CATALOG RECORD

Checkmate #16

DC · Series began 1988 · May 1989

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Dates

Cover date: May 1989
On sale: March 30, 1989
Pages: 36

Values

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Editions and covers

Original edition
Source ↗

Story arc: The Janus Directive

This is part 3 of 9. Reading order by cover month and on-sale date; arc records can be incomplete.

Creators

pencils: Gil Kane, Rick Hoberginks: Gil Kane, Al Veyletters: Todd Klein, Gaspar Saladinoscript: Richard Bruning, Jenette Kahn, Paul Kupperbergcolors: Julianna Ferriter

Stories

Shadow Knights · 24 pages
Checkmate has captured Megala from Project Atom but fails to find a tracking device in his chair which he promptly activates. Eiling sends Major Force to go and get him back. Harry decides that Waller has gone off the deep end with this Janus Directive nonsense and decides to go after her. Gary, Val and Black Thorn infiltrate Belle Reve Prison but tangle with the Suicide Squad, giving Waller time to escape.

Publisher’s description

Harry Stein sends a Knight, Black Thorn and Valentina Vostok to grab Amanda Waller before her efforts destroy the nation's spy agencies...the way General Eiling wants Major Force to destroy Checkmate's headquarters.

Characters

Lois LaneHarvey BullockAmanda WallerBenjamin TurnerDigger HarknessCaptain BoomerangThe Bronze TigerThe PeacemakerChristopher SmithValentina VostockMajor ForceClifford ZmeckHarry SteinGeneral Wade EilingGary WashingtonJohn ReedBlack ThornElizabeth Thorne

Reprinted in

Suicide Squad (2011), DC Finest: Peacemaker: Kill for Peace (2025)