Domino: Strays by Tristan Palmgren

Domino: Strays (Marvel Heroines)

by Tristan Palmgren

Sharp-witted, luck-wrangling mercenary Domino takes on both a dangerous cult and her own dark past, in this explosive introduction to the new series of Marvel prose novels

The job: infiltrate a Chicago conman’s cult to liberate some brainwashed twins. For former X-Force operative Domino, that’s a “hell no”. Fanatics are bad news. She still has nightmares about Project Armageddon, the super-soldier program that wrecked her life and destroyed her family. If only she’d had someone to help her back then, someone… like her. It’s a total pain in the ass, but maybe it is time to finally face those demons. With her probability manipulating superpowers she can turn even the worst of situations to her advantage.
 

Reviewed by Quirky Cat on

5 of 5 stars

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I received a copy of Domino: Strays in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Domino, the beloved mutant, is getting her own full-length novel! You read that right, novel, not graphic novel. Written by Tristan Palmgren, Domino: Strays is about to dive into Domino's past and present to bring a whole new story to the forefront.

There are two sides to the infamous Domino. There's her present, where she has worked so hard at creating a team of mercenaries and heroes that she can count on. Together, they take on the big cases, as well as the overlooked cases. Such as the case where two siblings could very well use some help escaping from a cult...

Then there's Domino's past. Her history with imprisonment, abuse, and experimentation. It's a history that many a mutant carries with them, even if the details alter slightly from one to another. Yet that side of her story unfolds as well, on these pages.

“I had known, at the time, that it was a mistake. But because I'm an idiot, that hadn't stopped me.”

Warnings: Domino: Strays portrays child abuse, experimentation (non-consensual), cults, and other similar subjects and themes.

First of all, can I just say that I absolutely adore that they've been making Marvel comics into novels? I adore the comics (obviously) but sometimes it's nice to have a bit more to sink my teeth into. Especially when it covers my favorite characters, such as Domino.

Domino: Strays is perfect for old and new fans alike. It pulls in themes and events that have happened in her recent series (including Domino: Hotshots). But it also takes the time to explain Domino's character, her past, and her connection to her friends, so a new fan could easily jump in here, if they so desired.

This was a surprisingly intense read, though perhaps it shouldn't have been. I know Domino's history, and I know how dark it gets. Yet the raw emotion in this novel, and the events that come alongside those emotions, cannot be avoided. Nor should it be.

“To do what I do, always take the first marshmallow.”

Despite the heavy tones, Domino does have a way about her. As such, Domino: Strays is full of her sass and flair. Sometimes that means things blow up. Other times that means her besties come in and start breaking stuff. Either way, it's going to be a lot of fun.

There are plenty of laugh out loud moments to be found within these pages, lots of little references, sometimes even poking at the other characters involved. It's perfect, and really did read like a longer running Domino series. I would love more of this, if possible!

Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

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  • Started reading
  • 28 September, 2020: Finished reading
  • 28 September, 2020: Reviewed
  • Started reading
  • Finished reading
  • 28 September, 2020: Reviewed