Customer Reviews

Outsiders/Checkmate: Checkout

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased this book because of the Checkmate portion of the book. I was not disappointed with any part of it. All the characters are really interesting and fun to watch. It was really interesting to see how Nightwing and Sasha Bordeaux worked together. If you enjoy either of these books I would recommend looking at this one.

Wow! This was some SERIOUS story-telling and powerful character development. Want really, really BAD bad guys? You got 'em in this issue, and the good guys have their hands full.

The Outsiders are a great team of wreckless heroes who push the limits of the law (and even break sokme of them), to get the bad guys, and this time, they reluctantly team up with secret agency Checkmate to take down the bad guys on Oolong Island.

Really serious, intriguing storyline in this one with a guest appearance by the Caped Crusader himself.

There's a certain talent required to take a character as ridiculous as Egg Fu and turn him into not just a plausible villain, but an actual scary mofo. Some of that is the art, certainly, but Greg Rucka's take-no-prisoners writing style doesn't hurt.

One of the interesting things about reading the same characters in different comics is seeing how their portrayal changes depending on who's writing them. Sometimes it's nice to see underused characters get their day in the sun; I really enjoy how Mr. Terrific is an actual person in Checkmate, as opposed to just a face in the crowd of, say, the overcrowded Justice Society of America.

Of course, the danger is that you'll get inconsistencies or outright contradictions in concurrent titles, but having the same person on the same book for a long time helps minimize that. There's also no substitute for planning, and I get the sense that Ruck and Winick did a fair amount of work breaking this story. All the pieces come together in a sensical and satisfying fashion.

In the aftermath of "Infinite Crisis", all ongoing DC books jumped ahead in time by one year and the Outsiders found themselves in an delicate position. The team was forced to go underground following a disastrous break-in to Iron Heights. They chose to continue their black-ops abroad and in secret. While the United Nations' intelligence agency Checkmate was aware of the Outsiders' status, they did not take any immediate action.

Bu as a result of "Outsiders: The Good Fight" and "Outsiders: Pay as You Go", the cat is out of the bag and the team's status is now public knowledge. International warrants have been issued for their arrest and Checkmate is tasked with bringing them in. But Black Queen Sasha Bordeaux has no intention of turning them over to the authorities. The agency has a little problem that needs solving, a problem well suited for Nightwing and his team.

The Chinese government has reopened their research facility on Oolong Island, last seen as a haven for rogue scientists and madmen in the landmark "52". Naturally, Bordeaux is worried about further problems given the island's role in the climax of "52". She wants the facility investigated and neutralized if necessary. But because of Checkmate's prior dealings with China (as seen in "Checkmate: A King's Game), it is impossible to send in a Checkmate team. If they were caught, it would political suicide for the agency. But if an unsanctioned group like the Outsiders were to go in, then Checkmate could not be held accountable and the Outsiders wouldn't be turned over.

On paper, it's a good plan. Unfortunately, no plan is perfect as Nightwing, Bordeaux, and their teams are about to learn...

Greg Rucka and Judd Winnick craft and excellent tale that plays up to the strengths of each book, from the action of Outsiders to the political intrigue of Checkmate. It brings a number of subplots in both books to a head and features fantastic character interaction. Joe Bennett and Matthew Clark's artwork is also serviceable and excellent.

Definitely a great read. The members of Outsiders and Checkmate team up and go on an exciting mission, although the goal of the mission is forgettable the action and tension isn't.

The plot ties in to the DC event DC: World War III. It also refers to events that take place in Batman: Bruce Wayne Fugitive Vol.1.

My only complaints would be that the book gets a little too sexual, and too political. I like reading comics because they're comics not prime time TV. That said, if you like hearing Grace flirt with Thunder in their continuing hammed up lesbian relationship, and references to the permanent members of the UN security council you'll love this book. But, if you're like me you'll just like it.