Counting Down the Most Anticipated Superhero Shows of 2012 (11-19)

Although the sun is setting on 2011, one of the most prolific years ever for superhero shows, 2012 aims to raise the bar even higher. Not only are massive amounts of new shows planned for the upcoming year, but the A-listers are being tapped. While Wolverine and Superman, both originally planned for 2012 releases, scurried off to less crowded pastures, 2012 still promises to be plenty busy. And though any superhero show may at least offer a hint of promise, I can't be super excited for all of them. Here is the ranking of my anticipation for announced shows planned to debut in the upcoming year:

Booster Gold to get a Boost on SyFy?

Joining the ranks of comic book properties in development is Booster Gold. According to the Hollywood Reporter, SyFy has ordered a pilot script for the glory hound from the future who is probably best known for his guest role on Smallville's 10th season episode Booster.

Spotlight on Booster Gold

Booster Gold first appeared in the 1986 issue, Booster Gold #1. The hero from the future brought high tech gadgets to our time to help fight crime while gaining fame and glory.


Old Booster first appeared onscreen in Justice League Unlimited's 2004 episode, The Greatest Story Never Told. In the tale, Booster failed to get recognition from League leadership as a true hero, but he ended up saving the day regardless.

Booster Gold was next spotted by eagle-eyed viewers in 2006 during a cameo appearance in the pilot episode of the Legion of Superheroes season in which the hero (likely still in pre-hero mode) could be seen as a janitor of the future.

Beginning in 2009, Goldie made several appearances in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, as usual accompanied by his hovering robot Skeets.

In 2010, Imaginext posted an online ad / cartoon for their upcoming line of toys titled The Joker's Playhouse. This love letter to Super Friends fans featured your typical Justice League first stringers in action but was generous enough to give Booster a shout out as a pitchman from cereal on a billboard.

In perhaps his highest profile appearance to date, Booster Gold is set to appear, along with long time buddy Blue Beetle, for the first time in live-action on the April 22, 2011 Smallville episode Booster. In the episode, Booster arrives from the future eager to claim the fame that Superman is so reluctant to accept. Things are looking up for Booster Gold, all this exposure only ensures that he isn't going anywhere soon.

Blue and Gold in Supes Future

Here is the first look at Booster Gold and Blue Beetle from the upcoming Smallville episode Booster. It looks like they are going with the new Blue Beetle Jaime Reyes, which is fine, I just wonder if there will be any mention of the fallen Ted Kord, Booster's original buddy, ala their team-up in the recent Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode Menace of the Madnicks! In any case, they both look pretty decent. Its hard to believe this duo will likely be the last new guest heroes to grace Smallville before the series wraps up in just a few episodes.

Super Friends Reborn, Online, Kinda

Fisher Price has gone above and beyond to promote their DC Super Friends line of Imaginext toys by creating an animated short titled The Joker's Playhouse. While Superman and Batman were showcased, Green Lantern, Cyborg, Hawkman, and Flash also did their best to convince kids they were toy worthy. The toys have been around for a couple years, but a new wave looks to be arriving in 2011.

The clip opens with an homage to the old Super Friends show, but Wonder Woman, Aquaman and Robin don't actually appear in the episode- but even Booster Gold got a cameo.

The heroes face off with the Joker in the Hall of Justice along with a couple of other baddies who may end up as toys including Gorilla Grodd, an "ice-sliding" Mr. Freeze, and Solomon Grundy. This is the kind of commercial you just don't mind sitting through.

Up Next: Young Justice

The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure * Super Friends * The All New Super Friends Hour * Challenge of the Super Friends * Legends of the Superheroes * The World's Greatest Super Friends * Super Friends (Shorts) * Super Friends (Lost Episodes) * Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show * The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians * Justice League of America (TV Pilot) * Justice League Unlimited on Batman Beyond * Justice League * Justice League Unlimited * Smallville * The Batman * Justice League: The New Frontier * Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths * Batman: The Brave and the Bold * Imaginext - DC Super Heroes

Smallville Super Suit and Secrets Revealed

Among other things, the Smallville Season 10 preview footage at Comic Con teased the Superman suit that is rumored to be a part of Smallville's final season. The suit is supposedly a modified version of the one seen in Superman Returns. And, Clark will finally fly (though when we still dont know)


IGN.com also reports that Geoff Johns, who wrote season 8's Legion of Superheroes and season 9's Justice Society episodes, will write a season 10 episode featuring Blue Beetle and Booster Gold. This may be the origin of the Blue Beetle test footage. Also, Darkseid will be in season 10. ComicBookMovie.com also reports that Brainiac will return once again. Sounds like the last season has great potential.