Despite being Marvel's most underrated character, the mutant known as Dazzler is a powerhouse whose legacy spans nearly four decades. With a long-running solo title under her belt and an iconic stint with the X-Men in the 1980s, she has proven herself as a hero and deserves to be recognized for her contributions to the Marvel Universe.
To celebrate her legacy, here are fifteen of her most memorable stories. For those less familiar with the character, this is an ideal place to start and should give you a rundown of Dazzler's greatest hits to date.
So Bright This Star
Dazzler (Vol. 1) #1-2
After making her debut during the seminal Dark Phoenix Saga, Dazzler was spun off into her own ongoing series. In the first two issues, the light-wielding mutant makes an enemy out of Thor baddie Enchantress when she's selected for a singing gig over her. In the subplot for these issues, the X-Men, Spider-Man and the Avengers aid her in nabbing an agent.
This series would begin Dazzler's reign as a solo star and the book itself stands out for refusing to adhere to superhero stereotypes. She wouldn't wear an official superhero costume until the end of the series and the plots often focused on her career and personal life, while the superheroics would be relegated to subplots. To this day, Dazzler stands out as one of Marvel's most unique and atypical titles in their stable.
A Rogue in the House
Dazzler (Vol. 1) #21-30
Now a bona fide star, Dazzler draws the ire of the mutant terrorist known as Rogue. Having developed a deep-seated hatred for the songstress, Rogue pursues Dazzler relentlessly in an attempt to murder her. Dazzler is haunted by nightmares as a result and finally takes matters into her own hands in an epic showdown that results in Rogue's ignominious defeat.
Meanwhile, Dazzler is reunited with her long-lost mother and discovers that she has a half-sister named Lois. Her joy of having a new sister is cut short when Lois manifests the mutant ability to kill others with a single touch. After "accidentally" killing someone with these new abilities, Lois goes on the run with Dazzler as fugitives.
Dazzler: The Movie
Marvel Graphic Novel #12
Having moved out west, Dazzler abandoned her dwindling music career to pursue acting. At this time she begins dating Roman Nekobah, a fading movie star who convinces her to co-star in a new film with him. Upon learning of her mutant abilities, he arranges for Dazzler to come out publicly as a mutant to drum up publicity for the film. This plan backfires and Dazzler is immediately branded an outcast.
The newly blacklisted star is subsequently dumped by Nekobah and is left without a career to speak of.
With Malice Toward All
Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #214
With her career in the pits, Dazzler begins working as a back-up singer for the mutant rock star Lila Cheney. Deeply depressed over the state of her affairs, Dazzler is targeted by the psychic entity known as Malice. It uses her to upstage Lila and encourages her to act more aggressively.
Concerned over her friend's behaviour, Lila contacts the X-Men and they arrive just in time to free Dazzler from Malice's influence. After this, Dazzler joins the X-Men to do her part in protecting other mutants from villains like Malice.
Charge of the Light Brigade
Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #217-218
During a trip to Muir Island, Dazzler ventures to the mainland to blow off some steam after failing a training exercise. It is here where she encounters the X-Men baddie Juggernaut. She attacks him, hoping to defeat him in order to prove herself to the others. Juggernaut proves to be too much for her and he seems to accidentally kill her. He then buries her to hide the evidence.
Back on Muir Island, the X-Men's telepath Psylocke picks up Dazzler's thoughts and leads the team on a rescue mission to save her. With Juggernaut still on the loose, Dazzler recovers and joins the X-Men on a quest to stop the unstoppable villain.
Deadly Games
Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #228
When Dazzler's old friend O.Z. Chase is imprisoned for murder, she and fellow X-Man Wolverine team-up to prove his innocence. They learn that he was framed by a Russian drug dealer named Valdimir Zaitsev, who is wanted by the US government. They pursue Zaitsev through the Florida swamps, where he meets his demise at the hands of O.Z.'s trusty dog.
The Siege Perilous
Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #246-251
When the futuristic Sentinel Nimrod is transformed into the powerful Master Mold, Dazzler formulates a plan to defeat him by sending him through the mystical portal known as the Siege Perilous. In the process, Rogue sacrifices herself to save the others by forcing Master Mold through the portal.
Left to pick up the pieces, the X-Men return home only to be attacked by the psychotic Nanny and the bionically enhanced villains known as the Reavers. With the insanity breaking out around them, Psylocke forces the X-Men through the Siege Perilous.
Blam! Star '90
Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #260
Sometime later, Dazzler emerges from the Siege Perilous without any memories of her past life. She is taken in by Lila Cheney and enjoys a life of leisure until a stalker makes it his mission to kill her. After multiple attempts on her life, he successfully kidnaps her and dresses her up in her former stage costume. Dazzler manages to talk him down, thereby saving her life and his.
The Mojoverse Rebellion
X-Men (Vol. 2) #5-7, #10-11
Still living with Lila Cheney, Dazzler is approached by her former beau Longshot. He is in desperate need of her help, as the despot known as Mojo has enslaved an entire dimension and needs to be stopped. After sharing a kiss with Longshot, Dazzler regains her memories and journeys with him to do battle against Mojo.
After forming a rebellion, the X-Men are contacted to aid in defeating Mojo. Following their victory, Dazzler stays with Longshot in this alternate dimension upon learning that she is pregnant.
Eve of Destruction
Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #392-393, X-Men (Vol. 2) #112-113
Nearly a decade later, Dazzler returns to the fray when she comes to the X-Men for help. Her world has been destroyed and the baby she was once expecting is gone. Still grieving these losses, Dazzler joins a ragtag group of X-Men led by Jean Grey on a mission to rescue Professor Xavier from Magneto. Thanks to her ability to manipulate light, Dazzler is key in tricking Magneto and freeing Xavier.
It's worth noting that this would be the first time Dazzler and Northstar are on the same team together. They would later become good friends, as seen during Matt Fraction's tenure on Uncanny X-Men.
Defenders of the Realm
New Excalibur (Vol. 1) #1-6
After her short return to the X-Men, Dazzler moves to England where she becomes a member of the newly reformed superhero team Excalibur. In her first mission with the group, she battles an evil version of the original X-Men and subsequently dies in battle. Miraculously, Dazzler resurrects herself and discovers that she is now apparently immortal.
On the personal front, Dazzler develops a close friendships with fellow teammates Nocturne and Juggernaut. These relations would become strained, as Nocturne feared Dazzler would break Juggernaut's heart given his unrequited feelings for her.
Sisterhood
Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #508-511
Following the dissolution of Excalibur, Dazzler returns to the United States where the X-Men have declared San Francisco as their new home.
Dazzler is called upon to take part of a strike force to take down the Sisterhood of Mutants after they kidnap her friend and former teammate Psylocke. Dazzler plays an integral part in the mission, as she is responsible for stopping a newly brainwashed Psylocke. Once the Sisterhood is defeated, Dazzler is reunited with her long-time friend.
Necrosha: Aftermath
Dazzler One-Shot (Vol. 1) #1
When the psychic vampire known as Selene resurrects the X-Men's dead allies to do battle against them, Dazzler's sister Lois is amongst Selene's soldiers.
After evading capture at the end of these events, Lois sets up an elaborate trial to kill her sister. In the end Dazzler manages to stop her and, with the help of Psylocke, sets her on the path to recovery.
Quarantine
Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #530-534
After a virus is unleashed on the island home of the X-Men, the mutants are quarantined to prevent the spread of the illness.
Dazzler is one of the few mutants who is off-island at the time the virus strikes and is enlisted in a strike force led by Storm to combat threats while the others find a cure.
Xavier Must Die!
X-Treme X-Men (Vol. 2) #1-12
Shortly after Cyclops and Wolverine divided the X-Men, Dazzler is sent on a journey across dimensions with a ragtag band of alternate versions of the X-Men. She leads this team of misfits as they set out to assassinate evil incarnations of Professor Xavier from various of dimensions.
This title, written by fan-favourite Greg Pak, was notable for finally placing Dazzler in a leadership role and featuring a queer version of Wolverine (finally!). It would also be the last great Dazzler story before Brian Michael Bendis ruined the character in the pages of Uncanny X-Men.
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