Comic Book Review - Dazzler #3

Alison Blaire heads off to Tokyo for some much-needed R&R. However, trouble isn’t far behind…

Last time out in Dazzler #2 we saw Alison head to the UK on the next leg of her worldwide tour. Booked to appear on a life television show, Alison found herself being controlled by a telepathic mutant, to then see her wreck uncontrolled havoc across the television studio. Her music is also being branded as “mutant-centric”. 

Dazzler #3 starts by exploring the immediate aftermath of that disastrous television interview. Forced to make a public apology to her fans, Alison promises that this isn’t the end, and she takes the safety of all her fans very seriously. This then leads to the appearance of Lila Cheney as it’s revealed that the Dazzler and your team are hiding out within a penthouse uninvited. With security on their way, the group escapes back to their “tour bus” which happens to be one of the last surviving pieces of Krakoan technology. 

With the threat of her tour being cancelled extremely visible due to mass ticket returns and counties banning her from entering, Alison is naturally deflated and needs some much-needed R&R. This is where Lila comes in as she whisks Alison off to the neon streets of her hometown, Tokyo. 

Not long after the duo hit the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, they’re caught in the sights of the next person attempting to try their hand at claiming the bounty put on Alison and her tour. And who better to revel in the geek culture that surrounds Japan…Arcade! 

Dazzler #3 has me split straight down the middle. Overall it’s not a bad comic, but I also feel like the small things make it a step down from the previous two issues. Without spoiling too much it boils down to the choices that the characters make. For starters, unless Lila is revealed as the mastermind behind it all, having her take Alison to Tokyo feels dumb. Not only is the city pretty well surveyed, but they’re throwing Alison out into the wild with still no clue as to who’s actually after her. Also with her fans being collateral damage, why not head to one of the most populated cities as well? IF Lila does end up being involved with whoever is orchestrating these events, then this “ploy” does make sense, but either way, it still makes Alison look like a risk-taking idiot. 

While Jason Loo does put Alison into a wholly avoidable situation, he makes up for it by having Arcade as his villain of the week. Naturally, Arcade taps into Japanese video game stereotypes with his attacks coming from an army of fem-bots, a roving Gundam head, and something that resembles a Thwomp block from Super Mario. It’s quite comical in a way and taps into the “living in his Mother’s basement” attitude of a video game-wielding supervillain such as Arcade. We also get yet another dazzling sing-a-long that sees this issue out as Loo tries his hand at yet more songwriting as Dazzler performs in Madripoor. 

Rafael Loureiro and Java Tartaglia produce yet more fantastic art and colourwork that puts a shine onto this downbeat issue. Across the Tokyo ruckus, the duo give readers plenty of stylish actions, and great character work that extenuates both Alison’s predicament with her tour, and her battle with Arcade. Tartaglia also continues to make Alison’s mutant powers pop from the page with great use of vibrant pinks and purples. The ending concert is also a dazzling display of energy as both Loureiro and Tartaglia pull out all the stops to make it so. 

Overall while Dazzler #3 is a mixed bag, it’s still an enjoyable read. With New York being the next stop on the world tour, it’s also here where Loo will finally reveal the mastermind behind Dazzler’s recent misfortune.

Rating: 7/10  

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