Previously on ‘Dahlia in the Dark’
Last time on Dahlia in the Dark, Donny had encountered a mysterious female agent in a cafe, and they were facing off with guns drawn. However, at that moment, the mysterious Ryne had once more appeared, having blown up the vehicle that Big Molly Bloom and Donny had been driving. Forgetting their confrontation (for the moment), they both went outside. Ryne had Molly on her knees with his gun pointing at her. He sneered at Donny, explaining that he hoped that HE knew more about the whereabouts of Princess Maya than Molly appeared to. The consequences wouldn’t be pretty.
Recollections
As Donny faced this threat, it brought to mind a scene from the past. His wife had been captured and he made it his business to rescue her. This, of course, required what his line of work AWAYS required: killing people. Fortunately for her, Donny was good at his job. But when he cut her loose, her gratitude was a slap across the face, asking where their daughter was. Donny assured her she was safe. But his wife also assured him of something as well. She was done with this way of life, HIS way of life. In addition, she would not allow him to put their daughter Amy through any more of it either.
Facing Down Ryne
Donny faced down Ryne as he pondered this memory. As for Ryne, he seemed supremely confidant. He told Donny that he had better be sure of his aim if he intended to fire his gun. He wasn’t convinced that Donny was. As Donny considered this, Maya decided to enlarge herself, leaving Donny’s pocket. Her sudden appearance distracted Ryne as he turned his attention to her. His mistake. The agent that Donny had faced off with in the restaurant used that distraction. She didn’t miss as she shot Ryne neatly between the eyes.
Things Gone Awry
In the confusion, while the agent knelt to talk to Big Molly, Donny used that distraction to drive off with Maya. Much to the chagrin of the agent. So, to summarize, Ryne was dead, the agent had Big Molly, and Donny and Maya had escaped. Meanwhile, word gets back to Ollie Oleander of what has transpired. His only comment was disappointment that Ryne had failed to take at least one of them out. By one did he mean Maya, Molly, or Donny? It goes without saying that Oleander seems to be playing both ends to the middle in this scenario. What his actual plans are is a mystery at this moment. But rest assured, they are designed to benefit him.
Defying Their Banishment
Back with at Luna Tower, the plan to send Galvonus through the restrictive barrier to retrieve Maya was proceeding. But just as King Dimitri was warned, the Fairy Council was not unaware of these circumstances. While they were annoyed that Dimitri dared to defy their banishment, they chose to let the events play out…for now. In doing so, they would let Galvonus and his actions reveal Dimitri’s plans.
A Moment to Think
While this was transpiring, Donny took Maya to an out of the way hotel so they could rest, and he could think. At this point, he wasn’t really sure what his options were. He just knew, for the time being, that he wasn’t ready or willing to surrender Maya over to whomever was after her. As for Maya, she was grateful to Donny but unsure why he was still helping her. However, she did appreciate the bounciness of the bed in the room. Fairy Kids…
Trying to Extract Info from Molly
Back on the road, the agent was trying to get Molly to give her some information about Maya, Donny and whatever else she knew. Needless to say, the stoic mountain that was Big Molly Bloom was tight lipped. But her phone was another matter, as incoming call from Ollie to Molly gave the agent some hope to find out some things.
Playing the Game from Both Sides
Speaking of Ollie, he was in a meeting with Congresswoman Rachel Pierson. Apparently, the congresswoman is quite aware of all the happenings with Maya, Molly and Donny. To her way of thinking, nothing has gone to plan, and Ollie has failed in what he was supposed to do. He reassures her that everything is under control and will end in the manner they had planned. Congresswoman Pierson is not convinced.
After she left, Ollie is talking to the Fairy Council through a screen on his wall. He is once again in the position of reassuring a different group that all is well, and their plans are still in play. Playing both ends to the middle indeed.
A Dream Becomes a Reality
Back at the secluded Hotel, Donny is working to secure the room as best as he can so they can sleep. Unfortunately, his dreams are haunting ones. Full of images of first his daughter and then Maya somehow wandering off. He awoke in a sweat to find that Maya’s bed was empty. She was indeed gone. But where?
Thoughts
This whole story started with Ollie Oleander approaching Donny Dahlia with a job. It was clear from the beginning that Ollie didn’t necessarily trust Donny.The story continues to build upward. Although the reasons for this were and are not still clear. But by this third issue, writer Joe Corolla and artist Andrea Milana have increased the tension and the doubts about what Ollie’s involvement is. The events in this chapter make it clear that Ollie has no real loyalty for ANYONE but himself. His disappointment that Ryne didn’t kill one of the participants in this little venture make that clear.
Intriguing Characters
Although, I admit that does add intrigue to Ollie. What the heck is he up to? In addition, I do admit to some disappointment that we didn’t get to discover some more background about Ryne before his story ended. He was an intriguing character in his own right and more than a little badass. But there are always flashbacks, I suppose. And while we’re mentioning characters worth exploring, Big Molly MUST have a backstory worth delving into.
More Story to Tell
The plus side for Dahlia in the Dark is there is still a whole lot of stories to reconcile here. The connections between Ollie, Congresswoman Pierson and the Fairy Council and what that all has to do with Maya. What agency is also after Maya and how that fits in what King Dimitri is after. And perhaps more importantly for Donny, how did HE get wrapped into all of this and can he find a way to resolve it so he can repair his relationship with his daughter.
I had compared this title to the game of Jenga last time. Waiting for a block to bring the whole thing crashing down. After Issue 3, it appears that all the players involved are very good at this game. The story continues to build upward. At least until a mistake is made. As always happens in Jenga… will it in Dahlia in the Dark?
Mad Cave Studios Dahlia in the Dark, Issue 3 by Joe Corolla, Andrea Milana, and Micah Myers is now available on Mad Cave’s Subscription site here.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
