Review: DOMINO #1

DOMINO #1
Written by Gail Simone
Art by David Baldeón, Jesus Aburtov, Clayton Cowles
Edited by Chris Robinson
Published by Marvel Comics Comics
Release Date: April 11, 2018 

In her own words Domino is “…the poster child for whatever it takes.” If you haven’t met Domino before get ready for the ride of your life and not just because she is one of the coolest characters in the Marvel universe. Be prepared because you are getting the best possible introduction to her. If you’ve already met her then you are going to love what is Gail Simone and David Baldeón have done with her in Domino #1.

Gail Simone, as expected, has brought new depth to a character that was already awesome and did so in just one issue. It’s more than just giving a character a new power or removing that power or doing something new with their back story. It’s the way they talk and interact with the world around them and how the world reacts to them. Simone gives Domino a breath of life with her writing in this first issue. She shows us that there is more to our heroine than just her crazy adventures but even a normal life is interrupted by their super life. Apart from this there are a lot of hilarious moments between the characters and emotion. Although this is her debut solo issue there is no shortage of cameos from other Marvel Universe characters but it is done in a way that doesn’t take the spotlight from her. This is clearly her story and her world. The reader will immediately be drawn into her story.

David Baldeón’s artistic style complements Simone’s writing wonderfully. He has taken the story and captured the craziness that is Domino’s life and translated it into an art form. Domino’s off kilter mutant power is illustrated as an almost beautiful goofy look to her movements and postures. The expressions of all the characters are well done but Domino’s are priceless. There is a lot of emotion going on in this mercenary’s life and Baldeón captures it all perfectly. He also has done a great job at illustrating action scenes showing Domino’s frenetic acrobatic killing style in fluid single panels.

Jesus Aburtov provides gorgeous colors for this issue using lovely lighting effects to pump up the drama. Lighting is so important when coloring and can be used to drown a scene in moody darkness or just the opposite with glowing light. One of the best moments in this issue is a single small panel of Domino running towards the viewer with the sunlight rising/falling behind her. Overall the colors for this issue go a long way to translate the feeling of the dawn of a new era for Domino.

Clayton Cowles brings the dialogue to life with his always professional skills. There is a lot to read in this issue but the clarity of text and spacing is crisp. The lettering style also captures Domino and her friend’s unique voices perfectly.

It was an obvious choice to bring Simone on to write Domino and it works beautifully. This is sure to be a fun series that will make Domino an even bigger personality that she already was in the Marvel Universe.

The Verdict: 9.0/10.0 

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