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Marvel Masterworks: Dazzler #1
Marvel Masterworks: Dazzler Vol. 1
Celebrating the women of Marvel, we present the debut of the one and only Dazzler! Leaping from the pages of X-MEN and AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, Alison Blaire, A.K.A. Dazzler, debuted in her own series - one of the comic book direct market's very first exclusive off erings - and put audiences on their feet. Equal parts pop star and super hero, Dazzler broke new ground and faced some of the Marvel Universe's greatest powers, from the Hulk to Doctor Doom and Galactus - all while fighting against a wave of anti-mutant hysteria! And as if that's not enough, Dazzler also pits her sound-based powers against Klaw, finds herself fighting for her life in prison and contends with every creep in the record business. Don't hold back, go for it - reserve your copy today! COLLECTING: X-MEN (1963) 130-131, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) 203, DAZZLER (1981) 1-13
368 pages, Hardcover
Published March 31, 2020
22 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Tom DeFalco
2,477 books107 followersTom DeFalco is an American comics writer and editor, well-known for his association with Marvel Comics and Spider-Man.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 16, 2022
There are so many narration boxes in this comic. On top of that, the characters themselves do so much self-narration. With all of this explanation, it is a bit of a slog to get through.
However, there is one redeeming point, the minor supporting character Beefer. Beefer is a member of Dazzler's band. He's a fellow with a red Ronald McDonald hairdo who uses almost every line he's given to talk about how hungry he is. Not only that, he follows through on this hunger. In band practice? Eating a sandwich. Riding in a taxi? Eating a banana. Being attacked by super criminals? Lying on the floor with a sandwich. Every time he appeared in the comic, I had to smile. Let's hope that Beefer makes it into the MCU.
However, there is one redeeming point, the minor supporting character Beefer. Beefer is a member of Dazzler's band. He's a fellow with a red Ronald McDonald hairdo who uses almost every line he's given to talk about how hungry he is. Not only that, he follows through on this hunger. In band practice? Eating a sandwich. Riding in a taxi? Eating a banana. Being attacked by super criminals? Lying on the floor with a sandwich. Every time he appeared in the comic, I had to smile. Let's hope that Beefer makes it into the MCU.
January 29, 2021
An odd but very 1980s kinda superheroine. Interesting and different take on the superhero genre. Good reads. Recommended
August 15, 2021
When I was a kid, DAZZLER was always a comic of last resort. As a dyed-in-the-wool Marvel Zombie, I would always go for a Marvel comic first when my Mom offered to buy me some books at the local "Candy Store" (Bronx-talk for a newsstand!), but there were levels of Marvel books, and DAZZLER was at the lowest rung, alongside the reprint books featuring hated characters (The Sub-Mariner! Eech!) and creators of yesteryear.
As a fifty-year-old, I do, however, have fond memories of the first three issues of the series, which featured the team of Tom DeFalco, John Romita, Jr., and Alfredo Alcala. So....a hefty discount, the novelty of a Disco-themed direct-market cover, and the allure of nostalgia all combined to make me buy this collection, a purchase that I almost instantly regretted.
Having read the book a few years after buying it, I have to say...my childhood memories of this series being such a stinker were not entirely correct. Yes, after Romita, Jr. and Alcala move on, the art takes a drastic dip in quality under new penciller Frank Springer. At first, Springer is inked by some talented folks, but they soon move on, leaving him with the dreaded Vince Colletta on inks, and the book looks hideous.
But...the issues after writer Tom DeFalco leaves are not nearly as bad as I remember them being, and I quickly found myself caught up in Dazzler's love life, her Father drama, her job searches....Yes, seeing Dazzler fight The Enchantress, Doctor Doom, and Galactus, and come out on top, is ridiculous. But....chalk this up to a guilty pleasure, but I enjoyed the bulk of this book a lot more this time around. I need to go track down the second volume now....
As a fifty-year-old, I do, however, have fond memories of the first three issues of the series, which featured the team of Tom DeFalco, John Romita, Jr., and Alfredo Alcala. So....a hefty discount, the novelty of a Disco-themed direct-market cover, and the allure of nostalgia all combined to make me buy this collection, a purchase that I almost instantly regretted.
Having read the book a few years after buying it, I have to say...my childhood memories of this series being such a stinker were not entirely correct. Yes, after Romita, Jr. and Alcala move on, the art takes a drastic dip in quality under new penciller Frank Springer. At first, Springer is inked by some talented folks, but they soon move on, leaving him with the dreaded Vince Colletta on inks, and the book looks hideous.
But...the issues after writer Tom DeFalco leaves are not nearly as bad as I remember them being, and I quickly found myself caught up in Dazzler's love life, her Father drama, her job searches....Yes, seeing Dazzler fight The Enchantress, Doctor Doom, and Galactus, and come out on top, is ridiculous. But....chalk this up to a guilty pleasure, but I enjoyed the bulk of this book a lot more this time around. I need to go track down the second volume now....
February 1, 2022
Alison Blaire (aka Dazzler) is not a superhero. All she wants is to be a successful singer. Unfortunately, she is also a mutant, with the power to transform sound into light, and with even not so great power comes great responsibility so she frequently ends up reluctantly fighting supervillains. It's kind of like a combination of Josie and the Pussycats and Spider-Man.
The first few issues are really weak; however, the comic gets a lot better after Danny Fingeroth takes over as writer on issue 6 and it ends up being a lot of fun.
The first few issues are really weak; however, the comic gets a lot better after Danny Fingeroth takes over as writer on issue 6 and it ends up being a lot of fun.
September 21, 2024
So much potential in the concept and the character let down by mediocre writing and a lack of confidence. Dazzler could have held a book by herself, and the idea of a romance/super-hero cross-genre book could have a been so good, if only Marvel had had the guts to commit to it. Instead, it was just a disjointed parade of cameos and didn't begin to find its voice until DeFalco left. Not that Fingeroth really nailed it, either, though.
May 13, 2023
Dazzler's inagural adventures, which are fairly charming and have aged pretty well if you disregard the fashion of the time. I found it extremely funny the degree to which Dazzler wins or survives fights against much more powerful foes (The Enchantress! Doctor Doom! The Hulk!).
April 26, 2024
I learned that Dazzler is a Billy Joel fan and that the writers don’t know what to do with Dazzler.
February 1, 2021
l once had those first two issues
(Uncanny X-men 129 and 130) as part of a subscription during my school days. The rest of these were mostly new to me, and a lot of fun to read.
(Uncanny X-men 129 and 130) as part of a subscription during my school days. The rest of these were mostly new to me, and a lot of fun to read.
May 10, 2023
More comic book reading that feels (mostly) homeworky. We’re a long way away from the best Dazzler: X-Man on the run from rising prejudice and, essentially, a failed showbiz career, living in the Outback and shacking up with Longshot, adventuring with the other merry mutants. Dazzler, after all, was with that uncanny team during some of their most iconic stories—only to get lost in the shuffle with the exit of Chris Claremont and the early 90s line-wide reshuffling of the x-universe right before the X-Men became household names. So even though Dazzler was a playable character in the classic X-Men arcade game, even though she was featured in the 80s cartoon pilot, Dazzler would practically fade into obscurity. Worse, she became a joke. An embarrassing second-rate character not even Peter David would touch. During the West Coast X-Men era she did obligingly appear as wallpaper along with every other mutant character ever, but she rarely did anything of note or even spoke much. Worse, she even looked bland! Hopefully, someday the character will get her due: these old comics show, she’s always had potential.
Now, Dazzler, the series, is a lot of things and has always been on the receiving end of a lot of criticism. But it’s really not as bad as it’s made out to be. This bunch of issues is the worst of it, but the early issues do at least have the whole novelty aspect working for them. It’s not really too much of a slog.
Alison “Dazzler” Blaire’s origin as a superhero comic book character is as straightforward as they come—she’s a mutant and her super power is to transform sound into various forms of light that she can use for offensive or defensive purposes but, hey, she’d rather just use them to enhance her singing act, thank you very much—but Dazzler’s origin as an intellectual property is probably even more convoluted than Miracleman’s. And that’s saying something. What a rabbit hole of contradictory accounts. (Also, Miracleman is taken more seriously so there’s a clearer history with him because there been more research into it.)
This first volume collects Dazzler’s earliest appearances, including a couple excellent and classic X-Men issues, but mostly it’s a baker’s dozen of her solo series. The series, unfortunately, doesn’t have any direction at all. At least not beyond “hot blonde mutant with light powers just wants to sing but somehow keeps reluctantly getting involved with superheroics.” Dazzler becomes embroiled in super adventures with the whole gamut of the Marvel Universe: some X-Men, of course, the Avengers, the FF, Spidey, Hulk, etc. In a given story she could be fighting anyone from a herald of Galactus to Doctor Doom or even a street tough. All the while trying to make it as a singer.
The funniest thing about these issues is how meta it is: all the superheroes in the Marvel Universe are falling all over themselves to prop up Dazzler’s singing career. And not just the male superheroes either. Marvel really pulls out all the stops for whatever reason to try to get this book off the ground. Well, all the stops but one: establish the book’s raison d'être. The series was pushed hard, and fast, yet it didn’t know what it wanted to be or who it wanted to be for. Soon-ish, it gets much better in the former regard but not really the latter. Once writer Danny Fingeroth and artist Frank Springer are on the book the story slowly coalesces into a good read, believe it or not. Alison will have more organic super adventures, less dependent on guest stars, she‘ll have clear music career goals with clear progression, a growing supporting cast, various romantic and family soap opera problems, all the while dealing with the sleazier side of showbiz and slowly coming to learn that “with great power comes great responsibly.” All of these things make the character more three-dimensional and eventually she does become more than a leftover-disco, Hollywood-bait gimmick.
I think the real “problem” with the book is “who is this book for?” Dazzler is a superhero comic, disguised as a romance comic, and sometimes vice versa, with a strong female lead, and cheesecake art. Which adds up to: a little something for everyone to like with a little something for everyone to hate, too. But that’s the next volume, really. Many of the best superheroes have the shaky starts, this is Dazzler’s. It does get good, though—provided you don’t come in with the wrong expectations. If you’re one of those sad sacks who think female superheroes should be more realistic and less sexualized than male superheroes, get lost. Otherwise, to coin a phrase, aka Dazzler’s failed catchphrase: go for it!
Now, Dazzler, the series, is a lot of things and has always been on the receiving end of a lot of criticism. But it’s really not as bad as it’s made out to be. This bunch of issues is the worst of it, but the early issues do at least have the whole novelty aspect working for them. It’s not really too much of a slog.
Alison “Dazzler” Blaire’s origin as a superhero comic book character is as straightforward as they come—she’s a mutant and her super power is to transform sound into various forms of light that she can use for offensive or defensive purposes but, hey, she’d rather just use them to enhance her singing act, thank you very much—but Dazzler’s origin as an intellectual property is probably even more convoluted than Miracleman’s. And that’s saying something. What a rabbit hole of contradictory accounts. (Also, Miracleman is taken more seriously so there’s a clearer history with him because there been more research into it.)
This first volume collects Dazzler’s earliest appearances, including a couple excellent and classic X-Men issues, but mostly it’s a baker’s dozen of her solo series. The series, unfortunately, doesn’t have any direction at all. At least not beyond “hot blonde mutant with light powers just wants to sing but somehow keeps reluctantly getting involved with superheroics.” Dazzler becomes embroiled in super adventures with the whole gamut of the Marvel Universe: some X-Men, of course, the Avengers, the FF, Spidey, Hulk, etc. In a given story she could be fighting anyone from a herald of Galactus to Doctor Doom or even a street tough. All the while trying to make it as a singer.
The funniest thing about these issues is how meta it is: all the superheroes in the Marvel Universe are falling all over themselves to prop up Dazzler’s singing career. And not just the male superheroes either. Marvel really pulls out all the stops for whatever reason to try to get this book off the ground. Well, all the stops but one: establish the book’s raison d'être. The series was pushed hard, and fast, yet it didn’t know what it wanted to be or who it wanted to be for. Soon-ish, it gets much better in the former regard but not really the latter. Once writer Danny Fingeroth and artist Frank Springer are on the book the story slowly coalesces into a good read, believe it or not. Alison will have more organic super adventures, less dependent on guest stars, she‘ll have clear music career goals with clear progression, a growing supporting cast, various romantic and family soap opera problems, all the while dealing with the sleazier side of showbiz and slowly coming to learn that “with great power comes great responsibly.” All of these things make the character more three-dimensional and eventually she does become more than a leftover-disco, Hollywood-bait gimmick.
I think the real “problem” with the book is “who is this book for?” Dazzler is a superhero comic, disguised as a romance comic, and sometimes vice versa, with a strong female lead, and cheesecake art. Which adds up to: a little something for everyone to like with a little something for everyone to hate, too. But that’s the next volume, really. Many of the best superheroes have the shaky starts, this is Dazzler’s. It does get good, though—provided you don’t come in with the wrong expectations. If you’re one of those sad sacks who think female superheroes should be more realistic and less sexualized than male superheroes, get lost. Otherwise, to coin a phrase, aka Dazzler’s failed catchphrase: go for it!
November 11, 2020
Didn't expect to like this so much. Unlike later portrayals of this character, the early Dazzler stories depict her as extremely powerful if she has enough noise to feed her powers. The first super-villain she confronts is the Enchantress and they fight because... uh I don't really know why. The reason makes no sense. The only major misstep, in my opinion, is the three issues she spends fighting for Galactus, the reasoning behind that is pretty stupid too.
But the good stuff far outweighs the bad. She occasionally hangs out with the early 80's X-Men; she goes to another dimension for Doctor Doom to fight Nightmare; fights the Hulk and then becomes his friend when she finds out he loves puppies; she constantly runs out of food in her fridge; goes through a lot of drama with her a-hole father and doctor boyfriend; kills Klaw by absorbing his entire body with her mutant powers; battles a bunch of losers called the Enforcers (you know they are losers because one of them is named Fancy Dan and another has a magical lariat); lastly she fights the Grapplers (a bunch of nasty bitches with awesome costumes). Well that list may not persuade anyone else to like this group of stories. But something about the goofy melodrama, the skimpy outfits, and amazing art by Romita, Jr. and Frank Springer makes this a much different reading experience than the typical Avengers and Justice League nonsense that crowded the shelves at this time.
But the good stuff far outweighs the bad. She occasionally hangs out with the early 80's X-Men; she goes to another dimension for Doctor Doom to fight Nightmare; fights the Hulk and then becomes his friend when she finds out he loves puppies; she constantly runs out of food in her fridge; goes through a lot of drama with her a-hole father and doctor boyfriend; kills Klaw by absorbing his entire body with her mutant powers; battles a bunch of losers called the Enforcers (you know they are losers because one of them is named Fancy Dan and another has a magical lariat); lastly she fights the Grapplers (a bunch of nasty bitches with awesome costumes). Well that list may not persuade anyone else to like this group of stories. But something about the goofy melodrama, the skimpy outfits, and amazing art by Romita, Jr. and Frank Springer makes this a much different reading experience than the typical Avengers and Justice League nonsense that crowded the shelves at this time.
February 23, 2022
Dazzler's solo series is Squirrel Girl with romance instead of jokes and PSAs. It's a superhero comic where they introduce a new heroine by having her appear with Marvel's most iconic heroes and villains, way too fast. In a single volume, Dazzler fights Galactus, Doctor Doom, and the Enchantress, and teams up with the X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Avengers. Meanwhile, she has a civilian life straight from a 1950s romance comic, with a boyfriend and a manager and a comic relief sidekick and plenty of lingerie. These worlds never overlap, so the book feels just weird and disjointed, like it's trying too hard. Props to artist Frank Springer for having the artistic range to draw both these genres at once, but he can't make up for Tom DeFalco's terrible dialogue and cameo-ridden plots.
The best part of this book is the two issues of Uncanny X-Men at the front, which show how to really ride the rocket ship of colliding genres. Dazzler gets her debut during the Dark Phoenix Saga, she establishes her whole character in like two pages, and this entire solo series feels kind of like needless embroidery on Claremont and Byrne.
The best part of this book is the two issues of Uncanny X-Men at the front, which show how to really ride the rocket ship of colliding genres. Dazzler gets her debut during the Dark Phoenix Saga, she establishes her whole character in like two pages, and this entire solo series feels kind of like needless embroidery on Claremont and Byrne.
March 22, 2022
Dazzler is Brilliant and Unique!
While most mutants spotlighted in the Marvel Universe are superheroes or super villains, Alison Blaire has no interest either way. Her "Dazzler" persona is that of a singer. However, action and adventure seems to find her regardless. The clash of life as a super powered mutant and struggling to succeed in the highly competitive entertainment field make for some great comic book reading, not to forget a great team of creators breathing it all to life.
While most mutants spotlighted in the Marvel Universe are superheroes or super villains, Alison Blaire has no interest either way. Her "Dazzler" persona is that of a singer. However, action and adventure seems to find her regardless. The clash of life as a super powered mutant and struggling to succeed in the highly competitive entertainment field make for some great comic book reading, not to forget a great team of creators breathing it all to life.
April 16, 2023
When I played X-Men Arcade game as a kid, I always chose the Dazzler. So I was excited to find and read this collection all about her.
-Debut
Good, but I was bored because I had read it before and was eager for something new and Dazzler-centric.
-Enchantress
I didn't like this story at all.
-Dr Doom
This blew it out of the park! My favorite in this omnibus.
-Hulk
Good story, but I'm not a big Hulk fan.
-Intermixed Techmaster/Pegasus/Galactus
A great, extended story with multiple threads. We learn just how powerful the Dazzler is.
-Debut
Good, but I was bored because I had read it before and was eager for something new and Dazzler-centric.
-Enchantress
I didn't like this story at all.
-Dr Doom
This blew it out of the park! My favorite in this omnibus.
-Hulk
Good story, but I'm not a big Hulk fan.
-Intermixed Techmaster/Pegasus/Galactus
A great, extended story with multiple threads. We learn just how powerful the Dazzler is.
June 11, 2024
I think one of the main things hurting this was that it felt like most of her stories were defined by cameos of other, better known characters. Her musical career was sort of just there as a set piece and only really relevant to create some drama with her father. I also didn't really have any nostalgia or baked-in interest like I do with a lot of other historical dives into past Masterworks. Superheroine runs in particular tend to be extra hard because they always seem to come back to recurring relationship drama, villains trying to wife them, writers feeling women can't exist without a love interest, getting moon-eyed over a coworker while others pine and get jealous, and I don't even like those things when they're written well.
December 12, 2023
The Early Years
It was good to read about Dazzler’s first adventures. I first saw her in the X-men with John Byrne handling the art and stories so it was a bit of a downer reading these first stories in her own series. But as each issue went forward Dazzler got more powerful with her encounters with people and villains. The supporting characters were a bit lame but she is growing on me. I will get the next kindle edition so I can see how she grows in character.
It was good to read about Dazzler’s first adventures. I first saw her in the X-men with John Byrne handling the art and stories so it was a bit of a downer reading these first stories in her own series. But as each issue went forward Dazzler got more powerful with her encounters with people and villains. The supporting characters were a bit lame but she is growing on me. I will get the next kindle edition so I can see how she grows in character.
January 11, 2024
Dated, but still fantastic
Dazzler is unlike any other hero in comicdom. She's a superstar, but down to earth, recognizable, but broke, powerful, yet meek.
In this epic collection, we we some Marvel heavies like Galactus and Dr. Doom, and some unknowns as well. This collection is well rounded and a great read.
It's filled with 80s nostalgia, and as a participant in roller derby for a number of years,, I love her skating ability and fervor.
Good artwork throughout!
Dazzler is unlike any other hero in comicdom. She's a superstar, but down to earth, recognizable, but broke, powerful, yet meek.
In this epic collection, we we some Marvel heavies like Galactus and Dr. Doom, and some unknowns as well. This collection is well rounded and a great read.
It's filled with 80s nostalgia, and as a participant in roller derby for a number of years,, I love her skating ability and fervor.
Good artwork throughout!
October 27, 2022
Lack of focus.
Good color artwork, Dazzling pinups of an attractive female superhero,, within the limits of the comic code. Could have used a better catch phrase than " lets go for it ". The disco outfits quite accurate. Many guest appearances. Death of a super villain was surprising, though he will return.
Good color artwork, Dazzling pinups of an attractive female superhero,, within the limits of the comic code. Could have used a better catch phrase than " lets go for it ". The disco outfits quite accurate. Many guest appearances. Death of a super villain was surprising, though he will return.
April 2, 2022
I went into this with really low expectations but what a pleasant surprise. I actually quite enjoyed it. Sure, it is pretty silly in spots but it was too charming to hold the silliness against it. I doubt I'll ever need to buy a copy of it but I'm glad I read it.
July 25, 2023
I liked the characters and their backgrounds, but most of the stories are so blah.
October 14, 2023
I really want to one star this, but it is probably better than that. We'll save the one stars for later.
June 5, 2023
Dazzler was a favorite of a young Jr High student way back in the early 80’s, and so this book carries a lot of positive nostalgia for me. The first two issues start off strong with some great John Romita Jr artwork, and half of the then-current marvel universe guest staring. And the guest stars stay strong in the first year of the book, with Dr Doom, Galactus, and the Hulk each getting a two part story. The farther into the run we get, the art quality starts to go down, but I found it a lot of fun revisiting these books. Your mileage may very.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews