Domino (comics)
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Domino (Neena Thurman) is a Marvel Comics character, best known as a member of the X-Men offshoot X-Force. Created by writer Fabian Nicieza and artist/co-writer Rob Liefeld, she first fully appeared in X-Force #11 (June 1992).
In addition to her exceptional marksmanship and hand-to-hand skills, Domino possesses mutant probability-altering powers, similar to those of the X-Men Longshot. She often uses her skills as a mercenary, but has also been the partner, confidant and lover of the superhero Cable, lieutenant in his militant group X-Force and an ally of the X-Men.
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[edit] Fictional character biography
Domino was born with chalk-white skin, with a black spot surrounding her left eye. Domino's true name is unrevealed, although it has variously been given at times as Neena Thomas and Beatrice Thurman; she used the latter identity while married to a man named Milo Thurman.
Her exact history is largely mysterious but it is known she worked as a mercenary since an early age and founded the mercenary band the Six-Pack, which introduced her to the mutant time traveler Cable.
Domino did not properly appear in Marvel Comics until after several false starts. A Domino imposter, a mutant shapeshifter named Copycat, first appeared in New Mutants #98 (1992), although the real Domino did not appear in that issue. Domino made a brief appearance in a flashback in X-Force volume 1 #8, and made her first actual present-day appearance on the last page of issue #11.
When Cable became the leader of the New Mutants following their break from the X-Men, "Domino" (actually Copycat) joined him as his field leader, and stayed with the team as they changed from the New Mutants to X-Force. When it was revealed that the real Domino was actually a prisoner of the supervillain Tolliver, X-Force rejected the Domino imposter and, with Cable's reassurances, rescued the real Domino and welcomed her into the team. Domino stayed with the team for most of its existence, becoming its de facto leader when Cable left the team on several occasions. When X-Force briefly disbanded, Domino joined the X-Corporation, as well as Cable's Underground. She rejoined X-Force when the team was reformed to battle Skornn.
Later, she was employed by S.H.I.E.L.D. as a member of the new Six-Pack. Alongside G. W. Bridge, Hammer, Solo, Anaconda and Constrictor, she attacked Cable at his community Providence, though she quickly defected to his side after the Six Pack was defeated by Cable and Deadpool. Domino followed Deadpool to Rumekistan, where she assassinated the country's dictator, Flagsmasher, only to find out it was part of a plan to install Cable as leader of that nation. After a conversation with Citizen V, she then attempted to kill Cable, believing that he would lead them to ruin.
In Civil War: X-Men 1, she and Shatterstar led an attack on the Xavier Institute and broke out more than half of the 198, bringing the tension which had been building between the 198 and O*N*E to a head.
Domino has recently rejoined with the Six Pack and has been implementing terrorist activities in Rumekistan. However, after Cable thwarted their plans, Domino again defected to Cable's side and announced on worldwide television that the attacks have been carried out at the behest of the United States government in an attempt to undermine Cable's authority.
[edit] Alternate Versions
- In the Age of Apocalypse, Domino was a sadistic bounty hunter working for Apocalypse, alongside her two henchmen, Caliban and Grizzly. Domino was summoned by the Dark Lord to hunt down Nate Grey. Even though Domino's powers gave her the advantage, she was killed by Nate, who destroyed her mind by exposing her to all the suffering she had caused.
- Ultimate Domino was introduced in the second part of the "Cable" storyarc, that can be found in Ultimate X-Men #76. Once again, Domino appears to be part of Cable's team and looks just like her original counterpart.
[edit] Powers and abilities
Domino's mutant abilities cause her to constantly emanate a field that affects the laws of probability, usually manifesting itself as good luck. This effect constantly emanates from her body at all times and is completely subconscious. However, it is also largely participatory - in order for the luck to take effect, Domino herself must engage in an action whose chance she can affect. For example, if debris falling from the sky was about to hit her in the head, she would still be hurt if she stood still. However, if she tried to avoid them, she would move perfectly to avoid each and every piece about to hit her.
As a byproduct of her probability abilities, her brain sends surges of energy down her spine to guide her movements during certain circumstances, boosting her reflexes and agility to superhuman levels. She also carries a staff that can fire projectiles and is a good hand-to-hand combatant.
