'Dazzler, rock ‘n’ roll, and the children of Cyclops and Magneto launch into space and beyond in this electrifying trans-dimensional adventure from Marvel’s School of X.
'When rock star Dazzler walked out on S.H.I.E.L.D., she hoped she’d seen the last of the clandestine organisation. But when a rogue agent drops in after a sold-out gig, she must decide whether to work with them again or stick to her solo career. The agent links Mutant Growth Hormone – a dangerous biochemical that wildly enhances mutant powers – with the disappearance of Magneto and Cyclops. Reluctantly, Dazzler takes the case and unfolds a mystery greater than she anticipated. In need of a new team, she recruits the extraordinary mutants Emma Frost, Polaris, and Rachel Grey on a mission to foil a plot to remove mutantkind forever, which blasts them from Earth into a whole new dimension.'
Dazzler is one of those characters that I've always been aware of, but don't think I've ever actually read anything with them in. Perhaps she appeared briefly in a panel of two of a book where mutants as a whole were the focus, but other than that I came to Sound of Light completely new when it came to the character. Knowing how comics work, there was the possibility that I could end up completely lost, that there'd be so much history and backstory to the character that I'd find it impossible to get on. But, this is an Aconyte produced Marvel novel, and I know from experience that the people who write for them always go out of their way to make their novels accessible to all; and this novel is no exception. Amanda Bridgeman does such a good job here that not only did I thoroughly enjoy the book, but I came away feeling like I really knew who the character was.
Sound of Light begins by introducing us to Dazzler in her civilian life, as the musician Alison Blaire. Dazzler is the lead singer of a small band that's enjoying playing gigs and entertaining their fans; but her life gets thrown upside down when she's approached by the secretive law enforcement organisation SHIELD, a group that's supposed to have been disbanded.
SHIELD, who Dazzler once worked with in the past, tells her that Mutant Growth Hormone (MGH), a chemical that increases the powers of mutants, and gives humans powers, is hitting the streets once again. Dazzler has an interest in MGH, as the original drug was made from her when she was held captive by the mutant criminal Mystique. Dazzler tells SHIELD that this isn't her problem, and that she doesn't want to be involved; but then she finds out that her father has gone missing, and might be connected somehow.
Drawn back into her old life, Dazzler is armed with a SHIELD badge and the clue that mutant heroes Cyclops and Magneto have gone missing looking into the very same case. After investigating at the New Charles Xavier School, she gets some help in the form of Rachel Grey, the daughter of Cyclops, and Polaris, the daughter of Magneto; along with the mutant spy and specialist tactician Sage. Together, the four women set out to track down their missing father, find out where the MGH is coming from, and put an end to it.
Despite being a mutant story filled with super powered beings, Sound of Light reads a lot more like a mystery story. The characters have a mission, and spend most of their time tracking down leads, breaking into places to hunt for clues, and using their abilities to try and question suspects. With a few tweaks this story would work as a non-Marvel tale; and I think that part of that is why it works so well. Some people talk about superhero fatigue, mostly in reference to the large number of comic inspired film and TV, and whilst I agree that there is a lot of comic content out there, I don't think that it's really inspiring fatigue. What can, however, is stories that don't try anything different.
Using the MCU as an example, some of the more popular entries in the franchise are the ones that play around with different genres, such as how Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a spy thriller, or Guardians of the Galaxy is a sci-fi comedy. And this works in comics too, with some of the more well loved and best remembered arcs and series doing something that isn't just 'costumed villain turns up with a scheme and the hero beats them'. Superhero stories are incredibly versatile, and mixing them up with other genres makes them feel fresh and exciting; and that's what Amanda Bridgeman does here.
There are times reading Sound of Light that I'd forget that this was a superhero story, where one of the character would suddenly start using their powers and I'd be reminded that they could do that. For the most part its a very grounded story, following these four women as they look for answers and try to find the people that are important to them. Much of the drama and tension stems from the fact that their fathers are missing, and the various issue that the three of them have with their father and their relationships to them. There's tension and drama when the team thinks that their could be a traitor amongst them, and they turn on each other. These are all things that can happen with any group of people, and it helps to humanise these larger than life characters, to show them as real people, and it honestly makes them all the more enjoyable.
Of course, there are super powers and battles against villains throughout the book too, and if you're coming to this as a comic fan there's going to be a lot here to enjoy. Especially the history. As I said at the start, I knew next to nothing abut Dazzler going into this, but the book went through her history so well, introducing elements for the comics and catching up new readers that I never felt lost or overwhelmed. And the book does this for other characters throughout. It very much feels like you can come to this with next to no knowledge and have a great time learning those parts in organic and interesting ways throughout the book.
Sound of Light in a great read, one that takes some of the lesser known characters who normally get supporting roles in other stories and puts them in the spotlight. Everyone is given a moment shine, and gets to do some great things in a genuinely interesting and intriguing story that keeps plenty of mystery going throughout. Whether you're a fan of the X-Men, and these characters, or not, this book is sure to keep you hooked throughout.
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