DCU Comic Book Reviews

CHECKMATE #14

CheckOut, Part Three

July 2007

Written by Greg Rucka and Geoff Johns

Pencils by Joe Bennett and Eddy Barrows

Inks by Jack Jadson and Eddy Barrows

Cover by Matthew Clark and Art Thibert

Synopsis

[Continued from Outsiders, issue #47]

On a combined mission, Checkmate and the Outsiders are headed to Oolong Island.  Along the way, the Pequod is attacked by a sea monster, which Grace and Thunder are able to dislodge.  On the island, Black Queen Sasha Bordeaux leads the infiltration team, including Nightwing, to the facility.  Captain Boomerang, Jr. wants to go along as well, claiming he had done it before with Waller and Task Force X.  This bit of news intrigues Sasha and Boomer is allowed to go along with the team.  At Checkmate Headquarters, Waller hears what Boomer said and realizes it might spell doom for them, if he comes back alive.  Meanwhile, Sasha and her team reach the island’s datahub and begin transmitting back to Checkmate.  Suddenly a virus starts to invade Checkmate’s system, forcing White King Michael Holt to shut down the system, leaving Sasha and her team alone on the island, where they are surrounded. [Continued in Outsiders, issue #48]

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Even in the midst of a big crossover event with another of DC’s teams, Rucka still manages to work in Checkmate politics into the storyline.  Ya gotta love it.  Because if you don’t, I can’t imagine what else this issue would have to offer.  It starts with the teams being attacked and ends with the teams being attacked once more.  The only difference is the location of the attack.  Other than that, this is more like a Checkmate issue than part of a crossover.  But, then, I like that.  I love the political intrigue and the intricacies of the dynamics of all of the people insider the Chemakte organization,.  

The plot of not only the crossover, but also this issue, is fairly basic, so it allows Rucka and Winick to explore the team members, especially when putting them together.  The best example ofthis is Boomer innocently letting the cat out of the bag regarding his time with Task Force X.   Strangely, after getting this bit of information, Sasha doesn’t follow up on it and instead spends her time talking to Nightwing about working with Batman.  While I like the conversation and it is interested to see two of Batman’s partners discussing their time with the Dark Knight, I also find some this repetitive from the previous issue.  At this point it is intrusive to the plot and the rest of the story.

I am confused, however.  I thought the Outsiders were recruited by Checkmate, because Checkmate could not afford the political backlash if they were to enter Oolong Island.  Yet, not only is Checkmate involved in the mission, but their White Queen is leading the charge.  This does not make sense to me, at all. 

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