A mutant whose abilities manifested themselves when she was in her late teens, Alison Blaire chose to be a professional singer rather than follow her father into law. She used her light-generating abilities to supplement her act. No one knew that her effects were real, enabling her to lead a normal life for quite some time. But, she kept finding herself using her powers to combat criminals, so she joined the X-Men.

Dazzler can convert sound into light energy. The intensity of this ability and the power stunts associated with it depend on the level of ambient sound.

She can also convert light into a laser with a two area range, capable of inflicting damage up to the intensity level determined by the level of ambient sound . Dazzler can use light to confuse and blind her foes, as well as hypnotize targets at light's intensity, one area range. Other uses of her power are: a "light show" of dancing lights similar to those used in professional rock tours; when she directs her light blasts beneath her, she can "fly" in a straight line at two areas/turn; resistance to light, for she never blinds at high intensity lights.

Sometimes, Alison wears a Walkman, whose music she can use to charge herself. She's a pretty good skater as well. With the release of the Dazzler movie, Allison's mutant nature became public knowledge. Her life and career fell apart in the backlash. For a while, she became one of the Gladiators, a group of people who fought to death as a show for the richest people, who in turn paid fortunes to see them. This show was ruled by Alex, who was actually the son of Victor Von Doom. Ali was rescued by the Beast, who was romantically involved with her for a while. Then she worked as second voice with Lyla Cheney, but was possessed by Malice and left the group, joining the X-Men and later getting free from the marauder.

There she met Longshot and fell in love with him, though she didn't know how he felt. Longshot left the group to search for his memory and at the Reavers attack, the whole group passed through the Siege Perilous. Awaking with her powers but no memory of her past, she tried again to become a singer, but found troubles with a deadly fan. Longshot came to find her, for he needed her help to free MojoWorld from Mojo's tyranny. They got the help of the X-Men and beat Mojo, then they assumed the government of the land. By that time, Dazzler was pregnant, and Longshot wanted to name the child ShatterStar. She has stayed there since with him.