The GOOD DOCTOR returns!
Lets get this out of the way right off the bat…Yes, we are indeed following LOST BOYS rules when it comes to vampirism. I.E. When the head vampire is killed all those that he turned revert back to being human. In the novel, Dracula, this style of vampirism was heavily hinted at when, after Dracula is killed, the curse on Mina is lifted. We also alluded to this very turn of events in the backmatter, so it shouldn’t be too shocking, right? (In fact, a new commenter, Speedy, called it in the comments section of the previous page.)
Anyway, am I coming off a little defensive? If so, I apologize. It’s just that there are so many different versions of vampire lore out there, each with a specific set of rules, and I know that everyone has their personal favorite. So, I’m sure some Daredevilers out there are probably a little disappointed that we didn’t adhere to their personal vampire canon. Some might even think that we *GASP* took the easy way out…
Well, to those who fit that bill, I can confidently say, “Just you wait and see.”
First, there are still THREE pages left in Pitch Black Day, and within that trifecta of terror there is an event so SHOCKING that you just might involuntarily run out in the street ranting and raving like a madman/madwomen once you’ve finished the story. Seriously.
And, second, rest assured there will be long-lasting ramifications of Doc’s time as a vampire. In the next DDD story, END(S) of the EARTH(S) (title reveal!), Doc will grapple with the fact that he was very nearly complicit in the annihilation of all life on the planet. You will see the good doctor as you have never seen him before – a broken man. Drama awaits, promise!
But first, be here NEXT WEEK for a page that, itself, has HUGE ramifications on the future of all the Deep Dive Daredevils! It that time again when we drop some more bread crumbs on the path leading to a terrible STORM that is brewing on the horizon. In just 7 days, the MEGA-PLOT most certainly thickens!
As always, make sure to RSS, Like, and Follow like your life depends on it. And, in turn, read the Sunday Bonus Lunch because Evin’s fragile ego depends on it.
Anyways, till next week!
-Matt-
My first reaction was indeed: Uh, that’s it? Not that I give an once of blood for any Vampire Canon, but isn’t this an easy way out?
But being a more sophisticated – or was that vainglorious? – reader, I immediately realized that you didn’t.
IMHO, any dissapointment with this page, since it doesn’t effectively surprise and instead deflates tension, is just an artifact of the update-one-page-a-week webcomic format. If this page was just a turn away from the previous one, those two pages would register as a satisfying resolution sequence.
It is not Deus Ex Machina either, since the resolution is perfectly Vampire Canon.
And seen from the POV of Docula, it’s wonderful, gut-wrenching, soul-breaking dramatic irony: He goes from zero to (anti-) hero back to … in just about six pages!
Finally, you promise not to do that which would turn everything into cliche: The Good Doctor coming back from this experience unchanged, unharmed, unaffected.
I for one wonder what will become of all those vampires that were made dumber by their condition.
I’m not sure if a more satisfying conclusion would be the Daredevils having to find an asylum for permanently brain-damaged former-vampires, or having to chase down the Nazi doctor before he manages to report back to Hitler.
To answer Hertzy, Keep in mind it’s just a guess but the really far gone ones might vaporize.. the rest might be baffled and turn back in varied degrees of shock.
To Timothy: Very astute, indeed. This is definitely one of those pages that suffers from the one-page-a-week format. I agree that in the the long run this page will read much better as a a piece of the whole, rather than one week’s entertainment.
To Hertzy: We do have a plan for what becomes of the fish vampires, believe it or not. Their fate will actually become a nice subplot in a future story.
As for the Nazi scientist, Dr. Spett, he got melted to death on page 33 by Abigail’s Weaponized Garlic.
Woohoo! Good triumphs over evil once again!
Hallelujah!
As you said, thre are lots of versions…
Mi only doubt is… Mina didn´t had the chance to taste any blood (appart from Dracula´s), and Doc instead……
You know a page is controversial when even the artist has his reservations! HA!
But, seriously, Danilo KNOWS and LOVES vampires. He’s kept us honest during this story on more than one occasion.
Wow this is one heck of a turn towards resolution, the redemption shot in panel three is just right. I imagine the cleanup for the survivors is going to be something.
Yeah, Danilo’s illustration of Doc’s grief in panel three sells the entire page.
BTW, your comment about the “cleanup for the survivors” made me think of that old Marvel Comics series about the guys who cleaned up after superhero battles, Damage Control.
We could definitely use something like that in the DDD universe!
I love Damage Control!
Only my Groo the Wanderer Comics have a more favored place in my collection.
Fangs for bringing up the the memories…
Deep Dive Dedicated Damage Diminishment?
Too many Ds!
How many Ds are there in Bonanza / Ponderosa?
Dunda dunda dunda dunda dunnn daaa
Eh… Stake him anyway, it’s the only way to be sure…
I agree with Danilo, but perhaps the amount time, or mental faculty remaining has an impact on the curability?
Also there must be some side effect, but I gusee we will need to wait and see. After all, it is your story to tell!
Stake him anyway!? Real nice, T. Gatto.
As I said, the ramifications of Doc’s time as a vampire will loom large over the next story. In fact, a perfectly legitimate alternative title to the next story could be, “How Doc got his groove back.”
For the vamps that had already turned aquatic, this is probably going to end badly, as suddenly they are back human underwater most likely with extreme pressures. CRUNCH! flaming out might be more merciful than a transformation back.
Dan, Evin, and I explored this very same scenario concerning Fish Vamps that might turn into humans again while in deep water. They would either drown, or worse be crushed by the pressure, as you pointed out.
So, yeah, a lot of Fish Vamps were released from the curse only to instantly die a horrible death.
You leave out the most crucial rule of vampire reclamation in either version
THEY CANNOT HAVE FED ON BLOOD AS DOC DID or they are lost forever
Also apparently even if the infected are reclaimed they still retain the taint or curse and suffer many of the drawbacks of vampirism throughout life and still rise as undead after passing unless burned and the ashes scattered
Welcome aboard, David M! I’m glad you are digging the Daredevils.
Intelligent comments like yours and the others this week are what makes all our hard work worth it. We wrote something and you took the time to read and engage it in a meaningful way. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Anyway, we are loosely following LOST BOYS rules, as I said, just not word for word. When the head vampire dies those he turned revert back to being human.
As for a remaining “taint of curse”…KEEP READING…you may be more right than you know.
Thanks!
Yay! I was hoping Doc would turn back. I just feel sorry for the vamps that started as fish. They’re probably flopping around on the floor, all over the castle. Maybe Cup will snag a free lunch.
BTW, I love that the dog is a Cup of Joe. Those two are full of energy. I’m just glad this was set back when coffee was coffee. If it was set in the present, Joe’s name would be 14 words long, and only a Starbucks barrista would be able to remember it.
You’re the first person to actually connect (or at least comment on) the interplay between Joe and Cup’s names.
True story: When we were brainstorming the series we knew there would be a boy adventurer and his trusty canine who both wore eyepatches, but we did not have names for them.
Then Dan went out to get a cup of coffee, and immediately sent me an email, suggesting that their names be Joe and Cup, as in cup of joe, and the rest is history.
Poor Doc, guess he’s gonna have to buy LOTS of doggie treats! Great job fellas!
Thanks, Rich. Yeah, it’s going to take a lot of Beggin’ Strips to get Doc back in Cup’s good graces.
Anyway, I’m glad you wrote because I’ve been meaning to shout, GRAVEYARD GANG IS BACK FROM HIATUS, you guys!