Who Is Booster Gold? The DCU’s Superhero From the Future Explained

The public loves him. The Justice League hates him. Not even Superman likes this guy at first. However, this isn’t a supervillain we’re talking about; it’s the spotlight-loving superhero Booster Gold! But when innocent lives are in danger, the fate of the multiverse is at stake, or there’s a timeline to protect, Booster Gold steps up as a real hero. After turning on his livestream, of course. 

James Gunn has announced a live-action TV series starring Booster Gold is part of the upcoming DC Studios slate. Booster Gold, created by Dan Jurgens in the 1980s, could be considered one of the first-ever clout chasers. Forget lofty ideals – he joined the superhero business for fame and money. Booster Gold is the perfect hero for the modern age of social media, so he’s going to fit right into the “Gods and Monsters” phase of the new DC cinematic universe. As Gunn put it when announcing the new slate, “Basically, Booster Gold is imposter syndrome as a superhero.” 

So just who is the guy Gunn calls a loser from the future? Here’s everything you need to know about the greatest hero you’ve never heard of… 

Booster Gold’s DC Origin Story 

Booster and his sidekick robot Skeets are originally from the year 2462. In his time, Michael Jon Carter was a promising young quarterback for Gotham University. Desperate for money, Michael was caught betting on college football games in a huge scandal, and Gotham U expelled him. He eventually found a job as a guard at the space museum in Metropolis, where he met a security robot – Skeets. 

At the museum he marveled at the exhibits highlighting Earth’s golden age of heroes. Michael realized there was an opportunity for a superhero to have endorsement deals just like star athletes, but knew he was too infamous to reach that level of celebrity. So he grabbed superpowered equipment from the museum and, along with Skeets, activated Rip Hunter’s time machine (also on exhibit) to go back in time. 

Booster Gold began his hero career in present-day Metropolis. He quickly rose to fame, never missing a chance to deliver a sound bite, although being a superhero proved to be a lot more difficult than he expected. But if Booster is anything, he’s persistent, so his quest for fame never ends. 

Basically, Booster Gold is imposter syndrome as a superhero. –James Gunn

Booster Gold’s Powers and Abilities 

Michael was a regular guy in his time, although with the physical skills befitting a gifted athlete. The equipment he stole mimics superpowers, including a power suit that bestows him with super-strength and energy blasts and a force field that renders him almost invulnerable. He also grabbed a Legion Flight Ring and glitzy high-tech goggles to complete the outfit. 

Building his brand is Booster Gold’s real superpower. He’s put his name on licensed goods from action figures to comic books and lunch boxes. And then there’s Booster Flakies cereal, Booster Bubble Gum, the Boostermobile made by Brysler, the Booster Golden Nugget casino… the list goes on. Michael knows a licensing opportunity when he sees one. 

Meet Skeets 

Of all the objects Michael lifted from the Space Museum, by far the smartest move he made was bringing along the AI-powered Skeets. 

Skeets might technically be Booster Gold’s sidekick, but everyone knows Booster would be lost without his sentient robot pal. He often calls Skeets “coach,” a nod to his football past as well as a hint of how much he looks up to the little robot. Skeets is an indispensable source of knowledge and battle tactics, occasionally taking advantage of the historical records of the present day that he carries from the future. 

Booster Gold’s Connection to the DCU 

Booster is at his best when he’s paired with the second Blue Beetle, Ted Kord. Ted and Michael are one of comics’ best bromances. They don’t always get along, but when they’re in sync, bad guys beware. While it’s unknown how much the character of Ted Kord is involved in the Blue Beetle movie coming out later this year, here’s hoping Kord and Carter find a way to team up in a DC Studios project.

Booster Gold has made some live-action TV appearances before, first in a 2011 episode of Smallville. Later, a character named Mike with some similar personality traits, played by Donald Faison, was part of the series finale of Legends of Tomorrow. But Booster Gold is essentially a blank slate for the modern audience.

Of the “superhero’s imposter syndrome” conceit, Gunn said, “How do you deal with that? (It’s about) how he tries to use this future technology to be loved by the people of today and what is really at the base of that. It’s a character story that’s going to be a very different type of show, and we’re talking to an actor about it now.” 

Who might play the flashy hero? Top Gun Maverick’s Glen Powell has been mentioned by fans, and he certainly gets a kick out of the character. “Booster Gold is really funny,” he said in a recent Entertainment Tonight interview. Naturally, it’s too early to know for sure who will be playing the classic superhero in his first-ever series. As usual when it comes to Booster Gold, only time will tell.