Checkmate: the Fall of the Wall


By Greg Rucka & various (DC Comics)
ISBN: 978-1-84756-848-5

Spy series – as opposed to spy stories – in comic-books are notoriously short-lived things: in the mainstream the covert tension inevitably dissolves into more-or-less traditional punch-’em-up costume dramas, and even mature imprints such as Vertigo, WildStorm and others can’t seem to translate the particular values and allure of “the Great Game” to panels and borders. Such is sadly the case with DC’s boldly dark Checkmate which can already be seen as rapidly thundering to a big finish even in this collection (re-presenting #16-22 of the monthly periodical) which marks the mid-point of the run.

In the aftermath of DC’s Infinite Crisis an international organisation to monitor and control meta-human affairs was developed, under the aegis of the United Nations Security Council. Originally an American agency, the new Checkmate is tasked with policing all nations, protecting them from superhuman dangers and terrorism, and also preventing rogue nations and regimes from weaponising their own paranormal resources.

This is a bleak and furtive blend of genres from writer Rucka, pencillers Joe Bennett, Chris Samnee & Joe Prado and inkers Samnee, Prado, Jack Jadson & Steve Bird, with the murky world of espionage coldly and logically grounding the shiny gleam of costumed super-doers.

Although Checkmate is United Nations mandated, every member knows that partisan patriotism too often trumps global cooperation, leading to a delicious edge of distrust among operatives. For some time both Kings, Mr. Terrific and Taleb Beni Khalid, and Black Queen Sasha Bordeaux have suspected White Queen Amanda Waller of running her own operations within Checkmate and actively sabotaging missions that might harm American interests.

Now “the Wall” makes a move to take control of Checkmate unaware that her cover is blown and that the people she has so readily and repeatedly betrayed are waiting for her, resulting in UN agents facing off against Waller’s American penal brigade of coerced super-villains the Suicide Squad…

The greater tale unfolds against a series of close, intimate tales investigating the lives of regular personnel and packs a masterful punch because of it: a subtle technique more writers would benefit from studying, and the volume closes with a solid two-part yarn revealing the heritage and destiny of Black Queen’s Knight Josephine Tautin: the latest French operative to carry the glorious code-name Mademoiselle Marie.

‘La Vie en Sang’ by Rucka and Eric S. Trautman, illustrated by Chris Samnee, is a cracking, high-octane thriller that takes a fascinating delve into the DC universe’s hidden history, and proves how espionage adventures can work within a world of gods and monsters.

Moody and addictive, but far too dependent on a working knowledge of the DC universe, this is a series well worth a few moments of any serious fan’s time, and the spy-game milieu should, even now – produce a few converts from espionage devotees looking for a little something on the wild side…

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