Episode 51: Peacemaker & Female Furies

Welcome back Squadmates.  Here is Episode 51: Peacemaker & Female Furies

Welcome back.  This month, let's welcome Tim Price to the HeadCast Network Studios.

This time we start out with Checkmate 23

Checkmate 23

Checkmate #23

Cover Date: December 1989

On Sale Date: October 31, 1989 

Cover Price: $1.50

Title: "Peaceful Knights"

Writer: Paul Kupperberg

Penciller: Steve Erwin

Inker: Al Vey

Letterer: John Costanza

Colorist: Julianna Ferriter

Editor: Jonathan Peterson

Cover Credits Artist: Steve Erwin

Synopsis: (All of this information is from Mike’s Amazing World of Comics)

Several scientific leaders in their fields of study have met recent death by the hands of an assassin. Peacemaker searches for the killer by attacking underworld informants around Europe. One of the next targets of the assassin is Braddock, a scientist working for Checkmate, who is currently examining the remains of Bishop's armor. Elsewhere, Harvey Bullock continues to bring Black Thorn into Checkmate.

Then at 51 minutes in, I have a Character Profile where I look at Valentina Vostock.  

Finally at 56 minutes in, we look at Suicide Squad 35

Suicide Squad #35

Cover Date: 1989

On Sale Date: October 3, 1989 

Cover Price: $1.00

Title: "That Hideous Strength"

Writer: John Ostrander

Penciller: Luke McDonnell

Inker: Geof Isherwood

Letterer: Todd Klein

Colorist: Carl Gafford

Editor: Dan Raspler

Reprinted In:

Suicide Squad:Apokolips Now TPB (2017)

Cover Credits

Penciller: Luke McDonnell

Inker: Karl Kesel

Synopsis: From Mikes Amazing World of Comics.

Granny Goodness and the Female Furies engage Lashina and the Suicide Squad in battle. Although their is some general fighting, most battles are fought individually. Captain Boomerang has his hands full against Virmin Vundabar. Shade falls to Mad Harriet. Vixen is dodges Stompa, until Barda knocks the Female Fury down. Nightshade carries Artemiz to the shadow dimension. Count Vertigo is seriously wounded by Kanto. Major Victory's suit is damaged leaving him nearly powerless against Granny's soldiers. Meanwhile, Granny herself fights Amanda Waller. Poison Ivy tries to help, but her poison is useless against Granny.

All the battles serve as distractions while Lashina fights Bernadeth to the death. When she is triumphant, Granny accepts her back into the Female Furies. Lashina then delivers Flo to Granny for training. She then suggest killing the rest of the humans.

Commercials played this episode:

Retrospect of the 80's:  This is a show where Michelle and I look back at one of the greatest decades that was.  The 80s.

Justice League International: Bwhahaha Podcast: This is the show where The Irredeemable Shag and a rotating cast of guest hosts talk about one of the great Justice League runs.

Batgirl Podcast: This show looks at Cassandra Cain and follows her adventures.

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

Be aware that the Facebook page is going away. Please go to our new HEADCAST NETWORK Group over on Facebook.  I look forward to seeing you there.

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

Other news for the Headcast family.

Next month on Task Force X, we will skip our normal issues, so we can take part (once again) in JLMay.  Come listen as we talk about the Villains United series.

Also, if you like what we're doing, check out our Patreon page.

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 comics.

Also, the fourth week of the month, I have Bravo Team, a G.I. Joe related cast, looking at other Joe related items.

Then, look for Head Speaks on the first Tuesday of the month.

The following week, look for G.I. Joe: A Real American Headcast the second 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.

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!

Episode 13: Suicide Squad 5 The Flight of the Firebird

Welcome back Squadmates!

Well here it is... Episode 13: Suicide Squad 5 The Flight of the Firebird

This episode we talk about...  yeah, you guessed it.. Issue 5 of Suicide Squad.

Suicide Squad number 5

Cover Date: September 1987
On Sale Date: June 23, 1987
Cover Price: $0.75

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

And like an idiot, I forgot to mention on the show:
THE COVER CREDITS:
Penciller: Luke McDonnell
Inker: Robert Lewis

Editor: Robert Greenberger
Title: "The Flight of the Firebird"
Pages: 22

Reprinted In:
Suicide Squad:Trial by Fire TPB (2011)

This issue our team has to break in to a Russian prison to extract a political prisoner!

Also, we have a Character Profile from last month's guest villain, CHRONOS!

Chronos!

Chronos fight The Atom!

And once again a little self pimping....
Not only can you find me on Task Force X and Head Speaks, but as I said last month, I am on the latest episode of Comic Book Fight Club podcast, where we pit The Suicide Squad against The A-Team.

Also coming up in about 2 weeks or so, I will be appearing on Secret Origins episode 14 where me and Ryan discuss the Secret Origin of... The Suicide Squad.
Though, you should be listening to that show anyways (after mine of course) as Ryan is doing a great job covering this fantastic series!

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.  You can still go to http://headspeaks.com and click on Headcasts to get to the embedded Stitcher player.

Other news for the Headcast family...

Myself, previous guest Ryan Daly and Kyle Benning have teamed up and have started a new HEADCAST!  Well, technically I started it and Ryan and Kyle are my mostly normal guest hosts...   Anyways...  the new Headcast is entitled: G.I. Joe: A Real American Headcast.

The 0 episode has been released where I give an overview of the show, talk about the cartoon, the comics, the toys and so on.
Then next month, me and my guest hosts will return where we cover the first issue of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero.
Then join us monthly as we cover an issue an month.
We'll also be covering the Special Missions, Yearbooks, Order of Battle, etc.
It can be found on the website, iTunes, and Stitcher Radio!

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

Be sure to return next month and listen as we talk about Suicide Squad number 6 and the exciting conclusion of this storyline!

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 6 - Suicide Squad 2 - Trial By Fire!

Hello again Squadmates... (yeah I think I'm going for Squadmates).

Well here is the newest episode of Task Force X Episode 6: Suicide Squad 2 - Trial By Fire!

This episode (as the title suggests) we review the second episode of Suicide Squad 2 - Trial By Fire!

The credits for this issue are:

Writer: John Ostrander

Penciller: Luke McDonnell

Inker: Karl Kesel

Letterer: Todd Klein

Colorist: Carl Gafford

Editor: Robert Greenberger

Cover Credits:

Penciller: Luke McDonnell

Inker: Karl Kesel

This issue was reprinted in:

Suicide Squad: Trial by Fire TPB (2011)

And here is the cover of this issue:

Suicide Squad issue 2 - Trial by Fire

This issue we meet two new members of the team and as promised on last issue's cover, a member of the team DIES!
Who?  Either read the issue or listen to the Headcast and find out!

Also this episode we have a Character Profile of Nemesis!

Who is Nemesis?  Again, listen to this episode and find out!

Also I thank our Friends from our Facebook page and talk briefly about a great new Facebook group Unite DC COMICS Project

Check it out and let em know that the Task Force X Headcast sent ya.

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 when we review Suicide Squad issue 3 and do a Character Profile on Captain Boomerang.

Episode 5: Batman Assault on Arkham Commentary

Happy Holidays Squaders.... or do you prefer Squadmates... hmmm

Well here is the 5th fabulous episode of Task Force X

Not much to post here this episode...

Today I watch the animated movie Batman: Assault on Arkham and give my running commentary on it.

Batman: Assault on Arkham

So if you own it (or have a copy of it), pop it in your device, cue it up, and watch along with me.


When you're done watching it, come back and leave your comments.  Do you agree with my thoughts or am I crazy?

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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 when we review Suicide Squad issues 2 and 3 and do Character Profiles on Captain Boomerang and Mindboggler.

Episode 4 : Suicide Squad Number 1... Finally!

Welcome back True Believers!!!!  Sorry for the delay in getting this Headcast out, but here it is... The newest episode....

Episode 4 : Suicide Squad Number 1

This episode we do Character Profiles on Rick Flag and Amanda "The Wall" Waller!

Rick Flag Jr. first appeared in The Brave and The Bold issue 25 (which we covered in our very first Headcast) and was created by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru.

Rick Flag from Secret Origins #14

Amanda Waller aka The Wall first appeared in Legends number 1 (which we covered in our 2nd episode) and was created by John Ostrander, Len Wein, and John Bryne .

Add caption

For more on both of their backstories and origins, see Secret Origins #14 (from DC Comics) which we review this episode.


The comics:

Secret Origins #14 which was $1.25

Writer: John Ostrander 

Penciller: Luke McDonnell 

Inker: Dave Hunt 

Letterer: Albert Tobias De Guzman

Colorist: Carl Gafford

This issue of Secret Origins, covers the never before told (retconned) origin of Task Force X and Rick Flag.  We also learn all about Amanda Waller and where she comes from.  A great read.

And Suicide Squad #1 which was only 75 cents.


Writer: John Ostrander 
Penciller: Luke McDonnell 
Inker: Karl Kesel 
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Carl Gafford




President Marlo of Qurac demonstrates his new group of super powered villains known as the Jihad. The group attacks a mock airport and kills hundreds of people. After the demonstration, the Jihad prepares to attack an American airport.

In Louisiana, Rick Flag briefs the Suicide Squad including new members Plastique and Mind Boggler. They plan to assault the Jihad's headquarters. As the team prepares to depart, Flag is reunited with Karin Grace who has been released from the psychiatric hospital and is now serving as the team medic.

Also this month we have Listener Feedback!

Make sure to let me know which format you prefer.  The full story coverage (like in Secret Origin) or the synopsis version (as I did the Suicide Squad #1), so I know how to make this the greatest Task Force X podcast on the net.

Also, a special Task Force X news break---
Writer extraordinaire, John Ostrander, had a triple bypass surgery and has pulled through fine and is recovering nicely.

All of us at Task Force X are glad you pulled through and are recovering.

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 when we review Suicide Squad issues 2 and 3 and do Character Profiles on Captain Boomerang and Mindboggler.