DC Comics reviews 7/20-21 – Nightwing #82, The Flash #772

Blue and Gold #1

Over the course of their tenure as Justice League International teammates, Booster Gold and Blue Beetle became one of the more popular comic book BFFs. It’s taken too long, but DC is finally delivering a series that hopes to recapture that JLI magic with Blue and Gold.

It’s weird when the creator of a character tends to skew towards a more negative portrayal of their character than any other writer. Jurgens writes Booster as a one-note self-promoting loser. When Booster was added to the JLI, writers Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatties gave Booster more depth than just a futuristic glory hound. Geoff Johns gave Booster a tremendous overhaul in his short-lived series that accommodated the jokester Booster with a nobler, true mission.

With influencer culture running rampant Booster could be a timely character, but Jurgens is content still keeping him a vain, clueless narcissist.

The current Justice League has been captured by an alien force and Booster sees this as a prime opportunity to plug his livestream and paid accounts. Fortunately, Skeets has the foresight to reach out to Blue Beetle. Superman is missing from the captives and apparently is already off planet now. Maybe Martian Manhunter, Supergirl, the Titans or Justice League Dark we’re just busy?

Jurgens captures the fun of Booster and Beetle interacting with Skeets serving as the straight man/robot.

Ryan Sook’s artwork is amazing with his usual stunning blend of realistic takes on characters and big action sequences. Hopefully, Sook is signed on long-term as the artist as his style is a great fit for the characters.

The potential with Blue and Gold is obvious. If Jurgens avoids taking the easy route in making Booster a walking punchline this could be one of the standout new DC titles in 2021.

Rating: 8 out of 10