Zatanna (comic book)

Zatanna is a series of American comic book featuring the eponymous superhero of the same name, created by screenwriter Paul Dini and French artist Stéphane Roux. The first series was originally published as a limited series in 1994, following with a spin-off and a second ongoing series which launched in July 2010. The second ongoing series ran for 16 issues, ending in October 2011 due to the New 52 reboot. In addition to comic titles taking place in mainstream DC Universe, several other Zatanna series also takes places in various Elseworlds.

The second series received mostly positive reviews, with critics praising it as "quirky and fun" and commending the artwork. Issue #1 became one of DC's best-selling comics of 2010 and was reprinted in July of that year after selling out. The collected volumes also achieved strong sales, consistently ranking in the top 100 best-seller lists.

Publication history

The second, ongoing series was originally conceived as a project in 2007, but Paul Dini delayed it until 2010 due to other commitments and a desire to work with Zatanna when the timing felt right for him. The series explores Zatanna's background, illustrating how she navigates her various responsibilities while managing the burdens they bring. Set in the fictional DC Universe, the plot introduces both new characters created specifically for the saga and iconic figures from the publisher's history, as it recounts the magician and heroine's adventures. The comic also delves into Zatanna's more everyday life, highlighting her work as an illusionist beyond her world-saving efforts.

Plot summary

Volume 2

After completing her final performance of the day, Zatanna is approached by Detective Dale Colton of the San Francisco Police Department, who seeks her assistance with a series of mysterious murders in the city. At the latest crime scene, they discover a nightclub teeming with monsters and criminals. Zatanna encounters Brother Night, a crime lord who has traded his soul for mystical powers. Despite his threats, Zatanna stands her ground, leading to a battle that destroys the nightclub.

Following this confrontation, Zatanna aids Justice League members Vixen and Black Canary in defeating a pack of werehyenas. Returning to her apartment, she is unaware that the nightmare demon Fuseli, sent by Brother Night, is stalking her. Fuseli invades her mind, replaying her traumatic memories. Zatanna eventually breaks free and traps Fuseli in her magic hat.

Later, Zatanna visits her theater to check on her staff and stage manager, Mikey Dowling. She is attacked by effigies resembling her friends, who have been manipulated by Brother Night to lure her into a final showdown. Zatanna defeats Night and strips him of his powers.

In Las Vegas, Zatanna confronts the Royal Flush gang, who have stolen from Paradise Casino. After returning to her hotel, she finds her cousin Zachary hosting a large party and is soon attacked by harpies. During her Las Vegas performance, she is enchanted by Sonny Raymond, the casino owner, who plans to offer her soul to the demon Mammon. Zachary intervenes and together they defeat Raymond and Mammon, who claims Raymond's soul instead.

Zatanna then travels to Los Angeles for the opening of a magic museum. The museum's artifacts, imbued with their former owners' essence, come to life and wreak havoc. Zatanna uses her father's spirit, contacted through his sunglasses, to quell the destruction.

Back in San Francisco, as Zatanna and Mikey prepare to receive an award, she notices a puppet spying on them, triggering her fear of puppets. She discovers that her father had turned puppeteer Oscar Hampel into the Stringleshanks doll after Hampel's attempt to kill her. The puppet infiltrates Zatanna's apartment, but she eventually overcomes it with Mikey's help, reversing Hampel's transformation.

Zatanna later confronts the gangster Backlash, who can rewind time with his sword. Realizing her spells are ineffective, she employs palindrome spells to nullify his power, defeating him and freeing a fairy named Hannah, who had been empowering Backlash's sword.

Subsequently, Zatanna is summoned by The Spectre to investigate a new mystical pact made by Brother Night, who has escaped from prison. Detective Colton learns that Brother Night is his biological father, foreshadowing a future clash with Zatanna. During this period, Zachary, under Yuki-onna's control, attacks Zatanna. She eventually tricks Yuki-onna, breaking the spell and rescuing Zachary.

Returning to her Gotham City mansion after her tour, Zatanna is visited by Uriah, a young boy from Limbo who wishes to be her apprentice. Zatanna refuses, but Uriah steals the Book of Maps, a powerful artifact, from her library. She destroys the book and banishes Uriah back to Limbo. The series concludes with Zatanna retreating to her room, expressing her desire for rest.

Print media

Miniseries

Volume 1

No	Title	Release date
1.	"Come Together; I"	July, 1993
2.	"Come Together; II"	August, 1993
3.	"Come Together; III"	September, 1993
4.	"Come Together; IV"	October, 1993

Zatanna: Bring Down the House

No	Title	Release date	Notes
1.	"Book One"	June 25, 2024.	Released under the DC Black Label imprint
2.	"Book Two"	July 24, 2024
3.	"Book Three"	August 28, 2024

Collected editions

Title	ISBN	Materials collected	Release date	Ref
Zatanna: The Mistress of Magic	978-1401230074	Zatanna #1–6	March 2011
Zatanna: Shades of the Past	978-1401233006	Zatanna #7–12	November 2011
Zatanna by Paul Dini	978-1401268824	Zatanna #1–16, Zatanna: Everyday Magic, DC Universe Rebirth Holiday Special, DC Infinite Halloween Special	March 2017
Elseworlds
Title	ISBN	Release Date	Ref
Zatanna and the House of Secrets	978-1401290702	2020
Zatanna and the Ripper Vol. 1	978-1779523389	October 3rd, 2023

Reception

Andy Frisk from Comic Book Bin rated the first issue of the series 7.5 out of 10 stars and described Stephane Roux’s work as "very solid and smooth." Zack Little from Inside Pulse thought Jamal Igle’s drawing style was "good," noting that his technique's best feature was "the attention he pays to detail." He also mentioned in his review of issue eleven that the characters Mikey Dowling and Brother Night were "the main attraction of the volume" and a "little bundle of suspense," respectively. Greg McElhatton from Comic Book Resources positively reviewed the first issue of Zatanna, finding it "enjoyable," and praised the way Paul Dini depicted Zatanna's daily life. He also referred to Stephane Roux's and Karl Story's artistic work as "beautiful and exciting".

Sales and recognitions

The series generally sold well, frequently reaching the top 100 best-selling comics in the United States. The first issue became a DC Comics best-seller in May 2010. After selling out, it was reprinted in July of that year. Issue #3 ranked at number 72 on the Top 100 best-sellers list for July 2010, while Issue #4 climbed to number 67 the following month and maintained that position on the Top 300. By May 2011, Issue #13 had sold over 18,000 copies, ranking it number 100 in demand. According to Diamond Comic Distributors. Zatanna: Mistress of Magic was the eleventh best-selling comic in its compilation volume category for March 2011, and Zatanna: Shades of The Past ranked number forty-four.

Collected editions

Title	Material collected	Publication date	ISBN	Ref
Zatanna: The Mistress of Magic	Zatanna #1–6	March 2011	Template:ISBNT
Zatanna: Shades of the Past	Zatanna #7–12	November 2011	Template:ISBNT
Zatanna by Paul Dini	Zatanna #1–16, Zatanna: Everyday Magic, DC Universe Rebirth Holiday Special, DC Infinite Halloween Special	March 2017	Template:ISBNT

See also

• Identity Crisis
• Seven Soldiers of Victory
• Zatanna: Bring Down the House