Monday, March 26, 2018

Episode 33: Invasion Hits Checkmate!

Squadmates,we're back for a second month in a row with Episode 33: Invasion Hits Checkmate!  We're almost a week late, but we're here.

Funny story about that.  I spent the past week trying to find time to finish recording this episode.  I had to finish up my thoughts on issue 12 and do my end closing.  This past Sunday, the wife and kids went to church, so I had an hour or so to myself.  I thought, I'll get Task Force X done.... pulled it up, and low and behold, looks like I had already finished recording... just had to throw commercials in... Well, son of a gun... So long story long, here is Episode 33.

On this episode, first up, I look at:

Checkmate 11

Checkmate #11
Cover Date: Holiday 1988
On Sale Date: October 11, 1988
Cover Price: $1.25
Editor: Jonathan Peterson

Title: "God Save the Queen"

Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Steve Erwin
Inker: Al Vey
Letterer: Agustin Mas
Colorist: Julianna Ferriter
Cover Credits
Artist: Gil Kane

Synopsis from Mikes Amazing world of comics:
Following the alien invasion of Earth, a group of terrorists takes over the House of Parliament in England. Checkmate Knight Lionel Hawkins responds to the threat. He defeats the gunmen who, although human, have aligned themselves with the aliens. The group's leadership remains at large and is planning to assassinate the queen. Checkmate tracks the group and captures most of them. Only four men escape. When they stage their attack at the estate of Lord Benchly, the Knight thwarts their attack. He is nearly killed by the leader of the terrorists, but Scott Jameson shoots the gunmen before he can execute Hawkins.

Then at about 30 minutes in, we take a look at....
Checkmate 12


Checkmate #12
Cover Date: February 1989
On Sale Date: December 13, 1988
Cover Price: $1.25

Editor: Jonathan Peterson

Title: "Knight Launch"

Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Steve Erwin
Inker: Al Vey
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Julianna Ferriter
Cover Credits
Artist: Art Thibert

Synopsis (from Mike's Amazing World of Comics):
During the alien invasion of Earth, Cape Canaveral was attacked. The damage set back the American space program. One shuttle, the Atlantis commanded by Colonel Ben Rogers, survived the attack. An urgent mission is put together for the shuttle team to launch a tri-sat defense satellite. However, a series of technology thefts lead Checkmate to believe that someone inside the space program is trying to sabotage the mission.
Knight Connie Webb joins the shuttle crew. She uncovers flight engineer Dick Guilardi, who has taken navigation technology intended for a planned Mars mission. He dies before he can reveal his plan or his accomplices.

When the mission gets underway, Colonel Rogers reveals himself as another traitor. He tries to guide the shuttle toward the alien fleet in orbit. He hopes to gain interstellar technology from the aliens. However, before they can reach the fleet, it leaves orbit following the alien defeat by Earth's heroes. Webb takes down Rogers and completes the mission to launch the satellite.
Before they return to Earth, the remaining crew witnesses a small alien ship fire a device toward Earth which detonates in an explosion of black light.

Something new I'm doing, I'm going to start listing the commercials I play this episode.
This time out I play:



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

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Other news for the Headcast family.

As usual, The Headcast Network is where you can find all of my podcasts under one feed.

Over on The Starman/Manhunter Adventure Hour, where I'll be talking about the Will Payton Starman and Mark Shaw Manhunter comics.

Then, look for G.I. Joe: A Real American Headcast the first week of the month, where we look at G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic from Marvel.

The following week, look for Head Speaks,where In February, I've started my multi-episode look at Armageddon 2001 where I have guests from the internet and podcasting world join me every episode.

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

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