Checkmate #3

Although Mark Shaw was able to successfully survive a stand-off with Superman over the capture of Talia al Ghul, the mastermind behind Leviathan does make a mistake with Lois Lane. Her kidnapping ends awkwardly and unexpectedly with the reporter being returned. However, Shaw's choice of destination for her clues the reporter in on his next target.

The latest issue by Brian Michael Bendis and artist Alex Maleev gets almost too cute for its own good a couple of times, including a major twist that doesn't seem to track from the story explored earlier. While successfully standing up to the Man of Steel helps solidify Shaw as a major player, the machinations within machinations begin to wear a bit thin here. That said, the reveal of the target being the heavily-guarded Heroes Network would certainly be a prize Leviathan would covet.

It's good to see Damian get a larger role here, which I'd expect to see expanded in the remaining issues, especially once Talia's true objectives come to light.

[DC, $3.99]

• Title: Checkmate #3 (of 6)
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
• Artist: Alex Maleev