DCU Comic Book Reviews

CHECKMATE #27

Chimera, Part Two:  Heart Of Ice

August 2008

Written by Bruce Jones

Pencils by Manuel Garcia

Inks by Travis Lanham

Cover by Manuel Garcia

Synopsis

Once, Akhlut the Beast ravaged the land, turning the world into an icy tundra because of the greed of its people.  Now, Akhlut has returned.  At Checkmate medical facility, the soldier once known as Adam Sharp, now known as Chimera continues to be tested.  Chimera is the perfect soldier, except for mental instability.  Elsewhere, Adam’s girlfriend refuses to believe Adam is dead.  In the Arctic Circle, Pawn Six reports locating Akhlut’s position.  Chimera is called in to deal with threat.  Pawn Six then heads off to meet Chimera, but is killed en route.  Pawn Six’s place is taken by someone else, who meets Chimera moments before Akhlut attacks. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

I am having a tough time with this second part of the story.  There is nothing bad about it, per se.  The mystery of the strange creature from last issue deepens and with the murder of Pawn Six there seems to some kind of conspiracy or bigger threat going on than just the beast.  All of that is good stuff with an interesting hook.  My trouble with this issue comes with the central problem to the ideal soldier, Chimera, in which the doctors don’t know what is wrong with him.  As the reader, I know what is wrong:  he misses his girlfriend.  So those sections where they discuss his emotional state lack any mystery or punch to it; we already know why he is feeling what he feels.  And I guess that is where my problems begin.  In a sense, I am smarter than the characters; I know where the story is going to go.  Somehow, Adam’s girlfriend gets thrust into the plot and in front of Chimera, either on her way or by someone in Checkmate, to stop the rampaging force that is the Chimera.  Either that or Jones tosses a curveball because the girlfriend angle is so predictable.  But even that is predictable.  If you understand what I am trying to say.  I wonder if the story would benefit from excising the scenes with Adam’s girlfriend so that when the characters figure out what is going on, we are not several issues ahead of the game. 

I should also point out, like last issue, this issue lacks any of the characteristics that made Rucka’s run on this title so great.  The main cast is missing (except for brief appearance by Fire) and except for a brief moment at the end, there really is no espionage, cover operations, or power struggles within Checkmate.  Really, two issues in Jones’ run and I feel like I am reading a completely different book.  It is a shame, really. 

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