Comic Review: Domino #7

Domino (2018-) #7

Marvel Comics

Writer: Gail Simone

Artist: David Baldeon

The first arc of the Domino series was a wild ride, but now it has come to a close. Issue #7 is the beginning of a new arc and already this story shows a lot of promise. Domino has a new assignment from a mysterious Wakandan citizen. The three woman team of Domino, Outlaw, and Diamondback head to Norway where they retrieve a box guarded by vampires. The girls learn that a vampire revolution is coming and the box has something to do with it.

The plot of this book is a simple one; three girls kicking butt and looking good while doing it. In fact, the subtle message of the book seems to be around the need for female heroes to look good. The dialogue between characters even mentions that fact at the beginning of the issue.

Outlaw and Diamondback reveal a new sign for the casino boat that the trio of girls now live on. The sign features the phrase “C’mon get lucky” with an attractive Domino holding a pair of dice. As Domino stands reading the sign in ratty sweats, disheveled hair, and bear slippers she makes a comment about how that doesn’t even look like her. Domino wonders how the sexualized sign will affect her reputation. Outlaw mentions the sexy look displays confidence and should make her more frightening. I’m thinking that argument might be a little flawed myself.

Later in the issue, the girls wear altered costumes since they are in the frigid lands of Norway. The girls are traveling by snowmobile which can be rather cold. I live in a climate that only has two seasons, winter and getting ready for winter. I can tell you that snowmobiles completely expose you to the elements. To avoid windchill and getting hit with snow while driving you would want to wear as much as possible.

Domino and Diamondback wear altered costumes with winter garb which makes sense. Outlaw is the sexy one, however. A common comic book cliche is that when a woman is in the snow they still have to look sexy. Outlaw decides to wear her bikini top and jean short outfit but compliments it with a scarf to fight the cold. The outfit Outlaw wears is so ridiculous artist David Baldeon has to be drawing it that way purposely.

As for the rest of the book, I really enjoyed writer Gail Simone’s dialogue. The friendship between the girls on the team feels very believable. The narration from Domino throughout the book does have relevance to what is going on. Where the art and writing team really shines is on the action. This book is a simple action book featuring a team of women as the protagonist and it accomplishes that task well. The fight scenes feature Domino using her luck powers in some great ways. The trio uses their title of mercenaries for sure. Simone also adds some fun cameos to this issue to set up the future story.

This series has been consistently doing a great job and this issue is no exception to that. Domino is a charming and funny lead to a book. I was not expecting to stick with this series when I picked up the first issue but seven issue in I am still going. I am not sure if this series counts as an X book, but it would be my favorite at the moment if it is.