Thing 1: Regarding my conundrum of removing non-unique appearances from the Boosterrific! Database, Booster boosters seem to generally prefer that Boosterrific.com lists only comics with distinct Booster Gold appearances (option B). Rather than throw away that data forever, I've tried to ensure that there are now only two places on the site where you'll find links to those issues (the lists of books for specific advertisements accessible via the Advertisements page and the dropdown to select issues on the Comic Books landing page). Hopefully that will satisfy the largest number of critics, including the annoying little voice in the back of my mind that continues to complain about choices made by younger me.

Thing 2: As you're probably aware, Supergirl, um, underpeformed at the box office on its opening weekend. As the always-worth-reading ProgressiveRuin.com points out, there's probably more than one reason for that. (I'm part of the problem; I didn't see it either. Widely advertising that it's based on the work of my least favorite writer is a pretty good way to make sure I stay away.) Whatever the exact cause(s), there's no way the end result at the box office helps the development of the forever-in-the-works Booster Gold television show. Maybe people will respond better to Lanterns.

Comments (3) | Add a Comment | Tags: movies progressiveruin.com supergirl television website update

What makes a hero super? The super powers! From awesome strength to zero-to-sixty speed, great superpowers are the most useful tricks in every famous costumed crime-fighter's tool kit. Michael Jon Carter knew this, and that's why he started his career with an impenetrable force field.

When he looted his equipment from the Space Museum, Booster Gold literally had his pick of powers, and he chose only the best from Superman's history. Perhaps none of his impressive array of powers are more notable or powerful than his force field belt.

First encountered in Action Comics #242 (1958), the original belt was the creation of Brainiac, a brilliant alien who claimed mastery of super-scientific forces. His "Ultra-Force Barrier," controlled via his belt remote, was strong enough to frustrate any attempt Superman made against him. The Ultra-Force Barrier was expandable enough to envelope entire space ships and whole planets. No matter the size, at full power it resisted anything used against it, from energy beams to projectiles to Men of Steel.

Brainiac would go on to become one of Earth's greatest foes, but his descendant, Brainiac 5 of the Legion of Super-Heroes, would become one of Earth's greatest allies. From his first appearance in Action Comics #276 (1961), Braniac 5 was using his own variation on his ancestor's technology to help make Supergirl even more powerful than her cousin, Superman. Like it's predecessor, Brainiac 5's Force-Shield Belt was resizable and could stop all radiation and matter alike, although its smaller, more portable size limited the duration it could be used.

Brainiac 5 would recreate his signature belt many times over the years, and he would occasionally lend them out to protect the lives of others. Once he even gave a copy to United States President Ronald Reagan (as seen in Booster Gold #9, 1986). Centuries later, that belt would be put on display in the Space Museum for a disgraced ex-football player to find. That thief would put it good use.

Booster Gold integrated the Force Field into his costume, relocating the controls from the belt to his gauntlets where he could more easily adjust its size, strength, and area of focus. The field proved its worth almost immediately, saving the young hero from an army of gunfire (in Booster Gold #3), massive bombs (Booster Gold #5), and Superman himself (Booster Gold #7). In addition to protecting himself, Booster has put the field to more creative uses destroying a incredibly toxic poison (in Booster Gold #17) and containing a rogue Green Lantern (Justice League International #19).

In many ways, the Force Field has become Booster Gold's signature power. And that's Boosterrific!

Justice League International #9 (1988)

Comments (2) | Add a Comment | Tags: action comics adventure comics brainiac brainiac 5 force field justice league international powers supergirl superman

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.

Comments (4) | Add a Comment | Tags: maxwell lord rant supergirl television