Dazzler #1 is a refreshing debut that proves X-Men don’t have to be miserable (Review)

Warning: Spoilers for Dazzler #1!The breakout member of the X-Men Finally delivers like Dazzler S Debut issue finally hits shelves. Dazzler #1 was one of the most eagerly anticipated new series for Marvel in quite some time, not to mention one of the most promoted. Marvel built anticipation for Dazzler by releasing actual lyrics to her songs, as well as several 70s-themed variant covers of various Marvel superheroes.

Months after the initial announcement of the series, Marvel has finally released it Dazzler #1 by Jason Loo, Rafael Loureiro, Java Tartaglia and VC’s Ariana Maher, featuring the X-Men’s standout singing star. The comic comes as part of that X-Men The new from the Ash initiative of the franchise, signaling a new post-Krakoa era and status quo for the franchise which, until now, has been admittedly dark.

however, Dazzler #1 serves as a surprising outlier that not only Entertaining on its own merit, but offers a refreshing break from the dreariness of other current X-booksSignaling the true potential of this new era.

Dazzler #1 is a delightful break from the X-Men’s Grim Reality

Available at digital stores and local comic book shops

Dazzler didn’t have the flashiest of exits from the Krakow era, and that’s an understatement. Dazzler was one of the mutants unveiled to be among the newest X-Men roster at the Hellfire Gala 2023. However, moments after the fact, she was brutally murdered along with the rest of her would-be team thanks to an invading Orchis attack Signaled the beginning of the end for the Krakow era. A night that should have been the greatest of Dazzler’s life was her worst, Along with the worst night possible for a mutant child.

Thankfully, as is the case with many superheroes who die in the world of comics, Dazzler fared better. One final resurrection brings Dazzler back from the dead, and This time, she is 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 with strong Guy and Domino, drummer Shark Girl, road agent Multiple Man, as well as a concerned manager in Wind Dancer.

What happens in Dazzler #1?

Plot Details Related to “From the Ashes”

The concerns of Wind Dancer lie in the fact that Mutant-human relations are at an all-time lowWhich is not good when the lead singer on the charts is a mutant. Hoping not to create a hostile environment, Wind Dancer works diligently to ensure the show is digestible for all demographics. Her efforts include encouraging Dazzler not to talk about mutant politics and asking Shark Girl to use an image inducer to hide her shark appearance.

Things take a turn for the worse when the vile Scorpia attacks Dazzler on stage 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 in front of a sold-out crowd. What’s next Dazzler’s declaration that she is proud to be a mutant, Choosing to double-down on this idea with a song titled, “Out and Proud.” She was immediately criticized online for pushing a “Mutant Agenda,” But that’s another story for another issue.

Dazzler is a healthy 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 of X-Men Books, for the most part, all carried a sad tone. The first number of Invisible X-MenFor example, the death of a child. Meanwhile, while Exceptional X-Men #1 eventually adopts a more uplifting ending with Kitty Pryde regaining her classic name, Kate spends most of the issue mourning her exit from the X-Men and losing her drive to fight for something. Meanwhile, X-Men Delve into Cyclops’ intense anxiety after what he’s experienced.

Of course, it is understandable why there is a need for such dark excerpts in the post-Krakow era, but this does not make the stories any less depressing to read. Dazzler #1 couldn’t be more different, as it’s the exact opposite of anything readers have seen from the new X-Men books thus far. It’s no different in that it feels tonally wrong or out of place. instead, It’s different in a way that feels like Dazzler #1 shows an alternative perspective on mutantkind In a difficult time.

After everything the X-Men and mutants as a whole experienced in Krakoa’s fallout, it’s easy to see how so many characters would be in a state of fear, grief, and sorrow. By the same token, it’s easy to see why so many writers working on these books would think this was the appropriate tone to go for, but Dazzler #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 the new status quo, which proves that Not every comic in this “relaunch” has to be overly dark. that is, Dazzler #1 offers more to readers than just a shiny alternative to darkness.

Dazzler Also works as a standalone series

With or without the context of other X-books

How much like Dazzler #1 works as a nice tonal shift away from the darkness of other X-Men books, it also works on its own as Marvel’s next “hateful” comic series. There honestly aren’t enough series in Marvel’s schedule that offer a positive wholesaling. The sensational She-Hulk Once filled the role beautifully, but the series just wrapped a few weeks ago. Dazzler Feels that hole left in the Marvel Comics line-up, which needs to A truly wholesome, borderline slice-of-life comic on their shelves.

There was a lot of hype around Dazzler #1, and it’s safe to say that the premier issue more than lives up to expectations. This issue entertains as a witty, exciting new chapter in Dazzler’s story and also produces enough intrigue for future issues. Who paid Scorpio to interrupt Dazzler’s concert? How will Dazzler recover from the negative pressure? Can you music unite humans and mutants? All urgent questions for DazzlerBut those that no X-Men Fan should stick around to see answered.

Dazzler #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.