Dazzler

Well, I’ve been waiting for this since 2000.  The most FABULOUS mutant in Marvel’s arsenal will at long last make her film debut in ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’… well kind of.

Dazzler_29Because the movie is set during the ’80s, there will be ample time spent in a mall.  Those were these indoor shopping complexes… they still have them, to a degree, in case you need to buy a scented candle, $75 sea salt or want a Philly Cheesesteak AND Chinese food at the same time.  But during the Reagan Era, all life basically revolved around these facilities.

And one of the major areas of attraction were record stores, where mallrats and goths could watch the latest Michael Jackson music videos while looking through huge 12″ vinyl albums and cassettes.  (This was before you could just download any song you wanted anywhere and before those shiny coasters known as CDs.)

In ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ fledgling lovebirds Cyclops and Jean Grey pop into their mall’s record store and find an album by their favorite singer… Dazzler!

Sophie Turner, who plays Jean in the new movie tweeted this photo from the movie:


 

As you can see, they’re not alone, as Jubilee is seen behind them, digging through the crates.  The album cover in Scott’s hand is based on the ‘Sounds Of Light And Fury’ album cover rendered by cutting edge illustrator Bill Sienkiewicz and featured on the cover of ‘Dazzler’ #29.

Dazzler was originally created in the ’70s as a cross-media collaboration between Marvel Comics and Casablanca Records, home of musical giants KISS, Donna Summer, and The Village People.  Originally, she was designed to emulate avante garde pop singer Grace Jones, but the powers that be wanted someone closer in appearance to pin-up girl Farrah Fawcett.

The plan was for Marvel to introduce the character in their comics, which they did.  Dazzler was a mutant and thus made her debut in the pages of their best-selling book, ‘The Uncanny X-Men’.  (During the seminal ‘Dark Phoenix Saga’, no less!)

Meanwhile, Casablanca was supposed to hire an actress/singer to portray Dazzler in movies, release albums and go on tour.  (Bo Derek was attached at one point.)

But before the ‘Dazzler’ project could come to full fruition… uh, Casablanca went under.  Lots and lots of cocaine may have been involved.  Possibly.  Allegedly.  Like… a LOT.

On Marvel’s end, they released two KISS comic books, including the first which infamously included the band members’ blood mixed into the red ink.

And since they’d introduced Dazzler in the comics, they kept her around.  She headlined her own comic for several years before becoming a full-time X-Man.  She’s roller skated into and out of that title since and has been a popular guest star throughout the Marvel Universe, including an issue of ‘Deadpool’ that was a parody of the movie ‘The Bodyguard’.  She currently serves as a member of ‘A-Force’ with other female heroes like She-Hulk, Medusa, and Captain Marvel.

In 2013, ‘X-Men’ director Bryan Singer pranked the world by announcing that Lady Gaga would portray Dazzler in ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ on April Fools Day.  Don’t play with my emotions, Singer.

While Dazzler won’t appear in the flesh in ‘Apocalypse’, well… at least the groundwork is laid.

Just for fun, here is a fan video released in February featuring Dazzler with Lila Cheney and the New Mutants.  Enjoy!

Directed by Bryan Singer, the otherwise Dazzler-free ’X-Men: Apocalypse’ stars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Oscar Isaac, Rose Byrne, Tye Sheridan, Sophie Turner, Alexandra Shipp, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Evan Peters, Lucas Till, Ben Hardy, Lana Condor, Olivia Munn, Tómas Lemarquis, and Hugh Jackman and opens in theaters May 27, 2016.

Source: Newsarama

Dazzler is Jason’s first pick for the next big mutant team X-Travaganza!  Ice Man can join too.  Follow him on Twitter.