DAHLIA IN THE DARK #2, from Mad Cave Studios on January 25th, 2023, finds Donny and Molly feeling the heat from competing forces, all desperate to retrieve the package for themselves.
The Details
- Written by: Joe Corallo
- Art by: Andrea Milana
- Colors by: Andrea Milana
- Letters by: Micah Myers
- Cover art by: Andrea Milana
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: January 25, 2023
Is It Good?
DAHLIA IN THE DARK #2 kicks the intriguing, magical hunt into high gear with explosive car chases, snappy dialog, and imaginative worldbuilding all wrapped up in an intriguing mashup of a premise. In short, Joe Corallo is two for two in this series.
Just about everything in this issue works and works well (we’ll get to the one shortcoming in a minute). The characters all have strong, big personalities, which makes them infinitely memorable. The action is reminiscent of unapologetic 90s action films without the cheesiness. And Corallo effectively and efficiently expands the magical aspects of the world with Luna’s backstory, making the world feel lived-in and significantly bigger.
Coupled with the excellent character work, worldbuilding, and action is a banger of a cliffhanger to end the issue. Corallo puts all the players in just the right spot to make sure the last page is as tension-filled as possible without telegraphing where the story will go next.
The one shortcoming of the issue is in the art details. The panel layout and general composition are very good, and the coloring is excellent. Where the art falls short is in the close-up details. Some of the close-up panels look hastily sketched and almost incomplete. That shortcoming doesn’t apply to all of the panels, but enough falls short that it becomes hard not to notice.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our DAHLIA IN THE DARK #1 review to find out how Donny Dahlia got roped into this mess.
We begin with Donny Dahlia struggling to hide Luna from Molly during a gas station pitstop. Luna, a fairy princess, is better at hiding than most. Molly, however, can tell Donny is up to something.
Elsewhere, the transporters are spotted by an agent hoping to claim the package for themselves. The agent alerts the authorities to Donny and Molly’s location so a barricade can stop the transporters in their tracks. Unfortunately for the cops working the barricade, Molly is prepared for just such a contingency.
Later, during another pitstop, Luna gives Donny a quick story about her lineage and her presence among the humans. We conclude the issue with family drama leading to royal drama leading to roadside explosions.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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DAHLIA IN THE DARK #2 is another successful entry in the series as the 90s-style action ramps up when the noose of competing gangs tightens around Donny, Molly, and Luna. The snappy dialog complements excellent pacing, surprising twists and turns, and a killer cliffhanger.
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