cover: Jim Aparo (signed)
title: "Knight's Gambit!"
writer: Cary Burkett
art: Dan Spiegle
letterer: John Costanza
colorist: Gene D'Angelo
colorist: Gene D'Angelo
editor: Paul Levitz
Synopsis:
At a posh London hall, a chess match between a man named Dover and Noel Chesterton suddenly ends with Dover losing to Chess Grand Master Chesterton. In the audience is Nemesis, who congratulates Chesterton on this victory only to be chided for being an American.
Nemesis follows Chesterton out as he meets Sir Robert Greene, who is soon to be named Knight of the Garter. As Chesterton talks to Greene, Chesterton beckons to one of his men to come forward. Suspicious, Nemesis decides to follow Sir Robert, and is witness to a kidnapping attempt on him. Nemesis steps in, using his razor-knife to stop one man, and his "toxin" bullets to stop the other. They, however, are shooting live ammunition. Nemesis rushes Sir Robert through an alley and then through a connecting office, where they emerge and catch a taxicab to escape.
Sir Robert has no idea why anyone would want to kidnap him. Nemesis thinks about what Chesterton's plot could be, but is confused. He is only glad that his erstwhile ally, Valerie, is safe in the United States.
Chesterton, meanwhile, is hosting a gala to celebrate his victory at the chess tournament. He is called to the telephone to speak with Samuel Solomon, who warns Chesterton of Nemesis' activities. Solomon goes so far as to suggest to Chesterton that he postpone his newest plot. Chesterton of course refuses, telling Solomon that he has already started a stratagem that he cannot stop.
Nemesis escorts Sir Robert back to his country mansion, where they find Chesterton's men waiting for them. Nemesis tries to protect the retired RAF Colonel, but he is knocked out the bay window. When he comes to, he is met by Michael Boches from Scotland Yard, who is ready to arrest Nemesis for assisting in the abduction of Sir Robert!
Chesterton, meanwhile, is hosting a gala to celebrate his victory at the chess tournament. He is called to the telephone to speak with Samuel Solomon, who warns Chesterton of Nemesis' activities. Solomon goes so far as to suggest to Chesterton that he postpone his newest plot. Chesterton of course refuses, telling Solomon that he has already started a stratagem that he cannot stop.
Commentary:
After Nemesis was successful in taking down The Head of the Council and the western representative of the Council, this begins a new series of stories to take down the European side, aka Noel Chesterton. The love Cary Burkett has for London is obvious; the story is written in a style reminiscent of Ian Fleming's very famous operative.
That being said, I am disappointed by one bit of the story, namely the phone call between Solomon and Chesterton. Chesterton was at the same Council meeting as Solomon, so he knows just as much about Nemesis as the American does. This scene reads like it is a summary for readers who may have missed an earlier chapter. It's a waste of time and space.
That being said, I am disappointed by one bit of the story, namely the phone call between Solomon and Chesterton. Chesterton was at the same Council meeting as Solomon, so he knows just as much about Nemesis as the American does. This scene reads like it is a summary for readers who may have missed an earlier chapter. It's a waste of time and space.
- The Order of the Garter as mentioned in this story is the most senior order of Knighthood in the British honour system. It is awarded at the Monarch's sole discretion.
- "Scotland Yard" is the name of the street where the first London Police Station was located. Similar to how the street name "Wall Street" in the US refers to all US business interests, "Scotland Yard" has come to be used to represent the British national police force, although that has never been its real name.
- In chess a "gambit" is the opening move, meanto to gain advantage immediately. It comes from the Italian word "gambetto," which means "to trip."
- There is no actual move called a "knight's gambit" in chess.
- The team-up in this issue is between Batman and The Guardians of the Universe. "One of Us Is Not One Of Us!" by Gerry Conway and Jim Aparo. This is the one and only appearance by the Guardians in this book, and serves as mostly an introduction to next issue, which will of course feature Green Lantern.
- The team-up indicia on the splash page actually features Green Lantern, not the Guardians of the Universe.
- There was just one letter printed in The Brave & The Bold #178, by The Mad Maple. He mentioned the Nemesis series at the end of his comments.
- The editor at this time was Dick Giordano, although the Nemesis stories at this point had been commissioned under Paul Levitz' tenure.
This story has not yet been reprinted. Therefore, I gladly reproduce the eight-page story here it its entirety, exactly as it appeared in its comic-book form.
Please do not allow it to fall into the hand of the Council!
Please do not allow it to fall into the hand of the Council!
No comments:
Post a Comment