Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    Checkmate #1 Review
    Review

    Checkmate #1 Review

    Matthew PetersonBy Matthew PetersonJune 23, 2021Updated:June 23, 20213 Mins Read

    Who can you trust when even the Justice League cannot be trusted?  Call in the forces of Checkmate!  Your Major Spoilers review of Checkmate #1 from DC Comics awaits!

    You can purchase this issue via the comiXology affiliate link

    CHECKMATE #1

    Writer: Brian Michale Bendis
    Artist: Alex Maleev
    Colorist: Dave Stewart
    Letterer: Josh Reed
    Editor: Jessica Chen
    Publisher: DC Comics
    Cover Price: $3.99
    Release Date: June 21, 2021

    Previously in Checkmate:  The dark forces of Leviathan have torn through the DC Universe, and now no one can be trusted. No one…not even the Justice League itself can be trusted.  The mysterious Mr. King has helped Green Arrow assemble the greatest team of super—spies the world has ever seen, and now they will have to outsmart the smartest people in the world before they destroy everything.

    THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE

    We start out Checkmate #1 with a flashback two years, with a confrontation between Talia al Ghul and Mark Shaw, the former Manhunter, wherein he apparently steals the throne of her father from their hidden fortress.  Cut forward to a time identified as weeks ago, to find Robin breaking into a Leviathan black site, only to be caught by Talia herself.  They stow away as Leviathan agents steal some technology, leading to a meeting of Checkmate in the present day.  The group (Manhunter Kate Spencer, Green Arrow, The Question, Mr. Bones, Steve Trevor and Lois Lane) wonder what happened to Talia, then turn their attention to pumping the mysterious Mr. King for information.  Lois suspects that he’s not human, but he denies it (with a very Bendis “I’m, like, totally a human person”), and suddenly we’re on to the next thing.  Leviathan interrogates Talia and Robin, and the story ends with Lois in the crosshairs of a sniper.

    “ROBIN THE BOY PAIN IN MY @$$”

    It’s been more than a year since the Leviathan Dawn special that set up this series, and even though I read that book, I still felt very much lost as Checkmate #1 starts.  The destruction of all the other spy agencies to be replaced by Leviathan has led to a chaotic state of affairs, and the Lois portions of the story feel remarkably like they’re still tying into Superman stories from that time as well.  There’s very little new information given in these pages, as well, making for a confusing series of unrelated events.  I like Maleev’s art in this issue, especially his take on Talia, first seen lounging in a throne in her catsuit with a glass of champagne, but his work throughout the book is quite solid.  The cinematic faux-pan of the last page is very well-done as well, but muddy coloring throughout the book mars some of the art by making it too dark in places, which adds some visual problems to the pacing issues.

    BOTTOM LINE: SLOW AND TALKY

    For me, Checkmate #1 felt like nothing happened other than some conversations in various locations that may or may not be connected, with art that helps to build suspense even through problematic coloring, finishing things with a better-than-average 3 out of 5 stars overall.  There’s potential here, but given that we’re presented with eight main characters, six of which do nearly nothing in the issue, has me worried.


    Dear Spoilerite,

    At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.

    CHECKMATE #1

    57%
    57%
    Not The Best Start

    This doesn't really feel like a first issue at all, more like #3 of 12, and that's difficult for understanding what's going on. Maleev's art is cleaner than some of his previous work, but muddy coloring covers some of it up.

    • Writing
      5
    • Art
      7
    • Coloring
      5
    • User Ratings (1 Votes)
      2.9
    Alex Maleev Brian Michael Bendis Checkmate dave stewart dc comics Jessica Chen Josh Reed Leviathan Review
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleFIRST LOOK: Eve #3
    Next Article Ten Super Carnivores
    Matthew Peterson
    • Website
    • Twitter

    Once upon a time, there was a young nerd from the Midwest, who loved Matter-Eater Lad and the McKenzie Brothers... If pop culture were a maze, Matthew would be the Minotaur at its center. Were it a mall, he'd be the Food Court. Were it a parking lot, he’d be the distant Cart Corral where the weird kids gather to smoke, but that’s not important right now... Matthew enjoys body surfing (so long as the bodies are fresh), writing in the third person, and dark-eyed women. Amongst his weaponry are such diverse elements as: Fear! Surprise! Ruthless efficiency! An almost fanatical devotion to pop culture! And a nice red uniform.

    Related Posts

    Major Spoilers Podcast #1027: The Spider-Verse Podcast

    Read More

    Who are the Three New Rings of Power Cast Members? Ciarán Hinds, Rory Kinnear and Tanya Moodie – Let’s Get Nerdy!

    Read More

    Power Girl Special #1 Review

    Read More

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    7.3
    May 31, 2023

    Power Girl Special #1 Review

    6.7
    May 30, 2023

    Bishop: War College #4 Review

    6.0
    May 30, 2023

    Justice Society of America #4 Review

    6.0
    May 29, 2023

    Storm #1 Review

    7.7
    May 28, 2023

    Retro Review: Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1 (May 1963)

    Patreon Support
    Major Spoilers Store
    Recent Comments
    • Quality Comix on Daredevil and Echo #1 Review
    • SomeGuy on Rocket Raccoon #1 Review
    • Karl G Siewert on Ms. Marvel makes the Ultimate Sacrifice
    • Jarmo on Arcade Kings #1 Review
    • Quality Comix on Batman Incorporated #8 Review
    Subscribe to the Major Spoilers E-Mail List
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    ComiXology Home Page">
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2022 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.