REVIEW: Dazzler #1

Writer: Tom DeFalco

Penciler: John Romita, Jr.

Inker: Alfredo Alcala

Colorist: Glynis Wein

Letterer: Joe Rosen

Dazzler seems to be a pretty divisive character in that folks are either dedicated fans or think she’s dumb as hell.

Granted, the disco angle doesn’t do her any favors...

In any case, I find myself a member of the Dazzler fan club for two reasons:

Australia and Marvel Action Universe.

My first solid introduction to the X-Men was, to my recollection, the Outback era featuring a team of presumed-dead outlaw Muties. Wolverine, Storm, Rogue, Havok, and a few others maintained a secret Australian base and traveled via teleporting Aborigine.

It was pretty amazing, and Dazzler counted herself amongst those scrappy survivors.

Marvel Action Universe, on the other hand, was a Saturday morning programming block featuring oddball cartoons like Dino-Riders and RoboCop.

Of all goddamn things, yes, there was a kid-friendly animated adaptation of one of the most violent R-rated flicks out there.

One day, one beautiful day, there was an honest-to-god X-Men cartoon on the Marvel Action Universe.

Pryde of the X-Men.

 

To this day I remember lines from that pilot and remember fiendishly craving more episodes, not knowing the show exploded on the launch pad and there were no further installments to be had.

Featured in this pilot was, again, Dazzler.

Logically (or perhaps foolishly) I’ve taken to collecting her solo series when cheap issues cross my path, including the premiere.

Sadly, I was headed for disappointment. Fresh off her first appearance in the preambles to the Dark Phoenix Saga, Alison Blaire finds herself fleeing some stereotypical early ‘80s goons.

Dazzler goes from battling Hellfire Club mercs to your basic jive turkeys...

Luckily, Dazzler uses magnetically-attached roller skates and a pocket radio to hold the miscreants at bay until your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man steps in and saves the day...

Pink Floyd and Blondie both get name-dropped in the first 6 pages, so there’s that.

Ali retires to her spartan apartment and waxes about her life, calls the X-Mansion and interrupts a classic 1980s Danger Room session. This sequence is one of the high points of the book for no other reason than the nostalgic interplay between the X-Men and goofy giant saw blades and lasers.

Soon after, we take a trip down memory lane and Dazzler recalls the manifestation of her mutant powers whilst performing at her school talent show and friction with her father over her choice to pursue music over a law career.

Fairly fundamental and basic storytelling, all said, but the hokiness possesses a certain charm.

And then The Enchantress shows up...

The Thor foe. That Enchantress.

An Asgardian demigod who pops down to Midgard and auditions at a nightclub for a singing gig...

Ulterior motives abound, of course, but guess who else is auditioning?

So...yeah. Dazzler lands the gig and Amora the Enchantress swears vengeance from the shadows.

Expect a dance-off next issue...

Which is ridiculous, but reminds me of the climax from War for the Oaks, so I have it a pass.

Overall, a mediocre book.

As previously mentioned, the Disco Dazzler routine doesn’t help matters but I think it’s a fair piece. All things considered, the character has done well considering she was initially conceptualized as a crossover with a record company.

Yes, Dazzler was to have a real-world counterpart destined to top the charts with funky beats.

That idea fizzled as fast as disco, but Marvel would try the same gimmick years later with Nightcat.

A concept that also fell on its ass...

The most refreshing aspect of this issue is John Romita’s pencils, an artist nearly as divisive as Dazzler in fandom.

The art is rendered in a classic Marvel fashion as opposed to the block body style JR JR is known for.

I’m not sure if he was channeling his fathers style or he’d yet to develop his own path, but it’s some fine work either way.

Do I regret rescuing this book from Dollar Box purgatory?

Nah.

Is it a Marvel Must Have?

Also nah, but it’s a goofy little slice of Marvel history worth at least a cursory read.

The series ran some forty-odd issues, so they must’ve been on to something and I’m sure I’ll continue grabbing orphan issues as they cross my path.