Issue(s): Dazzler #35
Cover Date: Jan 85
Title: "Brawl!"
Credits:
Jim Shooter - Writer
Frank Springer - Penciler
Vincent Colletta - Inker
Mike Carlin - Editor

Review/plot:
This is the last issue by the Shooter/Springer/Colletta team, and it's the first after their magnum opus, the Dazzler: The Movie graphic novel, and it even begins with Dazzler returning to her apartment after that (and, based on my placement, the events of Beauty & The Beast as well, although that was being published at this time; there's an ad for it at the end of the issue).

And nominally, this issue deals with the aftermath of the graphic novel. Dazzler has to deal with her anti-mutant landlords, who now know she's a mutant.

And she's unable to get a job thanks to the fact that she was outed.

In practice, though, this is an issue about Dazzler getting a job at an all female nightclub and getting into a fight with a roller derby gang.

And in the process she teaches a short person to have some self-respect, which applies to herself as a mutant, too.

From a grading perspective, issues from this period are a challenge for me. The plots are pretty terrible; there's no denying that. But the theme - an ordinary person trying to make it in the world, and yes, she happens to be a mutant - is actually pretty commendable and daring for Marvel at this time. Jim Shooter's dialogue is stiff and awkward but not awful, and Frank Springer's art has a soap opera-y old fashioned charm. On balance, the comics are more "readable, but who cares?" and leaving you with a slightly bad taste in your mouth than just plain "awful".

Springer does insist on getting in a few more undie shots.

And after seeing Michael Jackson a few issues back, we have a Janet Jackson this issue (the real Janet Jackson was already putting out albums at this time but didn't hit it big until 1986).

Quality Rating: C-

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: As noted above, this takes place after Dazzler: The Movie and Beauty and the Beast. Dazzler tries to give the X-Men a call (looks like Storm's room) but they are not home. I'm not using that for placement but wanted to note it.

References:

• The world learned that Alison Blaire is a mutant in Dazzler: The Movie.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A