Issue(s): Dazzler #34
Cover Date: Oct 84
Title: "Where have all the models gone?"
Credits:
Mike Carlin - Writer
Geof Isherwood - Penciler
Vincent Colletta - Inker
Bob Harras - Assistant Editor
Ralph Macchio - Editor

Review/plot:
Dazzler is convinced by one of the students at her aerobics class to try out as a model. What happened to Dazzler? She used to specifically want a music career. She gave up a law career to be a musician. She declined to become a super-hero because she wanted to be a musician. Now it seems like any kind of fame will do.

The modelling agency she applies to is Millie the Model's.

And it turns out Millie's rivalry with Chili is still going strong.

But both Dazzler and Chili get swept up in a scheme by fashion artist Tom Devine, who is teleporting away all the models...

...and forcing them to wear his cheap polyester clothing.

Dazzler helps the models escape and they overrun Devine's operation.

Devine was being helped by an organization called Revenge, Inc., which we'll learn about more in future issues.

I can't even believe i'm writing about this stuff, but i guess it's cool to see Millie and Chili.

Dazzler ditches Roman Nekoboh this issue.

She's realized that he's no good for her and is only interested in using her to further his own career and/or getting into bed with her. Sadly, this won't last, as he is the co-star of the Dazzler: The Movie graphic novel.

Quality Rating: C

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: The end blurb says "Next: Dazzler Graphic Novel".

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

Millie's last name is Collins.

A "C" is generous. That's the closest I will ever come to complaining about a grade. I read every stinky issue of this title, and this fell in the worst period of it, but unlike the Thriller ripoff video and the roller derby fight, it wasn't even memorably bad.

"An organization with the ability to make human beings disappear" (last panel) is not a bad description of the DAZZLER creative team. Even at the time, I remember wondering who the target audience was supposed to be by this point. And yet I persisted, because I had a hard time bailing on anything. It did get much better near the end.

Meant to respond to the comments here earlier but i got distracted.

@Mark - i like to track people by their "super-hero names" when applicable.

@Todd - i think these stories are meant to be taken slightly satirically, and i think the appearance of Millie the Model in this issue definitely signals that. I'm not saying this is good, even as satire, but for me there's a sense that the ridiculous things that are happening are happening with a wink. As i said elsewhere (and i believe you've expressed similar sentiments), i think it's admirable that Marvel was trying for a non-super comic even if they were failing miserably at it. Also gets points for Dazzler giving Roman the boot even if it's really set-up for the Graphic Novel.

This is the first time i've had to defend a "positive" grade. ;-)

Ha ha. No defense necessary; I wasn't seriously taking issue. I can see why this run would be a challenge to grade, as you commented on the other issue with the roller derby. I do grind an ax where this title is concerned, because at the time, I *wanted* it to be good; it was a worthy experiment. But it just came out so banal and aimless.

And I rolled my eyes at the panel of the underwear-clad models in their cell. Some things never changed with the DAZZLER creative team. ;-)

But wouldn't that make Chili Storm "Chili, Millie's Rival"?

Hmmm...has it ever been established if Chili Storm is any relation to Sue and Johnny?

I don't think the subject has ever been directly addressed in the 616 universe, but Johnny and Chili have met on-panel (in the MODELS INC miniseries a few years back) and there was no mention of any relation between them then.