DCU Comic Book Reviews

CHECKMATE #16

Past Perfect

September 2007

Written by Greg Rucka and Geoff Johns

Pencils by Joe Bennett and Joe Prado

Inks by Jack Jadson and Joe Prado

Cover by Karl Kerschel

Synopsis

Twenty-two months ago...Sasha Bourdeaux admits she has feelings for Michael Holt (aka Mr. Terrific), mostly because the nanobots that infected her can’t “see” him.  Hence, she sees him as a person, not part of the program.  Now...Sasha has trouble adjusting after being tortured.  Mr. Terrific offers to help.  In Nova Scotia, Beatriz Dacosta (aka Fire) is reunited with Tora Olafsdotter (aka Ice).  In Portsmouth, Dr. Mid-Nite examines Sasha and determines there is no way to remove the nanobots.  He also senses that Mr. Terrific cares for her and that it is obvious she fees the same.  At the Castle, Sasha is enraged when August General in Iron (a member of the Great Ten who stood while Chang Tzu tortured her) arrives at the castle, but she even more upset when she realizes he is the new Black King’s Bishop.  Eighteen months ago, Sasha and Mr. Terrific kissed for the time in Switzerland.  Now, they return to the same place.  Mr. Terrific believes they should resume their romantic relationship.  That night, while they sleep, Mirror Master watches and takes photographs.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Credit must go to Greg Rucka for this issue because he firmly understands the need to provide a bridging issue between the recent Outsider’s crossover and the upcoming storyline that will focus on Amanda Waller.  Rather than diving into a new story, Rucka takes the time to move the characters into position (much like a chess game - Har!).  The story is sprinkled with a little bit of espionage (a new Bishop) and romance (Michael and Sasha), both of which are caused by the “CheckOut” story and both of which will become important in the upcoming story.  For any new readers from the Outsiders crossover, Rucka manages to re-establish characters and relationships, allowing the newbies to immerse themselves in the large cast without feeling overwhelmed. 

As someone who reads virtually all of the books that take place within the DC universe, I really enjoyed the reunion between Fire and Ice.  But that is probably because I read the storyline that brought her back to life, in the Birds of Prey.  For anyone who never read BoP, I am sure the Fire and Ice reunion would seem out of place, occurring without any background or context since Ice’s resurrection is never explained (or how Checkmate got a hold of her other than a brief mention of Spy Smasher, a character just recently introduced in BoP).  Further, for anyone who was unfamiliar with Justice League International (the good old days Fire refers to) the scene lacks some emotional resonance, although Rucka does a good job making them seem like the friends they are.

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