MARVEL GRAPHIC NOVEL #12

While teaching an aerobics class, Alison briefly loses control of her powers, but recovers before anyone can fully grasp what they saw. Afterward she’s approached by Eric Beale of Beale Productions, who tries to "connect" her with industry people, but she turns him down. Beale presses again after revealing he bought the gym, but Alison chooses instead to spend time with a shy young man named Freddy, whom she encourages before sharing a brief kiss. Back home, Alison worries about rising anti-mutant sentiment and fears being exposed. Storm calls to check on her, but Alison insists she’s fine and prepares for her first L.A. singing gig. Across town, aging Hollywood superstar Roman Nekoboh gears up to attend her show. At the club, Beale continues pursuing Alison professionally, while paparazzi hound her with questions about Roman. When she gets home, she finds Roman waiting insider her apartment. She asks him to leave, but he attempts to force himself on her. Furious, she throws him out and wonders how she can succeed without relying on powerful men with questionable motives. The next day, Roman chases Alison through the streets with a movie offer. She refuses again, using her powers to burst his tires; he fakes a heart attack to test whether she cares about him at all. She reluctantly agrees to dinner, listens to his film idea, and eventually begins a relationship with him. Alison is soon swept into a life of glamour and excess. She reveals her mutant powers to Roman, who is impressed rather than repelled, and their bond deepens. Roman secures financing from Eric Beale, and despite her unease, Alison signs on to do the movie. As filming approaches, Alison notices she’s letting herself go physically, then learns Roman has publicly outed her as a mutant in hopes of generating positive publicity. Horrified but determined, she agrees to a public demonstration of her powers. At an airport event, her display terrifies the crowd, and she later has to fend off anti-mutant attackers outside her hotel. Alison commits to getting back in shape and pushes forward with the film, in the hopes that it will change public perception about mutants. Protestors surround her house and extra security is required on the production. Alison performs admirably in the film, and a nervous Roman is overwhelmed with how good the film actually is. At a private screening of the film, Alison and Roman profess their love to each other before a mob attacks the theater, and Dazzler is forced to use her powers to protect herself and Roman. The next day Roman calls, directing her to Beale Productions. There, Beale reveals he has "bought" Roman with a lucrative tour and tries to blackmail Alison into signing a similar controlling contract. She refuses, destroys both their contracts, and vaporizes what Beale claims is the only print of the film. Outside the office, she runs into Roman who admits he returned to break his contract as well. Alison explains what she’s done, but they both agree they each need to make it on their own, and they part on good terms. Reclaiming her independence and identity, Alison walks away stronger and more self-assured than ever.

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