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Zatanna: Bring Down The House
After a deadly mistake left her terrified of her own abilities, Zatanna found a home for herself in Las Vegas performing a free show full of sleight-of-hand and cheap card tricks at the crappiest casino on the strip. It’s not exactly glamourous—or heroic—but it sure beats the risk of dabbling in real magic! That is, until a mysterious stranger plunges Zatanna’s world into chaos, dredging up old wounds and cracking open an inter-dimensional rift in the process!
Now, Zatanna will have to face her fears and embrace her powers whether she wants to or not! But will the magic words do the trick, or will it all collapse around her like a house of cards?
This volume collects Zatanna: Bring Down The House #1-5.
Now, Zatanna will have to face her fears and embrace her powers whether she wants to or not! But will the magic words do the trick, or will it all collapse around her like a house of cards?
This volume collects Zatanna: Bring Down The House #1-5.
176 pages, Hardcover
Published March 18, 2025
50 people are currently reading
589 people want to read
About the author
Mariko Tamaki
378 books2,237 followersMariko Tamaki is a Toronto writer, playwright, activist and performer. She works and performs with fat activists Pretty Porky and Pissed Off and the theatre troupe TOA, whose recent play, A vs. B, was staged at the 2004 Rhubarb Festival at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Her well-received novel, Cover Me (McGilligan Books) was followed by a short fiction collection, True Lies: The Book of Bad Advice (Women's Press). Mariko's third book, FAKE ID, is due out in spring 2005.
Mariko Tamaki has performed her work across Canada and through the States, recently appearing at the Calgary Folkfest 2004, Vancouver Writer's Festival 2003, Spatial III, and the Perpetual Motion/Girls Bite Back Tour, which circled though Ottawa, Montreal, Brooklyn and Chicago. She has appeared widely on radio and television including First Person Singular on CBC radio and Imprint on TVO. Mariko Tamaki is currently attending York University working a master's degree in women's studies.
[MacMIllan Books]
Mariko Tamaki has performed her work across Canada and through the States, recently appearing at the Calgary Folkfest 2004, Vancouver Writer's Festival 2003, Spatial III, and the Perpetual Motion/Girls Bite Back Tour, which circled though Ottawa, Montreal, Brooklyn and Chicago. She has appeared widely on radio and television including First Person Singular on CBC radio and Imprint on TVO. Mariko Tamaki is currently attending York University working a master's degree in women's studies.
[MacMIllan Books]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
August 13, 2025
Reimagining of Zatanna.
The art was the star here, but the story wasn't bad at all.
So Zatana had some kind of traumatic experience with magic when she was younger, and now she's just a stage magician.
OR IS SHE?
Anyway, unbeknownst to her, she's got magic bunnies, crazy powerful forces in the shadows, and maybe even a Stranger following her around.
And I thought that was a fun reinterpretation of The Phantom Stranger, btw.
But why are they keeping such a close watch on a Vegas magician?
OHMYGOD, WE ALREADY KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT, DON'T WE?
I'm a big fan of this character, so I liked this for the very reason that now another Zatanna comic exists. And it's not bad. The payoff wasn't anything spectacular, but for a short little run, this told a cute story. And when you add in the art and those popping colors, I think that pushes this thing into a 4 star read.
Sorry, gotta do it.
Dednemmocer rof snaf fo Annataz.
The art was the star here, but the story wasn't bad at all.
So Zatana had some kind of traumatic experience with magic when she was younger, and now she's just a stage magician.
OR IS SHE?
Anyway, unbeknownst to her, she's got magic bunnies, crazy powerful forces in the shadows, and maybe even a Stranger following her around.
And I thought that was a fun reinterpretation of The Phantom Stranger, btw.
But why are they keeping such a close watch on a Vegas magician?
OHMYGOD, WE ALREADY KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT, DON'T WE?
I'm a big fan of this character, so I liked this for the very reason that now another Zatanna comic exists. And it's not bad. The payoff wasn't anything spectacular, but for a short little run, this told a cute story. And when you add in the art and those popping colors, I think that pushes this thing into a 4 star read.
Sorry, gotta do it.
Dednemmocer rof snaf fo Annataz.
January 14, 2025
7.3/10
This is a story about Zatanna, before she became the Zatanna that we know. Why she doesn't use magic and how she has to face the past, in order to move on to a better future.
The plot is interesting enough, doesn't become too long or complex.
The standout however is the art. It is clean and pretty with a beautiful colour palette.
This is a story about Zatanna, before she became the Zatanna that we know. Why she doesn't use magic and how she has to face the past, in order to move on to a better future.
The plot is interesting enough, doesn't become too long or complex.
The standout however is the art. It is clean and pretty with a beautiful colour palette.
October 23, 2024
Colourful fun that lacks magical moments due to the origin-esque approach. Zatanna is usually one of the front runners for wacky and eccentric storytelling thanks to the world she inhabits, but when you separate her from the magic for the majority of the issues, you're left with a more generic piece than standout. Still fun, and definitely nice to look at, it doesn't hit the nail on the end. However, it floats rather than falls to the finish line.
October 9, 2025
Zatanna: Quebrando Tudo, é uma minissérie em 5 partes, escrita pela Mariko Tamaki e desenhada por Javier Rodríguez, que faz parte do selo DC Black Label, ou seja, não é uma história que faz parte da cronologia regular do universo DC. Assim, pode ser lida de maneira independente e proporciona aos roteiristas e desenhistas maior liberdade para “brincar” com os personagens.
Na trama, temos uma Zatanna diferente do que conhecemos normalmente: ela é marcada por traumas de infância que a impediu de usar magia, e por isso, ela realiza truques e não possui ligação com o mundo mágico da DC. Assim, essa Zatanna é insegura, incompleta e com sua trajetória marcada por problemas de infância, principalmente relacionado ao seu pai, Zatara – que aqui, embora seja um mago poderoso, tal qual o universo regular, possui um caráter duvidoso.
Assim, a trama apresenta ao leitor o evento trágico que marcou a infância da personagem, tornando-a uma criança abandonada e que teve que crescer e se virar sozinha. Logo, é um quadrinho de super heróis que consegue trabalhar bem alguns elementos sentimentais, desgarrando de alguns clichês focados apenas na ação.
Dessa forma, acompanhamos uma Zatanna que vive em Las Vegas, sobrevive fazendo shows de “mágica”, mas que está, de certa forma, frustrada e remoendo o passado trágico. Porém, em determinado show, um demônio aparece e ataca o local. Com isso, uma Estranha da plateia, que é usuária de magia, ajuda a Zatanna e a apresenta ao mundo mágico.
Ainda, no desenvolvimento da trama, Zatanna descobre mais coisas sobre as regras do mundo da magia e elementos sobre seu pai, os quais fazem-na ter ciência sobre seus poderes e tomar decisões importantes sobre seu futuro. Porém, nos capítulos 4 e 5, embora bem escritos, sinto que foram mais corridos que as demais edições, com uma “girada de chave” muito rápida, destoando do que vinha sendo construído de maneira mais elaborada.
Ademais, ressalto os desenhos e as cores utilizadas na HQ, que conseguem fugir do padrão e proporcionar experiencias que destoam da narrativa clássica dos quadrinhos, abrindo espaço para experimentações e criando uma narrativa cativante.
Na trama, temos uma Zatanna diferente do que conhecemos normalmente: ela é marcada por traumas de infância que a impediu de usar magia, e por isso, ela realiza truques e não possui ligação com o mundo mágico da DC. Assim, essa Zatanna é insegura, incompleta e com sua trajetória marcada por problemas de infância, principalmente relacionado ao seu pai, Zatara – que aqui, embora seja um mago poderoso, tal qual o universo regular, possui um caráter duvidoso.
Assim, a trama apresenta ao leitor o evento trágico que marcou a infância da personagem, tornando-a uma criança abandonada e que teve que crescer e se virar sozinha. Logo, é um quadrinho de super heróis que consegue trabalhar bem alguns elementos sentimentais, desgarrando de alguns clichês focados apenas na ação.
Dessa forma, acompanhamos uma Zatanna que vive em Las Vegas, sobrevive fazendo shows de “mágica”, mas que está, de certa forma, frustrada e remoendo o passado trágico. Porém, em determinado show, um demônio aparece e ataca o local. Com isso, uma Estranha da plateia, que é usuária de magia, ajuda a Zatanna e a apresenta ao mundo mágico.
Ainda, no desenvolvimento da trama, Zatanna descobre mais coisas sobre as regras do mundo da magia e elementos sobre seu pai, os quais fazem-na ter ciência sobre seus poderes e tomar decisões importantes sobre seu futuro. Porém, nos capítulos 4 e 5, embora bem escritos, sinto que foram mais corridos que as demais edições, com uma “girada de chave” muito rápida, destoando do que vinha sendo construído de maneira mais elaborada.
Ademais, ressalto os desenhos e as cores utilizadas na HQ, que conseguem fugir do padrão e proporcionar experiencias que destoam da narrativa clássica dos quadrinhos, abrindo espaço para experimentações e criando uma narrativa cativante.
July 17, 2025
Phenomenal vibrant art served by a just OK story, though I enjoyed Z's characterization quite a bit.
S'ti na reppop-eye.
S'ti na reppop-eye.
May 24, 2025
This was a lot of fun and not as dark as most Black Label books. A solid four stars.
July 27, 2025
Introduced in the early sixties, appearing in various titles, Zatanna is depicted as one of DC Comics' most well-regarded supernatural superheroes, Although she is a much beloved character who had her own solo comic over the decades from the nineties, there hasn't been a memorable Zatanna storyline, even with the likes of Paul Dini doing a run. However, with a recent Eisner Award under its belt, does Zatanna: Bring Down the House really leave much of an impression?
Following a deadly mistake during her childhood that left her terrified of her own abilities, Zatanna found a home for herself in Las Vegas performing a free show full of sleight-of-hand and cheap card tricks at the crappiest casino on the strip. During one stage performance, a number of magical beings, big and small, came knocking at her door in the pursuit of what really happened during that eventful moment when she was a child.
Published under DC's Black Label, there is a slight acknowledgement of the wider DC universe including a brief appearance from John Constantine, Mariko Tamaki writes this as its own narrative about a young woman coming to terms with a past trauma and how that shapes her into the magician who can cast spells by speaking backwards. For most of this book, Zatanna is a reluctant hero that is being roped into all these situations, often by characters who are more fun than her.
As for the central mystery, which touches upon the history of magic, which can be embraced by all but also misused by others, which is exactly what occured during Zatanna's childhood mistake. From the numerous threats to the comic relief, Zatanna's journey starts to feel loose without much emotional resonance. If anything, the story feels like an excuse for Javier Rodríguez to flex his artistic muscles, and really delivers here.
Having drawn numerous superheroes throughout the years, Rodríguez has already established his quirky art-style. While the DC Black Label has often been the platform to tell more adult-orientated spins on DC characters, done through experimental artwork, Bring Down the House doesn't go full R-rated, but Rodríguez oozes with a surreal style that uses every colour while panel layouts continuously change with every page where the magical creatures come in all shapes and forms.
While there are elements that remind you of the early years of Vertigo Comics, Zatanna: Bring Down the House is ultimately a decent story that is saved by Javier Rodríguez's amazing art.
Following a deadly mistake during her childhood that left her terrified of her own abilities, Zatanna found a home for herself in Las Vegas performing a free show full of sleight-of-hand and cheap card tricks at the crappiest casino on the strip. During one stage performance, a number of magical beings, big and small, came knocking at her door in the pursuit of what really happened during that eventful moment when she was a child.
Published under DC's Black Label, there is a slight acknowledgement of the wider DC universe including a brief appearance from John Constantine, Mariko Tamaki writes this as its own narrative about a young woman coming to terms with a past trauma and how that shapes her into the magician who can cast spells by speaking backwards. For most of this book, Zatanna is a reluctant hero that is being roped into all these situations, often by characters who are more fun than her.
As for the central mystery, which touches upon the history of magic, which can be embraced by all but also misused by others, which is exactly what occured during Zatanna's childhood mistake. From the numerous threats to the comic relief, Zatanna's journey starts to feel loose without much emotional resonance. If anything, the story feels like an excuse for Javier Rodríguez to flex his artistic muscles, and really delivers here.
Having drawn numerous superheroes throughout the years, Rodríguez has already established his quirky art-style. While the DC Black Label has often been the platform to tell more adult-orientated spins on DC characters, done through experimental artwork, Bring Down the House doesn't go full R-rated, but Rodríguez oozes with a surreal style that uses every colour while panel layouts continuously change with every page where the magical creatures come in all shapes and forms.
While there are elements that remind you of the early years of Vertigo Comics, Zatanna: Bring Down the House is ultimately a decent story that is saved by Javier Rodríguez's amazing art.
November 30, 2024
A kind of fun storyline but also kind of lifeless. It felt like just a filler story, even if the art was great. The art really saves this one, but I feel like I'd forget about it in a year or so.
September 30, 2025
Absolutely gorgeous book but the overly snarky dialog yanked me out of the story. Yeah, I'm a party pooper. Fuck off.
April 21, 2025
I'd forgotten that this was a Black Label book, which meant that it wasn't in line with the main DC continuity - I spent most of this book wondering how they were going to reconcile what famously happened to Zatanna's father with what was happening to him here, until I got to the end and rechecked the cover. That's on me, oops.
Otherwise, this is okay. Zatanna spends a lot of the book on the back foot and in denial, leaving the supporting characters, including Constantine and a girl who is not a rabbit but has rabbit ears, to do a lot of the heavy lifting. The plot itself seems more like prep-work for something bigger, but we'll see if any of that materialises.
The main draw though, and the reason I checked this out in the first place, is Javier Rodriguez's artwork. He doesn't get to let loose as much as I'd have liked, but when the magic starts flying, he really gets going. There are some insane panel arrangements and funky stuff, and his mundane scenes are still solid as ever.
Didn't exactly bring down the house as much as get a mild smatter of applause, but effort was made.
Otherwise, this is okay. Zatanna spends a lot of the book on the back foot and in denial, leaving the supporting characters, including Constantine and a girl who is not a rabbit but has rabbit ears, to do a lot of the heavy lifting. The plot itself seems more like prep-work for something bigger, but we'll see if any of that materialises.
The main draw though, and the reason I checked this out in the first place, is Javier Rodriguez's artwork. He doesn't get to let loose as much as I'd have liked, but when the magic starts flying, he really gets going. There are some insane panel arrangements and funky stuff, and his mundane scenes are still solid as ever.
Didn't exactly bring down the house as much as get a mild smatter of applause, but effort was made.
December 10, 2024
Із такою героїнею, як Затана, я був знайомий опосередковано, коли вона з’являлася в інших коміксах чи історіях DC. Її шарм, магічні здібності та впевненість завжди вражали, проте ніколи раніше не заглиблювався в її сольну історію. Тож комікс «Затана: Незабутнє видовище» Маріко Тамаки й Хав’єра Родріґеса став для мене чудовою нагодою глибше пізнати цю харизматичну магиню.
Сюжет обертається навколо Затани, яка після трагічного інциденту в дитинстві боїться використовувати справжню магію. Вона ховається від свого минулого, працюючи в Лас-Веґасі як сценічна фокусниця, виступи якої є безкоштовними. Проте цей спокій триває недовго. Поява загадкової незнайомиці й міжвимірного демона змушує Затану протистояти власним страхам і знову взятися за магію, якої вона так уникає. Історія сповнена напруги, чарівності та спогадів про минуле, які визначають характер головної героїні.
Маріко Тамака проробила чудову роботу над сценарієм. Її підхід до персонажа, як до людини з травмами та сумнівами, робить Затану глибокою й людяною. Відчувається баланс між драмою, самоаналізом та магічною пригодою. Проте дрібні недоліки, як-от деяка передбачуваність у розвитку сюжету, трохи зменшують інтригу. Втім, ці дрібни��і не затьмарюють загального враження.
Малюнок Хав’єра Родріґеса — це справжня магія. Кожна сторінка дихає життям і передає атмосферу, яку так вдало створює сценарій. Від яскравих, блискучих вогнів Лас-Веґаса до темних, моторошних міжпросторових сцен — усе виглядає неймовірно. Родріґес майстерно використовує кольори й композицію, створюючи візуальний контраст між сценами реальності й магії. Це справжнє задоволення для очей, де кожна окрема сторінка оживає завдяки сміливим візуальним рішенням.
Цей комікс доводить, що у вправних руках навіть персонажі, які часом не привертають до себе багато уваги, можуть стати основою для глибоких і цікавих історій. Затана в «Незабутньому видовищі» демонструє свою багатогранність і потенціал, підтверджуючи, що вона заслуговує на свою власну сольну серію в межах сучасного DC. Якщо не помиляюся, останньою такою серією була тривалка від Пола Діні.
«Затанна: Незабутнє видовище» — це візуальний шедевр із хорошим сюжетом, який я щиро рекомендую всім шанувальникам героїні. Та й узагалі усім. Ця історія про подолання страхів і прийняття себе залишає приємний післясмак і бажання побачити її українською. Хто знає, можливо, колись ми зможемо насолоджуватися цим коміксом рідною мовою.
Сюжет обертається навколо Затани, яка після трагічного інциденту в дитинстві боїться використовувати справжню магію. Вона ховається від свого минулого, працюючи в Лас-Веґасі як сценічна фокусниця, виступи якої є безкоштовними. Проте цей спокій триває недовго. Поява загадкової незнайомиці й міжвимірного демона змушує Затану протистояти власним страхам і знову взятися за магію, якої вона так уникає. Історія сповнена напруги, чарівності та спогадів про минуле, які визначають характер головної героїні.
Маріко Тамака проробила чудову роботу над сценарієм. Її підхід до персонажа, як до людини з травмами та сумнівами, робить Затану глибокою й людяною. Відчувається баланс між драмою, самоаналізом та магічною пригодою. Проте дрібні недоліки, як-от деяка передбачуваність у розвитку сюжету, трохи зменшують інтригу. Втім, ці дрібни��і не затьмарюють загального враження.
Малюнок Хав’єра Родріґеса — це справжня магія. Кожна сторінка дихає життям і передає атмосферу, яку так вдало створює сценарій. Від яскравих, блискучих вогнів Лас-Веґаса до темних, моторошних міжпросторових сцен — усе виглядає неймовірно. Родріґес майстерно використовує кольори й композицію, створюючи візуальний контраст між сценами реальності й магії. Це справжнє задоволення для очей, де кожна окрема сторінка оживає завдяки сміливим візуальним рішенням.
Цей комікс доводить, що у вправних руках навіть персонажі, які часом не привертають до себе багато уваги, можуть стати основою для глибоких і цікавих історій. Затана в «Незабутньому видовищі» демонструє свою багатогранність і потенціал, підтверджуючи, що вона заслуговує на свою власну сольну серію в межах сучасного DC. Якщо не помиляюся, останньою такою серією була тривалка від Пола Діні.
«Затанна: Незабутнє видовище» — це візуальний шедевр із хорошим сюжетом, який я щиро рекомендую всім шанувальникам героїні. Та й узагалі усім. Ця історія про подолання страхів і прийняття себе залишає приємний післясмак і бажання побачити її українською. Хто знає, можливо, колись ми зможемо насолоджуватися цим коміксом рідною мовою.
August 1, 2025
Historia Año 1 de Zatanna donde se cambia por completo su origen, supongo que una vez más porque servidor desconoce al personaje en los últimos 20 años. La cosa es que Zatara para mi murió en American Gothic y ahora me lo encuentro desapareciendo del universo DC, convertido en la némesis de su hija en un asunto de abusos, en este caso por un motivo mágico. Todo lo que rodea a la protagonista está bien tramado: su trauma, su concepción de la magia como algo controlado/limitado para evitar regresar a aquel momento, su relación con Constantine y su bonito revival en ese París que no se sabe si es real o recreación... Pero no deja de dolerme ver un personaje clásico con un final tan épico reducido a vehículo para desarrollar otro.
Dicho lo cual, merece la pena hablar de Javier Rodríguez y su trabajo artístico. No es sólo que vuelva a pasarse un cómic con unas composiciones de página espectaculares y unas ilustraciones donde Zatanna luce más hermosa que nunca sin difuminar rasgos como la inocencia, la sensibilidad, la fortaleza, la picardía, la independencia... Es brutal lo que hace con el color, usando una paleta de colores planos que crean una atmósfera única para cada secuencia y se realimentan con la narrativa continuamente. Por destacar un detalle, es acojonante el enfrentamiento final del último número entre padre e hija, con el uso de los colores primarios y secundarios para ir enfatizando el duelo y dándole una epicidad deslumbrante. Hasta el punto que Rodríguez se hacía merecedor de ganar el Eisner a mejor ilustrador o colorista, aunque ambas categorías se le quedan pequeñas porque ninguna contiene lo que hace cuando se encarga de toda la faceta artística de un título.
Tengo unas ganas enormes de leer su Detective Marciano.
Dicho lo cual, merece la pena hablar de Javier Rodríguez y su trabajo artístico. No es sólo que vuelva a pasarse un cómic con unas composiciones de página espectaculares y unas ilustraciones donde Zatanna luce más hermosa que nunca sin difuminar rasgos como la inocencia, la sensibilidad, la fortaleza, la picardía, la independencia... Es brutal lo que hace con el color, usando una paleta de colores planos que crean una atmósfera única para cada secuencia y se realimentan con la narrativa continuamente. Por destacar un detalle, es acojonante el enfrentamiento final del último número entre padre e hija, con el uso de los colores primarios y secundarios para ir enfatizando el duelo y dándole una epicidad deslumbrante. Hasta el punto que Rodríguez se hacía merecedor de ganar el Eisner a mejor ilustrador o colorista, aunque ambas categorías se le quedan pequeñas porque ninguna contiene lo que hace cuando se encarga de toda la faceta artística de un título.
Tengo unas ganas enormes de leer su Detective Marciano.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2024
A nice introduction (not canon, it’s Black Label stuff) to Zatanna. It's nothing resolutely extraordinary, but it's definitely entertaining. That's 3*.
The extra star is Javier Rodriguez: the drawings are beautiful, the storytelling inventive and the choice of pop colours perfect for this little fantasy.
The extra star is Javier Rodriguez: the drawings are beautiful, the storytelling inventive and the choice of pop colours perfect for this little fantasy.
October 29, 2025
Fica fácil entender o motivo de Zatanna: Quebrando Tudo, de Mariko Tamaki e Javier Rodriguez, ter sido contemplado com o prêmio Eisner de melhor minissérie do ano que passou. O roteiro tem diálogos espertos e uma motivação bastante instigante para deixar o leitor envolvido até o final da história em quadrinhos. Mas em todo quadrinho que tem Javier Rodriguez envolvido, o motivo será a magia que ele consegue desenvolver com a narrativa visual e com o layout das páginas em que trabalha. Para se ter uma noção de como o trabalho de Rodriguez é diferenciado, ele traz referências do cubismo de Picasso, da arte gráfica computadorizada dos anos 1990 e também dos quadrinhos lisérgicos e underground dos anos 1960, que combinaram muito bem com as apresentações dos mundos mágicos em que Zatanna se envolve. A combinação de uma roteirista e de um artista com um repertório enorme fazem com que esse quadrinho seja uma das melhores leituras do ano em matéria de super-heróis.
September 12, 2025
she can kill me and I will thank her
November 15, 2025
Magical dynasty
An awesome retelling of Zatanna's origin. The artwork fits the book perfectly. A great story.
Zatanna has always wanted to be a magician. Always practising, but always in her father's shadow, and never encouraged. However, when real magic is involved and a tragedy occurs she is left traumatised and unable to touch her real powers. This does not stop her from becoming a performer but not a magician, but that does not mean the world of magic and true magicians are done with her. Is it her destiny to be just another performer or something even darker?
There is a lot of innuendo in this book. Some very strategic panel angles. This is not something new to Zatanna books. I am just surprised Zatanna does not have her own ongoing series. This book finishes with a variant cover gallery.
An awesome retelling of Zatanna's origin. The artwork fits the book perfectly. A great story.
Zatanna has always wanted to be a magician. Always practising, but always in her father's shadow, and never encouraged. However, when real magic is involved and a tragedy occurs she is left traumatised and unable to touch her real powers. This does not stop her from becoming a performer but not a magician, but that does not mean the world of magic and true magicians are done with her. Is it her destiny to be just another performer or something even darker?
There is a lot of innuendo in this book. Some very strategic panel angles. This is not something new to Zatanna books. I am just surprised Zatanna does not have her own ongoing series. This book finishes with a variant cover gallery.
July 11, 2025
Let's talk about this DC Black Label book. Here are some of my thoughts on this 4 star book - https://youtu.be/LW0qs1hPdls
October 26, 2024
A fun way to switch up the repetitive story of Zatanna and Zatara, but I still would have just preferred he (and Constantine) just back off her stories for a bit. Great art, and a very nice ending. Let's hope she gets that ongoing run next!
May 15, 2025
Zatanna is one of my favorite heroes in comics, but she’s never really had the breakout hit she deserves. I was hoping a Black Label miniseries could be that, but alas, I’m once again left wanting. To its credit, this gets some of the way there thanks to the stellar art and designs from Javier Rodriguez. He knocks this book out of the park, giving every page and spread the color and aplomb a book about magic deserves. It’s genuinely top-notch stuff and almost carried this to a 4-star rating.
The plotting isn’t strong enough to get the series across the finish line, though. I tend to enjoy Tamaki’s work, but you can tell her roots in the YA space because, despite this being classified under the more “adult” Black Label, this very much reads like a YA story. And that’s not bad—Tamaki has good pacing, there are some solid ideas in here, and Zatanna herself is very likable. My issue is that the character comes off less like the adult the book says she is. The dialogue is too quippy for there to be any stakes that stick around, and there’s so little actual drama that the story winds up feeling slight. Tamaki had a good grasp of the tone Zatanna thrives in, at least, and if she had fleshed out the story and given the characterization more muscle, we could’ve had something. It’s a fun read, don’t get me wrong—it’s just not the breakout hit I hoped for.
The plotting isn’t strong enough to get the series across the finish line, though. I tend to enjoy Tamaki’s work, but you can tell her roots in the YA space because, despite this being classified under the more “adult” Black Label, this very much reads like a YA story. And that’s not bad—Tamaki has good pacing, there are some solid ideas in here, and Zatanna herself is very likable. My issue is that the character comes off less like the adult the book says she is. The dialogue is too quippy for there to be any stakes that stick around, and there’s so little actual drama that the story winds up feeling slight. Tamaki had a good grasp of the tone Zatanna thrives in, at least, and if she had fleshed out the story and given the characterization more muscle, we could’ve had something. It’s a fun read, don’t get me wrong—it’s just not the breakout hit I hoped for.
June 25, 2025
Never read much Zatanna other than when she pops up in other bigger arcs but she's always been a cool and interesting character. Simple origin story with amazing art (reminded me of Human Target by King). Saw one review mentioning how her father Zatarra and John Constantine need to back off and just let her have her own comic and I totally get that. Even as a Constantine fan, I was surprised that he was included but not shocked since they are one of the most shipped couples in DC.
Story was fun and generally light-hearted but nothing too groundbreaking. A very enjoyable read. But that art...(chef's kiss)
Story was fun and generally light-hearted but nothing too groundbreaking. A very enjoyable read. But that art...(chef's kiss)
January 4, 2026
Muy muy bueno. Javier Rodríguez es un genio y aquí consigue lucirse con los momentos más mágicos y oníricos, similar a lo que pasa en Detective Marciano. Zatanna encandila y, sin conocer de nada al personaje, me han dado ganas de leer más del personaje. Mi única pega es que el guión de Tamaki no luce tanto como el dibujo y hay veces que es un poco simplón en comparación.
January 11, 2026
3.5 rounded down - This is a story about a Vegas magician 'coming into' true magical power and being introduced to an underground world of demons, dangerous rabbits, and a secret society with ambiguous motives and internal conflict. I'd never heard of this DC Universe superhero before she appeared as a member of the Justice League in the All-In Saga that I'd just read for background on the new Absolute Universe, so, I felt like I might've missed some references. Regardless, it was a satisfying introduction to this superhero's story, and I particularly enjoyed the artwork colored in, what seemed to me, a neon 90s color palette.
September 2, 2025
It should have been me not Constantine
January 6, 2026
finally getting around to reading some of my christmas presents. great origin for her character - loved how it revealed the way she got her powers😋
October 28, 2025
I enjoyed it until I didn't. A retelling/imagining of Zatanna's origin story that's fast, punchy, and punctuated by great art. Talented team doing a fun character, until it gets bogged down by DC universe stuff and abruptly ends. Shame.
March 19, 2025
Too short!
December 7, 2024
Very cute, very fun, and of course the art is amazingly intricate. Loved seeing Constantine make a guest appearance too !
May 17, 2025
I do live Mariko's work. She gives us a fresh take on Z while staying true to the character. It's fun, it's trippy, I will most likely be adding it to my collection.
December 18, 2025
Wonderful art, fun origin story. I didn't know anything about Zatanna before grabbing this at the library, but the cover spoke to me. It said, "Would you like to read a super hero story about a hot magician?" and could there be any other way to answer that question aside from, "Yes oh yes I would like to hear about the hot magician."
July 26, 2025
Yeah I’ve seen enough. Gunn, make a Zatanna show and base it off of Bring Down the House.
One of my new favorites and probably nearing my favorite. Mariko Tamaki’s writing is so good and don’t even get me started on Javier Rodriguez’ art.
Gave me some good Grant Morrison Doom Patrol vibes, which is always a massive bonus. Love stuff like this so much.
Read this please!
One of my new favorites and probably nearing my favorite. Mariko Tamaki’s writing is so good and don’t even get me started on Javier Rodriguez’ art.
Gave me some good Grant Morrison Doom Patrol vibes, which is always a massive bonus. Love stuff like this so much.
Read this please!
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