Warning: Spoilers for Dazzler #1!The breakout member of theX-Menfinally delivers asDazzler’sdebut issue finally hits shelves.Dazzler#1 has been one of the most eagerly anticipated new series for Marvel in quite some time, not to mention one of the most hotly promoted. Marvel has built anticipation forDazzler by releasing actual lyricsfrom her songs, as well as several ’70s-themed variant covers of various Marvel superheroes.
Months after the series' initial announcement, Marvel has finally releasedDazzler#1by Jason Loo, Rafael Loureiro, Java Tartaglia, and VC’s Ariana Maher, featuring the X-Men’s standout singing star. The comic arrives as a part of theX-Menfranchise’s newFrom the Ashes initiative, signaling a new Post-Krakoa era and status quo for the franchise that, so far, has been admittedly dark.
However,Dazzler#1 serves as a surprising outlier that not onlyentertains on its own merit, but offers a refreshing break from the gloom of other current X-books, signaling the true potential of this new era.
Dazzler #1 Is a Delightful Break from the X-Men’s Grim Reality
Available in Digital Stores and Local Comic Book Shops
Dazzler didn’t have the most glamorous exit from the Krakoa era, and that’s an understatement. Dazzler was one of the mutants unveiled to be among the newestX-Men roster at the Hellfire Gala 2023. However, moments after the fact, she was brutally murdered with the rest of her would-be team, thanks to an invading Orchis attack signaled the beginning ofthe end for the Krakoa era.A night that should have been the greatest of Dazzler’s life turned out to be her worst,along with the worst night possible for mutantkind.
X-Men’s Disco Dazzler Gets New Solo Series For First Time In 40 Years
X-Men’s From the Ashes era will see the fan-favorite disco queen Dazzler take center stage once again, as Alison Blaire stars in a new Dazzler series.
Thankfully, as is the case with many superheroes who die in the world of comics, Dazzler got better. One final resurrection bringsDazzler back from the dead, andthis time, she’s not taking her second chance at life for granted.Dazzler#1 opens with the superstar preparing for her concert, set to promote her new album in Los Angeles, California. The issue establishes an interesting supporting cast for Dazzler, including a security squad featuring Strong Guy and Domino, drummer Shark Girl, road agent Multiple Man, as well as a concerned manager in Wind Dancer.
What Happens inDazzler#1?
Plot Details Relate to “From the Ashes”
Wind Dancer’s concerns lie in the fact thatmutant-human relations are at an all-time low, which isn’t good when the lead singer on the charts is a mutant. In hopes of not creating a hostile environment, Wind Dancer is working overtime to ensure that the show is digestible for all demographics. Her efforts include encouraging Dazzler to not speak about mutant politics and asking Shark Girl to use an image-inducer to conceal her shark appearance.
A truly wholesome, borderline slice-of-life comic.
Things take a turn for the worse when the vile Scorpia attacks Dazzler onstage during her set. She eventually neutralizes the supervillain, but mutant politics is a pretty big elephant in the room to ignore when Dazzler just used her mutant powers and Shark Girl’s image-inducer glitches out in front of a sold-out crowd. What follows isDazzler’s declaration that she is proud to be a mutant,choosing to double-down on the notion with a song titled, “Out and Proud.“She’s immediately criticized online for pushing a"mutant agenda,“but that’s another story for another issue.
DazzlerIs a Wholesome Departure from Marvel’s Other X-Books
Dazzler#1 Shows Promise and Positivity
As the mutants recover from losing their island paradise and re-acclimate into a predominantly human society,the current line ofX-Menbooks have, for the most part, all carried a somber tone. The first issue ofUncanny X-Men, for example, features the death of a child. Meanwhile, whileExceptional X-Men#1 eventually adopts a more uplifting ending withKitty Pryde regaining her classic name, Kate spends most of the issue mourningher exit from the X-Menand losing her drive to fight for something. Meanwhile,X-Mendelves into Cyclops' severe anxietyafter what he’s experienced.
Uncanny X-Men,Exceptional X-Men, andX-Menare the three key ongoing titles in the “From the Ashes” soft “relaunch” for Marvel’s mutants.Uncanny X-Men#1 (by Gail Simone, David Marquez, Matt Wilson, and Clayton Cowles),Exceptional X-Men(by Eve L. Ewing, Carmen Carnero, Nolan Woodard, and Joe Sabino), andX-Men#1 (by Jed MacKay, Ryan Stegman, J. P. Mayer, Marte Gracia, and Cowles) are all available now from Marvel Comics.
Of course, it’s understanable why there’s a need for such dark outlooks in this post-Krakoa era, but that doesn’t make the stories any less depressing to read.Dazzler#1 could not be more different, as it is the exact opposite to everything readers have seen from these new X-Men books thus far. It’s not different in that it feels tonally wrong or out of place. Instead,it’s different in a way that feels likeDazzler#1 shows an alternative perspective on mutantkindduring a difficult time.
X-Men’s Dazzler Debuts a Brand New Costume That Anglophiles Will Love
Anglophiles will love this upcoming Dazzler solo run, featuring the pop star sporting a Union Jack jumpsuit as she stops in London on her world tour.
After everything that the X-Men and mutants as a whole have experienced in Krakoa’s fallout, it’s easy to see how so many characters would be in a state of fear, mourning, and grief. By the same sword, it’s easy to see why so many writers working on these books would think that’s the appropriate tone to go for, butDazzler#1 offers a refreshing taste of optimism. Times like this can be scary and grief-inducing, but it doesn’t have to be. Not when there’s an uplifting, guiding light in the distance, like Dazzler and her music.
Both the character and her comic offer an uplifting bright spot during the X-Men’s dark revamp. When there’s been as much doom and gloom on the horizon as the new X-era has offered so far, Dazzler feels like a breath of fresh air. A comic like this can still work in this new status quo, proving thatnot every comic in this “relaunch” needs to be über dark. That being said,Dazzler#1 offers more for readers than just a shiny alternative to darkness.
DazzlerWorks as a Standalone Series as Well
With or Without the Context of Other X-Books
As much asDazzler#1 works as a lovely tonal shift away from the darkness of other X-Men books, it also works on its own as Marvel’s next “wholesome” comic series. There are honestly not enough series in Marvel’s schedule that offer a positive wholesomeness.The Sensational She-Hulkonce filled that role beautifully, but that series just wrapped up a few weeks ago.Dazzlerfills that hole left in the Marvel Comics line-up, which needsa truly wholesome, borderline slice-of-life comic on their shelves.
The fifth and final collected edition of the recentShe-Hulkrun by celebrated romance writer Rainbow Rowell is available now from Marvel Comics:She-Hulk: All Inby Rowell, Andrés Genolet, Ig Guara, Dee Cunniffe, and Joe Caramagna.
There was a bevy of hype surroundingDazzler#1, and it’s safe to say that the premier issue more than lives up to expectations. The issue entertains as a witty, exciting new chapter in Dazzler’s story while also producing enough intrigue for future issues. Who paid Scorpio to interrupt Dazzler’s concert? How will Dazzler recover from the negative press? Can her music unite humans and mutants? All pressing questions forDazzler, but those that anyX-Menfan should stick around to see answered.
Dazzler#1is available now from Marvel Comics.
X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
