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Marvel Aconyte Novels
Outlaw: Relentless: A Marvel Heroines Novel
Super-powered mercenary Outlaw is always ready for a fight, but when her own mind is being stolen from her, she’ll have to find a new way to defeat the bad guys, in this fast-paced Marvel Heroines adventure.
Inez Temple, aka Outlaw, is a key member of Domino’s mercenary team, the Posse, but when a job goes sideways Outlaw finds herself on the outside, and in an alarming state. A merc in her line of work needs to be sharp, but Inez’s mind is slipping away from her. Mutant-hating telepath Johnny Dee is robbing her of the only things she’s ever counted her wits and her courage, and worse – her very identity. Inez’s bloody revenge will take her on a chase through the Texas desert and a labyrinth of her own worst memories.
Inez Temple, aka Outlaw, is a key member of Domino’s mercenary team, the Posse, but when a job goes sideways Outlaw finds herself on the outside, and in an alarming state. A merc in her line of work needs to be sharp, but Inez’s mind is slipping away from her. Mutant-hating telepath Johnny Dee is robbing her of the only things she’s ever counted her wits and her courage, and worse – her very identity. Inez’s bloody revenge will take her on a chase through the Texas desert and a labyrinth of her own worst memories.
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2021
4 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 29, 2021
A new Aconyte novel about a obscure Marvel character named Outlaw. She's mostly known for appearing in some of Gail Simone's comics like Agent X, Domino, and Hotshots. I like that this sticks with Marvel continuity for her character and I love the footnotes that reference other comics. It's makes the book feel like a comic from the Jim Shooter era when the Marvel universe was tightly connected. This is the 2nd Aconyte novel from Tristam Palmgren. Palmgren also wrote a Domino: Strays novel that this does reference. The story has to do with Outlaw losing time and feeling rundown, eventually figuring out why, going after the people responsible. The one thing I did think was odd is that they changed another character's continuity, Josh Foley (Elixir). It just seemed odd after Palmgren made pains to follow the Marvel continuity for everyone else.
Received a review copy from Aconyte Books and NetGalley
#Marvel #MarvelEnt #Aconytebooks #review
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
For more information visit marvel.com. © 2020 MARVEL
Received a review copy from Aconyte Books and NetGalley
#Marvel #MarvelEnt #Aconytebooks #review
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
For more information visit marvel.com. © 2020 MARVEL
June 18, 2021
Palmgren’s Outlaw Relentless is the latest in a line of Marvel superhero prose novels. So if you pick this one up thinking it will be a graphic novel, be aware that the only artwork is on the cover, but the story is well-written and quite powerful.
Outlaw, in the marvel universe, is a mutant with superpowers who works with a team including former Avenger Black Widow as mercenaries, often employed by none other than Tony Stark. This one opens with a pitched battle aboard a cargo ship as Outlaw fights to prevent a shipment of arms to bad guys in Boston. The focus of this story arc happens to revolve around Outlaw’s nemesis, Johnny Dees, who is a mutant who happens to have a growth in his chest that absorbs DNA and spits out little voodoo dolls that allow Dees to puppet people.
The writing here is sharp and the story is action-packed. It feels much like a men’s adventure novel of the early Seventies, but Outlaw is a woman as are all her companions in her mercenary squad. Strike that one for Women’s Lib.
Familiarity with either this Texan-born mutant warrior or others in the Marvel Universe is unnecessary, although such background is, of course, always helpful in these situations.
Outlaw, in the marvel universe, is a mutant with superpowers who works with a team including former Avenger Black Widow as mercenaries, often employed by none other than Tony Stark. This one opens with a pitched battle aboard a cargo ship as Outlaw fights to prevent a shipment of arms to bad guys in Boston. The focus of this story arc happens to revolve around Outlaw’s nemesis, Johnny Dees, who is a mutant who happens to have a growth in his chest that absorbs DNA and spits out little voodoo dolls that allow Dees to puppet people.
The writing here is sharp and the story is action-packed. It feels much like a men’s adventure novel of the early Seventies, but Outlaw is a woman as are all her companions in her mercenary squad. Strike that one for Women’s Lib.
Familiarity with either this Texan-born mutant warrior or others in the Marvel Universe is unnecessary, although such background is, of course, always helpful in these situations.
September 14, 2021
I feel fortunate lately, to have read a string of books by which I have been pleasantly surprised. This one is no exception. I have struggled in the past to enjoy prose books that lie within large franchises that began in other forms of media. Star Wars in particular, Star Trek, some TV tie-in novels, etc. have all had their challenges for me although there have also been some gems scattered among them. So it was with some trepidation that I chose to try my first prose book of the Marvel comic book universe. But it’s fair to say I am beyond simply pleased with the result. Blown away is a better descriptor.
This book is the newest release from Tristan Palmgren, a relatively new writer who has dipped into superhero waters before as well as a couple historical fiction/space opera mashups. If this book is an indication of this author’s skill, then I expect a nice future writing career is in the cards.
Inez Temple, a mutant known by the callsign “Outlaw”, is a founding member of Domino’s mercenary team, “The Posse”, a group that also includes Diamondback, Black Widow and others. They are mercenaries and after a job for Tony Stark goes a little sideways, the future of Outlaw’s place on the team is in doubt. Most of this story is a solo adventure for her as she must face off against a group of mutant haters, particularly the telepath Johnny Dee. The plot is action-packed to say the least. One potential pitfall for a superhero prose story is if the protagonist is over-powered and thus not ever really in true peril for their lives. Not so here as Inez, despite super strength and endurance, is pummeled every which way imaginable, both physically and mentally.
I think the strategy behind these books is the correct one, concentrating on the lesser-known heroes, rather than the big box-office stars. It allows the reader to uncover a lot of the nuance of the character that they may not know, even if having encountered them in a graphic novel before.
I’m really glad I took a chance on this one and will most certainly be back for more.
This book is the newest release from Tristan Palmgren, a relatively new writer who has dipped into superhero waters before as well as a couple historical fiction/space opera mashups. If this book is an indication of this author’s skill, then I expect a nice future writing career is in the cards.
Inez Temple, a mutant known by the callsign “Outlaw”, is a founding member of Domino’s mercenary team, “The Posse”, a group that also includes Diamondback, Black Widow and others. They are mercenaries and after a job for Tony Stark goes a little sideways, the future of Outlaw’s place on the team is in doubt. Most of this story is a solo adventure for her as she must face off against a group of mutant haters, particularly the telepath Johnny Dee. The plot is action-packed to say the least. One potential pitfall for a superhero prose story is if the protagonist is over-powered and thus not ever really in true peril for their lives. Not so here as Inez, despite super strength and endurance, is pummeled every which way imaginable, both physically and mentally.
I think the strategy behind these books is the correct one, concentrating on the lesser-known heroes, rather than the big box-office stars. It allows the reader to uncover a lot of the nuance of the character that they may not know, even if having encountered them in a graphic novel before.
I’m really glad I took a chance on this one and will most certainly be back for more.
September 30, 2021
After a brief appearance in Domino Strays: A Marvel Heroines Novel, also written by Tristan Palmgren, released last year, the super powered mercenary Outlaw is getting her first solo novel adventure.
Set some time after the events of Palmgren's other book, we catch up with Outlaw and the other members of the Posse, Domino, Diamondback, White Fox, Atlas Bear, and Black Widow, as they've been hired by Tony Stark to help to capture a container ship transporting dangerous weapons for the criminal group A.I.M.. Despite things seeming to go well to begin with the mission goes a little off the rails when Outlaw loses control of the ship's bridge, resulting in fight that ends with the ship destroyed. Even though they managed to snag the tech and weapons Stark wanted the mission is deemed a failure, and Outlaw begins to question how she could have made a rookie mistake.
When Outlaw suddenly wakes up in the middle of the street late at night, with no memory of how and when she left her hotel room, she realises that she's been suffering through several moments of lost time, and that the constant tiredness this is bringing was what led to her mistake on the mission. With Domino's help she reaches out to the X-Men for help; who after several tests think that she might be developing a new mutation that will give her psychic abilities. After having a shield set up in her mind to help with the symptoms Outlaw decides to head back to her childhood home in Texas, as she feels like something is drawing her there.
However, when she arrives home she finds a group of armed men waiting for her; with her brother held prisoner. Now Outlaw will have to fight for her life against foes who will stop at nothing to get what they want; a fight that will push her to her limits.
Before reading this book my only experience with the character of Outlaw was in the other Marvel Heroines novel written by Palmgren, where she was a supporting character who wasn't in a large portion of the book. Despite this, I don't feel that I went into this book at a disadvantage, as you very quickly get a sense of who the character is in a broad way, and by the end you feel like you know them really well. Whilst this is an action story, one of survival and overcoming huge adversity and pain, it's much more an exploration of the character.
The Outlaw we meet at the start of the book is a woman who' very far from being her best. She's tired, run down, and ready to snap. We're quickly let in on the fact that this is due to several blackouts and moments of lost time that she's been experiencing, as well as feeling constantly tired and run down. As such, it's not until a good portion into the book that we even begin to get a sense of who she is. After visiting the New Charles Xavier's School for the Gifted Outlaw is given a break from the constant worry and the increasing pain and tiredness, and we begin to get to know her a bit better.
A big part of the journey we go on with her is as she returns to her childhood home, and we get her thoughts on her time growing up as a mutant in a remote, rural community, as well as several flashbacks to her time there. This shows us a lot about her, and how she's ended up as the strong, confident woman that she is; having to grow up watching the community around her turning their back on her family and treating her as less than human having hardened her to the cruelties of the world.
Sadly for Inez, she doesn't just get to return home, catch up with her brother, and figure out what's been drawing her back, as as soon as she's stepped out of her car she's being shot at. From here until the end of the book it's pretty much a brutal fight for survival as Outlaw has to face off against a gang of killers, as well as a spectre from her past, Johnny Dee.
Johnny Dee is a name that might be familiar with some readers who are more well read in terms of Marvel Comics, as he and Outlaw have crossed paths in the past. But don't worry if you've never even picked up a book before, as we're given a succinct catch-up on who Dee is, and what he's done to Inez. We learn that he's also a mutant, though one who hates and despises mutants. Using his unique ability to ingest a persons DNA, he's able to take control of people and force them to do what he wants. Realising that he's the reason that she's been losing time, and that the psychic shield in her mind is the only thing keeping him from taking her over again, leads Outlaw into a fight she has to win as quickly as she can; because as soon as that shield wears off, Dee has control of her.
This was actually one of the best things the book could have done. Even the best of the Marvel prose novels from Aconyte books can feel a bit odd to read at times. This is mainly due to the fact that in comics there is often very little room to spend time with characters outside of important moments or big events, but in the novels we're able to slow down a bit and get to know them. In the past this has sometimes resulted in what feels like lulls in the story, as I'm not used to a slower pace in this kind of genre. Outlaw: Relentless, in contrast, never has a moment like this. Because of the constant ticking clock of Dee being able to take her over again Inez isn't given a moment to rest, she never has the chance to regroup or wait for help. Instead she's forced to keep running from one fight to the next, desperately trying to beat the villain.
The action sequences that are spread across the book really help with this sense of constant battle too, and they're some of the more brutal fights in the Aconyte novel range. Whilst Outlaw has enhanced strength and could easily do the super hero thing of using her fists in a fight most of the combat in the book takes place with guns. Outlaw will often be running from over to cover, dodging bullets, whilst trying to take the enemy out. She gets hurt because of this, a lot. Inez goes through a lot of wear and tear over the course of the book, and it really does feel like she's being pushed to her limits.
Outlaw: Relentless is a book that intrigued me from the beginning because I knew next to nothing about the character and was looking forward to finding out more. I didn't expect it to end up being an intense action story full of desperate fights, extreme survival, and a ton of character drama that would not only lead to me finishing the book in a single day, but also with Outlaw ending up on my list of favourite characters. This isn't the first time that Palmgren has impressed me with their writing, and they've made me fall in love with characters I knew little about in the past. This is quickly becoming a pattern of their work, so much so that I'm very excited to see what they do next.
Set some time after the events of Palmgren's other book, we catch up with Outlaw and the other members of the Posse, Domino, Diamondback, White Fox, Atlas Bear, and Black Widow, as they've been hired by Tony Stark to help to capture a container ship transporting dangerous weapons for the criminal group A.I.M.. Despite things seeming to go well to begin with the mission goes a little off the rails when Outlaw loses control of the ship's bridge, resulting in fight that ends with the ship destroyed. Even though they managed to snag the tech and weapons Stark wanted the mission is deemed a failure, and Outlaw begins to question how she could have made a rookie mistake.
When Outlaw suddenly wakes up in the middle of the street late at night, with no memory of how and when she left her hotel room, she realises that she's been suffering through several moments of lost time, and that the constant tiredness this is bringing was what led to her mistake on the mission. With Domino's help she reaches out to the X-Men for help; who after several tests think that she might be developing a new mutation that will give her psychic abilities. After having a shield set up in her mind to help with the symptoms Outlaw decides to head back to her childhood home in Texas, as she feels like something is drawing her there.
However, when she arrives home she finds a group of armed men waiting for her; with her brother held prisoner. Now Outlaw will have to fight for her life against foes who will stop at nothing to get what they want; a fight that will push her to her limits.
Before reading this book my only experience with the character of Outlaw was in the other Marvel Heroines novel written by Palmgren, where she was a supporting character who wasn't in a large portion of the book. Despite this, I don't feel that I went into this book at a disadvantage, as you very quickly get a sense of who the character is in a broad way, and by the end you feel like you know them really well. Whilst this is an action story, one of survival and overcoming huge adversity and pain, it's much more an exploration of the character.
The Outlaw we meet at the start of the book is a woman who' very far from being her best. She's tired, run down, and ready to snap. We're quickly let in on the fact that this is due to several blackouts and moments of lost time that she's been experiencing, as well as feeling constantly tired and run down. As such, it's not until a good portion into the book that we even begin to get a sense of who she is. After visiting the New Charles Xavier's School for the Gifted Outlaw is given a break from the constant worry and the increasing pain and tiredness, and we begin to get to know her a bit better.
A big part of the journey we go on with her is as she returns to her childhood home, and we get her thoughts on her time growing up as a mutant in a remote, rural community, as well as several flashbacks to her time there. This shows us a lot about her, and how she's ended up as the strong, confident woman that she is; having to grow up watching the community around her turning their back on her family and treating her as less than human having hardened her to the cruelties of the world.
Sadly for Inez, she doesn't just get to return home, catch up with her brother, and figure out what's been drawing her back, as as soon as she's stepped out of her car she's being shot at. From here until the end of the book it's pretty much a brutal fight for survival as Outlaw has to face off against a gang of killers, as well as a spectre from her past, Johnny Dee.
Johnny Dee is a name that might be familiar with some readers who are more well read in terms of Marvel Comics, as he and Outlaw have crossed paths in the past. But don't worry if you've never even picked up a book before, as we're given a succinct catch-up on who Dee is, and what he's done to Inez. We learn that he's also a mutant, though one who hates and despises mutants. Using his unique ability to ingest a persons DNA, he's able to take control of people and force them to do what he wants. Realising that he's the reason that she's been losing time, and that the psychic shield in her mind is the only thing keeping him from taking her over again, leads Outlaw into a fight she has to win as quickly as she can; because as soon as that shield wears off, Dee has control of her.
This was actually one of the best things the book could have done. Even the best of the Marvel prose novels from Aconyte books can feel a bit odd to read at times. This is mainly due to the fact that in comics there is often very little room to spend time with characters outside of important moments or big events, but in the novels we're able to slow down a bit and get to know them. In the past this has sometimes resulted in what feels like lulls in the story, as I'm not used to a slower pace in this kind of genre. Outlaw: Relentless, in contrast, never has a moment like this. Because of the constant ticking clock of Dee being able to take her over again Inez isn't given a moment to rest, she never has the chance to regroup or wait for help. Instead she's forced to keep running from one fight to the next, desperately trying to beat the villain.
The action sequences that are spread across the book really help with this sense of constant battle too, and they're some of the more brutal fights in the Aconyte novel range. Whilst Outlaw has enhanced strength and could easily do the super hero thing of using her fists in a fight most of the combat in the book takes place with guns. Outlaw will often be running from over to cover, dodging bullets, whilst trying to take the enemy out. She gets hurt because of this, a lot. Inez goes through a lot of wear and tear over the course of the book, and it really does feel like she's being pushed to her limits.
Outlaw: Relentless is a book that intrigued me from the beginning because I knew next to nothing about the character and was looking forward to finding out more. I didn't expect it to end up being an intense action story full of desperate fights, extreme survival, and a ton of character drama that would not only lead to me finishing the book in a single day, but also with Outlaw ending up on my list of favourite characters. This isn't the first time that Palmgren has impressed me with their writing, and they've made me fall in love with characters I knew little about in the past. This is quickly becoming a pattern of their work, so much so that I'm very excited to see what they do next.
December 30, 2021
Woo! My favorite Marvel heroine (okay, one of my many favorites) is finally stealing the spotlight! Outlaw is finally (finally) getting her own novel, and I am all sorts of excited for this news. Written by Tristan Palmgren, Outlaw: Relentless is a book I've been waiting for.
Inez Temple is known to most as Outlaw. She's a stubborn and strong member of Domino's team. She's also one of her best friends. Inez usually likes to consider herself the reliable sort, but when Johnny Dee enters the scene, all of the traits she so fondly held onto seem to slip away.
Not by choice, mind you. Johnny Dee is a notorious telepath, one that hates mutants in particular. He's forcing Outlaw to forget all of her abilities and memories, but for what reason? Well, the reason almost doesn't matter, as Outlaw is still going to get her revenge.
If you love Outlaw (aka Inez Temple), then you're going to love Outlaw: Relentless. I know I did! But perhaps I was always going to enjoy this novel, as I find Inez a seriously underrated and underutilized heroine.
Outlaw: Relentless is set firmly in place with the rest of Inez's Marvel appearances. There are references to other moments, mostly from her (unfairly shorter) time in comics. Suppose you want to fully understand these scenarios, considering reading: Domino, Domino: Hotshots, and Agent X. Also, while we're at it: read Domino: Strays, which is also written by Tristan Palmgren, who clearly gets these characters. Wait, do you think that means there's a Diamondback novel on the horizon? Yes, please!
I've always loved Outlaw's strong personality, so it was really wonderful to see her get a solo arc here. Yet it was also a very down-to-earth novel, in the sense that what she was dealing with felt very personal (nearly losing everything that makes you who you are would be personal, yeah).
Honestly, Outlaw: Relentless just made me wish all the more that we could see this character more often. I love her so much.
Thanks to Aconyte and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
DISCLAIMER:
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
For more information visit marvel.com. © 2020 MARVEL
Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Inez Temple is known to most as Outlaw. She's a stubborn and strong member of Domino's team. She's also one of her best friends. Inez usually likes to consider herself the reliable sort, but when Johnny Dee enters the scene, all of the traits she so fondly held onto seem to slip away.
Not by choice, mind you. Johnny Dee is a notorious telepath, one that hates mutants in particular. He's forcing Outlaw to forget all of her abilities and memories, but for what reason? Well, the reason almost doesn't matter, as Outlaw is still going to get her revenge.
If you love Outlaw (aka Inez Temple), then you're going to love Outlaw: Relentless. I know I did! But perhaps I was always going to enjoy this novel, as I find Inez a seriously underrated and underutilized heroine.
Outlaw: Relentless is set firmly in place with the rest of Inez's Marvel appearances. There are references to other moments, mostly from her (unfairly shorter) time in comics. Suppose you want to fully understand these scenarios, considering reading: Domino, Domino: Hotshots, and Agent X. Also, while we're at it: read Domino: Strays, which is also written by Tristan Palmgren, who clearly gets these characters. Wait, do you think that means there's a Diamondback novel on the horizon? Yes, please!
I've always loved Outlaw's strong personality, so it was really wonderful to see her get a solo arc here. Yet it was also a very down-to-earth novel, in the sense that what she was dealing with felt very personal (nearly losing everything that makes you who you are would be personal, yeah).
Honestly, Outlaw: Relentless just made me wish all the more that we could see this character more often. I love her so much.
Thanks to Aconyte and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
DISCLAIMER:
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
For more information visit marvel.com. © 2020 MARVEL
Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
October 5, 2024
This was an okay book. It held my interest for maybe the first third of the book , and then it just went downhill and dragged until the last page. The character development in this book was better than the author's "first book" (Domino: Strays), so that was nice.
The cover is masterfully done. I didn't really look at it until after I'd finished the book, so I didn't see Inez's horse until that point. I also liked it showed an image of the Mustang and what that stretch of Texas where her home was located might have looked like. I had a mental image of the house being one-story and not two-story, but that is neither here nor there. The eyes in the background looking at the reader was also well done.
There were some other things I liked about the book:
"Copraphagic grin" (141) - well done; that was a nice play on words.
I liked the point about how super strength applies to legs just as much as it does arms: with super strength, if you're not braced against the ground as hard as you punch, Newton's Third Law will send you flying (263).
The first chapter was a fun read; I probably enjoyed that the most in the book.
It is funny - unlike the author's first book, I didn't mind the footnotes in this book. There were not that many, and they helped give me an idea of where this book might have fit into the greater "Marvel U" of comics.
It was an okay book. I cannot say I will ever read it again, and I am not sure I will read another book by this author, but at least I took a chance and read it at least one time.
The cover is masterfully done. I didn't really look at it until after I'd finished the book, so I didn't see Inez's horse until that point. I also liked it showed an image of the Mustang and what that stretch of Texas where her home was located might have looked like. I had a mental image of the house being one-story and not two-story, but that is neither here nor there. The eyes in the background looking at the reader was also well done.
There were some other things I liked about the book:
"Copraphagic grin" (141) - well done; that was a nice play on words.
I liked the point about how super strength applies to legs just as much as it does arms: with super strength, if you're not braced against the ground as hard as you punch, Newton's Third Law will send you flying (263).
The first chapter was a fun read; I probably enjoyed that the most in the book.
It is funny - unlike the author's first book, I didn't mind the footnotes in this book. There were not that many, and they helped give me an idea of where this book might have fit into the greater "Marvel U" of comics.
It was an okay book. I cannot say I will ever read it again, and I am not sure I will read another book by this author, but at least I took a chance and read it at least one time.
August 27, 2021
I was provided an e-ARC through netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Aconyte Books and their Marvel Heroine novels are some of my favorite stories in the last year. They’ve put together an eclectic group of authors that have taken some of the lesser known Marvel heroines and created these compelling origin stories. In this novel titled Outlaw, Inez Temple aka Outlaw is a member of mercenary group called the Posse led by Domino. The Posse takes on an important job (for Tony Stark!!) that falls apart and Outlaw finds herself at the mercy of a mutant hating telepath named Johnny Dee. Dee is able to manipulate her thoughts through the use of puppet dolls he creates from his chest.
Sounds weird right? Yes but it’s one of the key details that makes this book an exciting read because how can villain that has this ability be stopped?
The reader is thrown into Outlaw’s chaotic world that becomes scary when Outlaw cannot control her thoughts. What’s jarring about Outlaw and Johnny’s game of cat and mouse is that Outlaw second guesses her line of work, thoughts that probably wouldn’t be so intrusive if Johnny wasn’t manipulating her mind. There are several action packed scenes that take place all over Texas and I sped through trying to figure out if Outlaw would defeat Johnny and have some sense of peace.
You don’t have to know anything about Outlaw or even The Posse to get the entire picture of who this character is. In fact, I would argue that starting with a clean slate with no historical character information makes for a better reading experience, as author Tristan Palmgren is that good at giving the reader the basic information on Inez and her allies. I thoroughly enjoyed Outlaw and can't wait for the next Marvel Heroine release!
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
Aconyte Books and their Marvel Heroine novels are some of my favorite stories in the last year. They’ve put together an eclectic group of authors that have taken some of the lesser known Marvel heroines and created these compelling origin stories. In this novel titled Outlaw, Inez Temple aka Outlaw is a member of mercenary group called the Posse led by Domino. The Posse takes on an important job (for Tony Stark!!) that falls apart and Outlaw finds herself at the mercy of a mutant hating telepath named Johnny Dee. Dee is able to manipulate her thoughts through the use of puppet dolls he creates from his chest.
Sounds weird right? Yes but it’s one of the key details that makes this book an exciting read because how can villain that has this ability be stopped?
The reader is thrown into Outlaw’s chaotic world that becomes scary when Outlaw cannot control her thoughts. What’s jarring about Outlaw and Johnny’s game of cat and mouse is that Outlaw second guesses her line of work, thoughts that probably wouldn’t be so intrusive if Johnny wasn’t manipulating her mind. There are several action packed scenes that take place all over Texas and I sped through trying to figure out if Outlaw would defeat Johnny and have some sense of peace.
You don’t have to know anything about Outlaw or even The Posse to get the entire picture of who this character is. In fact, I would argue that starting with a clean slate with no historical character information makes for a better reading experience, as author Tristan Palmgren is that good at giving the reader the basic information on Inez and her allies. I thoroughly enjoyed Outlaw and can't wait for the next Marvel Heroine release!
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
September 28, 2021
I received an advance reader copy of this book from Aconyte Books via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
This story features mercenary Inez Temple, a mutant who operates using the codename Outlaw. I hadn’t ever heard of this character before, and it was nice to learn about her background and abilities without any preconceptions. At the beginning of the book, Outlaw is working as part of a mercenary team that includes Domino, Black Widow, and a few other female characters. After experiencing missing time without any memory of what happened, Outlaw takes a hiatus from the group when her issues cause her to fail the team on an important job.
As Outlaw tries to figure out the source of her memory problems, she winds up back at her childhood home, facing an old enemy who want to control and then kill her. She’ll need every bit of her mutant strength, healing ability, and marksmanship to survive the threat and rejoin her mercenary team.
I gave Triptych four stars. I would have given it five except for a too long sequence of tracking the bad guys through the desert, and a difficult-to-follow concluding battle that shifted through a series of memories.
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
For more information visit marvel.com. © 2020 MARVEL
This story features mercenary Inez Temple, a mutant who operates using the codename Outlaw. I hadn’t ever heard of this character before, and it was nice to learn about her background and abilities without any preconceptions. At the beginning of the book, Outlaw is working as part of a mercenary team that includes Domino, Black Widow, and a few other female characters. After experiencing missing time without any memory of what happened, Outlaw takes a hiatus from the group when her issues cause her to fail the team on an important job.
As Outlaw tries to figure out the source of her memory problems, she winds up back at her childhood home, facing an old enemy who want to control and then kill her. She’ll need every bit of her mutant strength, healing ability, and marksmanship to survive the threat and rejoin her mercenary team.
I gave Triptych four stars. I would have given it five except for a too long sequence of tracking the bad guys through the desert, and a difficult-to-follow concluding battle that shifted through a series of memories.
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
For more information visit marvel.com. © 2020 MARVEL
Read
August 12, 2021Coming in September from Aconyte Books is Outlaw:Relentless, the latest in the Marvel Heroines novel series, by author Tristan Palmgren. I had the pleasure of reading an advanced digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This adventure is a battle grudge-match between Outlaw (Inez Temple), a mutant with enhanced strength and stamina and armed with six-shooters, and some old enemies from her past. While the story also features members of the Posse (a mercenary team lead by Domino), this one squarely focuses on the title character. The action is very detailed and flows in a straight-forward manner.
I was not very familiar with this character or some of her earlier exploits. Palmgren, however, takes that into account and provides plenty of details to get newcomers up to speed. I quickly got a handle of who Outlaw was, where she came from, and how she goes about tackling problems. This solid characterization made the book enjoyable to read.
Fans of solid super-hero action will find this story interesting.
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
For more information visit marvel.com. © 2020 MARVEL
#Marvel #MarvelEnt #Aconytebooks #review
This adventure is a battle grudge-match between Outlaw (Inez Temple), a mutant with enhanced strength and stamina and armed with six-shooters, and some old enemies from her past. While the story also features members of the Posse (a mercenary team lead by Domino), this one squarely focuses on the title character. The action is very detailed and flows in a straight-forward manner.
I was not very familiar with this character or some of her earlier exploits. Palmgren, however, takes that into account and provides plenty of details to get newcomers up to speed. I quickly got a handle of who Outlaw was, where she came from, and how she goes about tackling problems. This solid characterization made the book enjoyable to read.
Fans of solid super-hero action will find this story interesting.
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
For more information visit marvel.com. © 2020 MARVEL
#Marvel #MarvelEnt #Aconytebooks #review
September 30, 2021
I had never heard of Outlaw before this novel but I was intrigued by the premise and the idea of exploring lesser-known marvel heroes. Outlaw: Relentless follows Outlaw (Inez Temple) who is a mutant and part of an all-female mercenary team that includes Domino and Black Widow. It picks up after a job goes south and it's on Outlaw and follows her as she tries to figure out what is going on with her and it leads her into a mess of things that is happening.
Outlaw is an interesting character although a little cliche in places and it's a fun plot. I enjoyed this novel but didn't really connect with it that much and it probably won't stick in my memory which sucks because it opens up some interesting questions about this world. My biggest problem with this novel is the exposition, so much of this was told and not shown and there was so much backstory just dumped right into the prose which I found annoying and distracting.
Overall this was a decent book but I probably wouldn't pick up anything else following these lines.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Outlaw is an interesting character although a little cliche in places and it's a fun plot. I enjoyed this novel but didn't really connect with it that much and it probably won't stick in my memory which sucks because it opens up some interesting questions about this world. My biggest problem with this novel is the exposition, so much of this was told and not shown and there was so much backstory just dumped right into the prose which I found annoying and distracting.
Overall this was a decent book but I probably wouldn't pick up anything else following these lines.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2021
Once again I need to thank Aconyte and Netgalley for sending me the e-Arc of this title in exchange for a fair review. As always because this title is not out yet my review will avoid any spoilers and focus on the general aspects of the book.
Tristan Palmgren is fantastic. Their characterization is amazing! If you don’t end up loving Outlaw by the first few pages, I don’t know what is wrong with you! (In fairness you might not like her character, but you will definitely have to admit Palmgren aces it!)
The other thing I instantly liked was the links to previous titles in the Marvel Heroines and Marvel Xavier’s Institute and other general Marvel and Marvel Untold titles. Palmgren manages to tap into this growing selection but in such a way that you don’t have to have read the titles and get the references (but you really should!). I found myself smiling while reading through, remembering the previous titles and linking it all together. It makes for a fantastic grounding and really immerses you within the wider universe these events are taking part.
The writing style and storytelling is fantastic. It keeps you guessing and engaged without making you feel lost or unsure, again tying to the above point of references to other titles or comic book events that may not have been turned into prose yet. Not once did I feel lost or uninterested and while I had some real life interruptions I ended up completing this in two sittings (admittedly I didn’t intend to but one chapter lead to another) and I am contemplating re-reading it soon!
The story has some really brilliant moments, amazing and well written action and some serious matter too. It’s an action-packed ride in which you can’t help but support our heroine and hope for the best. I already have a few favorite quotes from my first read through but I won’t post them just yet. As I already mentioned I will definitely be re-reading and will likely get a physical copy as well (to add to my growing Aconyte Bookshelf) and will definitely be recommending to anyone who will listen!
The e-book will be available from September 7th 2021 with Paperbacks following on the 28th September for the US and 11th November for the UK!
Aconyte Books are the novel division of Asmodee Entertainment. Asmodee Entertainment is based in an amazing building in Nottingham, England. The Star Brewery opened in 1852, producing beer for Shipstones until 1991.
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
For more information visit marvel.com. © 2020 MARVEL
Tristan Palmgren is fantastic. Their characterization is amazing! If you don’t end up loving Outlaw by the first few pages, I don’t know what is wrong with you! (In fairness you might not like her character, but you will definitely have to admit Palmgren aces it!)
The other thing I instantly liked was the links to previous titles in the Marvel Heroines and Marvel Xavier’s Institute and other general Marvel and Marvel Untold titles. Palmgren manages to tap into this growing selection but in such a way that you don’t have to have read the titles and get the references (but you really should!). I found myself smiling while reading through, remembering the previous titles and linking it all together. It makes for a fantastic grounding and really immerses you within the wider universe these events are taking part.
The writing style and storytelling is fantastic. It keeps you guessing and engaged without making you feel lost or unsure, again tying to the above point of references to other titles or comic book events that may not have been turned into prose yet. Not once did I feel lost or uninterested and while I had some real life interruptions I ended up completing this in two sittings (admittedly I didn’t intend to but one chapter lead to another) and I am contemplating re-reading it soon!
The story has some really brilliant moments, amazing and well written action and some serious matter too. It’s an action-packed ride in which you can’t help but support our heroine and hope for the best. I already have a few favorite quotes from my first read through but I won’t post them just yet. As I already mentioned I will definitely be re-reading and will likely get a physical copy as well (to add to my growing Aconyte Bookshelf) and will definitely be recommending to anyone who will listen!
The e-book will be available from September 7th 2021 with Paperbacks following on the 28th September for the US and 11th November for the UK!
Aconyte Books are the novel division of Asmodee Entertainment. Asmodee Entertainment is based in an amazing building in Nottingham, England. The Star Brewery opened in 1852, producing beer for Shipstones until 1991.
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.
For more information visit marvel.com. © 2020 MARVEL
July 7, 2021
Outlaw: Relentless is an action packed adventure featuring one of Marvel's lesser known characters. Admittedly, I knew very little about Outlaw coming in on this book but having read Domino by the same author I wanted to read this bad. Outlaw is a tough as nails mercenary, who works along side Domino, Black Widow, and a couple more butt kicking ladies. When a mission for Tony Stark runs into complications, Outlaw questions whether she is getting too old for the business as her mind seems to be failing her. Home is calling and Outlaw heeds the call to return to Texas only to run into a big heap of mutant hating inspired trouble. Danger and pulse pounding suspense keeps the pages turning for a story that literally has no stopping place. This book will keep you reading way passed your bedtime and still leave you wanting more. Wonderfully written and addicting for a darn good time, the Marvel Heroines novel series is a must read for new and old fans alike. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.
July 20, 2024
OUTLAW, SHE IS RELENTLESS BUT SHE HAS A HEART!!!
I really like her character and so many moments in this book are still stuck in my head [ Her relationship with her horse, her trauma about her father, and exactly her relationship with her friends and her posse ]
The scene that got me a big smile was when Inez and Neena were in the horse riding scene. It got me.
If you look over the Marvel things, this book would be the best Marvel novel I’ve ever read. I said what I said. Love you Peaches🍑🍑🍑🍑🍑🍑
I really like her character and so many moments in this book are still stuck in my head [ Her relationship with her horse, her trauma about her father, and exactly her relationship with her friends and her posse ]
The scene that got me a big smile was when Inez and Neena were in the horse riding scene. It got me.
If you look over the Marvel things, this book would be the best Marvel novel I’ve ever read. I said what I said. Love you Peaches🍑🍑🍑🍑🍑🍑
September 13, 2021
Thank you Netgalley and Aconyte Books for an advanced copy of this book.
This has to be my favorite of the Marvel Heroines series so far! The cast of characters and the personalities were all so fun and meshed well together. I also thought the writing and pacing was wonderful. Outlaw really seemed like someone I could relate to and seeing more about the mercenaries was great especially with the name drops of characters like Deadpool.
This has to be my favorite of the Marvel Heroines series so far! The cast of characters and the personalities were all so fun and meshed well together. I also thought the writing and pacing was wonderful. Outlaw really seemed like someone I could relate to and seeing more about the mercenaries was great especially with the name drops of characters like Deadpool.
February 25, 2022
I love the character, the mutant characters and the story was ok but I mean there’s so much more that could have been done with this. It read like the author really wanted to write about Domino which she already had and done great! But I mean hey it should have been “outlaw and domino: relentless” and have domino and outlaw exploring more of their relationship instead of this it was just very hard to get thru the book I started it in October and ended in February
March 2, 2022
Besides the X-Men movies, this was my first interaction with a mutant outside of the movies. Outlaw definitely is one of my favorites now because she learns and grows. I have never read the comics, so I don't know a lot of her past or interactions;thankfully some are explained so I wasn't completely lost. Originally I wanted to give it 3 stars because I myself didn't know a lot about the X-Men history, but it gave a very nice message at the end that I really connected with.
August 20, 2021
ARC Copy...OK! I admit Outlaw is not one of the Marvel Heroines I am familiar with and was expecting a wild western story + surprised the setting was modern times, post M-Day. However I felt the narrative POV had a Western "twang" approach to the mutant social-political themes of the X-Men world.
September 19, 2021
4.5/5 stars rounded up
Outlaw: Relentless is a surprisingly emotional story about changing identities, healing from trauma, and what makes a life worth living.
Full review at https://butwhythopodcast.com/2021/09/...
Outlaw: Relentless is a surprisingly emotional story about changing identities, healing from trauma, and what makes a life worth living.
Full review at https://butwhythopodcast.com/2021/09/...
October 3, 2021
Outlaw is a non-stop adventure read. I cast Miley Cyrus as Outlaw battling the mutant hater (with a secret of his own) Johnny Dee who has managed to invade Outlaw’s mind. Cannot wait until this book becomes another Marvel movie. #OutlawRelentless #NetGalley[NetGalley URL]
June 10, 2024
I wish I could say that I liked this one, but honestly.....the second half was far superior.
October 22, 2021
I have been provided with an advance copy of the new Marvel Heroines book Outlaw: Relentless by Tristan Palmgren published by Aconyte Books, so here is the honest review I promised in exchange for the book.
So here is an important disclaimer which is always important to put out there first. I have a casual work contact with Asmodee to demonstrate board games for them in stores and at conventions. Asmodee being the parent company of Aconyte the publisher.
I am going to try my best to not let these things cloud my judgement in this review, but I accept that subconsciously it might.
Also I won’t lie, I have looked at other reviews to see what others think, so there may be some influences from them in this book review. If I am going to quote them, I will attribute them. But if I forget to, or something is highly influenced by them, and you think I ought to attribute someone, let me know so that I can.
What is Marvel
Look at this point I would bore you with a bit of background to the game/universe, but lets not, you all know the Marvel Universe, if you don’t have you been living under a rock!
The Marvel Heroines series focuses on the female hero’s of the Marvel universe, Tristan wrote the first book in the series, Domino Strays, which I really enjoyed, so I was looking forward to this book.
The Story
This is not an origin story, this picks up very much in the middle of The Hotshots, the posse lead by Domino being a thing, and begins with them doing a job for Tony Stark, by seizing an AIM freighter headed for Boston.
When the job goes south, Inez Temple, AKA Outlaw finds herself taking the blame, and starts wondering if she is losing her mind and her health as she feels run down and seems to be missing parts of her time.
She has always counted on her wits to survive, but now feels like she is being robbed of it. Taking a journey back home to Texas, via the Xavier Institute, she has to face her past to find out why she seems to be losing herself.
Look I don’t want to go too much into the story, because frankly, I don’t want to spoil it for you, and much more would spoil it.
The story draws a lot from Outlaws limited history within the comics, which despite her being only a very recent addition to the comics, is still quite rich.
But don’t worry, you don’t need to know anything as everything you need to know is explained in the story, its very good, in the way it portrays the background you need as almost wandering thoughts within Outlaws mind as she tries to make sense of what’s going on.
Conclusion
I can’t lie, The Hotshots is one of my favourite super teams, there are kickass women, who despite having very different background and abilities, actually get on very well, a real sisterhood. This novel is set slightly before that really clicks into place and there is still a bit of tension between the original members of Dominos Posse, and the newer recruits, but by the end, they are well on their way to being that tightknit team.
This story is full of action, but at the same time is quite introspective, there is a lot of time alone, that Outlaw has to think about the journey that lead her to where she is now. The way it sort of beats around her fear that she may be developing a form of dementia is actually really emotional.
The book contains links to some of the other Aconyte Marvel novels, which I loved, although one of them I haven’t yet read, but I can see myself buying it.
I am not sure what else to say, this book is super enjoyable and I literally devoured it in two sittings.
Absolutely a 5 out of 5 stars from me, and I really hope Tristan does more Hotshots novels.
So here is an important disclaimer which is always important to put out there first. I have a casual work contact with Asmodee to demonstrate board games for them in stores and at conventions. Asmodee being the parent company of Aconyte the publisher.
I am going to try my best to not let these things cloud my judgement in this review, but I accept that subconsciously it might.
Also I won’t lie, I have looked at other reviews to see what others think, so there may be some influences from them in this book review. If I am going to quote them, I will attribute them. But if I forget to, or something is highly influenced by them, and you think I ought to attribute someone, let me know so that I can.
What is Marvel
Look at this point I would bore you with a bit of background to the game/universe, but lets not, you all know the Marvel Universe, if you don’t have you been living under a rock!
The Marvel Heroines series focuses on the female hero’s of the Marvel universe, Tristan wrote the first book in the series, Domino Strays, which I really enjoyed, so I was looking forward to this book.
The Story
This is not an origin story, this picks up very much in the middle of The Hotshots, the posse lead by Domino being a thing, and begins with them doing a job for Tony Stark, by seizing an AIM freighter headed for Boston.
When the job goes south, Inez Temple, AKA Outlaw finds herself taking the blame, and starts wondering if she is losing her mind and her health as she feels run down and seems to be missing parts of her time.
She has always counted on her wits to survive, but now feels like she is being robbed of it. Taking a journey back home to Texas, via the Xavier Institute, she has to face her past to find out why she seems to be losing herself.
Look I don’t want to go too much into the story, because frankly, I don’t want to spoil it for you, and much more would spoil it.
The story draws a lot from Outlaws limited history within the comics, which despite her being only a very recent addition to the comics, is still quite rich.
But don’t worry, you don’t need to know anything as everything you need to know is explained in the story, its very good, in the way it portrays the background you need as almost wandering thoughts within Outlaws mind as she tries to make sense of what’s going on.
Conclusion
I can’t lie, The Hotshots is one of my favourite super teams, there are kickass women, who despite having very different background and abilities, actually get on very well, a real sisterhood. This novel is set slightly before that really clicks into place and there is still a bit of tension between the original members of Dominos Posse, and the newer recruits, but by the end, they are well on their way to being that tightknit team.
This story is full of action, but at the same time is quite introspective, there is a lot of time alone, that Outlaw has to think about the journey that lead her to where she is now. The way it sort of beats around her fear that she may be developing a form of dementia is actually really emotional.
The book contains links to some of the other Aconyte Marvel novels, which I loved, although one of them I haven’t yet read, but I can see myself buying it.
I am not sure what else to say, this book is super enjoyable and I literally devoured it in two sittings.
Absolutely a 5 out of 5 stars from me, and I really hope Tristan does more Hotshots novels.
Read
July 8, 2022Outlaw will be one of my favourites in the Marvel heroines novels. It is not definitely not a surprise to see Tristan palmgren's magic again , previous book in Marvel heroines the Domino:Strays was awesomest book. Outlaw , Rachel , Josh are all my favourites now. We just can't miss the Texas tang from outlaw aka Inez. It was quite a surreal experience reading this book. Don't know how long do we have to wait to read the next in the Marvel heroines universe.
Recommendations: Marvel is a brand undoubtedly and requires no more introduction.I would definitely recommend it to Marvel and especially X-Men fans. Mutants and all the stuff a sci-fi fan would go gaga over. This is book which a sci-fi fan shouldn't miss !
Recommendations: Marvel is a brand undoubtedly and requires no more introduction.I would definitely recommend it to Marvel and especially X-Men fans. Mutants and all the stuff a sci-fi fan would go gaga over. This is book which a sci-fi fan shouldn't miss !
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