Comic Review: Domino #4

Domino #4

Marvel Comics

Writer: Gail Simone

Artist: David Baldeon

Last issue saw Neena go on a ‘vacation’ to Hong Kong’s Lantau Island. There she hoped to obtain a better mastery of her powers under the guidance of Shang-Chi, the master of Kung Fu. Neena and her training with Shang-Chi take a side seat, as Gail Simone offers us a look at Outlaw and Diamondback’s new adventure, as well as giving us some much-needed backstory on Topaz and Desmond.

Feels like filler

The issue starts with a flashback. We visit Project Armageddon, the same place that held Neena when she was a child. There, we are introduced to Topaz and Desmond, the man that we’ve seen with Topaz in the previous issues. We learn more about their relationship, as well as Desmond’s connection to Neena. Simone manages to make us sympathize with them as we learn about the tragedy that is the link between Desmond and Neena. While that supposed link may leave you scratching your head, this is still the best section of the issue. Mostly due to the art, but more on that later.

We then switch to Outlaw and Diamondback who are hurt that they have lost Neena’s trust. They decide to go after Topaz and try to clear everything up. Deadpool makes an appearance and offers the two heroes some info on Topaz’s whereabouts.

Meanwhile, Neena is trying to gain better control over her powers with the help of Shang-Chi’s training. It’s a witty and entertaining section, as we see Neena try to do better, but fail, all the while flirting with Shang-Chi. But this, unfortunately, offers nothing to the overarching storyline and feels like filler.

The art is great though

David Baldeon continues his art duties and he does a good job. Some people might dislike the cartoonish style, but it serves the overall tone of the book extremely well. Special praise goes to Jesus Aburtov, who’s vibrant coloring makes every page pop. The first section of the book is magnificent, with its combination of grayscale and some neon-red colors perfectly encapsulating the bleakness of Project Armageddon. The dreary and brutal atmosphere is further enhanced by Baldeon’s depiction of Desmond’s arm breaking, seemingly by itself. The way that the leader of the project treats Desmond leaves the reader sympathizing with the would-be villain. The end of the book also has some great coloring to it. What can I say, I love them colors!

Not bad, overall

Despite a good chunk of the issue feeling like it serves no purpose but being unnecessary filler, it’s still a fun book. The characters are interesting, the witty banter is funny (Bendis, take some notes) and the book sets up the final conflict (I presume) nicely. Oh, and did I mention just how great the colors are?