #24 and JLA: Our Worlds At War (Sept. 2000 to July 2001)
DC has just started another reboot Rebirth where it is implied that a character existing outside of DC history has changed history for his own ends. It seems almost every character in the current DCnU has made an appearance, but so far, there's no sign of Booster Gold or Waverider or any of DC's other Time Masters. Isn't this scenario exactly what they are supposed to be preventing?
Geoff Johns is the Chief Creative Officer of DC Comics who publicly professes an affinity for Booster Gold. Yet, whenever the big events happen under Johns' watch, Booster is nowhere to be seen. Why is that?
| | Tags: flashpoint geoff johns lists rant rebirth reboot streaks
Freytaw posted on Jun. 3, 2016 at 12:48 PM
Big nemesis of the Time Masters: DC chef creative officer who can manipulate time like he wants... xD
AJU posted on Jun. 3, 2016 at 3:22 PM
Sincerely, after all this time and all the mess DC has done with its universe... I don't know if Booster will ever feel like the character will all love and followed for so many years. The Booster in New 52 JLI feel like a different person and the Future's End and Convergence appareances were not to my liking. Does anyone feel the same?
Boosterrific [Official Comment] posted on Jun. 3, 2016 at 4:25 PM
"Our" Booster Gold is now Waverider, and that doesn't bother me. For decades, we've watched the character grow in fits and starts. That's like life. I'd like to continue on with the growth of that character, if DC would let me.
As for the New 52 Booster, he feels like a reboot, which he is. I hope that in time he will retread some of the highlights of "our" Booster's career so that a new generation will come to love the character.
Unfortunately, right now, DC doesn't want to promote either version of the character.
AJU posted on Jun. 3, 2016 at 4:49 PM
One would think that Booster-Waverider would make an appareance in DCU Rebirth! Was it too naive to think that the hand in the cover was Waverider's hand? :P
Boosterrific [Official Comment] posted on Jun. 3, 2016 at 6:34 PM
No more than it would have been too cynical to expect that DC would shoehorn the Watchmen characters into the DCnU in a blatant attempt to use a perennially great selling trade to drive up the otherwise moribund sales of its shared universe titles.
Xylob posted on Jun. 3, 2016 at 7:38 PM
My LCS does a poll every Wednesday.
When the question was "Who is the biggest/worst villain in the DC universe(s)?", I said I couldn't choose between Dan Didio and Geoff Johns... One of the employees thought that was awesome, the other was pissed.
Friday, April 22, 2016
The continued speculation that Booster Gold might be the secret guest star of the season finale of DC's Legends of Tomorrow has driven countless websites to run articles informing their readers who Booster Gold is. I'm of two minds about this.
One, how many people could there be watching Legends of Tomorrow who have no idea who Booster Gold is? Over two million people watched when he was featured in a Smallville episode 5 years ago on the same network. Am I to believe that the entire Legends audience are new-to-the-scene teenagers? Maybe I'm old fashioned, but back in my day, teenagers learned about comic book super heroes by reading comic books. Of course, there are no Booster Gold comics being published right now, so maybe these websites are just picking up DC's slack.
Two, is it a good thing that the public is being educated about Booster Gold if so many of these sites are getting some pretty basic facts wrong? How would Booster feel if he learned the person writing his biography had never heard of him before putting finger to keyboard. If all anyone learns about Booster Gold is that he's a jerk who trades heroing for cash and fame, is that really helping the character?
Don't get me wrong. I'm excited that people are talking about Booster Gold. And I suppose that it's irrational of me to expect them to say only nice things. However, I could expect some reporting accuracy. Or maybe a link to the Internet's foremost repository for Booster Gold information. Hint, hint.
Oh, well. As the song goes, you can't always get what you want. Booster Gold would be happy knowing people were talking about him.
| | Tags: legends of tomorrow rant television
Shawn posted on Apr. 22, 2016 at 9:55 AM
Interesting we found out on last nights show Rip's real name is Michael, so is he Jr.?
Tinuvial posted on Apr. 22, 2016 at 1:48 PM
*shocked gasp* You expect reporters to do research? You expect reporters to be fair, unbiased, and accurate? What century are you living in? No, really, I'd like to move there, posthaste.
Boosterrific [Official Comment] posted on Apr. 22, 2016 at 3:10 PM
1. There is no century in which reporters were fair and unbiased. That's not what I'm asking for.
2. I was talking about entertainment blogging sites, not newspapers or anyone who considers themself a journalist. Bloggers have never felt the need for accuracy, and I don't expect that to change. The average blogger doesn't have the time, resources, or, frankly, the motivation to get the facts straight. When you're only after the click, content accuracy isn't important.
3. Just because there is no accuracy in blogging doesn't mean that it should be accepted or dismissed with sarcasm. If we want better we have to continue to demand better. Should I stop being bothered by theft and murder because we know that people have always stolen and killed? Would you prefer if I only posted what I made up about Booster Gold?
Osyrus68 posted on Apr. 22, 2016 at 3:36 PM
Just to make it clear, I do NOT appreciate misinformation being spread about me. Unless it's me giving the misinformation.
I hear there's some bloggers over in Central city giving my buddy Bar...I mean the Flash a hard time. bad bloggers.
The ONLY person authorized to write my biography is Dan Jurgens. Everyone else it is NOT authorized. That guy Geoff Johns kept getting things wrong. *shakes head* No matter how many times I would tell him he kept "glamorizing" it, and coming from ME...that's Bad.
Jesster posted on Apr. 22, 2016 at 5:00 PM
Thank you Green Lantern!
That's what this makes me think back to. If you're not going to get it right then just shut up.
Boosts-Marvelous posted on Apr. 22, 2016 at 11:33 PM
So why don't we Boosteriffic faithful make a fact correct video? Explain what makes booster, well--BOOSTERRIFIC and why he's the greatest hero you've never heard of.
Personally I actually have hope that what the second season is exploring. Picture this. This first season was to introduce us to the seasoned Rip, who next season will have to begin training his father to be a time master. It's out their sure, but it could happen.
A young glory seeking Booster shows up and some time crises could be the perfect vehicle to introduce the character to the masses AND show that he's more than his reputation. Geoff Johns said they had big plans for Booster and I believe it, Booster is sort of a perfect hero for this generation if marketed correctly. He has a serious amount of two things that DC is lacking greatly on the entertainment side of things. Potential and Heart. Booster gives license to observe any corner of the DC universe, which arguably Legends does, but save for maybe the Flash I hear people complaining that the DCTVU and the DCMU are lacking in heart.
Which I think is also what a lot of these videos about booster are missing. They've figured out his secret identity, but not who he is, and what makes him great. That golden heart.
Boosterrific [Official Comment] posted on Apr. 23, 2016 at 12:19 AM
Ooh. A call to action. I like that. I'm no video specialist, but if anyone wants to make that video, I'll be glad to promote it. (For whatever good that would do. My problem is the mass-market sites interested in informing the layperson. If they were taking the time to come to Boosterrific.com, there wouldn't be so much bad information out there.)
Boosts-Marvelous posted on Apr. 23, 2016 at 6:42 AM
Id be happy to narrate it and help write it, but making the video look quality is out of my skillset and budget (as I would likely do it in Booster Cosplay)
But if we could put together something nice with important images and transitions and the like, and someone could help type up a script, then the hardest part is the video itself (which arguably in someways isn't as important to relay the information)
Anyone know a guy who knows a guy who knows how to youtube? This past internet it to low tech for the likes of this Booster booster.
Michael posted on Apr. 23, 2016 at 9:12 PM
I strongly strongly strongly believe that people are going to hit the band wagon and all of a sudden everyone knows who Booster Gold is and say yeah he is my favorite super heroI always kbew who he was etc. etc.
Boosterrific [Official Comment] posted on Apr. 23, 2016 at 9:57 PM
I think a video about Booster Gold explaining himself is a great idea. I'll put together a post later this week to see if we can drum up some support from a Booster Gold fan who has some video skills.
Tinuvial posted on Apr. 24, 2016 at 4:46 PM
I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to make fun of you Boosterrific. I don't like bias any more than you do, sometimes I get a bit too sarcastic about it. I guess I was trying to be a bit funny about the bias and I went overboard.
Sadly I don't have any video skills to offer but good luck with the video.
Boosterrific [Official Comment] posted on Apr. 24, 2016 at 9:10 PM
No apology necessary, Tinuvial (though I appreciate it). Likewise, I wasn't trying to ruffle any feathers with my response. I'm of a sarcastic bent myself usually; I just didn't want the comment to pass without challenge.
Friday, January 22, 2016
DC released solicitations for April 2016 publications this week, and you don't need me to tell you who was notably absent.
Take a look at the list of gaps between in-continuity appearances:
- 336 days between Superman #124 and Chase #4 (Apr. 1997 to Mar. 1998)
- 302 days between Martian Manhunter #24 and JLA: Our Worlds At War (Sept. 2000 to July 2001)
- 244 days between All Star Western #21 and All Star Western #28 (June 2013 to Feb. 2014)
- 238 days between Stormwatch #12 and All-Star Western #19 (Aug. 2012 to Apr. 2013)
- 210 days between Haven: The Broken City #5 and Superman: Day of Doom #1 (Apr. 2002 to Nov. 2002)
- 210 days between Superman: Day of Doom #1 and JLA: Welcome to the Working Week (Nov. 2002 to June 2003)
- 189 days between Formerly Known as the Justice League #6 and Identity Crisis #1 (Dec. 2003 to June 2004)
- 170 days between Bat-Mite #4 and now (November 2015 to present)
Unless Booster Gold makes a surprise cameo somewhere — and that seems unlikely based on solicitations — it looks like we're going to see the current position go higher. If Booster doesn't appear before May 1, that will mark 270 days between Booster Gold appearances. That's good enough for third place on the all-time list, displacing a gap set only two years ago!
By the way, when Booster Gold Volume 2 was cancelled going into Flashpoint, the series was averaging sales of about 15,000 per issue. That's about as well as Martian Manhunter and Secret Six are selling now. The New 52 Justice League International was canceled with sales of about 28,000 per issue, higher sales than more than half of DC's current offering. I don't see any reason Booster Gold wouldn't be a competitive seller in today's market.
So, DC, why no Booster Gold? Is it the same reason you're not publishing a Supergirl book despite having a monster hit on network television? Did you need that space in your line-up for Telos, a book so unwanted that it was canceled after two issues? Would it cut into the 11 Batman books you release on a monthly basis?
I'm sure DC has their reasons for hiding Booster Gold. Maybe they are even good reasons. But comic books are a business, and I've got money I want to spend. Until DC gives me a Booster Gold book, I guess I'll be spending that money on something published by someone else.
| | Tags: lists rant sales solicitations streaks
Tinuvial posted on Jan. 22, 2016 at 2:44 PM
Telos sounds like a planet from Star Wars...actually, I take that back: it IS a planet from Star Wars. Knights of the Old Republic I believe.
And I'm with you on the money front. I'd love to buy some Booster Gold but until they bring him back, I guess I'll content myself with the Ghostbusters. : P
Michael posted on Jan. 23, 2016 at 2:15 PM
Wow this blog was so informative, I want my Booster back now!
The Blot posted on Jan. 23, 2016 at 4:04 PM
I will never understand the cancellation of JLI. I talked to the creative team at a con and they believed it was purely because DC wanted to tighten up the Justice League brand. I guess JLI cramped their style? I don't know what's going on with the higher ups at DC but they've continually made terrible decisions that have proven bad for business.
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
This week's Supergirl episode included the introduction of a new character, an entrepreneur named Maxwell Lord. I wonder who that could be?
No, seriously. What is Maxwell Lord doing playing low rent Lex Luther to Supergirl? Maxwell Lord belongs to Booster Gold!
Lord first introduced Booster to the Justice League. Lord killed Booster's best friend. Lord came back from the dead and spent another year taunting Booster Gold. That's some history!
What kind of relationship do Lord and Supergirl have? She's was never a member of the Justice League International. Have they ever even appeared together in the same comic?
I like CBS's Supergirl. I like the character of Maxwell Lord. I'm just bitter that Max gets a recurring role on television, and he didn't bring Booster Gold along with him.
| | Tags: maxwell lord rant supergirl television
CDN posted on Nov. 4, 2015 at 4:12 PM
inb4 Lord's corporation took over Kord Industries in an 'aggressive' and 'hostile' take over.
RichardB42 posted on Nov. 4, 2015 at 4:15 PM
Unrelated, Booster got a mention in this week's Bat-Mite. No appearance, just a note on President Obama's desk saying "Booster Gold called. Again!". Made me chuckle.
Boosterrific [Official Comment] posted on Nov. 4, 2015 at 5:05 PM
@CDN One more reason Lord should be Booster's foe!
@RichardB42 Thanks for the notice. That certainly is worthy of a future blog post.
Freytaw posted on Nov. 5, 2015 at 5:55 AM
Greg Berlanti and his "random dc cast" for his "random tv shows". The worst is "Harbringer" who's a secret agent for A.R.G.U.S. on Arrow... and who's married to Diggle. Or maybe, the worst is this guy whe call "The Arrow" who try to be "Green Arrow"... I don't know... xD
Supergirl is not so bad, but I don't understand the place of Maxwell Lord... Or maybe I understand, but I won't admit that he become a low rent Lex Luthor... even in the comics. xD
