Comic Book Review: Dazzler #1 - Marvel Comics (1981)

Written by Tom DeFalco
Art by John Romita Jr.

Alison Blaire is looking to further her music career and avoid thugs at night.  Fortunately for Alison, she is also known as the mutant called Dazzler.  Dazzler posesses the ability to use sound and turn it into colorful and sometimes blinding lights.  The power comes in handy keep bad guys busy while you hope for Spider-Man or the X-Men to show up.

I was inside of a used book/music store perusing the comic books when I came across this book from 1981.  I think it peaked my curiosity as, one year at Phoenix ComiCon, I went over to Mark Bagley who was at his table drawing.  I was looking to get a couple of comic books autographed and he asked if I wouldn't mind waiting until he was done laying out his art work. It's Mark Bagley for crying out loud, of course I don't mind watching this artist at work.  It was at this point he told me it was his first time drawing Dazzler.  I thought it was pretty awesome to watch him sketching out a character he had not drawn previously.

The store put a price tag of $2.00 on Dazzler #1 so I thought, "why not?"  I'm sure in 1981 people thought the same thing with an original cover price of $.50.  I'm no inflation expert but I'm sure that's not equivalent to the $4.99 comics I'm seeing nowadays.  I enjoyed going through the yellowing pages of Dazzler, reading the descriptive boxes that make for commentary on what is happening in each panel.  I also enjoyed the advertisements.  "Fun Factory" had all the mail order gags and novelty items.  "Mile High Comics" had a list of comic books with prices that you could order by mail.  Yep, mail.  This was before the internet kiddos.

So anyway, back to Dazzler.  This book was filled with guest stars which is probably a good thing.  She would have made more sense as someone in a group.  I guess Dazzler could still work as a comic book.  I feel like you would have to really explore the personal side of Alison Blaire.  While it was explored, there were points of action that just included rudimentary thugs.  For some reason, thugs decide to bust up a school dance forcing Dazzler to use her blinding power.

Apparently this light show is something however.  The Enchantress comes down from Asgard to get a singing gig at a club, but Alison's voice and lights won over the club owner  enough to get over.  The Enchantress wasn't too happy about that and she's going to make them pay, presumably in the next issue.

It's unlikely that I'll get to issue two of Dazzler but it was fun to read through this book.  I hope you all enjoyed this review of a 30+ year old comic book.

Are you a fan of Dazzler?  What other comic books would you like to see reviewed?  Please leave your comments below.

Maskerpiece Theatre is sponsored by MoviePass. See unlimited movies at a theater near you for a low monthly rate.

You can also support our show by using our Amazon banners or donating on our Support Us page.

Jessica Jones Review: Season 1 Episode 3 "AKA It's Called Whiskey"

Jessica Jones Season 1 Episode 3

“AKA It’s Called Whiskey”

SYNOPSIS: 

It won’t be easy to acquire or deploy. but Jessica thinks she’s found a weapon to use against Kilgrave. Luke and Jessica bond over their similarities

Review: 

Episode 3 starts where Episode 2 left off, Marvel really is pushing the envelope with Jessica Jones. I guess Disney really does know what sex is. Best part of the first 5 min of the show was when Luke Cage asks if there are anymore people like them and the big green guy. Another little nod to the Avengers. Finally we find out that its Luke’s wife which died and is the person Jessica has been having visions of. In this episode Jessica also thinks that she has found a way to fight against Kilgrave by using a surgical anesthetic.  Like most awesome plans which are brought up this early, what are the real chance this will have any effect on kilgrave?

Due to the backlash Hope is receiving from the public due to her murdering her own parents, Jessica convinces Trish to do an on the air interview with Hope. This plan backfires when Trish goes off on Kilgrave and emasculating him on the air. The consequences from this puts Trish in the crosshairs of Kilgrave who sends a cop to try and kill Trish, fortunately Jessica was there. For the first time this season Jessica actually finds Kilgrave when she followed the cop back to the apartment he is currently occupying. 

Final thoughts, the third episode of Jessica Jones really ramps up the action. We finally get the chance to see the full control of Kilgraves mind control. I personally am enjoying the slow reveal of the relationship between Kilgrave and Jessica, just great writing for this show. This episode presented many different possibilities for plot twist in upcoming episodes. While we finally learn Jessica killed Luke’s wife, the ultimate question will be why Kilgrave decided to have this done. How will this effect the relationship between Jessica and Luke, what does Kilgrave ultimately have in store for Luke. Also during the same flashback, one thing stood out, Jessica stopped listening to Kilgrave, does this mean she has the power to push him out?

How creepy was the room with all of the photo’s of Jessica? Plus David Tennant’s voice provide a creepiness second to non, has Marvel found its best Villain? 

This so far is the best episode, which isn’t surprising as most Netflix Series have great build ups. I give this episode Two Thumbs Up. Leave your Comments Below and let us know what your opinion of this episode was.

Act 128: Critically Excited for Deadpool

The show is recorded at Critical Threat Comic shop in Tempe, AZ. Masked Blogster, Mandy, Randy, Handsome J, Cosplayer Rebeca and store owner Jeremy talk about Deadpool (movies & comics), upcoming comic books, the works of Warren Ellis, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and DC's television & comic book world.

Click here to listen or right click and choose "Save As..." to download.

Please support our show by clicking the links to our Sponsors.

"Captain America: Civil War" and Spider-Man

Concept art via cosmicbooknews.com

Recently we celebrated the 53rd anniversary of “Amazing Fantasy #15” which features the debut of the classic American super hero, Spider-Man! From the pages of comic books to television and then the big screen, fans worldwide have enjoyed the adventures of Spider-Man and all the nefarious villains who stand in his way. He was just your ordinary high school student who was given super powers and then he put on a mask to protect the ones he loved and the people of the city he lived in. Spiderman could be anyone who has it in their heart to do right and protect their family, friends and fellow man; perhaps that’s what makes the character of Spider-Man so endearing all these years.

In May of 2016, directors Anthony and Joe Russo will be presenting the third cinematic version of Spider-Man in their new film “Captain America: Civil War”.  In the comic book world the "Civil War" story line was spread over several titles and ran for over 90 issues. Teams of heroes fighting heroes and villains fighting heroes with Spider-Man caught in the middle. It's highly unlikely that the movie will capture everything in the comic books but it's not hard to imagine at some point in the film Spider-Man will be recruited for Captain America's team and at some point also for Iron Man's team. It's a knock down drag out fight between heroes for what each side believes is best and the movie going audience should be in for a cinematic treat!

Tom Holland (previously in "The Impossible" staring Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts as well as "Locke" staring Tom Hardy) has been cast by Sony and Marvel studios to play “Spidey” for the foreseeable future and it provides the movie going audience a chance to see a sixth Spider-Man film on the big screen in 2017.  Tom Holland now joins the ranks of Tobey Maquire (Spider-Man 2002 - 2007) and Andrew Garfield (Amazing Spider-Man 2012 - 2014) who have played Spider-Man on the big screen prior to Tom putting on the mask. He also joins rank with Paul Soles, (Spider-Man animated TV series 1967 - 1970), Nicholas Hammond (Spider-Man TV series 1977 - 1979), Christopher Daniel Barnes (Spider-Man Animated TV series 1994 - 1998), Neil Patrick Harris (Spider-Man Animated TV series 2003), and finally Drake Bell (Ultimate Spider-Man Animated TV series 2012 - current) who had/have the privilege of bringing the character Spider-Man to life.

As a film franchise it’s a challenge to argue reasons why another Spider-Man movie shouldn’t be made (even with the poorly received “Spider-Man 3” directed by Sam Raimi and  “Amazing Spiderman 2” directed by Marc Webb). With five films now in the can, the Spider-Man franchise has earned more than $3 billion dollars world wide and is the sixth highest grossing film franchise of all time. These types of figures alone provide the strongest argument for additional films in this franchise. Dollars make sense in Hollywood and the movie going public is saying loudly with the dollars from their bank accounts, “We want more Spider-Man!”  And in 2016 and 2017 John and Jane movie goer will get their wish. “Spider-Man” directed by Jon Watts staring Tom Holland as “Peter Parker/Spider-Man” and Marisa Tomei as “Aunt May” with a script being penned by John Daley and Jonathan Goldstein (best known writing for the films, “Vacation” and “Horrible Bosses 2”) is scheduled for tentative release in July of 2017.

Sony and Marvel haven’t yet officially announced who the villain(s) will be in this sixth installment but the gallery of villains who constantly try and thwart “Spidey” is packed with incredible characters. During an interview with Variety, Marvel studio head, Kevin Feige explained that this version of Spider-Man will be like nothing seen previously on the big screen and even went as far as to say he envisioned, stylistically, a "John Hughes" type movie for this particular incarnation of  Spider-Man. Also he went on to say “Right now we’re interested in seeing villains we haven’t seen before” to SlashFilm. That statement alone opens up so many doors for villains like, Black Cat, Scorpion, Shocker, Morbius, Carnage, Kraven the Hunter and Mysterio (Just to name a few).

Be sure to catch up on all the Spider-Man action by watching and/or reading his incredible stories available on Blu-Ray/DVD, Netflix or in the “Spider-Man” comics (of which there are many)! Also, be sure to see Tom Holland swing into action May 6th 2016 as Spider-Man when Marvel Studios releases “Captain America: Civil War!”

Please support our show by clicking the links to our Sponsors.

Act 108: Nebraska Tickler

Masked Blogster, Mandy, Liger and Geeky Chef TJ (not Tuesday) chat about the season finale of Arrow, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the soon to be season finale of the Flash.  The subject of the Baldwins comes up as well and we discuss the movies of Stephen Baldwin in particular.

Click here to listen or right click and choose "Save As..." to download.

Please support our show by clicking the links to our Sponsors.

Act 107: Age of Blogster

Silver Star Comics was kind enough to have our podcast group back to record in their fine establishment. Masked Blogster, Mandy and Geeky Chef Tuesday chat about Avengers: Age of Ultron, the deflated football scandal of the New England Patriots amongst many other things.

Click here to listen or right click and choose "Save As..." to download.

Please support our show by clicking the links to our Sponsors.

Act 106: Movies and Football

Maser, Liger and Masked Blogster enjoy the beginning of the 2015 NFL Draft and talk about Avengers: Age of Ultron, Blasto the Clown premiering at Phoenix ComiCon Film Festival and much more!

Click here to listen or right click and choose "Save As..." to download.

Please support our show by clicking the links to our Sponsors.

Act 61: Top 10 Comic Book/Superhero Movies

Maskerpiece Theatre voted on the Top 10 Comic Book/Superhero movies and we discuss the results. Bronson of the Week, #TweetYourTits , #TweetYourMeat and other subjects were discussed. Heck we even talk about the comic book movies we hated!

Click here to listen or right click and choose "Save As..." to download.

Please support our show by clicking the links to our Sponsors.