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Last time in this analysis of the mystery behind 52 we saw the genesis of several subplots – why were the Red Tornado’s last words “52″, why is Intergang kidnapping evil geniuses, and just what has Mister Mind turned into? Now it’s time to look at one of 52′s big players – Booster Gold (Michael Jon Carter) and his robotic companion Skeets. They were originally from the 25th century, but came back in time so Booster could play at being a superhero.
Recently Booster has been trying to use Skeet’s historical database to reestablish his reputation as a hero, but something has been causing problems – events and history does not appear to conform to Skeet’s records. Will Magnus gave Skeet’s computer AI the all clear in Week #2, so Booster has been trying to find the time traveller Rip Hunter so see if there is a problem with time. The signs were there if Booster was smart enough to spot them – references to the number 52 and numbers that add up to 52 are scattered throughout this entire series.
Booster eventually finds Hunter’s Arizona Lab in Week #6, but it appears uninhabited. Skeets has to hold the security system off line while Booster goes inside so he doesn’t see what Booster finds. Inside are random notes and keywords about the future. Many of them are hints at future developments in the series. Some of them are ones we’re interested in. These include:
- “Time is broken” – something is wrong with history. This is Booster’s problem, but its a symptom of something larger.
- “Someone is monitoring. They see us. They see me.” – a reference to the Monitors. They appear briefly in 52: WORLD WAR III, but play a more central role in COUNTDOWN and FINAL CRISIS.
- 52 circles each with the number 52 inside – 52 worlds, the key is that Earth is shown as a circle
- “The Tornado is in pieces” – a direct reference to he Red Tornado’s accident.
Along with the references to 52 there is the message “His fault!” with arrows pointing to photographs of Booster. We’re meant to think something is Booster’s fault, but it isn’t. The arrows are actually pointing at Skeets.
Week #10 features the first appearance of Supernova, the hero that replaced Superman in Metropolis and supplanted Booster Gold in the public’s affection – particularly after Ralph Dibny exposed Booster’s rigged heroics. By Week #15 the failure of Skeet’s database has made Booster desperate to recreate his success at any cost. Booster tries to save the day when the Ballostro sea-monster attacks Metropolis, but Supernova’s more effective intervention enrages Booster. He finally redeems himself by sacrificing his life to fly an exploding submarine clear of the city.
With Booster dead, Skeets is left on his own. Three week’s later at Booster’s funeral Skeets recognizes Daniel Carter, an ancestor of Booster and makes contact with him. In Week #19 Skeet’s explains to Daniel that he hadn’t accompanied Booster into Rip Hunter’s lab and that he now needs Daniel to accompany him back there.
Daniel sees the the notes about “Its his fault” and tell’s Skeets. The robot realizes that Hunter knows about him and seals Daniel inside the lab. The Evil Skeets reappears in Week #24 when he ambushes a wannabe version of the Justice League.
Next: 52 interlude – who was that JLA?
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