Dazzler #40 Review - Secret Wars II

Issue Review
Dazzler #40

Direct Market Release Date: July 9, 1985

Credits

Title: Travelers
Writer: Archie Goodwin
Penciler: Paul Chadwick
Inker: Jackson Guice
Letterer: Jim Novak
Colorist: Petra Scotese
Editor: Mike Carlin
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter

Summary

Shocked by the sudden disappearance of his quarry, Alison Blaire, bounty hunter O.Z. Chase abandons his run down truck and heads for the nearest town. Miles away, the mutant Outriders head to the same location, also on the hunt for Dazzler.

Before returning Dazzler back to where he abducted her, the Beyonder teleports them to a new mall in hopes of hearing her sing one last time. She declines as she wants to hold off performing until she reverses some of the anti-mutant sentiment caused when she revealed herself to the public. The Beyonder takes her to O. Z. Chase's truck and offers to wipe her memories of him, but she wants to keep them. The two part ways.

O. Z. Chase enters town and is confronted by the Outriders, who believe that he is lying when he says he doesn't know where Dazzler is. As he is being beaten, Dazzler enters the town and joins the battle, unaware that the Beyonder's consciousness is inside of her, wanting to experience the satisfaction she feels from doing the right thing. She is soon overtaken by the Outsiders, who continue to beat her, at which point, the Beyonder's essence leaves her and materializes next to her. He reveals that he is limiting his powers in order to experience satisfaction by fighting hard and experiencing risks.

The two continue to battle the Outsiders, who eventually merge into a giant living monstrosity. As it approaches the duo, Dazzler walks away, guessing that the Beyonder was increasing their powers. He admits that as they battled, his satisfaction increased, so he continually increased the danger.

Meanwhile, the townsfolk angrily confront the pair, upset that their town has been damaged. With a thought, the Beyonder restores the surroundings.

Quotes

Dazzler: We stopped it...! But it was close. For a moment I thought --
The Beyonder: Something had gone wrong with my powers? No. But I am limiting them, trying to keep them in scale with your fascinating world, Alison -- to give my actions meaning, and in having to fight, hard, risking much to save you... I feel good! I feel... as you and earth's other heroes must...! Contentment... combined with accomplishment. Can that be--?
Dazzler: Satisfaction. It can also be fleeting... even when you're a hero with a nifty new costume!

The Beyonder: You're... correct...! I was the source of their increasing power... raising it to greater and greater levels...! Please don't think I acted out of malevolence. But as we battled effectively side-by-side--
Dazzler: -- the satisfaction increased. Unconsciously you worked to maintain it. You bolstered my capabilities as well... When I sensed that, I guessed what was happening. I understand. We were quite a team-- but now that you recognize satisfaction, there are so many better ways to experience it.

Commentary

Out of the two issues in the crossover that deal with the Beyonder and Dazzler's 'romance', this one handles it most effectively. The treatment is less over-the-top than Secret Wars II #4, but is more effective in it's subtlety. While the pair have already broken up, it's obvious from the dialogue and actions that she still cares for him, and that he begins to understand what it means to care for another being.

The Beyonder continues to try to limit his powers to give him a greater understanding of the satisfaction that comes from working towards that which you desire. His lack of ability to hold himself back is a great story element - the Beyonder's powers are limitless, with the exception that he can't successfully deny them. He is an omnipotent 'god' who walks the earth, and it's proving difficult to pretend otherwise.

On the whole, this issue is a good read, and it's lack of overt super-heroics is refreshing. The title feels more mature that other contemporary titles. The only exceedingly minor annoyance is the sheer number of "--"s and "..."s written into the dialogue. It's not that noticeable the first time you go through the story, but repeated readings make some of the dialogue seem a bit stilted.

Up next...

Secret Wars II continues in ROM #72!