So, without further ado...
Dazzler #22
"The Sisterhood"
December 1982
Writer: Danny Fingeroth
Artist: Frank Springer
My knowledge of this character comes solely from Uncanny X-Men and with that I can sum her up thusly: Alison Blaire is a mutant with the ability to convert sound to weaponized energy and light. She typically uses this power to help her fledgling career as a pop star (for special effects), but will also use it when needed to defend herself and others. I enjoyed her presence with the X-Men, but know next to nothing of her solo adventures.
First, let's talk cover: as an X-Men fan, this is a fairly attractive issue by cover alone. You've got Angel, Rogue and, of course, Dazzler. This is during Rogue's villain days with Mystique and Destiny, so it's especially interesting to me. I'm not really a fan of Dazzler's costume because even for 1982 it seems a bit dated where two years before in her first appearance it seemed appropriate. I'm no fashion expert, though.
The synopsis of this particular issue: Dazzler is recording a demo tape for a record company. Along the way she meets up with Angel, who is apparently in New York to pursue a relationship with Alison. At the climax of this issue, Angel and Dazzler do battle with Rogue, Mystique and Destiny, who have targeted Angel for revenge against the X-Men. .
Some of the things I noticed about this issue:
- Dazzler has a pretty large supporting cast. We see some sidebars with her birth mother and father, who appear to have been separated for a long time. Her mother alludes to another daughter, Lois, whom she had with a second husband. This gives Alison a half-sister to add to the cast (who shows up at her door in the last panel). The bit with her father explains he and his ex-wife are back on good terms, suggesting some altercation in past issues. We also see interactions with her manager, band mates and boyfriend.
- And speaking of her boyfriend, Ken Barnett. He looks like a straight up porn star with his curly hair and mustache. Yikes.
- Seriously, what's the deal with the roller skates? At one point during the battle with Rogue, Mystique and Destiny, Dazzler makes a point to put on her roller skates. The only thing she successfully does with them is kick a villain in the face. Sure, it probably hurts more to be kicked with skates than a boot... but still. Also, the battle takes place in what appears to be a grass lawn. Now, it's been a minute since I've done any roller skating, but grass was never my surface of choice.
- As someone that was born, raised and still live in the South, Rogue's accent has always bothered me. The use of "ya'll" in particular has always made me cringe because the writers never get its use right. Well, not only does Danny Fingeroth not use "ya'll" once, the southern drawl he gives Rogue is actually pretty believable.
- The art by Frank Springer is really good, but it feels retro even for the early 80's. It feels like it would fit snugly along with John Romita, Sr.'s Spidey work from the late 1960's, which I still enjoy immensely to this day. So, definitely not a knock to the art.
Here's where I come to the two questions this entry is supposed to answer:
Would I read it?
Yes. I'd try it out. I'm a fan of good supporting casts and quirky characters, so I'd give this a few more issues. I'm not blown away by this particular issue, but I'm not turned away either. In the end, I'm not itching to get to the next issue, but I wouldn't turn it down if I came across it on the cheap.
Is it accessible to a new reader?
Yes. I never felt lost while reading, which is an absolute miracle with anything associated to the X-Men. Some of that may be because I am vaguely familiar with the main character. As a plus, this particular issue gives quick and somewhat enticing glances to what appears to be multiple plot threads without losing the reader in a ton of complicated continuity. The main plot is light, but serves its purpose (which seems to be getting Angel and Dazzler together).
I'll count this one as a WIN.
