Comic Title: Checkmate #17
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: June 1989
On Sale Date: April 11, 1989 Shipping Date April 11, 1989
Source: Direct Currents, #14

Shipping Date April 11, 1989
Source: Amazing Heroes, #162

Shipping Date April 11, 1989
Source: Previews, #2

Copyright Date April 11, 1989
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1989

Direct Market Date April 13, 1989
Source: Comic Shop News, #93, #94, #95

Cover Price: $1.50
Page Count: 32
Editor: Jonathan Peterson

Title: "A Hard Day's Knight"
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
Checkmate

Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Steve Erwin
Inker: Al Vey
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Julianna Ferriter

Reprinted In:
Suicide Squad:The Janus Directive TPB (2016)

Feature Character(s)

• Checkmate (last appearance in Suicide Squad #28; next appearance in Suicide Squad #29)
• Harry Stein (last appearance in Suicide Squad #28; next appearance in Suicide Squad #29)
• Harvey Bullock (last appearance in Suicide Squad #28; next appearance in Suicide Squad #29)
• Gary Washington (last appearance in Checkmate #16; next appearance in Checkmate #18)
• John Reed (last appearance in Checkmate #16; next appearance in Suicide Squad #29)

Guest Star(s)

• Peacemaker (last appearance in Suicide Squad #28; next appearance in Suicide Squad #29)
• Valentina Vostok (last appearance in Suicide Squad #28; next appearance in Suicide Squad #29)

Supporting Character(s)

• Black Thorn (last appearance in Suicide Squad #28; next appearance in Suicide Squad #29)

Villain(s)

• Kobra (last appearance in Suicide Squad #28; next appearance in Suicide Squad #29)
• The Blackadders (last appearance in Suicide Squad #28; next appearance in Manhunter #14)
• Jacques Reynard (a knight; not named in this story; later revealed as Bishop; last appearance in Checkmate #15; next appearance in Checkmate #19)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Lois Lane (last appearance in Suicide Squad #28; next appearance in Suicide Squad #29)
• John Chase (last appearance in Suicide Squad #28; no further appearances)
• Marie Chase (last appearance in Suicide Squad #28; no further appearances)
• Wade Eiling (last appearance in Suicide Squad #28; next appearance in Suicide Squad #29)
• Bridgette D'Abo (last appearance in Suicide Squad #28; next appearance in Suicide Squad #30)

Other Character(s)

• Mr. Wellsley (a Belle Reve computer expert; dies in this story; no further appearances)

Comments:
The Janus Directive: Week 5

This story is continued from Suicide Squad #28 and continues in Manhunter #14.

Synopsis:
While Checkmate reels from the loss of its headquarters which was destroyed during the fight with Major Force, Kobra's ninja assassins strike down Checkmate field agents around the globe. Sensing he has been set up, Harry Stein reaches out to General Eiling to form an alliance with the Atom Project. He suggests that several key individuals from both their organizations have been replaced by dopplegangers including Amanda Waller.

Meanwhile, Peacemaker tries to track down Major Force. He encounters Black Thorn and Knight John Reed before being attacked by Kobra's assassins.