Dominic Deegan/Fridge

Fridge Brilliance

• I first wrote off the tour storyline in Dominic Deegan as just another filler arc that gave Mookie an excuse to draw some new things and bring back one of his old creations. With the latest strip, that all changed. I liked the character of Brian, the cheerful jovial necromancer, but I was floored by the revelation that he is actually Rilian, the First Necromancer incognito. All of Dominic and Luna's major experiences during the vacation were actually engineered by Rilian. The entire tour was a Secret Test of Character to see if Dominic was stable or at risk of Mindbreak. This not only made the arc deep and meaningful, it also brought new insight into Rilian's character. How much Brian's behavior during the tour was just an act and how much of it was Rilian's real character beyond his grim appearance was another interesting thought this arc introduces. After reading the most recent strip in the arc, try re-reading the entire tour storyline from the start, but with the new knowledge that Brian is actually Rilian. It becomes much more interesting. Furthermore, take a look at this strip. I was left wondering just how that merman knew Luna had issues in the first place, and I thought it was just a Plot Hole. The last strip in the arc answered that question, and now I realize it was clever Foreshadowing. Notice how, out of all of the people Rilian brought into the conspiracy, not one of them is from the Wild Edge. Take another look at this strip and this one after it. Then think about what kind of "bad experience" Brian had in the Wild Edge "a few years ago". Okay, you know what? Just give this storyline another look. With all the revelations the last strip brings to light, this arc went from being a snoozefest to revitalizing my interest in the comic! This strip has Brian gushing over his hero Rilian, and asking Dominic if Rilian really did do everything he lists in the second and third panels. Thing is, Brian KNOWS Rilian did all those things because the last strip reveals that he IS Rilian. Brian isn't really gushing, he's BRAGGING. Now it's hilarious on a second read. I just wish we could have seen Brian's face as Dominic listed all the admirable qualities he saw in Rilian. You know what? This whole arc could be considered Fridge Brilliance. It might even be deserving of being a Crowning Moment of Awesome for Rilian, the webcomic itself, and Mookie as a writer. And FYI, I'm not even that much of a fan of Dominic Deegan. As mentioned before, I thought the comic was growing stale with this arc and considered dropping it. Now I can't wait to see what Mookie will come up with next. -- M84
  • The revelation that Donovan can actually speak Orcish perfectly was funny enough in and of itself (and it retroactively explained how Donovan could get the language exactly wrong enough to sound like comprehensible jokes, rather than occasionally coming out as gibberish), but it made me start wondering about his confrontation with Karnak in the backstory. It's possible his command of the language wasn't all that good at that point...but then it occurred to me. He's a bard. He was confused by the sudden turn, but still tried deliberate humorous misinterpretation to make Karnak pause, so he could try to defuse the situation. -- Drow Lord
• Nimmel's reasoning for attending the Coldfire Academy seems very shallow and out of character at first, but it actually does have a sound reasoning for what is known about his character. He developed severe psychological depression and insecurity after he got his ass kicked and watched his friends die get brutally murdered right in front of him by somebody far more powerful than him. It makes sense that he would rather be in a place he is far more powerful and able to make a stand for himself. Nimmel calling the werewolves "emotion-crazed beast people" is very cringe-worthy, but in a way It Makes Sense in Context. Before this he held the (equally ignorant) assumption of werewolf culture as exclusively noble and pure. But, having been recently disillusioned of this, it seems he's a bit bitter and his emotions have flipped to the other side of the spectrum for a while. Additionally, at no point does Nimmel actually bully or try to dominate anyone. The comic makes it pretty clear he has been subject to a great deal of physical abuse. Given what we now know about his magically capability in that kind of environment, he has shown a great deal of restraint and patience. His use of magic was first to protect a friend who was being attacked, and then later in self-defense.
  • Hearing Milov compliment Nimmel for being different from those other Callanians who wanted only to exploit the werewolves and their environment, despite Nimmel having an extended internal monologue detailing that he came here specifically because he wanted to exploit the werewolves and their environment, seemed a bit off. Then you remember Milov's two closest friends both betrayed his trust, indicating he's not that great a judge of character. Suddenly, this seems less like Creator's Pet and more Pride Before a Fall.