DAHLIA IN THE DARK #6, from Mad Cave Studios on 5/31/23, ends the urban fantasy when King Luna’s forces track down Princess Maya, but the seeds of rebellion have already taken root.
The Details
- Written by: Joe Corallo
- Art by: Andrea Milana
- Colors by: Andrea Milana
- Letters by: Micah Myers
- Cover art by: Andrea Milana (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: May 31, 2023
Is It Good?
DAHLIA IN THE DARK #6 brings Joe Corallo’s eclectic urban fantasy thriller to a close with armed standoffs, murder, rebel uprisings, and more than one tug at the heartstrings for a satisfying conclusion.
When last we left Donny and Princess Maya, Donny decided on a side trip to see his adult daughter before the situation became too dangerous. Further, we learned the package is more important than anyone realized because it contains a shrunken prison of political prisoners who’ve sworn to overthrow King Luna. Now, Donny makes it to the diner where his daughter works just when King Luna’s soldiers arrive to claim Princess Maya, leading to a tense standoff that forces Donny to forego what he wants for the greater good.
To Corallo’s credit, he wraps up every plot point, packs in several moments of emotion, and finds the space to pack in a game-changing fairy battle. If you’ve been following the series and wondered how Corallo was going to tie it all up in one issue, he pulls off a complete ending admirably.
That said, Corallo covers a LOT of ground in this last issue, so while it’s complete, a few plot points are glossed over very quickly to get to the finish line. For example, Ollie’s backstabbing ways come to a fitting end, but readers are shown a quick glimpse to indicate Ollie isn’t who he appears, but it’s a “blink, and you’ll miss it” moment that’s never explained.
Also, the whole point of the “package” seems vague. Why was the prison shrunk down and put into a box for transport through discreet couriers? Where was the package headed? Who wanted it? How does an entire prison disappear without anyone noticing until later? In fairness, the package serves its purpose as a plot device, but the more you think about it, the more you suspect a flashback or some exposition would have helped to make it make sense.
Andrea Milana’s art takes a considerable step up in effectiveness in this issue. Specifically, Milana gets to show off cinematic-styled panels during the final battle to showcase dramatic impact as combatants fight and die. The one area we’d like to see Milana make adjustments to is the color palette section. The coloring is done well, but the palette variety is so narrow that the comic almost looks monotone. A little more pop would be helpful.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our DAHLIA IN THE DARK #5 review to find out when Donny decided he needed to see his daughter.
We begin with a flashback to Donny Dahlia picking his daughter up from school. He’s a caring and supportive father who wants to be there for his daughter. Now, King Luna’s forces crash through the front door of the diner where Donny’s daughter works, intending to capture Princess Maya who stands by the counter. Princess Maya uses her plant powers to restrain one soldier, and Dony rushes in with a pistol at the ready to subdue the rest. Before Donny can reconnect with his daughter, he speeds off with Maya to avoid capture.
While the two race down the highway, Donny and Princess Maya agree they have no chance of escape, so they decide to confront King Luna directly. Princess Maya, however, decides now is the time to call in tiny reinforcements.
We conclude the issue with a battle at the tower, Ollie’s last stand, and a heartbreaking ending in more ways than one.
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Final Thoughts
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DAHLIA IN THE DARK #6 delivers plenty of action, emotional depth, and closure for the myriad plot threads for a relatively satisfying ending. Corallo’s story brings the conflict to an end with a little hope for a brighter future, and Milana’s art is visually engaging.
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