Checkmate: Who is the King? #KingTheory

 

Settle in.

Hard to believe it was two years ago that Event Leviathan was on the stand and 'Who is Leviathan?' was a mystery that consumed me. 

I had my Leviathan Theory. I was wrong. 

Then about a year and a half ago, Leviathan Dawn, a one-shot epilogue to Event Leviathan hit the shelves, moving Leviathan's plans forward and introducing us to a new Checkmate and the announcement of a Checkmate mini-series.

 That led me into the deep dive into Manhunters and Mark Shaw as I waited for the new book to hit the shelves. In retrospect, were there clues to point me to Shaw?

Then Checkmate #1 hit the stands and I realized that there was a new mystery to solve! Who is the King in this new Checkmate? 

Unlike Leviathan, where clues were sprinkled in the Superman books for months before the actual Event Leviathan mini, King was introduced in the Dawn special and has only been seen on a couple of pages of the Checkmate series. I needed at least a few clues and a few ideas before I could come up with my King Theory.

Alas, he didn't appear in Checkmate #2. But after rereading the above issues and doing the last dive into the Manhunter pool I have decided on who King is.

Read on.

Suicide Squad and My Leviathan Theory

There are so many new comics out there and the price point is so high these days that a new title has to grab me almost immediately to keep me interested. Gone are the days of me giving a book 6 months to establish a tone.

When a new book has a creator on it I trust, I will sometimes give book a little longer.

Suicide Squad #1 came out 6 months ago. I have liked the concept of the Suicide Squad since Legends way back in 1987. This new book was written by Tom Taylor, a writer whose work I loved on All New Wolverine. And Deadshot and Harley Quinn were both still on the team. This team should have had a few issues leeway.

But after the first issue I left.

This truly felt like a bold, new direction for the concept of the team and I was looking to slip into the warm bath of familiarity.

So I never picked up the second issue.

And then something funny happened. Two very good comic friends, Martin Gray, from Too Dangerous For A Girl, and Paul Hicks, from the Waiting For Doom podcast, both highly recommended the book to me. And when two comic friends you trust highly recommend something, you listen.

And Paul even hinted that there might be a little Leviathan Theory intrigue in the book. So you know I was in!

I went out and bought the next 5 issues, catching up on the title. And no surprise, Mart and Paul were right, this is a great book.

Event Leviathan Hardcover

I walked into my local comic store in the day it was destined to close as part of the COVID19 pandemic. All non-essential businesses were asked to close their doors. And for some unknown reason, comic stores were deemed non-essential.

It was a good week for books. I had 9 on the pull list so I knew I would have at least a good amount of new stuff to parse out while waiting out the social distancing mandates.

But then I saw this on the shelf ... the Event Leviathan hardcover collection.

I wanted to help my store. I knew I needed some new stuff (or at least new format of stuff) to read.

And, let's face it, Event Leviathan was a big deal for me this last year.

 Who is Leviathan?

It was a question I was determined to answer. Or at least to think about. Or investigate.

I looked at all the clues. I had my main Leviathan Theory. But I also had others. And I tried to back up my claims. I tried to get Brian Michael Bendis to weigh in or maybe give something away on Twitter.

I was pretty obsessed with the mystery.

So I decided reward the engagement of the mini-series as well as my store and bought this collected volume of the Leviathan Rising special and the mini-series itself.

Review: Leviathan Dawn #1

For anyone who has frequented this site for the last year, you know that the mystery surrounding Leviathan plagued me. I had a Leviathan Theory and I was sticking with it. But I also considered other candidates. It consumed me.

I enjoyed Event Leviathan very much, even if my guess was wrong and I was glad when DC decided to further cement Leviathan as a threat by promoting the villain and continuing his story.

The first chapter of that came out last week with the Leviathan Dawn #1 special. Written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Alex Maleev, the special is both an epilogue to the Event Leviathan mini-series and a prologue for what is to come. And the book delivers, bringing together a ragtag group of characters to battle Leviathan under the name Checkmate. It also continues to deepen the character of Mark Shaw and his group Leviathan. With a very good cliffhanger, this definitely served the purpose of making me want to read the upcoming Leviathan Checkmate mini-series.

For me, I find the character and motivations behind Leviathan interesting. In theory, it all sounds like a good idea. But the means seem wrong and the aftermath seems to lead to chaos. Leviathan sounds at time like a populist hero at other times a benevolent dictator and still in others like an evil megalomaniac. I like complex characters in Mark Shaw, for now, is pretty complicated.

Bendis has always been a master at dialogue and he has these characters talk like normal people would even if they are in extraordinary circumstances.

Add to that Alex Maleev's incredible art. Maleev really brings a dynamic feel to this book. There is a lot of action here which flows very well. And the rich color, each scene dominated by one shade, really adds to things.

On to the book.

Review: Event Leviathan #6

Event Leviathan #6 came out this week, the end of one of the better crafted comic mysteries in the recent past. 'Who is Leviathan' was a question which plagued me, nay consumed me. This blog could have been called Leviathan Theory Comic Box Commentary these last few months as there seemed to be a weekly post looking at clues.

And I have to sadly say that this time I was wrong. My carefully crafted theory that Leviathan was Ted Kord turned out to be wrong. While a backup theory turned out to be right, it was hardly a mystery by that point.

Here is the thing about great mysteries. Sometimes the reveal is a let down. And while the ultimate identity of who Leviathan is makes total sense, some of the details behind it remain a little bit troublesome. And everything wraps up so unbelievable quickly that we are basically left with a 'to be continued'.

Still, this issue is something of a marvel, told in flashback, with truly spectacular art and colors by Alex Maleev. Leviathan is set up as a big villain for the future. And, I suppose, it all makes some sort of sense.

I have to give kudos for Brian Michael Bendis for giving us this treat over the back half of the comic year. At a time where personally I needed something fun to think about, this mystery was perfect.

On to the book.

Leviathan Theory - One Last Post

I have had my Leviathan Theory.

I have had my Leviathan back-up theories.

I have had odds and I have had changes to odds.

I have puzzled and puzzled.

I have looked for clues and I have looked at things thinking they were clues but wondering if I was reaching.

All of this means that this has been a great story with a great hook. Kudos to Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev for crafting this story.

And today, four hours from now, I'll know if I was right ... on any level.

So let's just take a look back at something which I hope will bear out as being important in the mystery.

The Watchmen Overtones.

Leviathan Back Up Theory Revisited: New 52 Superman

I have had a Leviathan Theory which seems to be completely wrong. I thought that Leviathan was Ted Kord. I thought that the Enforcer was Captain Atom. I thought that the woman who confronted Director Bones early on was Nightshade.

That seems to be wrong. More and more things seem to be pointing to a Manhunter.

But I have also had back-up theories. One early guess was that Leviathan is the New 52 Superman, At the time, I thought this was unlikely. In fact, in my own personal odds table, I listed the New 52 Superman as being a 100:1 bet.

So why I am I revisiting? Well, let's revisit two important early clues.

Let's start out with one of the first clues.

Superman finds a note that says that he and Leviathan want the same thing.

So this is someone who thinks like Superman.

And then this comment from the Question.

Wouldn't it be a twist if Leviathan turned out to be Superman?

And wouldn't it be a classic mystery writer trick to tell us the answer before the mystery even really unfolds?

And let's not forget the doubling down of the trick. In Event Leviathan #3 Plastic Man wonders if Superman is Leviathan as well. Two bites at the apple ... how very tricky Mr. Bendis!

Now let's dive into new clues, specifically from Event Leviathan #5 and Supergirl #35.

Levithan Theory: Event Leviathan #5 Clue Review And Back-Up Theory Laurel Kent

We are one month away from the big reveal. Who is Leviathan?

But in Event Leviathan #5, it was heavily implied that Leviathan is a Manhunter. This pretty much eliminates my Leviathan Theory that Leviathan is a cabal of Charlton heroes.

And it is pretty late to be bringing up new back-up theories. But I have to give blog friend Greg Araujo (@garaujo1 on Twitter) complete respect for coming up with a peach of a theory this late in the game.

You see everyone jumped on the Manhunter bandwagon recently and it seemed a small jump to get to Mark Shaw, the last Manhunter. He has had ties to the Justice League. He was a hero at one point. He is a Manhunter. He fits the bill.

But the most obvious answer isn't always the right one.

So let's do a deep dive into the clues we saw in Event Leviathan #5 which will lead to the back up theory listed in the title.

We'll start out by reviewing the names eliminated by Lois' second group.

Steve Trevor, Director Bones, Amanda Waller, Talia Al Ghul, Ra's Al Ghul, Max Lord, Batgirl, Jimmy Olsen, Ra's Al Ghul, Red Hood, and Kate Spencer - none are Leviathan.

Event Leviathan: This Time I'm _____

Now I have had a Leviathan Theory and I have been talking about it since the middle of May. In short, Leviathan and his cohorts are the Charlton Heroes and Leviathan himself is Ted Kord. And I am sticking to that guess. In fact, I have been so certain, I have claimed the phrase 'This time, I'm right' to discuss the book.

Along the way, I have also looked at other leading candidates for who could be under the mask. And I have posted those back-up theories here, reviewing all the clues I found and how they supported or disproved people.

And I have to say, I have so much fun just throwing myself into the assignment. I hope you guys have enjoyed it too.

But keep reading, because there will be a sad statement at the end of this post.

Leviathan Theory: Lois Lane #4 Clues

Tomorrow Event Leviathan #5 will hit the stands and the mystery will be solved. My assumption is the last page of the issue will be the big reveal.


Now I have had a Leviathan Theory and I have been talking about it since the middle of May. In short, Leviathan and his cohorts are the Charlton Heroes and Leviathan himself is Ted Kord. And I am sticking to that guess.

And since May I have been writing posts about clues wherever I see them. And last week's Lois Lane #4 had a couple of doozies.

Now as I have said for a while, I am stuck on my Charlton guess so I look at clues through that lens first.

First ...
But not only.

And so I am going to tell you what I saw in the issue but with it bolstering a couple of different theories.

The bottom line is this time, I think I'm right.

On to the clues.

Leviathan Theory: Pax Americana

You need to understand something before you move on reading this post.

I have been obsessed with the Leviathan mystery, a healthy little comic diversion given the hectic nature of my life. And I have been poring over the clues. I have a Leviathan Theory.

Unfortunately, obsession can sometimes lead to madness.

 Robin said it best early in the series. When you get a theory that you are completely invested in, you can't shake it.

Moreover, as you think about it, it becomes more real.

I have described it as anchoring bias.

I believe that Ted Kord and the Charlton heroes are Leviathan.

And once you anchor on that, you look for things to confirm that bias.

And just yesterday I posted how the inclusion of the Multiversity map in Action Comics #1015 was actually a clue, a way to trigger the reader to start thinking about multiple Earths in this organized way.

And then that led me to thinking about the actual Earth 4 in the Multiversity map. And that led me back to Pax Americana.

Leviathan Theory: Action Comics #1015 Clues

We are one week away from Event Leviathan #5 and (I assume) the big reveal of who Leviathan is.

As a result, this may be my final Leviathan Theory clue review.

I have to say, this deep dive into the Event Leviathan mystery has been a ton of fun for me. I love a good comic mystery. 'Who is Sensor Girl?' back in the 80s Legion of Super-Heroes was wild. 'Who is Superwoman?' in the Gates/Igle Supergirl was another great puzzle to solve.

And now 'Who is Leviathan?'

Back in May, I posed my theory that Leviathan was the Charlton Heroes. I came to that conclusion through a mix of Watchmen vibes, power sets, and dialogue clues. It has always been my theory and I have stuck to it, even if I have sized up other suspects.

And I have waxed and waned a bit in my confidence around my pick. But when you anchor on a decision, you start to see everything as a confirmation of your thoughts.

So what did I see in Action Comics #1015 that flooded me with a newfound certainty that this time I am right.

Event Leviathan Clue Review: Supergirl #34

I know that the reveal of 'Who is Leviathan?' is going to happen as the cliffhanger of Event Leviathan #5.

That's only a couple of weeks away.

That also means I don't have much more time to show my insanity and review clues which may or may not be there.

As you know, I have a Leviathan Theory and I am sticking to it. And part of that theory is that we are dealing with some Watchmen overlay. And as such, I am always looking closely for such clues.

So let's look at Supergirl #34.

At The Block, Shay Gravitas  pings Eliza's robot hand as a way for Supergirl to track her adoptive mother.

When the signal comes in, we see a dot within a circle on a light blue field.

Hmmm ...

Leviathan Theory: Event Leviathan #4 Clues Review

I have a  Leviathan Theory. Ted Kord and the Charlton Heroes are Leviathan.

And at the beginning, I was convinced I was right. There was enough Watchmen overtones and reverberations to make me think there was a reverse analog plot happening. And I am still on board with my theory.

But there are other clues and other suspects. And there are clues pointing to lots of people.

In the past, I have used my clue review posts to try to back up my claim. But now, I think it is better for me to use these to review all the clues I saw.

That means some will point to the Charlton heroes. Others will point to different back-up theories I have. And still others will just be some things I noticed which don't point to anyone necessarily but make me pause and wonder if I am missing something.

Believe it or not, it starts with the cover.

Event Leviathan Clue Review: Millennium Legion of Super-Heroes #1

On Wednesday I do an in-depth of review the clues I found in Event Leviathan #4.

But over on the Comics Beat, blog friend Cori had the luck to interview Brian Michael Bendis about Event Leviathan. Here is a link to that post:
https://www.comicsbeat.com/who-leviathan-isnt-brian-michael-bendis-interview/

First off, I am, to use local parlance, wicked jealous.

Second, I was intrigued to learn that there was a clue hidden in the Kamandi pages of Millennium: Legion of Super-Heroes #1. I actually didn't mention those pages at all in my bullet review so shame on me.

So let's take a peek.

Leviathan Theory: Action Comics #1014 Clues Review

Well, we are approaching the halfway mark of the Event Leviathan phenomenon.

That means clues are now starting to add up. With new information, some suspects should be considered less likely. And other should be considered more likely.

Action Comics #1014 came out last week and gave us one big clue drop. I suppose the information conveyed here will eventually be revealed in the main Leviathan book. But for those of us following here, we got this bonus nugget a little early.

But for me, it is something of a big deal because I think it makes a couple of suspects more likely. In fact, I think this adds some further credence to my overall Leviathan Theory that it is Ted Kord and the Charlton heroes.

So first a review of the mystery angle.

One of the big mysteries around Leviathan is the blue energy that the group is using to destroy sites while whisking people away unharmed.

Remember, Superman described it as things being 'just not there anymore'. Not disintegration. Not destruction.

Later, Batman describes the energy as something not in his catalog, perhaps otherworldly.

Those descriptions have led me to implicate Captain Atom, The Atom, and even Adam Strange. All have access to odd energies.

So what did we learn in Action Comics #1014?

Quick Peek At Justice League #30

The current Justice League title has been a rather interesting, almost 'over the top' book where every issue so far has been a world/universe/multiverse crisis in the making. Writer Scott Snyder and sometime co-writer James Tynion IV have really been keeping the gas pedal pressed to the floor with cosmic threats from beyond, artifacts of incredible power, and mind-blowing concepts about the origins of the DCU.

It has been somewhat hard to follow at times. A lot of the ideas are presented with a sort of 'roll with it' laissez-faire attitude. You either let the plots wash over you and buy into it or you get irritated at the lack of cohesive sense and story-telling.

For me, and I might say for once, I am in the former category, not the latter. I don't think I could elegantly tell you who Perpetua is, why a doorknob in a Legionnaire's hall is the most powerful known item in the DCU, what weapons the Legion of Doom has, or what is happening.

All I know is the heroes seem nervous that they might not win this time. And that alone has me invested in the ride.

One page in this week's Justice League #30 stood out though, for a couple of reasons.

With the universe and perhaps the multiverse in jeopardy, the League gathers all the super-heroes they can find and deputize them.

That's right. Everyone is now officially a member of the Justice League. Because when it hits the fan, the heroes will need every strong right arm they can get.

I love these sorts of pages. I love when Superman is looked on as this inspirational leader, able to muster up an army with his words alone. Snyder has really let Superman shine in this book and that makes me happy. That alone might make me showcase this page.

But there were a couple of details worth highlighting.

Leviathan Theory: Event Leviathan #6 Cover & Maxwell Lord

I have a #Leviathan Theory and I am sticking to it.
Leviathan is Ted Kord, with the help of the other Charlton Heroes.
Much of that has been driven by the Watchmen-like vibes I have seen in a number of stories. The Watchmen characters were based on the Charlton characters. It is a sort of dark mirror image of each other once over sort of theme.
I had a cutesy little catch phrase too! 'This time I'm right!'

I have back-up theories. I have reviewed the clues. You can read all those posts here:
comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com/search/label/Leviathan%20Theory

But I started this whole #LeviathanTheory thread with the idea it was Ted and I have to stick to that. In poker talk, I am pot committed.

Unfortunately, I am starting to think, this time I'm wrong.

Because when I saw the covers to Event Leviathan #6, my mind started leaning towards Leviathan being Maxwell Lord.

Part of that is the shadows of the Leviathan Troops in this Bryan Hitch cover. While I know they are the helmeted troops we have seen in this title, in silhouette, they look an awful lot like OMACs.

And in the Main cover, we see the Leviathan mask peeling away revealing a 'third eye' in the middle of the forehead. While you might think of Despero or Starro, it feels more like the Brother Eye eye.

I mean, those guys on the first cover look like this.

And given Maxwell Lord's connection to OMAC's back in the Infinite Crisis time, it all seems to make sense.

Leviathan Theory: Event Leviathan #3 Clues Review

I have a Leviathan Theory.

Okay, I have Leviathan Theories.

But the main Leviathan Theory is that Levithan is Ted Kord, the Blue Beetle. That somehow Ted can see the entirety of the DC Universe. All its history. All its Crises. And, in a Watchmen like effort, has recruited the other Charlton heroes to help him get control of this Earth.

And now, anchored onto the conclusion, I read Event Leviathan and try to massage the information given to fit that theory.

And trust me, Event Leviathan #3, while not giving us any physical clues, is filled with enough nuance and innuendo to make me think that this time I am right.

A lot of that has to do with the idea that Jason Todd has every motive to be Leviathan, to wring order out of the chaos of super-villainy and heroes with immutable morals. A lot of it has to do with words Leviathan says themselves.

So enough chitchat. Let's get to the clue review!

Let's start with the cover, which I think is an homage to Batman #618. While this was part of the Hush storyline, it showcases the dead Jason Todd. The death of Jason could be considered one of Batman's biggest failures. But moreover, his not avenging Jason was the impetus behind Todd becoming the Red Hood.

The Joker killed Jason. Batman arrested the Joker. The Joker has killed again and again. If Jason's desire for justice is driven by that, who else could we say could have such a compulsion.

Well, if you're Ted Kord and you can see everything that has happened everywhen then you know you were shot in the head when heroes like Batman didn't join you in your investigation in Countdown to Infinite Crisis.

And you also know that Wonder Woman, who did take that step, was vilified for it, driving a wedge between the Trinity.

Ted has a reason to want to bring order to the world. So something like this doesn't happen again.

Okay, onto the book itself.

Leviathan (Back Up) Theory - The Atom

We are two months into Event Leviathan and I have my Leviathan Theory in the bank. Leviathan is Ted Kord, aided by the other Charlton heroes.

Like any good mystery, there isn't just one suspect. Anyone can still be Leviathan under that mask. And I have been poring over these clues so much that other theories were bound to bubble to the surface. Hawk and Dove? New 52 Superman? Adam Strange? A case (maybe not particularly strong ones) can be made for any of these characters. I know ... I have done so.

Let me throw another onto the pile.

Leviathan is Ray Palmer. And 'we' means just that. He has a partner.

What do we know about Leviathan right now that are facts. He wants to bring about world order. He doesn't want to fight super-heroes; he wants them to join. He has very advanced tech. He knows the heroes very well, maybe having worked beside them. And he seems to come from a tragic past.

Mix those facts in with some things implied in issues and I have a decent back up theory that the Atom is Leviathan.

In fact, even the names are a hint. The Atom is something small. Leviathan, by definition, means something big. That word play alone might be a hint.

But you aren't here for semantics.

You are here for a breakdown of clues. So let's get to it.