DCU Comic Book Reviews

CHECKMATE #8

Pawn 502, Part One

January 2007

Written by Greg Rucka

Pencils by Jesus Saiz

Inks by Jesus Saiz

Cover by Jesus Saiz

Synopsis

In Detroit Michigan, members of Kobra purchase guns from a white supremacist and then use a rattlesnake to kill him.  At Checkmate headquarters, White King Michael Holt (aka Mr. Terrific) and Black King Sasha Bourdeaux are fighting, when Sasha is given the news regarding Pawn 502, an undercover agent part of the Kobra faction in Detroit.  Part of Pawn 502’s report includes news this faction of Kobra have recruited a new member:  Emmet Brown, a former participant of Luthor’s metagene project with the ability to become invisible.  Later, Kobra uses their new member to steal some cash.  Later, when they meet up at the leader’s apartment, they are captured (except for Brown who escape) by the department of metahuman affairs.  In prison, Sasha tells Pawn 502 that despite the setback, he will become part of Kobra.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

“The operation’s gone tits up, thought.”

I didn’t think it was even possible to say something like in a DC book.

This was an outstanding beginning to this storyline with a lot of potential to continuously get better and better.  The inclusion of the DMA (and presumably Sarge Steel and perhaps Diana Prince) into one of Checkmate’s operations should provide some good inter-office politics (the intrigue! the back stabbing!) while the stuff with Pawn 502 inside Kobra should provide some good action and suspense.  Plus, Rucka manages to work in the after effects of Luthor’s everyman project and keeps the Sasha-Terrific relationship twisting in the wind.  What sets this above the previous issues, I think, is the lack of super heroes or super villains.  These are not gaudily dressed, over-the-top characters.  They all seem like real people working covert government operations or real people with devotion and faith in a religion/organization.  Even the presence of Mr. Terrific is downplayed (although it is a little jarring to see him wearing his Fair Play costume).  

I think I outsmarted myself.  The fact that Lucas (Pawn 502) was the one Kobra member who did not want to kill instantly made me think he was a spy, even before we were told the small had a spy.  But it seemed liked such an obvious thing that I began to doubt myself and I started to think that perhaps there was twist when it was finally going to be revealed.  So, I was mildly surprised to see it really was Lucas. 

I am curious to see who Rucka has tabbed to be the new White Bishop.  When Sasha had to pick a new recruit, I speculated that it might be a known character.  I was wrong.  Does Rucka have the authority to use a super hero and if he does will it be somebody not being used or somebody who will pull double duty?  Who in the DCU could possibly fill the same role as Mr. Terrific?  I think it would be hoot if Alan Scott was chosen as Bishop. 

ïPREVIOUS	Main		Page	NEXTð

Home ●  Blog ● Who Are We? ● Site News
Alive and Well since April 16, 2006

 DC Universe Reviews.  All Rights Reserved
  Characters, trademarks, brands are property of DC Comics

For problems or questions regarding this website, please contact our kindly webmaster.
Last updated: 08/06/11.