Checkmate Vol. 4: Chimera

Checkmate #4

by Bruce Jones, Mannuel Garcia (Illustrator)

A covert, military-like organization existing to keep the super-powered factions of the DC Universe under a watchful eye, Checkmate operates beyond national boundary, affiliation or agenda for what they deem the protection of humankind from out of control superheroes and villains.
New series writer Bruce Jones enlists in the series to introduce the newest weapon in the Checkmate armory: Chimera! Saved from death and genetically enhanced to become a one-man wave of destruction, Chimera was once a human soldier and may now be the only thing standing between civilization and an approaching apocalypse. He may be perfectly suited for supernatural combat, but will Chimera's past destroy humanity's future?

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2009

Reviews

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice ending story arc for the series. good read. Recommended

[Sean · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was awful. Everything that makes Checkmate interesting is missing here as this isn't even a Checkmate story as almost all the characters are not involved. Instead, new series writer, Bruce Jones introduces an incredibly bad new character, Chimera. His backstory, powerset, motivations, etc are all generically bad. His girlfriend is involved and she makes it even worse. The antagonists are terrible as is the addition of the laughable Guardians Of The Globe. I really can't put into words how lame this was. Manuel Garcia delivered some nice linework but had nothing to work with. Overall, never read this.

[Andy Dainty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately this doesn't compare to the Greg Rucka arc. Bruce Jones is obviously trying to do something different, but it just didn't work for me as it focuses specially on a limited number of players. Although the art was good, it also wasn't to my taste and I found it hard at first to relate the characters to how they had looked in previous issues.

[Sylvester · Rating 2 out of 5]

Checkmate concludes with their final mission dealing with a biblical apocalypse. Sadly, the entire team was not even featured much (except Fire) considering this is their last volume. The ending was also quite ridiculous, what a way to go.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating character. Would recommend the other two compilations of Checkmate first.

[John Yelverton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed reading this book series, but I could have lived a long time never regretted missing this edition.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost steam, but still fun.