Dazzler #3 (1981)
written by Tom DeFalco
pencils by John Romita Jr. & Paul Kupperberg
I’ve already reviewed this one (with terrible quality scans) during the Doom retrospective… but since I’ve skipped most of the Dazzler stuff back then, I kind of have to look at it again.
In light (pun intended) of what we’ve seen so far, the fact that Dazzler is already friends with the Fantastic Four and goes to them to have her powers tested doesn’t seem so outlandish anymore.
But as I’ve said in the original review, I still can’t believe we have a character that can shoot lasers and Marvel decides to hype the fact that she’s good at roller-skating.
I’ll skip talking about most of the Doom plot. Not only I’ve already review it, but I’m pretty sure that talking about Doom’s family jewels is a capital offense in Latveria.
Remember this guy from the original review? The one that I was grateful I wouldn’t need to talk about because looking at him makes me want to take a shower? We’re not so lucky anymore.
This is Lancelot Steel (yes, seriously) and he’s going to be a regular supporting character.
His role is that he’s completely useless. That’s no joke: he’s Dazzler’s bodyguard, but since he doesn’t have any powers he’ll end up being the one who needs rescuing. A LOT.
He also randomly quotes the classics for no reason. If it sounds like it’s going to get old really quickly, that’s because it will.
Speaking of the Dazzler supporting characters, this is when we meet her father in the present.
Don’t worry, though. He’s still a jackass.
She connects to the Doom plot during the charity concert she’s going to give at the United Nations, where Lance is ambushed by some goons and Dazzler has to save him. Are you already tired of him? Because I am.
We have our obligatory GO FOR IT! of the day. So far she’s used it exactly once per issue.
And the issue ends with a brief fight between Dazzler and Doom. While it’s ridiculous how well it goes for her, she still loses, and it’s worth noting that Doom is NOT a Dazzler fan.
Considering how the series started, I fully expected him to be head over heels for her.
If it looks like I’m rushing through the story, it’s because outside of the Doom plot nearly nothing happens.
Dazzler #4 (1981)
by Tom DeFalco & Frank Springer
I have to be honest, I completely forgot Dazzler fights Bizarro Dazzler this issue.
While Dazzler deals with Doom’s infodump about the Merlin Stones he wants her to steal for him, and the Human Torch is busy looking for her, we have a cutaway to Dazzler’s dad.
Who I’m starting to wonder might have been intended to either become a supervillain or go on a murder spree.
Yeah that scene totally belongs in the same comic that proceeds to have Dazzler explore a magic dimension.
How bad is early Dazzler at being a superhero? Doctor Doom thinks he might have made a mistake in choosing her. DOCTOR DOOM.
But jokes aside, I do like that Dazzler keeps struggling to use her powers and even regrets not having the X-Men teach her how to use them properly. That’s a good scene!
Less good: someone please feed this girl, her waistline cannot be healthy.
You might remember from the first review that the bad guy of this story is Nightmare, so naturally he taunts Dazzler with visions of the thing she fears the most… her father.
You know I’m starting to think Dazzler must’ve had a disturbing childhood!!!
Obligatory GO FOR IT! of the issue.
Hey, at least she’s not yelling “take that daddy!”, that would’ve been awkward.
She then has to fight Bizarro Dazzler, who she immediately judges to be “supremely evil” because ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
She manages to defeat Bizarro Dazzler by absorbing the sound of her voice. I’m not entirely sure it’s consistent with how her powers work… we’ll be told Dazzler can’t absorb her own voice, so should it really work with her doppelganger? But I realize that looking for logic in this storyline is asking too much.
The death of Bizarro Dazzler will haunt her for… checking my notes… not a single panel after this one.
Take a moment to appreciate the fact that this is the fourth issue and Dazzler, a reluctant street hero, has already fought Doctor Doom and TWO GODS.
I’m getting reeeeally tired of all those music metaphors, Dazzler.
Dazzler defeats Nightmare (!!!) and then returns to reality, destroying the Merlin Stone with what has to be the luckiest shot in history.
At least Doom gets out of the story with his dignity (almost) intact.
But Doom leaves her behind, and we end the issue teasing a romance between Dazzler and the Human Torch.
Dazzler significance: 5/10
Lancelot “Lance” Steel is unfortunately going to stay.
Silver Age-ness: 4/10
Still absurd but with a bit of context.
Does it stand the test of time? 5/10
I stand by my original review: as far as Dazzler goes, it’s not THAT bad. It’s still ridiculous how the series immediately jumps into fantasy and sci-fi, but next issue it will mercifully calm down and do more down-to-earth stories… for a while.
GO FOR IT!: 4
Interesting letters: issue #3 includes the first letters page.
And it’s quite telling that the FIRST letters page points out Disco is already dated…
Also, issue #4 acknowledges that John Romita Jr. is not coming back.
The same letters page raises an interesting question: shouldn’t Dazzler’s powers basically ruin her own concert? There’s no answer given.
