Last Time
When we last left Daliah in the Dark, Donny had taken Princess Maya with him to visit his daughter, who worked in a cafe. But before Donny could barely get into the establishment, King Luna’s guards had arrived to capture the Princess. And they were not willing to take no for an answer.
Stopping the Soldiers
This development brought back memories for Donny. Of how he had called his daughter princess whenever she was troubled or needed some comfort. Once again life comes full circle. Maya however, had no intention of going along peacefully, as she used her powers on the plant life in the cafe to hinder the soldiers. They warned her that innocent life would be in danger if she didn’t stop what she was doing and surrender. However, before she had to make that decision, Donny and the just arrived Agent Vera came into the cafe brandishing their firearms. They herded the soldiers outside the establishment and had them get on their knees. As long as everyone was calm and reasonable, no one needed to get hurt.
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Escaping with Maya…Again
It was then that Donny’s ex-wife Chloe came out of Agent Vera’s van, greeting Donny with a right cross across his jaw. She had told Donny to stay away from their daughter. That was no doubt for his refusal to comply to her wishes. Unfortunately, Donny didn’t have time to try to explain. He needed to get Princess Maya away from there and to somehow resolve the issues now facing them. Before they could leave, Vera gave Donny a tracking device she had been using to track his old boss, Ollie. Donny gave his daughter one last look. As much as he wanted to see her, it would have to wait.
The Revolutionaries
As they drove, Donny wondered how they would proceed. It was looking more and more like a confrontation was coming with King Luna. Maya, however, told Donny they didn’t have to do it alone. She reminded him that the package that started it all not only contained her, but those who chose to stand against King Luna. She would free them as well to fight alongside them. It was what they were imprisoned for in the first place. Rebellion against the King. Before he knew it, Maya had magically taken Donny to see the Revolutionaries. She reminded them of her pledge to fight with them. That time had come.
Cleaning up the Council
As luck would have it, King Luna was also ready for a fight. But first he needed to deal with the council. He approached the Fairy Council as they explained that they were aware of his transgressions. It was their intention to end his plans. However, King Luna instead ended them, tearing through the council with his sword like threshing through a field of wheat. He walked away from the council table without a scratch.
Facing Molly and Ollie
Meanwhile, Luna and her rebels had arrived, bringing the fight to the castle as the soldiers came to its defense. With strict orders to capture Maya while killing everyone else. Donny joined into the fight briefly before he was accosted by Big Molly Bloom and Ollie. Molly was puzzled why Donny hadn’t just taken the opportunity to get away. He could have done it. Now, he was mixed into this whole Fairy business and would not get out of this unscathed. However, he had a choice. Turn over the princess and he could go off and enjoy his retirement. So, Ollie says. Otherwise…things would turn south in a hurry.
Molly Makes a Decision
Donny didn’t respond quick enough, so Ollie prepared to shoot him when Maya’s call from above distracted him. Just enough for Donny to put a bullet in his head. Molly was shocked, but even more shocked when Ollie arose from the ground and transformed into a demon-like creature. Upon seeing this, Molly made a decision and opened up her gun on Ollie as well. Telling Donny to take Maya and run.
Facing King Luna
They ran alright, right towards the throne room and King Luna. The battle outside was going in the rebel’s favor. Soon, King Luna and his army would be defeated. Maya told her father that his plans were at an end. But he refused to believe it. He had done everything to hand down to Maya. She should have been his Legacy. But instead, she chose to go her own way. Just like she has always done. But no matter. She could easily be replaced, as she wrapped thick vines around his daughter and her throat.
A Tragic Conclusion
Donny rushed forward, using a sword to cut through the vines and freeing Maya. Luna told Donny that he had no business interfering. It was not his concern. Donny responded that protecting Maya WAS his concern. What should have been Luna’s concern was that his castle was overrun and his rule was at an end. It was the last thing Donny said before a number of vines shot out and impaled him through his chest, collapsing him to the floor.
Maya takes Control
Maya bent down over Donny before leveling her magic at her father. The vines wrapping around the King with such strength that he couldn’t free himself. He called to his guards to stop her, but they knew which way the wind was blowing here. They instead turned their weapons toward the now former King. He would be held in confinement until a new council could be chosen. The barriers that the Fae had created would be torn down and they would all come together. Thanks to Maya…and Donny.
Memories
Later on, Big Molly Bloom pays a visit to the cafe that Donny’s daughter Amy works at. It was still early, and the business hadn’t opened as of yet. But Molly told her that she just wanted to drop something off from her father. And maybe get a cup of coffee.
As she drank her coffee, she told Amy that while she hadn’t had the opportunity to work with Donny much, she knew that he loved her. That much was certain. She handed Amy a large envelope and took her leave. Inside there was money, some keys, and a picture of her mother and Amy during a birthday party. One taken before he lost them both. Before he became Dahlia in the Dark. Unfortunately, now…he was just in the dark.
Thoughts
Not all stories have a happy ending. In this final for Dahlia in the Dark, Writer Joe Corollo and artist Andrea Milana gave us a bit of both. Maya and her rebels had ended her father’s plans and put the Fae’s on a path toward reconciliation. But Donny’s hope to reconcile with his family came up short. As did his life. The only saving grace was he did it while saving a Princess. It just wasn’t the princess he hoped. Perhaps in the end, Amy did realize that her father loved her. He just couldn’t escape his chosen profession.
Dahlia in the Dark is a pretty self-contained story. Although, it does have threads that can be pulled. As I have mentioned before, Big Molly Bloom is an interesting character who deserves some exploring. The results of Maya and the Fae’s unification could also be entertained. I doubt that all who believed as King Luna did are ready to give up so easily. Then, of course, there is King Luna himself. As anyone who is familiar with comics knows, the “bad guy” is seldom silenced for long. Then there is Amy Dahlia. What were the keys for in the envelope he left? Her connections to Donny can’t have been unnoticed by Donny’s enemies. And in his line of work, he no doubt made plenty. Will Amy get dragged into Donny’s world postmortem? Questions…questions.
But until such decisions are made, what did you think of Mad Cave’s Dahlia in the Dark? Feel free to share your thoughts with us at GeekVibesNation. Mad Cave Studios Dahlia in the Dark, Issue 6 is available now from Mad Cave’s Subscription site and where great digital comics are sold.
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.