X-Men 80's Style

The X-Men #130

February 1980

by Chris Claremont & John Byrne

"DAZZLER"

The X-Men battle the Hellfire Club's Mandroids in Manhattan and are aided by the sensational mutant disco singer, Dazzler.

Summary:

In Manhattan, Cyclops and Phoenix track a new mutant to a Manhattan disco club as Nightcrawler keeps an eye on their Rolls Royce.  Little do the X-Men know that the Hellfire Club has them on surveillance and are prepared to strike.  In Chicago, the White Queen subdues her three captive X-Men, with Professor X now shown to be in her possession.  Kitty Pryde is able to phone the X-Men's car as the Hellfire soldiers persue her.  Just as Kitty begins speaking with Nightcrawler, he is suddenly attacked by a Hellfire Mandroid.

Inside the night club, Jean encounters Jason Wyngarde, who manipulates her mind into envisioning the two of them happily married, with Jean transformed into the Club's new Black Queen.  Cyclops is shocked to see the two embrace with a kiss.  Phoenix and Cyclops are then attacked by a group of Mandroids, each equipped to neutralize their powers.  They are saved by Dazzler, the club's singer, who uses her light-based mutant abilities to help win the battle.  After assisting Nightcrawler, the three X-Men and Dazzler speed away into the night as Wyngarde watches from the street, now closer than ever to corrupting Phoenix.

Notes:
Part 2 of The Dark Phoenix Saga epic.

First appearance of Dazzler.

First appearance of Sebastian Shaw, who had previously been heard speaking in the shadows in issue #129.

X-Mail:
The creators feel it's better to keep Wolverine's origins a mystery.


Overall Grade:  A-