Dai Dark vol. 4

Vol. 3 gave us the inkling of a solid direction for this series.  The information the Four Little Shits acquired from the Lighthead Order pointed to a place called Zolar.  Nobody knows where it is, but it’s said to be where the universe began.  Zaha and company figure it’s as good a place as any to look for the answers they want and the plan right now is for them to keep raiding Lighthead bases until they have enough info to head there.  Meanwhile, the Lighthead Order isn’t going to take this lying down.  Their leader, Big Sparkle, has a plan to create the ultimate warrior capable of taking these troublemakers down.  All it’s going to take is one volunteer from the elites of their order, a pot of the broth of light, seeds of plants harvested from Lighthead grounds, the teeth of some followers, a relic of Zolar, and some rice.  That’s all it takes to make the Photonuclear Man!

While I’m still enjoying “Dai Dark,” I’m also waiting for it to gain some genuine storytelling momentum.  I’d hoped that the quest for Zolar would provide that, but that’s not what happens in vol. 4.  The business surrounding the Photonuclear Man is the focus here and that just leads to a lot of fighting which doesn’t feel like it advances the plot in a meaningful fashion.  We also get another flashback to Zaha’s elementary school days that doesn’t feel like it adds anything to the overall story either.

Still, it’s the oddball details that ensure there is still enjoyment to be had in this volume.  Damemaru’s constant dying and resurrection haven’t worn out their welcome yet, while his self-proclaimed name “Hellmaster” is the best proof yet that he’s actually sixteen.  You also get to see someone’s skeleton jump right out of their body in this volume too.  Big Sparkle, true to his name, is also a lot more perky and upbeat than  you’d expect from a cult leader who’s been alive for 4,000 years.  This is all more of the stuff that I’ve been enjoying from “Dai Dark,” it just feels like the series is coasting on (demented) charm rather than trying to find ways to take itself to the next level.  A likeable underachiever of a series if there ever was one.