Domino #8
Ross Hutchinson
Recap
Domino and her posse find themselves back in a hotel in Bergen Norway having successfully retrieved their mission objective: a large wooden box. Neena not able to contain her curiosity at what's in the large box she and her crew fought vampires to get, having pereviously opened it out in the field only to discover that it housed none other than the living vampire himself: Morbius. All the while unaware that they are under surveillance by the mysterious vampire hunter Tighe who reports to an unseen superior.
In their hotel room once again debate rages amongst Neena, Outlaw, and Diamondback as to whether they should open the box again and let Morbius out. Domino who understands what being locked up is like ( a nod to her past as seen in the first arc) decides to free him.
The living vampire awakens and there is a short skirmish between the posse and Morbius who believes himself the prisoner still of his previous captors. The Posse subdues Morbius (with the help of a grenade in the pants of course) who agrees to tell them his story but not before he has drunk the blood of one of the posse as he is terribly weak. Domino steps up ( that's my girl) despite protests by her friends and lets the living vampire drink her blood restoring his diminished life essence.
Morbius explains that the vampires have a plan to use the blood-borne virus that Morbius carries in his blood to infect and destroy the human race and that they must be stopped or the human race will be wiped out. He goes on to tell them that when he refused to assist the vampires and sought to stop their plans he was attacked and imprisoned in the box and sent him somewhere he couldn't be found. He tells the Posse they need to find the head vampire that commands all the others so they travel from Norway back to Barcelona to do so. Domino and her posse are reluctant but the bite has left Neena feeling connected to the living vampire and she decides to trust him.
This leads them to a nudist (yes nudist) beach in Barcelona where they have a confrontation with the horrific creature that is the king vampire underwater ( great another reason to mistrust the sea) which ultimately sees the posse victorious thanks to a little Domino luck and a lot of explosive. Domino, the posse and Morbius emerge from the ocean victorious only to be confronted by Tighe the aforementioned vampire hunter who is there to destroy Morbius. However, Domino isn't having it and knocks Tighe out which allows Morbius to be on his way.
It seems all is well that ends well as Neena, Rachel and Inez enjoy their victory with drinks and food but their celebration is short-lived as Domino receives a phone call from Shoon'kwa. Their Wakandan client informs Neena they have more to do and that next they need to kidnap someone... someone that Neena actually knows...
Review
There’s a lot to like about this issue and we can start with the coloring first. Jesus Aburtov continues to amaze me every week. The use of arterial red in this issue, in particular, is fantastic. It’s understated but supremely effective at giving the pages where its used a horror feel without going over the top. Him and David Baldeon have found a groove with each other and it comes off the page.
It’s no secret that I am a fan of David Baldeon’s art and really every month I end up saying the same thing about how I do not think he can top his last splash but once again he does it with absolute style and aplomb. The Hammer horror films homage pages in this issue once again mean he manages to top his last splash in issue #7 which I didn’t think possible. I make a habit of going back over issues comparing things like art and coloring and this issue is overall probably the slickest production from an art and coloring point of view as the art team, who have really clicked since issue one, continue to produce beautifully detailed line art with superb coloring and great lettering courtesy of Clayton Cowles
I would be completely remiss if I didn’t mention the cover. The cover is by artist Gang Hyuk Lim and is my favorite cover from the series to date. It is beautifully rendered and detailed and he really has made Morbius look as menacing as he should. That combined with the mostly black background and the use of red in the title makes for a really striking cover with a genuine horror feel.
Gail Simone continues to write these characters in a way that I deeply enjoy. Her use of both Neena’s internal monologue, as well as hilarious banter between characters, is both endearing and entertaining from page one to the last page. The dialogue never feels forced or uncomfortable. Domino disagreeing with Outlaw about opening the box to Outlaw’s paranoia about being bitten after the final confrontation all feel natural and there are small interpersonal moments of dialogue between the characters like Rachel pep talking Inez and holding her hand before they face off against the monsters beneath the waves that are fantastically deft touches.
She writes her lead characters in this book the way I like heroes, deeply flawed but strong in ways that real people can take inspiration from which she balances against some truly dynamic and butt-kicking action. That’s what I want from this comic and once again Gail delivers.
Final Thoughts
This issue is entertaining from start to finish as #teamDomino continues to romp through fun, action-packed and engaging stories that are a pleasure to read, provide laughs and butt-kicking action galore with a healthy dose of my favorite ingredient: Heart
Domino #8 Some Jobs are a Pain in the Neck
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 8/108/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 10/1010/10
- Cover Art - 10/1010/10