"Oh Look, a Fight Between Two Characters Nobody Cares About," in Checkmate (vol. 1) #16, by Paul Kupperberg (writer), Rick Hoberg (penciller), Al Vey (inker), Julianna Ferriter (colorist), Gaspar (letterer)
I own three issues of the 1980s version of Checkmate (and none of Greg Rucka's early mid-2000s version, before you ask). All three are part of the Janus Directive, the crossover that ran between a bunch of the vaguely espionage-themed books DC had going for a few months. Checkmate, Suicide Squad, Manhunter (and did I see Bendis brought back Mark Shaw as some crazy cult leader? Jesus Christ), as well as Firestorm and Captain Atom, for some reason or another.
Well, Captain Atom is generally related to the military, and Ostrander was writing Firestorm at the time, so maybe that's reason enough.
Honestly, Janus Directive is kind of a mess. By design, since the whole thing is Kobra pitting all the various intelligence/national security groups against each other. Everybody keeps running around attacking each other constantly. This issue picked up after Checkmate attacked General Eiling. He sends Major Force after them, at the same time they're attacking Belle Reve to get at Waller. The Squad goes after Checkmate later about that. It's hard to keep track of whose on which side or who they're attacking from one minute to the next.
Checkmate appears to be "espionage" in the '80s superhero comic book sense. Everyone still runs around in brightly colored outfits. At least it's more visually interesting than dark suits or generically "realistic" outfits.
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