Comic Title: Checkmate #8
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: November 1988
On Sale Date: July 12, 1988 Shipping Date July 12, 1988
Source: Direct Currents, #6

Shipping Date July 14, 1988
Source: Amazing Heroes, #144

Copyright Date July 12, 1988
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1988

Shipping Date July 12, 1988
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #760, #762

Newsstand Date July 26, 1988
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #760, #762

Cover Price: $1.25
Page Count: 32
Editor: Jonathan Peterson

Title: "A Thorn in Her Side"
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
Checkmate

Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Steve Erwin
Inker: Al Vey
Letterer: Albert Tobias De Guzman
Colorist: Julianna Ferriter

Feature Character(s)

• Checkmate (last appearance in Checkmate #7; next appearance in Checkmate #9)
• Harry Stein (last appearance in Checkmate #7; next appearance in Suicide Squad #19)
• Harvey Bullock (last appearance in Swamp Thing Annual #4; next appearance in Checkmate #9)
• John Reed (last appearance in Checkmate #6; next appearance in Checkmate #14)

Supporting Character(s)

• Amanda Waller (last appearance in Suicide Squad #17; next appearance in Deadshot #1)
• Kalia Campbell (last appearance in Checkmate #6; next appearance in Checkmate #14)
• Black Thorn (last appearance in Checkmate #2; next appearance in Checkmate #14)

Villain(s)

• Several hitmen (Quaid and Henson named; no further appearances)
• A gang of drug dealers (no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Atkinson (a technician; no further appearances)
• Two pawns (no further appearances)

Synopsis:
Amanda Waller orders the death of Black Thorn who is considered a security risk. Harvey Bullock refuses to be a part of murder and walks out. Harry Stein is not happy about it either, so he sends John Reed to arrange a meeting. Waller has had Harry under surveillance and interrupts the meeting in which Harry was offering to fake Black Thorn's death. Black Thorn attempts to escape with the help of Reed. When Waller threatens to shoot the vigilante herself, Black Thorn shows her a piece of paper. The paper contains evidence of Waller's illegal operations. Black Thorn uses it to blackmail her way to safety.

Later, Harry meets with Harvey who had told Black Thorn where the evidence could be found.