Episode 18: Millennium, Suicide Squad 9, & Checkmate 1

Welcome back once again, Squadmates!

I bring to you... Episode 18: Millennium, Suicide Squad 9, & Checkmate 1

This month I briefly mention Millennium (the first four issues as it ties in to Suicide Squad).
Then having covered that I talk about this month's Suicide Squad (issue 9).
Also tying in to this month's issues are Capt Atom 11, Spectre 10, Detective Comics 582

Suicide Squad 9

Suicide Squad Vol. 1 #9: "The Final Price"
Cover Date: January 1988
On Sale Date: October 6, 1987
Cover Price: $0.75
Editor: Robert Greenberger

Writer: John Ostrander
Penciller: Luke McDonnell
Inker: Robert Lewis
Letterer: Todd Klein
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Carl Gafford

Cover Credits
Artist: Jerry Bingham

Synopsis:
The Suicide Squad is taking a bomb in to the Louisiana swamp to the heart of the Manhunters citadel.  On the way they meet up with Capt. Atom, who joins them.

Shortly after, they cross paths with Firestorm (being controlled by the Manhunters).  Capt Atom deals with Firestorm (in Capt Atom 11).

The Squad then encounters a group of Manhunters, where Bronze Tiger is injured and left behind.  Slipknot runs away and finds out that the bracelets on their wrists really do work.

Karin Grace reveals herself to be an agent of the Manhunters.  She becomes one after Rick “left her” as detailed back in Secret Origins 14.  Karin fell in love with Mark Shaw (that was really a Manhunter).  The Manhunter orders Karin to kill Flag.  Her love for him leaves her torn.  Suddenly the Manhunter collapse (Spectre 10) and Karin takes the bomb further in and detonates it.

The rest of the squad makes it outside where after the bomb goes off, they find themselves in a sudden snow storm (Capt Atom 11).

Checkmate ad

Checkmate 1

Also, I look at Checkmate #1
Cover Date: April 1988
On Sale Date: December 8, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
Editor: Jonathan Peterson

Title: "Opening Gambit"

Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Steve Erwin
Inker: Al Vey
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colorist: Julianna Ferriter

Synopsis:
Harvey Bullock meets Black Thorn, who has been killing criminals since the death of Adrian Chase. Harvey and his agents drug her and bring her to Checkmate headquarters. He attempts to recruit her to work in the restructured organization. He also wants to ensure her silence since she already knows about the existence of the agency. However, Black Thorn is able to overpower the guards and escape the building.

Meanwhile Harry Stein, the appointed head of Checkmate, briefs his bishops, including Bullock, on the American Supremacist Party. A radical racist organization who recently bombed the Chicago trade market.

A Checkmate field agent, known as a knight, is dispatched to gather information on Kevin Maxwell, the head of ASP. The agent is forced to crash a meeting of the group to save the life of O'Connor, an undercover operative of the Justice Department. A chase ensues, and some of Maxwell's men are apprehended. Despite the capture, the ASP is able to carry out a bombing of the McCormick Place Convention Center.

Also, we have one Character Profile: Harvey Bullock

Harvey is in yellow near the bottom of the page.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Task Force X.

Be sure to check the Facebook page for news and updates on the Suicide Squad movie.  That's where I tend to post information as it comes to light.

As you might have noticed, you can now get directly to our page by going to taskforcex.headspeaks.com.

Other news for the Headcast family...

Coming next week, The Starman/Manhunter Adventure Hour, where I'll be talking about the Will Payton Starman and Mark Shaw Manhunter comics.  You may be familiar with Shaw from the last couple of issues of Suicide Squad.  Here are his continuing adventures.

Also coming soon, The Headcast Network where you can find all of my podcasts under one feed.

Then, look for G.I. Joe: A Real American Headcast the first week of the month, where Ryan, Kyle, returning guest host, Jif Fishman, and myself look at G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero issue 6 and the fourth episode of the cartoon.

The following week, look for Head Speaks episode 20 where I'll be talking about something....

Finally, be sure to return next month and listen as I talk about Checkmate issue 2 and Suicide Squad issue 10.

Again, thanks for listening and be sure to tell people about us.  Also write in and let me know what you think of this episode!

All characters are owned and copyrighted by DC Comics.  Check out DC Comics for the monthly adventures of the New Suicide Squad.

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