Checkmate
Artwork for the cover of Checkmate vol. 2, #4 (Sept, 2006). Art by Lee Bermejo.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Action Comics #598 (March 1988)
Created by	Paul Kupperberg John Byrne Steve Erwin
In story information
Type of organization	Intellegence agency
Base(s)	Konig Industries, Shelby, Virginia; NORAD facility in the Colorado Rocky Mountains; "The Castle" compound in the Swiss Alps
Roster
See:List of Checkmate members

Checkmate is a fictional covert operations agency within the DC Comics universe. DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company In Comic books and other stories with a long history first appearance refers to the first occurrence to feature a Fictional character. Action Comics is an American Comic book series which introduced Superman, the first major Superhero character as the term Events January February March April May June The Evolutionary War crossover event in Paul Kupperberg (b 1955 is a former Editor for DC Comics, and a prolific Writer of Comic books and newspaper strips. John Lindley Byrne (born July 6 1950) is a British -born Canadian - American author and artist of Comic books Since the Steve Erwin is an artist and former comic book illustrator During the 1980s and 1990s he worked primarily for DC Comics, co-creating the titles Checkmate! Checkmate is a Fictional Covert operations agency as published by DC Comics. A covert operation is a Military or political activity carried out in such a way that the parties responsible for the action can be an Open secret, but DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company The DC Universe ( DCU) is the fictional Shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place It first appeared in Action Comics #598 and proceeded to have its own ongoing title in Checkmate! (vol. Action Comics is an American Comic book series which introduced Superman, the first major Superhero character as the term 1). In the wake of events depicted in the mini-series The OMAC Project and Infinite Crisis, Checkmate has been re-chartered as a United Nations Security Council-affiliated agency and has its own new series, Checkmate (vol. The OMAC Project is a six issue American comic book Limited series written by Greg Rucka with art by Jesus Saiz and published Infinite Crisis is a seven-issue Limited series of Comic books written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George 2).

Contents 1 Publication history 2 Checkmate! (vol. 1) 2.1 Biography 2.1.1 Organization and designation 2.1.2 Known employed operatives 2.2 History 2.2.1 "The Janus Directive" 2.2.2 Russian Checkmate 3 In between volumes 3.1 Biography 3.1.1 Organization and designation 3.1.2 Known employed operatives 3.2 History 3.2.1 Deathstroke, the Terminator 3.2.2 "Knight Moves" 3.2.3 Bruce Wayne - Murderer? 3.2.4 The OMAC Project 3.2.5 52 4 Checkmate (vol. 2) 4.1 Greg Rucka about Checkmate (vol. 2) 4.2 Biography 4.2.1 Organization and designation 4.2.2 Known employed operatives 4.3 History 5 Collections 6 See also 7 Notes 8 References 9 External links 9.1 Interviews 9.2 Reviews

Publication history

The Checkmate organization was created by Paul Kupperberg, John Byrne and Steve Erwin, first appearing in Action Comics #598 in 1988. Paul Kupperberg (b 1955 is a former Editor for DC Comics, and a prolific Writer of Comic books and newspaper strips. John Lindley Byrne (born July 6 1950) is a British -born Canadian - American author and artist of Comic books Since the Steve Erwin is an artist and former comic book illustrator During the 1980s and 1990s he worked primarily for DC Comics, co-creating the titles Checkmate! Action Comics is an American Comic book series which introduced Superman, the first major Superhero character as the term Events January February March April May June The Evolutionary War crossover event in The precursor to this fictional organization was known as the Agency, first appearing in Vigilante #36. The following is a list of fictional government agencies that have appeared in the mythical universes of various Comic books A B Vigilante is the name used by several fictional characters appearing in DC Comics. Harry Stein was appointed Valentina Vostok's replacement in The Agency's command position by Amanda Waller. Harry Stein is a fictional Police officer and Secret agent featured in DC Comics. Valentina Vostok (alternately spelled Valentina Vostock) is a Fictional character by DC Comics. Stein later sought out the most stable personnel available from the American and international intelligence and law enforcement communities to form Checkmate. His agency would field only the best-trained and well-equipped of agents, working under the strictest rules of secrecy. For the organizational structure of the re-organized Agency, Stein chose the game of chess as his working model. Chess is a recreational and competitive Game played between two players. ^[1]

Stein brought in Gary Washington (Knight One) and Black Thorn as Checkmate operatives, both of whom were his friends, and both of whom were introduced during his run on Vigilante. Black Thorn is a DC Comics character She first appeared in Vigilante #45 (September 1987 and was created by Paul Kupperberg and Tod Smith

Checkmate! was at various times involved with the other government agencies in the DC Comics universe, primarily the Suicide Squad, which resulted in the crossover "The Janus Directive". The Suicide Squad is a name for two fictional organizations in DC Comics Universe. Checkmate! was canceled after 33 issues but the organization continued to appear, mostly in titles related to either the government or Batman. Batman (originally referred to as the Bat-Man and still referred to at times as the Batman) is a fictional Comic book Superhero co-created

After the events of the mini-series The OMAC Project, a precursor to the Infinite Crisis limited series, the Checkmate organization was re-organized and its title was revived with Checkmate volume 2. A miniseries (also mini-series) in a serial Storytelling medium is a production which tells a story in a pre-planned limited number of episodes The OMAC Project is a six issue American comic book Limited series written by Greg Rucka with art by Jesus Saiz and published Infinite Crisis is a seven-issue Limited series of Comic books written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George

Checkmate! (vol. 1)

Biography

Organization and designation

The name Checkmate is taken from the winning move in chess, and its hierarchy is modelled after the various pieces of a chess game; one King, one Queen and several Bishops, Rooks and Pawns. Checkmate (frequently shortened to mate) is a situation in Chess (and in other Boardgames of the Chaturanga family in which one player's Chess is a recreational and competitive Game played between two players. The Bishops oversaw the Rooks behind the scenes while the Rooks planned missions and supervised the field agents, or Knights, and the Knight's support, Pawns.

Known employed operatives

List of operatives during first series.

History

The Agency is first set up by Amanda Waller to serve as a small branch of Task Force X under the command of Colonel Valentina Vostok (formerly Negative Woman of the Doom Patrol) to perform operations worldwide considered vital to the security of American interests. Checkmate is a Fictional Covert operations agency as published by DC Comics. Dr Amanda Blake Waller is a Fictional character published by DC Comics. The Suicide Squad is a name for two fictional organizations in DC Comics Universe. Valentina Vostok (alternately spelled Valentina Vostock) is a Fictional character by DC Comics. The Doom Patrol is a Fictional Superhero team appearing in publications from DC Comics. She relinquishes command to Harry Stein, who recreates The Agency into a new image and organization, dubbed Checkmate, in relation to its chess-inspired organizatory scheme. Harry Stein is a fictional Police officer and Secret agent featured in DC Comics.

"The Janus Directive"

Main article: Janus Directive

"The Janus Directive" is a crossover storyline that involves an inter-agency war between Checkmate, the Suicide Squad, and Project Atom, who are manipulated by Kobra in order to distract the United States intelligence community from his activities. The Janus Directive was a eleven-part Comic book crossover first published by DC Comics between May and June of 1989. Gabriel Morrissette (born September 26, 1959) is an Illustrator, Animator and comic book artist from Montreal, The Suicide Squad is a name for two fictional organizations in DC Comics Universe. Captain Atom is a fictional Comic book Superhero. Created by writer Joe Gill and artist/co-writer Steve Ditko, he first appeared in Kobra is a Fictional Supervillain published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Kobra #1 (February 1976 and was created by Martin Pasko Checkmate loses at least 38 Knight agents^[2][3] (tallying to more than two thirds of Checkmate's Knight force^[4][3]) and its headquarters (as well as its cover, Konig Industries) in Shelby, Virginia in the incident. In the aftermath, Sarge Steel takes Waller's place as head of Checkmate, and Checkmate relocates to a new NORAD base in Colorado. Sarge Steel is a Detective / Spy character published by Charlton Comics during the 1960s

Russian Checkmate

A Russian version of Checkmate is introduced in the last issues of the original series run. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending They are admittedly underfunded but wear armor similar to their US counterparts.

In between volumes

Biography

Organization and designation

Checkmate's hierarchy is remodelled in a manner similar to that of Marvel Comics' Hellfire Club. Marvel Comics is an American comic book company owned by Marvel Publishing Inc The Hellfire Club is a Marvel Comics Supervillain team that frequently battles the X-Men. The chess-motif remains, but there are sets of Kings and Queens, as well as Bishops, Rooks, Knights and Pawns, divided between a Black and White set. Their functions remain the same. Neither Rooks or Pawns were seen however. The structure of Checkmate with two halves, Black (ops) and White (intel), may also be inspired by the CIA's original two separate halves, the Directorate of Operations and Directorate of Intelligence. near as long as it used to be several months ago It has been actively summarized and split into sub-articles and there is a dynamic talk page discussion of all

Known employed operatives

List of operatives between series.

History

Deathstroke, the Terminator

Sarge Steel reactivates Checkmate in Deathstroke, the Terminator #17, in order to find the comatose body of Deathstroke (Slade Wilson). Checkmate is a Fictional Covert operations agency as published by DC Comics. Deathstroke the Terminator ( Slade Wilson) also called simply Slade (to the people who know him Deathstroke (and originally simply the Terminator Phil Kramer is promoted to King and Kalia Campbell to Queen. Harry Stein's said to be on indefinite leave of absence after his son was shot and to be spending more time with his family. Gary Washington and two other Knights appear in the story as well (one of them might be Winston O'Donnel, who appears in Deathstroke, the Terminator #19). Checkmate Knights invade the lair of supervillainess Cheshire in Deathstroke, the Terminator #18, but most are killed by her operatives and a revived Slade Wilson. Cheshire is a DC Comics villain She first appeared in New Teen Titans Annual #2 ( 1983) Just as two Checkmate agents are about to defeat Deathstroke, Roy Harper (at that time also known as Speedy) knocks them down, revealing to be helping Cheshire as a double agent in both Checkmate and the Brotherhood of Evil. The Russian outfit of Checkmate appears when Deathstroke, Cheshire, Speedy and others try to steal a group of nuclear warheads in Russia. It is revealed that Harper called in Checkmate and that he was working on their side all along. Ultimately, Deathstroke is also revealed to be working for the CIA, and joins up with the American and Russian Checkmate that invade Cheshire's base later on after she's threatened the world (unleashing a nuclear warhead on the country of Qurac as leverage). They are able to defeat Cheshire, and the warheads are destroyed.

"Knight Moves"

A man called David Said has taken over the role of King within the organization, and in the "Knight Moves" storyline^[5] Checkmate invades the Batcave, in order to recruit the Huntress in the process. The Batcave is the secret headquarters of fictional DC Comics Superhero Batman, (the alternate identity of billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne consisting The Huntress is a name used by several characters in DC Comics. On Batman's word she agrees to temporarily assume the mantle of Queen, using this position to relay information to Batman on at least one occasion. ^[6]

Bruce Wayne - Murderer?

After the events of Bruce Wayne: Murderer? and Bruce Wayne: Fugitive, his bodyguard and partner Sasha Bordeaux is framed for the murder of Vesper Fairchild. Batman (originally referred to as the Bat-Man and still referred to at times as the Batman) is a fictional Comic book Superhero co-created " Bruce Wayne Fugitive " is a storyline that ran through the Batman comic books in 2002 Sasha Bordeaux is a fictional character in the DC Universe. She was at first primarily associated with Batman, and has subsequently evolved an association with She is recruited as a Checkmate operative by Jessica Midnight, as the two fake her death and Sasha undergoes plastic surgery.

The OMAC Project

Main article: The OMAC Project

It is revealed that Maxwell Lord has assumed the position of Black King within the Checkmate organization with the intent of manipulating the agency to kill all of the metahumans present on Earth. The OMAC Project is a six issue American comic book Limited series written by Greg Rucka with art by Jesus Saiz and published Maxwell Lord is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. While DC did not explain how or when Lord came to power (or had seemingly gone from supporting metahuman involvement in the protection of the planet to this personality), it has been implied that Checkmate may have been the victim of Superboy-Prime, who warped the very fabric of reality by punching the walls of his prison outside this dimension. As a result of Superboy Prime's actions, the hierarchy of Checkmate was changed and a changed Maxwell Lord suddenly in charge of the organization.

In order to hide his activities, which included hijacking and reprogramming to his own purposes the super-spy satellite Brother I that Batman originally built to monitor all metahumans, Lord murdered former ally Ted Kord. Theodore (or Edward "Ted" Kord is the second version of the Blue Beetle, a fictional Superhero who was originally published by Charlton He also mind-controlled Superman, sending the hero after other former allies such as Batman and Wonder Woman. Superman is a fictional Comic book Superhero widely considered to be one of the most recognized of such characters and an American Cultural icon Batman (originally referred to as the Bat-Man and still referred to at times as the Batman) is a fictional Comic book Superhero co-created Wonder Woman then proceeded to kill Lord in order to break his control on Superman's mind, which left Checkmate dismantled as an organization.

52

In 52 Week 24, Martian Manhunter reveals that he has spent months undercover undermining the remnants of Checkmate to convince the President of the U. Martian Manhunter is the Superhero alias of J'onn J'onzz, alternately known as John Jones or the Manhunter from Mars, a Fictional character S. to disband the organization. Within days, however, it is reconstituted as a United Nations agency. In Week 25, Alan Scott reveals to Mister Terrific that he will lead the agency as White King, and asks him to join as well. Alan Scott is a Fictional character, a Superhero from the DC Comics universe and the first superhero to bear the name Green Lantern Michael Holt is a fictional character in the. He is the second character to take up the Mister Terrific mantle

Checkmate (vol. 2)

Greg Rucka about Checkmate (vol. 2)

Rucka was quoted regarding the new series: "Take a big chunk of The OMAC Project, take the concept of "Who Watches the Watchmen?" and throw in some James Bond and you've got Checkmate. Watchmen is a twelve-issue Comic book Limited series written by Alan Moore, and illustrated by Dave Gibbons and John Higgins James Bond 007 is a Fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve Novels and two Short story " Rucka's stated plans in several interviews^[7] include depicting the repurposing of Checkmate as a United Nations-affiliated intelligence/intervention force with a specific purpose of maintaining "balance" between Earth's human and metahuman communities in the wake of events in The OMAC Project and Infinite Crisis. The OMAC Project is a six issue American comic book Limited series written by Greg Rucka with art by Jesus Saiz and published Infinite Crisis is a seven-issue Limited series of Comic books written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George

Biography

Organization and designation

Pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1696, Checkmate is reorganized as the UN’s Chartered Metahuman Monitoring Force. The organization was restructured utilizing the “Rule of Two”. Each super-powered or otherwise enhanced member in the “Royal Family” must have an un-powered counterpart in a corresponding position of power. Pawns still remain as low-level field agents. The Rooks make their first apperance in issue #25 as Checkmates highly powerful black ops squad. Specifically they include four operatives of different specialties one being Cinnamon, the second Gravedigger, Sebastian Faust, and a new incarnation of the G.I. Robot. Cinnamon is the name of two Western characters in DC Comics, one inhabiting the wild west the other living in the modern era Sebastian Faust, codenamed Faust, is a fictional character a Comic book Superhero from DC Comics, loosely based on the character of GI Robot is the name of a series of fictional Robots that appeared in Comic books published by DC Comics. They are further augmented with DNA from Starr the Conqueror which links them telepathically allowing instantaneous communication. The android member however cannot take a dose of the DNA but is still able to communicate telepathically with the group. One of the androids other functions is to monitor his teammates to make sure they do not lose control. If that situation were to arise he is supposed to kill them, or as the black queen puts it "terminate the link. " The organization's headquarters is a castle in the Swiss Alps known only as "The Castle". The Swiss Alps (Schweizer Alpen Alpes suisses Alpi svizzere Alps svizras are the central portion of the Alps Mountain range that lies within

Known employed operatives

See list of operatives during the second series.

In addition, Checkmate has the authority to temporarily "deputize" anyone else they see fit. Checkmate is a Fictional Covert operations agency as published by DC Comics. Checkmate currently uses the Blackhawk organization for most of its mission transportation. Blackhawk, a long-running Comic book series was also a Film serial, a radio series and a Novel.

History

• In A Game of Kings (issues #1-4), the United Nations Security Council votes on whether to charter Checkmate as a permanent organization, sparked by a Checkmate attack on a Kobra facility that results in some 50 deaths. While the Royal Family believes France will veto the resolution to cover up the fact that Kobra is obtaining weapons from a French source, the actual source, and veto, come from China. Checkmate agents infiltrate a Chinese weapons base, discovering a super-human facility and entering a confrontation with the Great Ten. The Great Ten are a team of fictional Superheroes sponsored by the government of the People's Republic of China. White King Alan Scott intervenes, locating the Kobra mole and allowing China to save face in return for removing its veto. Alan Scott is a Fictional character, a Superhero from the DC Comics universe and the first superhero to bear the name Green Lantern The resolution to allow Checkmate's continued existence passes, but the United States, angry that Alan Scott prevented them from publicly embarrassing China, removes him from the organization.

• In Selection (#5), Black Queen Sasha Bordeaux tests Checkmate agents to select her new Knight (the previous one having died in the first arc). Sasha Bordeaux is a fictional character in the DC Universe. She was at first primarily associated with Batman, and has subsequently evolved an association with The outgoing White King taps his Bishop, Mister Terrific, as his successor. Michael Holt is a fictional character in the. He is the second character to take up the Mister Terrific mantle

• In Rogue Squad (#6-7), a new Suicide Squad goes into Myanmar to hunt down its new power source (an imprisoned young metahuman) after the Security Council prevents Amanda Waller from taking action. Despite heavy losses and a traitor on the team, the Squad frees the metahuman and are rescued by former Squad team leaders Bronze Tiger and Rick Flag (recently freed from a Quraci prison) under Waller's direction. Bronze Tiger ( Ben Turner) is a Fictional character, a Superhero in the DC Universe. Rick Flag is the name of three Fictional characters in the DC Comics universe Meanwhile, the other royals can only suspect Waller's hand in the operation.

• In Pawn 502 (#8-10), the Department of Metahuman Affairs arrests a terrorist cell attempting to join Kobra, unaware one of the members is a covert Checkmate agent. Checkmate deputizes the Shadowpact to help orchestrate the agent's escape and to get him through Kobra's mystical screening process.

• In Corvalho (#11-12), Waller uses the Suicide Squad to rig an election in Santa Prisca to prevent Bane from winning, but one of the Squad members, Colonel Computron, defects and offers Checkmate proof of the falsification if they protect him from Bane. Bane is a Fictional character that appears in Comic books published by DC Comics. While Tommy Jagger defeats Bane in combat but lets him go (despite Bane's murder of Jagger's father, the Judomaster), Fire kills Computron at Waller's behest. Tommy Jagger is a fictional character in the DC Universe. He first appeared in Checkmate Volume 2 #1 and was created by Greg Rucka and Fire is a Fictional character, a Comic book Superheroine from the DC Comics universe. The other royals learn Waller is blackmailing Fire, a one-time assassin, with knowledge of her father, Ramon Corvalho's participation in war crimes decades earlier, and convince her to testify against him to avoid a court martial. The Black King confronts Waller with the fact that she is still covertly directing ops missions.

• In Checkout (#13-15, crossover with Outsiders, alternating with Outsiders #47-49, starting in Checkmate #13^[8] and ending in Outsiders #49^[9]), Checkmate abducts all members of the Outsiders except Nightwing. The Outsiders are fictional characters a DC Comics Superhero team Richard John "Dick" Grayson is a fictional Superhero that appears in Comic books published by DC Comics. Nightwing is allowed to infiltrate Checkmate headquarters in order to offer the Outsiders a deal: they won't be shut down over their actions in Africa in exchange for infiltrating Oolong Island on behalf of Checkmate. Sasha, Nightwing and Captain Boomerang are captured and taken to North Korea where they are experimented on by Chang Tzu, before being rescued by the mission team with Batman's assistance. Owen Mercer is a Fictional character existing in the. He is the son of the original Captain Boomerang (Digger Harkness and Meloni Thawne. North Korea is the commonly used short form name for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (or DPRK) a State located in East Asia, Chang Tzu (Chung Zhu is a fictional Supervillain published by DC Comics. Batman (originally referred to as the Bat-Man and still referred to at times as the Batman) is a fictional Comic book Superhero co-created

• In Past Perfect (#16) Sasha is examined by Doctor Mid-Nite after being tortured, Fire is reunited with the recently resurrected Ice and August General in Iron becomes the new Black King's Bishop. Doctor Mid-Nite is a Fictional character, a DC Comics Superhero. Ice ( Tora Olafsdotter) is a Fictional character, a Comic book superheroine in publications from DC Comics. The Great Ten are a team of fictional Superheroes sponsored by the government of the People's Republic of China.

• In Firewall (#17) former villain Carl Draper defends The Castle against a series of assaults and is appointed Castellan, The Castle's chief of security. Carl Draper is a fictional character in DC Comics, an enemy of Superman. A castellan was the Governor or caretaker of a Castle or Keep.

• In Fall of the Wall (#18-20) the other Royals continue to gather evidence that Waller is secretly conducting her own covert operations. With the assistance of Martian Manhunter they learn about Operation: Salvation Run and succeed in forcing Waller to resign. Martian Manhunter is the Superhero alias of J'onn J'onzz, alternately known as John Jones or the Manhunter from Mars, a Fictional character Salvation Run is a seven-part 2007 - 2008 DC Comics Limited series which was designed to tie in to the company's major event series

• La Vie en Sang (#21-22) explores the history of Mademoiselle Marie and how it connects to the title's current holder, the Black Queen's Knight. Mademoiselle Marie (often shortened to Mlle Marie) is the name of two Fictional characters appearing in Comic books published by DC Comics

Collections

Trade paperbacks include:

#	Title	Publisher	Year	ISBN	Reprints
1	A King's Game	DC Comics	2007	ISBN 1401212204
2	Pawn Breaks	DC Comics	2007	ISBN 1401214452
	Outsiders/Checkmate: Checkout	DC Comics	2008	ISBN 1401216234
3	Fall of the Wall	DC Comics	2008	ISBN 1401217885

Note: The full title of all volumes listed here, except Checkmate/Outsiders, start with "Checkmate: ". In Comics, a trade paperback ( TPB or simply trade) refers to a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company

See also

• List of government agencies in comics
• Suicide Squad

Notes

References

External links

• Checkmate!
• Cosmic Teams! - Checkmate

Interviews

• Greg Rucka on The Great Ten in Checkmate (cached), Newsarama, June 22, 2006
• Rucka, DeFilippis & Weir on the Return of the Suicide Squad, Newsarama, September 21, 2006
• Checking Out "Checkout" With Rucka And Winick - Updated, Newsarama, March 27, 2007

Reviews

• Checkmate #1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, Comics Bulletin
• Checkmate Vol. 3: Fall of the Wall, Comics Bulletin

Newsarama is an American Website that publishes News, Interviews and Essays about the American comic book Newsarama is an American Website that publishes News, Interviews and Essays about the American comic book Newsarama is an American Website that publishes News, Interviews and Essays about the American comic book Comics Bulletin is a website with an emphasis on the American Comic book industry updated daily with news reviews interviews and editorial content Comics Bulletin is a website with an emphasis on the American Comic book industry updated daily with news reviews interviews and editorial content

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