DOMINO HOT SHOTS #1: Come Together

Confession time. Domino and Black Widow are two of my favorite characters. I have literally been waiting more than two decades for this team up. As excited as I was for this book, deep down there is always trepidation when two characters you love and have followed for so long share the same pages. Will I like it? Will it be everything I have always hoped? I should not have worried at all.

The storyline is straight forward and simple but the genius is in the execution that’s classy and fun all at the same time as this team pursue the alien technology only to find it is now bonded with a person. Its great to see this group of ladies in action even though the battle really doesn’t end in any sort of victory and of course now that the danger has a face and they’ve resolved to stop this celestial technology bonded being, Gail does what she does best throws a big red and black-clad spandex spanner in the works…

Gail Simone’s cast is in a word perfection. This Domino is very much Gail’s version, a highly skilled mercenary but a wholly three dimensional character with fears and trust issues that is as human as you or I. Her Domino can be flattered and be in awe of meeting an idol and a show off too. Gail’s characterization of Domino is fun to read, with writing that is both emotive and burst out laughing funny with writing like and I quote: White Fox: May actually be living anime. I like that Gail is respectful of the history of other characters especially Black Widow and writes Natasha very much in line with what has come before and that feels right. She writes Natasha as what she is: a highly skilled operative in the highest form of the word that will do what needs to be done. White Fox is the character I am least familiar with but Gail slots her in deftly and establishes the type of character she is with the rivalry between her and Natasha. It’s also super pleasing to have Atlas Bear come across from the Domino run. The book reads very well and I breezed through it effortlessly. In short, Gail  provides a smooth and immediate pick up from her Domino series while providing a fresh jumping on point for those who haven’t read it yet ( ps go read Gail’s and the rest of the teams Domino series it’s great!) with a really excellent set of dynamic characters and an action-packed story.

The art from David Baldeon is on point with those breathtaking splashes, great dynamism and movement and big eyes I have come to know and love from the Domino series. This issue is also really well paneled, Baldeon manages to fit a lot in but it never feels overly cluttered. I am a huge fan of how he draws characters and it’s great to see him execute Natasha with such great style in both civilian and business attire. The battle scene is well done and the matched coloring by Jim Charalampidis works well with Baldeons line work and I have to say hats off to both for capturing that Kirby feels with both the Kirby crackle and that very cool celestial green. I am sure wherever he is, Jack Kirby is he is smiling at the nod.

Clayton Cowles continues to prove that he is one of the best and most prolific letterers in the industry with perfectly placed lettering that compliments the layout of the book rather than working against it.