NEMESIS 9: B&B #174

Brave and the Bold #174 (May 1981)

cover: Jim Aparo (signed)

title: "Bishop's Sacrifice"

writer: Cary Burkett

art: Dan Spiegle

letterer: John Costanza
colorist: Gene D'Angelo

editor: Paul Levitz 

Synopsis: 

Scotland Yard agent Michael Boches has the drop on Nemesis! Boches received an anonymous tip regarding a possible kidnapping, so when he rushed over to Sir Robert's mansion he found the maid tied up, the man missing, and Nemesis skulking around! Nemesis thinks that Boches won't believe that he is chasing after Noel Chesteron, British representative on the criminal organization The Council. 

So rather than try to convince him, Nemesis throws his lock-pick at Boches' hand, disarming him. Before the British police officer can respond, Nemesis jumps out the second floor window to escape. As Nemesis rushes off, he doesn't notice that he is being followed by Chesterton's goons...

The next day, Nemesis' erstwhile ally Valerie arrives in London and heads to Nemesis' hotel, having stolen a glance at his travel itinerary before he left the US. However, just as Nemesis leaves his hotel in disguise, Chesterton's goons also head into the hotel to capture or kill him! 

Nemesis bluffs his way into Chesterton's home, saying that he is there to tune the piano. Nosing around the crime lord's study, all Nemesis can find are obscure chess-related notes on Chesterton's desk calendar. He guesses that "PXKT" (pawn takes knight) represents the kidnapping of Sir Robert, a knight of the British Nobility. He sees that on today's date is written PXB (Winchester) and on June 12 is BXR KTXQ-Mate. He guesses that Chesterton is planning some real-life chess game, with the target for today is the Bishop of Winchester, and the ultimate target is the Queen of England! 

Nemesis returns to this hotel, but notices the light on in his room. Sneaking up the outside he sees and hears Chesterton's goons talking about having kidnapped Valerie. He knocks them both out, then finds Valerie's luggage. He must now make a choice between going after Valerie, or trying to save the Bishop! 

Commentary: 

This is another great adventure of Nemesis, even if it does suffer *somewhat* from being the middle chapter. Cary Burkett is ratcheting up the suspense and danger, threatening Nemesis' potential love interest, Valerie, as well as the Queen of England herself! 

I also like how "the best laid plans" run afoot, by Nemesis not realizing he is being trailed on page three, and by Valerie arriving and promptly getting kidnapped. It brings the danger home when the person in danger is one of your supporting characters! 

Dan Spiegle is a professional, so you never have any trouble following the action. It is a bit sad, though, the way all of the Brits in this story look a bit too stereotypical. Felt hats, tweeds, and bowler hats are everywhere. 

For the ninth story in a row, there are no minorities or women of importance in a Nemesis story. 

Nemesis Fact File:  

• The team-up in this issue is between Batman and Green Lantern, a continuation of last issue's team-up with the Guardians of Oa. "To Trap An Immortal" is by Gerry Conway and Jim Aparo. One of the Guardians has been replaced by an imposter, and it's up to Batman to figure out which. However, when Aparo only draws six Guardians, it shouldn't be too much trouble to figure out which is the imposter.  
• There were three mentions of this Nemesis installment in the letter column of The Brave & The Bold #179. Each letter writer seemed to like him. 
  
  
  

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!

NEMESIS 

created by Cary Burkett and Dan Spiegle