By Geoff Johns, Jeff Katz, Dan Jurgens & Norm Rapmund (DC Comics)
ISBN13: 978-1-84576-847-8
Spinning off from the weekly series 52 and by extension Infinite Crisis, this intriguing take on Heroism features Booster Gold – a hero traditionally only in it for fame and fortune – acting as a secret saviour, repairing the cracks in Reality caused by all the universe-warping shenanigans of myriad universal, multiversal Crises. Working at the instruction of the enigmatic Rip Hunter: Time Master, Booster forgoes all his dreams of acclaim to save us all over and over again.
In this volume (collecting issues #1-6 of the monthly series) whilst undertaking this monumental plastering job, Hunter and Booster find themselves at war with a gang of villains using time-travel to eradicate superheroes before they can begin their careers. In short order he reinstates the events that lead to the creation of Green Lantern, both the Barry Allen and Wally West Flashes, and via a unique team-up with butt-faced bounty hunter Jonah Hex, even Superman himself.
Along the way he has to take steps to ensure his own birth by introducing his 20th century ancestor to his future wife and is attacked by another relative using the Supernova outfit he used in 52. Complex, no?
The book ends on a semi-cliffhanger that depends on one of Hunter’s prime Maxims being wrong. After a salutary lesson involving Batgirl and the Joker (based on Batman: The Killing Joke) falls on deaf ears, Booster ignores the warning that the past cannot safely be changed, and with the aid of past and future incarnations deliberately thwarts the murder of the Ted Kord Blue Beetle. With his best friend restored to him he feels ready for anything, but surely, nothing is ever that easy for the Greatest Hero Never Known?
Fast-paced and deeply imbedded in various DC continuities this is a light but readable thriller, but might be a little hard going for readers new to the DCU. However writers Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz do a fine job keeping things accessible whilst Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund capably handle the vast cast of characters just passing through. Worth a look, but if you’re unsure, perhaps you should wait for the paperback edition.
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