From the first page of the day (about midway through the
Woods arc) we see that Deegan reacts to surprises poorly. I'm assuming this is because his reliance on his seer powers has left him almost incapable of reacting to anything unforseen or unusual. By relying on his prescience which allows him to act only if the outcome is beneficial to him (please refer to
The First Signs of Serious Psychological Issues Appear in which he only contemplates moving his life forward only if the crystal ball says it'll be good) and his first reaction to surprise is to flee it.
We're on the first page of this essay's analysis, and it's not going well for Dominus. On the plus side, Mookie is keeping characterisation consistent.
Characterisation takes a step forward as
the plan evading TIM is employed and fails. It is extremely disturbing to realise that Dominus'
first idea is to use his disabled sibling and two innocent bystanders to distract or defeat a magician capable of attacking a dryad and her companion. He didn't choose to use his magically capable assistant, or a magical being who causes humans to faint. He chooses his little brother and two muggles. Yes, Gregory has magic, but the previous time he used it it heavily implies he needs the staff not iust for walking, but also as a magical focus.
Dominus, in his self-centered fashion, has stolen his brother's only means of viable defence, and left him alone with two incompetent thieves to protect him. The thieves, being pragmatic flee, and Dominus' plan allows TIM to
impale his 'beloved' little brother. And thus Dominus now has to face up to the consequences of his actions.
In which . . . . we find out that the Great Dominus
took his brother's form, implying - quite horrifically - that Dominus fantasises about fatally wounding his sibling. This is one of the people with whom he should have the deepest bonds; he is
family, and the Dominus shows as much care and empathy for him as he does everyone else bar Luna and those he can manipulate at any given time - absolutely none. And
here Dominus likens himself to a "Devil", his subconscious knows he is evil. Oh, and by making Luna
his romantic interest, and one who
reciprocates said romance, cast the illusion resulting in his mortal wounds; we see that even she isn't exempt from his callousness and complete lack of all emotional and social understanding.
Need we forget that it was perhaps a week ago that Dominus prevented her from killing herself the first time? And that he knows she's
emotionally unstable, yet he iust made her watch her only friend and companion get brutally attacked; and it's her assistance that made it possible.
This kind of twisted perversity is clearly designed to show Luna that if he dies it will be her fault, and then she will once more be completely alone. And it will be her fault.
The result of this 'flawless plan' by Teh Great Dominus is
emotional damage and
psychological distress, with two of the closest people to Dominus mourning his death. Only for Dominus to appear
similing, as if revelling in the pain he has caused his brother and prospective girlfriend.
Then he proceeds to gloat, knowing full well that his iniury was deliberate and intended to cause maximum pain to both his companions. He escapes unscathed, reinforcing his built-in belief that he will never experience any negative results from his plans, even if they're well-deserved.
This is
not a safe fantasy comic. This is actually becoming terrifying. Dominus isn't made aware of the consequences of his actions. He will become a megalomaniac. And probably a psychopath. Are we completely certain Dominus is a hero, because the comic is seven months old, and Dominus hasn't shown many heroic tendencies. And when he has, they're coldly manipulative and cause lasting pain to those around him.
The author should also mention that he
abandoned the dying dryad and her lover to die. And that in the strip before and after that one, Dirk and the dryad receive more emotional development and characterisation than any of the other characters outside of Stunt and Bumper (whose romance I trust is going strong).
This is geniunely touching, and they're the only words she's spoken. There aren't any negative consequences for that either.
Neither is he iniured as he should be after admitting outright to his manaical machinations. The epilogue for this arc (and introduction to the next) is a bit sad, and the Mookie one openly admits to
poor pacing.
The next arc starts
here, despite what the archive says. And already we see that Dominus' anti-social behaviour has come to the fore, openly disapproving of his brother's actions. His little brother who is probably about fifteen to eighteen years old from artwork alone. Gregory is entitled to childishness. And lest we forget the actions of a mere three hours ago, the couch fort probably symbolises Gregory's need to be safe and surrounded by comfort. This is something Greg probably never received from his cold and distant big brother. Furthermore, his possible girlfriend
finally shows an emotional reaction to the trauma of
three hours ago (as stated by Mookie himself) by crying
and Dominus is still concerned only for his personal wellbeing.
Oh.
No.
Wait.
That would be giving Luna more depth and rounding out her character, showing that she cares for the person on whom she is dependant for everything. She instead cries
because she's ugly. And here I thought there would be character development for someone other than the Great Dominus. But really, Dominus almost dying, getting involved fighting TIM, being forced to participate in helping your only friend's maiming and other assorted emotional, psychological and phsyical fallout is nothing at all.
I believe this is the first true instance of Death is Cheap in the Domiverse.
This page brings us back
the romantic blush as Dominus attempts once more to console someone, and to actually reach out to another person; and instead he makes a cruel pun, knowing full well that she is suicidal and self-hating. I would not be surprised if this lead to Luna self-harming later on. Her only friend and confidant mocks her. He tries
once more to empathise with someone, but he again turns to his own needs, citing his temporary discomfort and need to be alone as more important than helping a suicidal woman. And this is a seer. Someone whose very existance and gift denotes helping people.
Our arc
ends with Luna making another desparate attempt to please her friend. This may even be an attempt to apologise for creating the illusion which harmed the Great Dominus - such a sin deserves reparation! Who cares about Luna's feelings? Not Dominus, who views himself above all others.
Characterisation:
Dominus is evil. He is cold, cruel, sociopathic, anti-social, potentially psycopathic and megalomaniacal. His reluctance to be hurt in any fashion is second only to causing the most pain to those around him. Hence his almost death in
Into the Woods.
FEAR THE DOMINUS. Seriously.
Gregory seems to idolise his big brother. So his actions here are perfectly natural, he retreats back into childhood after the supposed death of his sibling. He loves his brother despite the constant insults wherein Dominus mocks Gregory's disability. I pity the boy.
Luna almost had a second dimension added to her character. But the WIll of Mookie and Dominus stopped her from becoming a stronger person in any way, leaving her fully dependant on Dominus again.
Stunt and Bumper are consistent in their portrayal, they are pragmatic, with Stunt being the more ruthless; and yet they are heroic enough (or mercenary enough) to participate in a plan which they know can only end poorly for them. They both saw what TIM did, and yet they helped anyway. They could have fled, taking the money with them, but they remained anyway. These two are the heroes of this essay.
Dirk and Dryad clearly adore each other, and in a mere three pages develop emotionally, creating a truly heartwarming moment. And we know next to nothing about them. In contrast Dominus and Luna's
positive emotional development remains nil.