Booster Gold wanted to be a real hero.

One of those famous heroes.

Oh yeah. Having his own merchandise for his fans? Meet and greets, dishing out signatures left and right, close-up shots for the camera, saving the day? Mint his very own rare, gold exclusive mini figurines? He wanted to be idolized in posters, word of mouth, feared and revered by villains alike, become a hero history will always remember! Booster Gold!!

... But that Boosterrific toy brand he wanted to start hasn't been taking off, all cause he's “not a household name”. Not “big leagues material”. Not yet. ~~Darn!~~

He's still been turning to reliable, trusty, best robot sidekick Skeets for suggestions for his business. Michael has a plan: he can't mooch off of collaborations with fellow heroes outside the JLI, or beg for sponsorships from the Bat. Maxwell already says he's been ‘pushing it’. Gotta play fair. Gotta play it safe, they say.

Baaaloney.

Now Michael's noticed that just about every hero with a trademark has their own rogue's gallery, their own arch-nemesis to trade banter with, who keeps giving them grief.

And he realizes, that's it! That's Booster Gold’s missing ingredient. (Sidekick is another potential one on the list! But, not-so-much if you're not out there putting out trouble like what firefighters are to flames, as heroes are to… crime and evil!)

Booster’s printed out plentiful business cards to pass out. Gave them to handcuffed goons, left them for KO’d foes to wake up to. Cue the speed-dating montage! … Villain edition.

“Yo—hey, cool gear. Here, take my number. You might just be my villain of the year! No? Hey, it’s worth a shot! Think of the PR!!”

“The jester theme? Classic! You know, if you ever wanna be my own bad guy, call me! Uh, from jail. Don't be shy! I'll always pick up.”

A wink here, an ear-to-ear grin there… Gee, tough crowd. No matter the annoyed glares and grumbles he got, or the few petty rejections of watching his cards be ripped up, someone even chewed it up and spat it at his feet, damn the snickers and the eyerolls he got from the officers, civilians, his heroic peers—hey, Booster Gold’s not one to give up!

The ambitious search still hasn’t stopped.

“Hey! Hey, I’ve been looking around for a villain to call my arch-nemesis. You wanna help a hero out? I think you're just perfect for the part, y'know? You're new to the block too..." His hands are on his hips in that classic Supes pose. “Maybe we could boost each other. Huh? Huh??” Hehe. Get it?

Skeets then interjects, "Sir? By their expression—" “—I know, Skeets.” Booster interrupts with a placating hand.

His floating golden companion continues, "They do not appear friendly or interested, sir."

“Uh huh.” Except Michael’s still got that big toothy grin, and he proudly continues anyway. “So? Whaddya say? Wanna help out a guy? Well—I know you’re bad, but—”