DCU Comic Book Reviews

CHECKMATE #13

CheckOut, Part One

June 2007

Written by Greg Rucka and Geoff Johns

Pencils by Joe Bennett

Inks by Jack Jadson

Cover by Matthew Clark and Art Thibert

Synopsis

In London, Checkmate Black Knight Josephine Tautin is able to subdue and capture Captain Boomerang, Jr. of the Outsiders team.  At the Checkmate Castle, Black Queen Sasha Bordeaux oversees the operation to capture the Outsiders.  In San Francisco, White Knight Tommy Jagger captures Katana and, in Ann Arbor, White Knight Werner Vertigo captures Metamorpho.  In New York City, Nightwing receives a distress call from Metamorpho before his capture.  Nightwing attempts to reach the rest of the Outsiders, but gets no reply.  In Florida, Black Knight Fire leads the attack and eventual capture of Thunder and Grace, although the duo are able to warn Nightwing before they get caught.  Later at the castle, Sasha is returning to her room, when Nightwing attacks her.  [To be continued in Outsiders, issue #47]

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Rucka and Winick start this crossover story in a very traditional manner as they start the proceedings in one book by essentially doing a role call of the various members of the other book, the Outsiders, to allow non-Outsiders readers a chance to learn more about who will be part of the story.  I wouldn’t at all be surprised if the next story features the Outsiders getting a briefing on the ins and outs of Checkmate.  As I said, it is a traditional storytelling device, but it does work, showing Checkmate to be very effective in doing their jobs even as they bicker amongst themselves.  Even with the co-writing credit, this issue definitely belongs to Checkmate as we get the espionage and political thriller elements usual to this book rather than the superhero antics in the Outsiders.  It is interesting to note that although the story is credited to both Rucka and Winick, the latter’s usual storytelling “voice” is not really heard in this issue.  I wonder if this is a case of Rucka and his editor having the last word on the writing and thus slanting Winick’s contributions towards their style or Winick and Rucka working well enough together to develop a singular voice between the two of them. 

The story does not make a big deal that the Outsiders are considered criminals, but based on events in the Outsiders Annual and then the One Year Later leap, that is exactly their current position.  However, I don't think this issue is heading in that direction.  I am guessing that Checkmate wants the Outsiders for a mission, not to arrest them.  

Personally, I want to know where Josephine was hiding that needle.  There don’t look like there are too many places in the outfit of hers.  I also thought the name of the bar (Victim) was aptly chosen.  And what was the deal with Metamorpho flushing the food down the toilet?  Did he do that because he didn’t order room service and he thought it migth’ve been tainted? 

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