December's Justice League 3000 #12 sees the return of two fan-favourite characters: Blue Beetle and Booster Gold. But these are not the New 52 incarnations of the duo -- this is Ted Kord and Michael Jon Carter, on their own earth. Which means... Justice League 3000 actually takes place in a possible future of the pre-New 52 universe. Confused? Allow series writer Keith Giffen to explain. Unlike other members of this future JL, who are parasites recreated using the DNA of the original heroes, this is actually the real deal. "Basically, a cryogenic chamber is found on Takron-Galtos while they're excavating, and inside are Beetle and Booster. It's Ted and Michael. It's really, really them." Just to clarify: "It's not clones. It's not the parasite thing. It's not a trick. It's not an imaginary story." Newsarama, who conducted the interview with Giffen, points out that those characters are from before New 52. "So what does that have to say about what universe Justice League 3000 is taking place on?" he teased. "Maybe a universe where, if you went back and looked at Superman in the 21st Century, he might be wearing his underpants on the outside." But before you get too excited, the writer explains that things are a little different in this universe, as Beetle hasn't been shot in the head, nor have the two of them split up. So if you were skeptical of the rumours that the pre-New 52 world still exists, I'd reconsider some things. What does this mean for you guys, though? Excited to see these two return, or confused as to how this is all going to happen? Leave your thoughts in the usual place.