#xforce comics

[wolverinecore]

They r the same

[soviet-supersoldier]

Character spotlight: Domino

I thought I would take a moment to highlight probably one of Arkady's most overlooked friendships/relationships today. Neena Thurman, A.K.A Domino, is not someone people immediately associate with Arkady, but she's been on three (if we count AoR) teams with Arkady within the past 10 years of comics. She has been his most consistent teammate in the modern era, and I think that she should be recognized.

The arc of their relationship is actually interesting to think about. Because Domino first met Omega Red in the pages of the 2017 Weapon X run, and at first, she was really hostile to the idea of being around Arkady. She didn't view him in a positive light at all:

But even over the course of the first few hours/days she was around Arkady, Domino started to come around and offering him a chance. She supported him on the battlefield when Omega Red thought he was going to have to fight the entire Winter Guard alone:

But really I think this is the moment that truly solidified their bond: when Arkady saves her from falling to her death:

That would have been a huge sign to Neena that there was more to this big lug that she originally called a psycho. And after this, you really see in the little moments just how well they get along:

What is truly wonderful about them is how their friendship and dynamic actually continues on after that in the pages of the Krakoa era X-Force. Marvel these days really struggles with having bonds between characters actually continue after a run ends, but this is one of the rare ones that has endured so far. It might be due to the fact that Domino is a staple of X-Force books and writers have found that Omega Red actually really, really works as an option on an X-Force team, but the result remains. The two of them get along quite well.

This connection they have, and the growth Domino really experienced with regards to Arkady and how she viewed him, really is highlighted in X-Force (2019) #27 when she actually speaks up against Logan to defend Omega Red's actions during the X-Lives of Wolverine event:

This is really noteworthy for her, as she has had a romantic relationship with Logan before. She's known him for a long time, and yet she disagrees with his view that Omega Red is trouble. Because she learned over time that he is a reliable man, one who has his goofy quirks of liking milk chocolate with no nuts, and who is someone she can trust on the battlefield.

In the Krakoa era, we see Domino lead Omega Red on several missions. He obeys without question, and she trusts him to have her back and to agree with the decisions she makes in the field. They're great partners, and there isn't anything that has happened between them that would make them doubt each other when it matters most. If anything, it just brings them closer together:

From Omega Red's side of this bond, he can actually be lighter with Domino. She's a bright and happy gal despite her past (which is something they both have in common), and her more bubbly personality definitely rubs off on him. She can joke around with him and lightly tease without worrying about him snapping angrily about it or tossing her over a waterfall.

And that is really what I enjoy about their bond the most. They're the quiet sort of friends to each other. The ones who don't have to yell to everyone and proclaim to the hills about how much they support each other. They just do. They work together. They're not afraid of each other. And they can be their true, authentic selves without having to hide parts away or repress things just for the sake of getting along. Their genuineness is something to marvel.

Now, is there something deeper? That is hard to say, but I definitely feel there is care there. Domino is the one who first noticed Omega Red getting nabbed at the start of X-Force (2019) #40 and charges after him. It's clear Domino does care about Omega Red in some way. After all, they've been through a lot together:

As I mentioned before, the two of them both have pasts as weapons for their respective governments, and I definitely think that is something they have bonded over.

I also personally think them having a sort of sibling bond is another fun avenue that could be explored with them outside of a potential romance, as there are some similarities with how they look that they could not only bond over (knowing how it feels like to be ostracized over appearance, the pains of wearing white, sharing fashion tips) but also the potential for mistaken identity ("wait, you're not actually related??") because it is just cute to think about.

Either way, no matter how a person may look at them, I think what Domino and Omega Red have is special. In the alternate future where Doug took over, they were teammates once again, and again, we see that their friendship endures, which I think is just wonderful to see continue even in an alternate future that was so bleak for them:

This is a friendship that I hope Arkady gets to keep. He has so very few friends and people he can consider allies and people he can trust to not stab him in the back somewhere down the line. Domino is a great leader, a great teammate, and she overcame a lot of personal bias to stand where she does now as his quiet but strong support. And I have no doubt that Omega Red acts the same for Domino, following her into battle wherever she leads. Please Marvel, if they are on a team together again, let their friendship continue!

[wolverinecore]

Logan & Hercules reuniting

X-treme X-men (2012-2013)

[wolverinecore]

Ur average queer friend group