Episode 40: The Janus Directive Parts 5 and 6

Hey Squadmates.  Here we go...  I proudly present to you: Episode 40: The Janus Directive Parts 5 and 6

As per the episode name, we are continuing our look at... The Janus Directive.

First up, is Checkmate 17!

Janus Directive 5: Checkmate 17

Checkmate 17
June 1989
On Sale Date: April 11, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50

Title: "A Hard Day's Knight"

Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Steve Erwin
Inker: Al Vey
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Julianna Ferriter
Cover Credits
Artist: Gil Kane
Editor: Jonathan Peterson

Reprinted In:
Suicide Squad:The Janus Directive TPB (2016)

Then at 30 minutes in, we take a look at....

Manhunter 14

Manhunter 14
Cover Date: June 1989
On Sale Date: April 11, 1989
Cover Price: $1.00

Title: "Misdirection"

Writer: Kim Yale
Writer: John Ostrander
Penciller: Doug Rice
Inker: Pablo Marcos
Letterer: Albert Tobias De Guzman
Colorist: Julianna Ferriter
Cover Credits
Artist: Doug Rice

Editor: Barbara J. Kesel (Randall)

Reprinted In:
Suicide Squad:The Janus Directive TPB (2016)

Listen in as we discuss these two issues of the great Janus Directive crossover.

Commercials played this episode:

Firestarter

Married with Comics

Starman/Manhunter Adventure Hour

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

Be sure to check the Facebook page for news and further information. That's where I tend to post information as it comes to light.

And you can still get directly to our page by going to taskforcex.headspeaks.com.

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 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.

 The following week, 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.

Finally, be sure to return next month and listen as I talk about Suicide Squad and Checkmate.  And coming next month.... The next part of The Janus Directive.  Checkmate 18 and Suicide Squad 29.

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.

If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please e-mail me at TaskForceX@HeadSpeaks.com (and you too can be read in Listener Feedback).

If you want you can also send us an MP3 file with your thoughts and I'll play them on the air.

Look for us on Facebook and Google+ (look for Task Force X).

Make sure to tell a friend and check back next month for another great episode of TASK FORCE X!

Episode 39: The Janus Directive Parts 3 and 4

Hey Squadmates.  Here we go...  I proudly present to you: Episode 39: The Janus Directive Parts 3 and 4

As per the episode name, we are continuing our look at... The Janus Directive.

First up, is Checkmate 16!

Checkmate 16

Checkmate #16
Cover Date: May 1989
On Sale Date: March 28, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50

Editor: Jonathan Peterson

Title: "Shadow Knights"

Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Rick Hoberg
Inker: Al Vey
Letterer: Gaspar Saladino
Colorist: Julianna Ferriter
Cover Credits
Artist: Gil Kane

Reprinted In:
Suicide Squad: The Janus Directive TPB (2016)

Then at 30 minutes in, we take a look at....

Suicide Squad 28 - Part 4

Suicide Squad #28
Cover Date: 1989
On Sale Date: April 4, 1989
Cover Price: $1.00

Editor: Robert Greenberger
 
Title: "Death Game"

Writer: Kim Yale
Writer: John Ostrander
Penciller: John K. Snyder III
Inker: Karl Kesel
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Cover Credits
Artist: Karl Kesel

Reprinted In:
Suicide Squad: The Janus Directive TPB (2016)

Listen in as we discuss these two issues of the great Janus Directive crossover.

Commercials played this episode:

DC OCD: Where Mike and Paul take a look at all of the DC Crossover events.

Done In One Wonder Show: Xum Yukinori's great show.

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

Be sure to check the Facebook page for news and further information. That's where I tend to post information as it comes to light.

And you can still get directly to our page by going to taskforcex.headspeaks.com.

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 and Checkmate.  And coming next month.... The next part of The Janus Directive.  Checkmate 17 and Manhunter 14.

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.

If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please e-mail me at TaskForceX@HeadSpeaks.com (and you too can be read in Listener Feedback).

If you want you can also send us an MP3 file with your thoughts and I'll play them on the air.

Look for us on Facebook and Google+ (look for Task Force X).

Make sure to tell a friend and check back next month for another great episode of TASK FORCE X!

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:

Everybody Loves The Drake

Who’s Who in the DC Universe

Krypton Podcast

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

Be sure to check the Facebook page for news and further information. That's where I tend to post information as it comes to light.

And you can still get directly to our page by going to taskforcex.headspeaks.com.

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.

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.

If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please e-mail me at TaskForceX@HeadSpeaks.com (and you too can be read in Listener Feedback).

If you want you can also send us an MP3 file with your thoughts and I'll play them on the air.

Look for us on Facebook and Google+ (look for Task Force X).
Make sure to tell a friend and check back next month for another great episode of TASK FORCE X!

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.

If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please e-mail me at TaskForceX@HeadSpeaks.com (and you too can be read in Listener Feedback).

If you want you can also send us an MP3 file with your thoughts and I'll play them on the air.

Look for us on Facebook and Google+ (look for Task Force X).

Make sure to tell a friend and check back next month for another great episode of TASK FORCE X!