Secret Wars II #4 Review - Secret Wars II

Issue Review
Secret Wars II #4

Direct Market Release Date: June 25, 1985

Credits

Scripter: Jim Shooter
Penciler: Al Milgrom
Inkers: Steve Leialoha and Joe Rubinstein
Letterers: J. Rosen & friends
Colorist: Max Scheele
Editor: Bob Budiansky

Summary

The Beyonder embarks on a cross country trip in a flying car, shortly after dumping socialite Sharon Ing, his current lover. He begins ruminating on desire, and senses one being who devotes their entire passions towards their desire. That being, Algrim the elf, is comatose at the bottom of the sea, and still greatly desires the death of his enemy, Thor. The Beyonder revives Algrim and watches as Algrim commences his quest to find and kill Thor.

Startled by the flying vehicle, the US Air Force attempts to shoot the Beyonder down. Noticing that his transportation is no longer functioning, he switches places with the pilot who shot him, and flies his jet to his destination: Denver, Colorado. Here, he meets his old friend, the Molecule Man, who fills him in on the basics of love.

He returns to visit Sharon Ing, and finds that she's overdosed on pills, distraught over the Beyonder's leaving her. He resurrects her, and after talking to her realizes that this relationship is based on what he does for her, rather than being a mutual love. He scans the world for a suitable candidate, and comes across Alison Blaire, Dazzler, who is currently a captive of bounty hunter O.Z. Chase.

He abducts her from his truck and begins to court her by showing her the sights of the universe and teleporting her to various romantic locations around the planet. Overwhelmed, Dazzler eventually composes herself, and the two have a conversation on a Nepal mountain top. The Beyonder asks Dazzler to give him a chance, and she agrees. She awakens next morning in the Beyonder's mansion, where he tells her that he will play by the rules, and will earn her a gift.

The Beyonder teleports himself to West Edmonton Mall in Canada, where he confronts Alpha Flight. After a brief skirmish, the Beyonder grabs Shaman's bag

The Beyonder returns to his mansion to find Dazzler leaving. Unable to convince her to stay, he fakes being attacked by the Avengers. During the skirmish, Dazzler intervenes and "saves" the Beyonder from his ersatz constructs. The Beyonder then tries to convince Dazzler that her actions mean that she does have feelings for him!

When that tactic doesn't work, the Beyonder shares his power with Dazzler, elevating her to his level, which causes her to fly away in fear. Rejecting his power, she reverts to her normal self hundreds of feet in the air, and falls to her death. The Beyonder resurrects her, and briefly considers manipulating her mind to make her fall in love with him. Realizing the futility of this tactic, he sets her free.

Quotes

The Beyonder: It's astounding... paradoxical! All at once, you are but a tiny speck of protoplasm, an infinitesimal mote in the whole of this universe -- and yet, inside, in the essence of your being, you are MORE, it seems, than the universe itself! I am awed!

Dazzler: Look, don't get me wrong--! Yesterday was really beautiful! Beautiful beyond words! I get chills just thinking about it... and I know I could very easily just... LOSE myself in you! But I've got a life to live--! And I want to get back to it! I've got DREAMS--!
The Beyonder: I know!
Announcer: Ladies and Gentlemen--! I give you the incomparable Alison Blaire -- the DAZZLER!
Dazzler: Huh?
The Beyonder: Go ahead, Alison -- SING! Listen to the cheer! Sing for them! It's your dream! it's what you want!
Dazzler: Not this way!
The Beyonder: But -- this is REAL! Those are REAL PEOPLE! I was very careful to do this correctly! I printed and sold tickets, I...
Dazzler: Please put me back where we were a minute ago!

The Wasp: Beyonder, who does your hair? I just LOVE it! I honestly regret frizzing your perm like this!
SFX: ZAPT!

Commentary

This month, Jim Shooter uses the Beyonder to explore the theme of love. Even though it seemed last issue that the Beyonder had abandoned the idea of using mind control, he's falls back into that trap again.

While there is some interesting dialogue and observations on the true meaning of love, on the whole, the issue falls flat. It doesn't help that, save for Dazzler, there are no appearances from the wider cast of the Marvel Universe. Sure, the Avengers show up on the cover, but just end up being an illusion.

On the plus side, Rubinstein's inks help breathe a bit more life into this issue's artwork.

Up next...

Secret Wars II continues in Alpha Flight #28!