The back pages of 2008's Booster Gold: 52 Pick-Up hardback treated readers to Dan Jurgens' early sketches for Booster Gold's costume.

As odd as some of these are, none of these designs stray too far from the Booster Gold costume we've come to know and love. And there must be something right about Booster's costume because it has stood the test of time.

I asked Booster's creator Dan Jurgens how much credit he thought Booster's costume deserved in keeping the character at the forefront of the DC Universe for 30 years.

A lot. I really do believe it's a great look -- very tailored to the character, much in the same way Green Lantern's always seemed perfect for him.

That's our Booster Gold. Anything worth doing is worth doing in style.

As always, thanks to Dan Jurgens.

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If you're a die-hard DC Comics fan, you've probably noticed that the costume worn by the Teen Titans ally Red Star bore more than a passing resemblance to Booster Gold's original costume.

Red Star's first appearance was in 1968. Back then, he was named Starfire (though he eventually lost that name to a certain alien princess). He returned to action in the early and mid-80s wearing the same costume: goggles, exposed face, high collar, star on his chest.

Is it possible that this minor Teen Titans acquaintance could have influenced Dan Jurgens when he created Booster Gold's costume a few years later? I put that question to Jurgens himself.

I really don't think so, though I was familiar with it.

More than anything, I always liked the cut-off mask like Kid Flash and Marvel's [Captain] Marvell had. The exposed hair added a dramatic flair. In addition, having goggles instead of a full face mask fit because he wasn't going to have a secret identity anyway.

So there you have it. Not Red Star, but Kid Flash!

Do you have any questions about Booster Gold's origins after 30 years? Speak up, and we'll investigate!

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Friday the 13th. It's an unlucky day for some, largely owing to the superstition around the number 13. Some high-rise buildings don't have a 13th floor, some cities skip 13th Streets, and few athletes wear the number 13. In comics, there is one notable exception:

That's right. While playing quarterback for Gotham University, Michael "Booster" Carter wore the number 13.

There aren't a lot of quarterbacks in history who have worn 13, and fewer still who could be considered "America's Best." However, back in 1985 when Dan Jurgens was creating Booster Gold, there was one 13 already in the process of shattering most major football passing records. That young quarterback was Dan Marino. Could Marino, who was also dogged by rumors of inappropriate behavior in college (in his case it was recreational drugs, not cheating) have influenced Jurgens' choice of uniform number for "Booster" Carter?

I put the question to Jurgens himself. He said no.

Jurgens: Booster's #13 had nothing to do with Dan Marino. It was totally symbolic of the "unlucky number" aspect. It just felt appropriate.

So there you have it: Michael "Booster" Carter's 13 was Jurgens' way of foreshadowing of Booster's bad luck. (It's probably no coincidence that we first learn that Booster Gold wore number 13 on the 13th page of Booster Gold, Volume 1, #6.) Poor kid.

This has been the first installment in our year-long series:

Do you have any questions about Booster Gold's origins after 30 years? Speak up, and we'll investigate!

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