This issue sees ‘s Domino getting more than just Kung Fu lessons from her new teacher! Her two posse partners decide to get directly involved and we learn a great deal more about who it is that’s out to destroy Neena Thurman’s life…
DOMINO #4
Writer: Gail Simone
Artist: David Baldeon
Color Artists: Jesus Aburtov
Cover Artist: Greg Land
Publisher: Marvel Comics
?WARNING: This review contains major spoilers!!?
What You Need To Know:
Neena’s being proactive! After having suffered a defeat in combat, nearly losing her posse in an ambush at the hands of the vengeful Topaz and her mysterious male companion, Domino has headed on her own to Japan ( because well she smells a rat when it comes to her two partners) to seek help in being able to control her ability so that she is better prepared to face her new enemies in the future from none other than The Master of Kung Fu himself Shang Chi.
What You’ll Find Out:
We open in the past but not Neena’s past but rather Topaz’s past where we learn that not only was she at Project Armageddon and had befriended one of the project’s subjects, a young boy named Desmond Phineas Tarketon but she is, in fact, Cynthia Topaz Rossini the daughter of the cruel Dr. Rossini! Desmond’s arm breaks mysteriously of its own accord while he is talking to young Topaz and they are discovered together by Dr. Rossini who warns his daughter away from Desmond and quietly threatens Desmond as he resets his arm locks the boy back in his room and orders him branded on the eye same as Neena but on the other eye as it “amuses him.” Young Topaz apologizes to Desmond through the locked door her father’s cruel anti-mutant word’s echoing in her head as she reveals that she has abilities of her own!
Jump to the present and Inez and Rachel are on the recently acquired (see issue 3) riverboat The Painted Lady and while dealing with a culinary mess served to them from the kitchen (hollandaise from a can and bologna in the eggs benedict!!! YUCK) they discuss Neena’s solo departure which Inez is not happy about at all, even more so when Rachel aka Diamondback puts in words what Domino has been thinking: That Domino thinks her or Inez were responsible for the ambush because they were the only two with the information to do so. Inez’s response is so very in character and as they decide to find out who is actually responsible and b. go after their friend and partner and let her know it was not them.
Cut to Lantau island Japan and the subject of Outlaw and Diamondback’s conversation dressed well… let’s say dressed for Kung Fu as Neena thinks she should dress much to the disapproval of Shang Chi (pro tip buying anything from the Schmexy superheroes section of a cosplay online store to train with the master of Kung Fu in is a no no even if it is a homage to his original outfit) Shang Chi unimpressed gives Neena some guns and the two square off but it can only end one way… with Neena waking up on the floor wondering what the licence plate of the bus that hit her was.
Back to Outlaw and Diamondback and a food truck… which can only mean one thing: they meeting Deadpool to ask for info on Topaz. Wade is ready to go with them but Domino’s partners refuse because of the danger Topaz’s ability would pose to him so he points them in the direction of Halcyon Electives (the front for Project Armageddon)
We cut back to Neena who his training with Shang Chi and pretty much taking a beating in the process. It isn’t helping that Neena’s hormones are getting the better of her (he smells so good apparently) and she keeps ending up on her butt without getting a shot in, so Neena changes the rules by betting Shang Chi that if she tags him they take a break and do something she wants to do and while he accepts Neena actually focuses and in the second he blinks… knocks him flat on his keester… a break it is!
Meanwhile Diamondback and Outlaw are breaking into the Halcyon Electives facility with their usual aplomb and subtlety (no not really) where they discover an aged and decrepit and seemingly senile Doctor Rossini and are also confronted by Topaz who takes on Outlaw and a man who identifies himself as Da Da Daaa Desmond who confronts and takes on Diamondback revealing that he and Neena are linked and that everytime something good happened to Neena he would feel the negative effect ( hence the arm break as a child when Neena got the kitten) and that with every tragedy they have engineered for Domino he grows stronger… call him Prototype!
The “Break” Neena had in mind for her and he new teacher turns out to be a night on the town and a very nightclub glam Domino leads a very dapper looking Shang Chi onto the dance floor and we get a soft moment and even a kiss … but like Neena says she’s never been lucky in the romance department as the two look up…
What Just Happened:
Another excellent issue. We got much (not all though) of the mystery around Domino’s new enemies cleared up as to who they are and what their motivation is, a hefty chunk of comedy and I must just say that Gail Simone’s comedic writing on this and the fun she has with Outlaw’s dialogue and Neena’s internal monologue are the standout highlights of this issue for me.
As usual, there is no fault to be found with the gorgeous linework by David Baldeon and Jesus Aburtov’s amazing coloring, which combined continue, to make this book a visual treat page after page after page. I want to give a special mention to Letterer Clayton Cowles. Letterers are often forgotten in reviews but it’s worth saying comics just really would not be comics without them. Cowles has done a fantastic job on the series so far and this issue is no exception. This book is fun action entertainment with a nice big scoop of comedy with a side order of heart thrown in and I am enjoying it immensely so far.
Pros:
Witty, action-packed and just a plain rollicking ride, this issue moves at a smooth steady pace. It is pure escapist fun and while it may not appeal to all comic book readers it is certainly, in my opinion, an excellent fun read for anyone wanting a pure bit of comic escapism.
Cons:
Again I am hard pressed to think of anything I disliked about the book except to say that maybe readers who like things to be more somber, serious and angst driven affairs when it comes to mutant related books may not enjoy it as much? But that’s pure conjecture on my part.
Final Thought:
This series continues to outstrip any expectations I had of how good it would be which is a great thing to be able to say of any comic book but even more awesome to say when you a long time fan of the character. Next issue we are going to get a treat with an issue drawn by Michael Shelfer as guest penciler so make sure you pick it up!
Rating: 9/10.
Domino #5: Killer Instinct On Sale August 8th, 2018!