Alison “Ali” Blaire has one of the oddest origins of any superhero ever. Inspired by the disco craze and created by committee, Dazzler was intended to be a multimedia superstar who would release actual albums. Unfortunately, disco was dead by the time the ball got rolling. Her appearance also changed, from being based on Grace Jones to being modeled on movie star Bo Derek, in the hopes of her starring in a tie-in movie. Unfortunately, that deal fell through, and Marvel Comics elected to publish what they had ready in 1981.
Despite this inauspicious start, Dazzler did develop a fan following. She has changed her look repeatedly over the years, being reinvented more often than Madonna. From Olivia Newton-John circa “Let’s Get Physical” to Lady Gaga, Ali has sported a lot of looks. Given that, it is no surprise that the new Dazzler series seems to reimagine Alison Blaire as the Marvel Universe‘s answer to Taylor Swift.
The first issue finds Ali kicking off a new world tour. Along for the ride are many of her X-Men friends, like Domino as Head of Security and Multiple Man as a one-man roadie team. She has a huge fan following, with devotees who dress like her at concerts. Unfortunately, Ali also has a lot of haters, from critics of her music to anti-Mutant activists.
This leaves Ali in an odd position, with her manager advising her to avoid using her Mutant powers publicly. That becomes something of a problem when the supervillain Scorpia crashes the first concert. Officially, she’s been hired by an unnamed party to put an end to Dazzler’s career. Yet she claims she’d do the job for free as an anti-fan who really hates Ali’s music.
Dazzler #1 is a truly outrageous satire of music culture
Writer Jason Loo and artist Rafael Loureiro are not subtle about the real-world influences on Dazzler #1. Ali makes a joke about how not all of her songs are about her famous exes, right before singing about Angel. And while Ali spends most of the issue in her classic costume, her general appearance resembles Taylor Swift. (This is likely a nod to a long-running rumor that Swift would play Dazzler in Deadpool and Wolverine.) Despite that, the general aura of the issue is comparable to the classic Jem and the Holograms animated series.
In-jokes aside, the issue does a fantastic job of parodying pop culture in regard to how singers are promoted to the public. Dazzler is an honest-to-goodness hero. However, her manager doesn’t want her being too heroic for fear of offending those who don’t see her as a Mutant. Yet she still sings a song about her powers, “Out and Proud,” that serves as a gay anthem, despite Ali being straight. (Comparisons can be made to Swift’s “You Need To Calm Down.”)
Dazzler #1 will offend many people for many reasons. But as a wise woman once said, “the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate.” This book is fun, plain and simple, with a loveable cast and vibrant, action-packed art.
Grade: 5/5
Dazzler #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
