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Dazzler -xJam

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Yup, I know a lot of people will look at this and think, "lol - Dazzler". There's a reason I selected this character for *Juggertha's X-Men Jam. (and don't worry Juggy, I have a blank background one for you, but ... it's Dazzler! She still needs some flashies!)

Let me give you a history of why Dazzler is still my favorite X Men character.

She didn't start out as an X Man. She appeared in one issue of their comics, and then very quickly the editorial staff latched on to her, and started sneaking her into others - like Spider Man and such.

Rather quickly in the late 70s, Dazzler became one of the few female characters to support her own comic. And while it had the requisite cameos by Spidey and whoever else, she was pretty much on her own. In her first dozen or so issues, she faced down Doc Doom, Sorceress, Nightmare, even had a go against Galactus (spawning a terrific What If? book - What If Dazzler became Galactus' herald).

She was tough as nails, heart of gold, etc etc. She sang. She used roller skates. She was studying law, her father's choice of career for her, and almost went to try passing the Bar, but decided to do what SHE wanted to do: pursue a career in singing. And, of course, fighting crime...

I will be the first to admit that after a while the series tanked. It was handed off to people who moved her to California, to "find herself" or some crap. I dunno. But I did buy all the books...

And I learned to draw figures from them. Almost everything I learned as a kid about action poses, and drawing at least moderately good human forms, came directly from tracing and then later emulating by hand, Dazzler comics. In fact, an entire section of my character base comes from the outlines that I made - they had nothing whatsoever to do with the Marvel universe, or Earth for that matter - but they evolved into my World of Zekira characters...

I got to dress up as Dazzler for one Comic Con, many years ago. Unfortunately the guy who made the costume died a few years back and I have no idea what ever happened to his stock of costumery. I'd love to have that costume back - skates and all. I looked good. :)

Dazzler has always been a well-thought-out character from the start: smart, not just brainy but clever and street-smart. And strong willed, very sure of herself, not one of those wimpy women who must hide behind a man or even another team mate - she would rather do her own thing. Get in her way, and you pay the price.

No, I don't like what they've done to her these days, I don't think it's an accurate or adequate re-interpretation. But I won't go there... That's not to do with my memories of Dazz.

Alison Blaire, my favorite X Man. :) Loved shopping, took the X Girls on the night on the town that introduced Jubilee to the X Men. (one of the 6 X-titles I actually own, those issues.)

About this picture then: It took me about... a day. Drew it in around 20 minutes at my office, inked it, and brought it home. Scanned it in later, and started coloring. I am really, really pleased with the coloring on this piece. No layers. Done with PSP 8 and some amount of online supplied picture tubes (flashes). Drew the whole thing from memory without reference, and I did forget that her silver outfit had a high jaggedy collar, but ... collars are stupid :) She dropped it later anyway.

I know there are some bits that could be 'more perfected' like the shapes of the wheels and maybe her fingers... But simply put, I didn't draw the thing to be perfect, I drew it to be Dazzler. Cuz I lurves Dazzler.

((Cover to Marvel Comics Dazzler - I think it's 1 but not sure)) [link]

((Me as Dazzler at the comic Con)) [link]
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© 2007 - 2024 lethe-gray
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