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Zatanna
Black Canary and Zatanna: Bloodspell
Black Canary--Dinah Lance--mistress of martial arts. Zatanna Zatara--mistress of magic. Heroines, teammates, friends. Now, in this original graphic novel, two of the DC universe's brightest stars join forces to combat a deadly new threat--a chilling supernatural foe that preys on their weaknesses and unleashes their awesome powers against each other.
144 pages, Paperback
First published May 27, 2014
19 people are currently reading
1305 people want to read
About the author
Paul Dini
726 books719 followersPaul Dini is an American television producer of animated cartoons. He is best known as a producer and writer for several Warner Bros./DC Comics series, including Star Wars: Ewoks, Tiny Toon Adventures, Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, The New Batman/Superman Adventures, Batman Beyond and Duck Dodgers. He also developed and scripted Krypto the Superdog and contributed scripts to Animaniacs (he created Minerva Mink), Freakazoid, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. After leaving Warner Bros. In early 2004, Dini went on to write and story edit the popular ABC adventure series Lost.
Paul Dini was born in New York City. He attended the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, California on an art scholarship. He attended Emerson College in Boston, where he earned a BFA degree in creative writing. (He also took zoology classes at Harvard University.)
During college, he began doing freelance animation scripts for Filmation, and a number of other studios. In 1984, he was hired to work for George Lucas on several of his animation projects.
The episodes of the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon that were written by Dini have become favorites amongst the show's fans over the internet, although despite this as well as contributing to interviews on the released box sets of the series, Dini has made no secret of his distaste for Filmation and the He-Man concept. He also wrote an episode of the Generation One Transformers cartoon series and contributed to various episodes of the Ewoks animated series, several of which included rare appearances from the Empire.
In 1989, he was hired at Warner Bros. Animation to work on Tiny Toon Adventures. Later, he moved onto Batman: The Animated Series, where he worked as a writer, producer and editor, later working on Batman Beyond. He continued working with WB animation, working on a number of internal projects, including Krypto the Superdog and Duck Dodgers, until 2004.
He has earned five Emmy awards for his animation work. In a related effort, Dini was also the co-author (with Chip Kidd) of Batman Animated, a 1998 non-fiction coffee table book about the animated Batman franchise.
Dini has also written several comics stories for DC Comics, including an acclaimed oversized graphic novel series illustrated by painter Alex Ross. (A hardcover collection of the Dini and Ross stories was published in late summer 2005 under the title The World's Greatest Superheroes.) Other books written by Dini for DC have featured his Batman Animated creation Harley Quinn as well as classic characters Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel and Zatanna.
Best known among Dini's original creations is Jingle Belle, the rebellious teen-age daughter of Santa Claus. Dini also created Sheriff Ida Red, the super-powered cowgirl star of a series of books set in Dini's mythical town of Mutant, Texas. Perhaps his greatest character contribution is the introduction of Harley Quinn (along with designs by Bruce Timm) on Batman: The Animated Series.
In 2001 Dini made a cameo appearance in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back during the scene in which Jay and Silent Bob wear ridiculous looking costumes for a film being directed by Chris Rock, in which Dini says to them "you guys look pretty bad ass".
In 2006, Dini became the writer for DC Comics' Detective Comics. That same year, he announced that he was writing a hardcover graphic novel starring Zatanna and Black Canary. In 2007, he was announced as the head writer of that company's weekly series, Countdown. Paul Dini is currently co-writing the script for the upcoming Gatchaman movie. Dini is also currently writing a series for Top Cow Productions, based in a character he created, Madame Mirage.
Paul Dini is an active cryptozoologist, hunter and wildlife photographer. On a 1985 trip to Tasmania, he had a possible sighting of a Thylacine. He has also encountered a number of venomous snakes, a Komodo Dragon and a charging Sumatran Rhi
Paul Dini was born in New York City. He attended the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, California on an art scholarship. He attended Emerson College in Boston, where he earned a BFA degree in creative writing. (He also took zoology classes at Harvard University.)
During college, he began doing freelance animation scripts for Filmation, and a number of other studios. In 1984, he was hired to work for George Lucas on several of his animation projects.
The episodes of the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon that were written by Dini have become favorites amongst the show's fans over the internet, although despite this as well as contributing to interviews on the released box sets of the series, Dini has made no secret of his distaste for Filmation and the He-Man concept. He also wrote an episode of the Generation One Transformers cartoon series and contributed to various episodes of the Ewoks animated series, several of which included rare appearances from the Empire.
In 1989, he was hired at Warner Bros. Animation to work on Tiny Toon Adventures. Later, he moved onto Batman: The Animated Series, where he worked as a writer, producer and editor, later working on Batman Beyond. He continued working with WB animation, working on a number of internal projects, including Krypto the Superdog and Duck Dodgers, until 2004.
He has earned five Emmy awards for his animation work. In a related effort, Dini was also the co-author (with Chip Kidd) of Batman Animated, a 1998 non-fiction coffee table book about the animated Batman franchise.
Dini has also written several comics stories for DC Comics, including an acclaimed oversized graphic novel series illustrated by painter Alex Ross. (A hardcover collection of the Dini and Ross stories was published in late summer 2005 under the title The World's Greatest Superheroes.) Other books written by Dini for DC have featured his Batman Animated creation Harley Quinn as well as classic characters Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel and Zatanna.
Best known among Dini's original creations is Jingle Belle, the rebellious teen-age daughter of Santa Claus. Dini also created Sheriff Ida Red, the super-powered cowgirl star of a series of books set in Dini's mythical town of Mutant, Texas. Perhaps his greatest character contribution is the introduction of Harley Quinn (along with designs by Bruce Timm) on Batman: The Animated Series.
In 2001 Dini made a cameo appearance in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back during the scene in which Jay and Silent Bob wear ridiculous looking costumes for a film being directed by Chris Rock, in which Dini says to them "you guys look pretty bad ass".
In 2006, Dini became the writer for DC Comics' Detective Comics. That same year, he announced that he was writing a hardcover graphic novel starring Zatanna and Black Canary. In 2007, he was announced as the head writer of that company's weekly series, Countdown. Paul Dini is currently co-writing the script for the upcoming Gatchaman movie. Dini is also currently writing a series for Top Cow Productions, based in a character he created, Madame Mirage.
Paul Dini is an active cryptozoologist, hunter and wildlife photographer. On a 1985 trip to Tasmania, he had a possible sighting of a Thylacine. He has also encountered a number of venomous snakes, a Komodo Dragon and a charging Sumatran Rhi
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
September 19, 2014
2.5 stars
Digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher
See the cover art?
Well, that's the same thing you can expect on the inside.
Personally, I thought it looked goofy and overly cartoonish. So. Yeah, I was not a fan of what my eyeballs had to endure.
Does anyone else think the cover makes Black Canary look like an angry Glenn Close crossed with an even angrier Kathleen Turner?
So how was the story?
Eh.
It was readable, but just barely. The saving grace of the story came from a Dinah's interactions with Ollie. There was an easygoing humor between the two characters that made me wish this this had been a Black Canary & Green Arrow title.
Alas, it was not meant to be...
I was initially attracted to this one because of Zatanna. I've become more interested in her after reading volume two of Justice League Dark, which I thought kicked ass.
Yeah, yeah. A lot of you thought it sucked.
Phbbt!
Anyway. This didn't really scratch my Zatanna itch. It was more of a silly Grrl Power! book, complete with the requisite Bond-While-They-Shop scene. And who can forget the part where Zatanna turns the Rude Guys into fish for making comments about their fishnet stocking?!
Ah, good times, good times...
Sorry. I couldn't work up any righteous anger over that one. More than likely it was because I was mentally asking myself why they were wandering around the mall in fishnet stockings to begin with. While I firmly believe that you should be able to wear whatever you want to wear...fishnet stockings?
Those babies are a part the universal ensemble for hookers everywhere. Throw in a pair of clear heels, and you've pretty much got the entire uniform.
Aaaaand....you know I'm right.
The main story is about Canary needing Zatanna's help to get rid of a vengeful ghost. The she-devil placed a bloodspell on Dinah during an undercover operation she went on years ago.
Not exactly an inspired plot, but it wasn't awful, either.
Throughout the volume we get lots of flashbacks that show how the two originally crossed paths, and then eventually formed a friendship over the years.
Naturally, they didn't like each other when they first met.
On a Himalayan mountain.
Which Black Canary was climbing.
In inappropriate winter attire...
sigh
I've seen the pictures of people who climb Mt Everest. Parkas, goggles, and frozen mustaches are the main theme in all of them. It gets a bit chilly, after all.
Poor Canary didn't even have a hat on! Nope. Sweatpants, a hoodie (but she doesn't evidently need the hood ), and a tank top.
Although, you really wouldn't have been able to get a good look at her jugs if she had been wearing a snowsuit. So, I think it turned out to be a pretty good judgement call on the part of the artist.
In the end, I'd say this was a mildly entertaining team-up story. It's not the worst thing out there, and if you're just looking for something to pass the time with, then this would do quite well for a breezy afternoon read.
P.S.
Dear writers and artists of graphic novels,
There are a lot of gals out there (like me) who love comic books. On the whole, we tend to overlook fuckloads of stupid shit because of the fact that we're fans of the medium.
Rabid fans.
Rabid fans who occasionally get PMS and teeter on the edge...
Are you getting where I'm going with this, jackass?
I don't want to see Captain America climbing a mountain in a speedo. I don't want to see Wolverine fighting in short-shorts. And I don't want Superman's unitard to be so tight that I can see his nutsack. So it goes to figure, that I REALLY don't want to share my love of comics with my two little girls when the heroine looks like her name should be Super-Skank.
Straighten up!
Cross posted at TattooGirl Reads and Addicted2Heroines.
Digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher
See the cover art?
Well, that's the same thing you can expect on the inside.
Personally, I thought it looked goofy and overly cartoonish. So. Yeah, I was not a fan of what my eyeballs had to endure.
Does anyone else think the cover makes Black Canary look like an angry Glenn Close crossed with an even angrier Kathleen Turner?
So how was the story?
Eh.
It was readable, but just barely. The saving grace of the story came from a Dinah's interactions with Ollie. There was an easygoing humor between the two characters that made me wish this this had been a Black Canary & Green Arrow title.
Alas, it was not meant to be...
I was initially attracted to this one because of Zatanna. I've become more interested in her after reading volume two of Justice League Dark, which I thought kicked ass.
Yeah, yeah. A lot of you thought it sucked.
Phbbt!
Anyway. This didn't really scratch my Zatanna itch. It was more of a silly Grrl Power! book, complete with the requisite Bond-While-They-Shop scene. And who can forget the part where Zatanna turns the Rude Guys into fish for making comments about their fishnet stocking?!
Ah, good times, good times...
Sorry. I couldn't work up any righteous anger over that one. More than likely it was because I was mentally asking myself why they were wandering around the mall in fishnet stockings to begin with. While I firmly believe that you should be able to wear whatever you want to wear...fishnet stockings?
Those babies are a part the universal ensemble for hookers everywhere. Throw in a pair of clear heels, and you've pretty much got the entire uniform.
Aaaaand....you know I'm right.
The main story is about Canary needing Zatanna's help to get rid of a vengeful ghost. The she-devil placed a bloodspell on Dinah during an undercover operation she went on years ago.
Not exactly an inspired plot, but it wasn't awful, either.
Throughout the volume we get lots of flashbacks that show how the two originally crossed paths, and then eventually formed a friendship over the years.
Naturally, they didn't like each other when they first met.
On a Himalayan mountain.
Which Black Canary was climbing.
In inappropriate winter attire...
sigh
I've seen the pictures of people who climb Mt Everest. Parkas, goggles, and frozen mustaches are the main theme in all of them. It gets a bit chilly, after all.
Poor Canary didn't even have a hat on! Nope. Sweatpants, a hoodie (but she doesn't evidently need the hood ), and a tank top.
Although, you really wouldn't have been able to get a good look at her jugs if she had been wearing a snowsuit. So, I think it turned out to be a pretty good judgement call on the part of the artist.
In the end, I'd say this was a mildly entertaining team-up story. It's not the worst thing out there, and if you're just looking for something to pass the time with, then this would do quite well for a breezy afternoon read.
P.S.
Dear writers and artists of graphic novels,
There are a lot of gals out there (like me) who love comic books. On the whole, we tend to overlook fuckloads of stupid shit because of the fact that we're fans of the medium.
Rabid fans.
Rabid fans who occasionally get PMS and teeter on the edge...
Are you getting where I'm going with this, jackass?
I don't want to see Captain America climbing a mountain in a speedo. I don't want to see Wolverine fighting in short-shorts. And I don't want Superman's unitard to be so tight that I can see his nutsack. So it goes to figure, that I REALLY don't want to share my love of comics with my two little girls when the heroine looks like her name should be Super-Skank.
Straighten up!
Cross posted at TattooGirl Reads and Addicted2Heroines.
March 7, 2014
Dinah Lance aka Black Canary infiltrates a gang of all-women criminals planning a heist on a casino and gets in a tangle with the leader, Tina Boccali, who’s skilled in both martial arts and black magic. After an aerial fight, Tina dies in an explosion and that seems to be the end of that. A year later, the remaining members of the gang are dying in mysterious circumstances – is the vengeful ghost of Tina Boccali killing them off? This is a job for Black Canary and Zatanna!
Bloodspell makes a change to a lot of recent DC books as it’s a comic that’s easy-going, humourous, and not afraid to poke fun of its heroines. Dinah and Zee go shopping, Zee turns a couple of guys (who look a lot like Joe Quinones and Paul Dini) into frogs for cat-calling them at the mall, there’s some cute relationship stuff between Dinah and pre-New 52 Ollie Queen (aka Green Arrow), and Dinah and Zee’s first meeting is pretty cool. Tonally it’s very different from the overwhelming rash of “dark and gritty” comics DC are currently publishing which is definitely refreshing to see.
But, though I liked the tone and hope to see more DC books that aren’t so grim, and there are a few nice moments here and there, it’s not a terribly interesting story. Dinah and Zee track down suspects and quiz them, basically killing time until the whacky fight at the end (I imagined Benny Hill music playing as I read it – it is a very silly sequence!). It’s pretty straightforward, unsurprising stuff that’s unfortunately not very engaging.
Joe Quinones’ art is fine though I felt his depictions of Zatanna to be a bit inconsistent. Her face seemed to change quite a bit depending on the angle. And, because his style is very cartoony, the more serious scenes where the female criminal characters are in dire circumstances – on the verge of a breakdown, about to commit suicide – didn’t feel as dramatic as they perhaps should.
Dinah and Zee have great chemistry and Dini writes both characters perfectly, it’s just a shame the main story of the book wasn’t great as well. I usually love Paul Dini’s stuff – he is unquestionably one of the greatest Batman writers ever – but Black Canary and Zatanna: Bloodspell is a very forgettable and uninspired book.
Bloodspell makes a change to a lot of recent DC books as it’s a comic that’s easy-going, humourous, and not afraid to poke fun of its heroines. Dinah and Zee go shopping, Zee turns a couple of guys (who look a lot like Joe Quinones and Paul Dini) into frogs for cat-calling them at the mall, there’s some cute relationship stuff between Dinah and pre-New 52 Ollie Queen (aka Green Arrow), and Dinah and Zee’s first meeting is pretty cool. Tonally it’s very different from the overwhelming rash of “dark and gritty” comics DC are currently publishing which is definitely refreshing to see.
But, though I liked the tone and hope to see more DC books that aren’t so grim, and there are a few nice moments here and there, it’s not a terribly interesting story. Dinah and Zee track down suspects and quiz them, basically killing time until the whacky fight at the end (I imagined Benny Hill music playing as I read it – it is a very silly sequence!). It’s pretty straightforward, unsurprising stuff that’s unfortunately not very engaging.
Joe Quinones’ art is fine though I felt his depictions of Zatanna to be a bit inconsistent. Her face seemed to change quite a bit depending on the angle. And, because his style is very cartoony, the more serious scenes where the female criminal characters are in dire circumstances – on the verge of a breakdown, about to commit suicide – didn’t feel as dramatic as they perhaps should.
Dinah and Zee have great chemistry and Dini writes both characters perfectly, it’s just a shame the main story of the book wasn’t great as well. I usually love Paul Dini’s stuff – he is unquestionably one of the greatest Batman writers ever – but Black Canary and Zatanna: Bloodspell is a very forgettable and uninspired book.
January 15, 2018
Well, this was a little frustrating - with these ladies teaming up to work a case I would've liked the story to be more substantial for them. With a back cover blurb that refers to Black Canary and Zatanna as "two of the DC Universe's brightest stars" they were ill-served by this pedestrian or underwhelming effort involving a criminal named Tina (scared yet? LOL) out for revenge after a foiled casino heist.
And yet . . . the book sort of pushes through, at least for me, under critic Roger Ebert's trusty 'Stanton-Walsh Rule.' (That is, any movie featuring famed character actors Harry Dean Stanton or M. Emmett Walsh can't be all that bad.) I'll probably read anything these days connected to Black Canary - lately becoming one of my favorite DC superheroines - and it was nice to see the underutilized Zatanna headline in a prominent role. These two could totally star in their own limited-run series, traveling the country in Z's airstream trailer, and work that 'old black magic.'
So the story was slight, and the artwork was sometimes a little odd-looking, but the duo's friendship (showing how they first met; Zatanna's adorkable first experience on the JLA satellite; BC admiringly watching Z perform a gratis magic show for orphans) and their asides / interactions were just fun, and the book's strength. If nothing else, it also amusingly explains their never-ending supply for their trademark black fishnet stockings - 'Seams & Dreams' at the local mall!
And yet . . . the book sort of pushes through, at least for me, under critic Roger Ebert's trusty 'Stanton-Walsh Rule.' (That is, any movie featuring famed character actors Harry Dean Stanton or M. Emmett Walsh can't be all that bad.) I'll probably read anything these days connected to Black Canary - lately becoming one of my favorite DC superheroines - and it was nice to see the underutilized Zatanna headline in a prominent role. These two could totally star in their own limited-run series, traveling the country in Z's airstream trailer, and work that 'old black magic.'
So the story was slight, and the artwork was sometimes a little odd-looking, but the duo's friendship (showing how they first met; Zatanna's adorkable first experience on the JLA satellite; BC admiringly watching Z perform a gratis magic show for orphans) and their asides / interactions were just fun, and the book's strength. If nothing else, it also amusingly explains their never-ending supply for their trademark black fishnet stockings - 'Seams & Dreams' at the local mall!
September 3, 2022
With a few chuckles sprinkled here and there, it's a fun-ish story with very little depth. The duo work well off each other and have decent chemistry, but the narrative does nothing to aid their dynamic. The plot is definitely the weakest aspect, with a forgettable villain who is extremely overpowered for no reason other than 'there needs to be conflict'. There is no way that this bland, vengeful ghost/spirit would believably give this much trouble to two members of the Justice League. Looking forward to seeing this duo feature in a better story with more pleasing art.
February 7, 2017
Maybe if I'd read this when it was first published I'd have made fun of it some and been less satisfied by it as a whole. But with what a garbage fire overall that us DC fans have been putting up with in the last few years, it was nice to have some simple & COHERENT fun!
I do agree with others that it was a lot like reading an episode of one of the JL animated shows. The art wasn't what I personally like, but it was also amazingly consistent -- another rarity of late. And things did annoy me, like Canary on Mt. Everest in a hoodie (WTF DC -- dudes definitely decided that one)??!!! Overall though, a solid read somewhere between 3 & 3.5 stars. I'd have rounded up but I don't see myself rereading it or buying it. There's precious little solo (or even non-GA) team up material out there for Canary (not counting Birds or League stuff) and it was solid for what it was, so I'd recommend it!
I do agree with others that it was a lot like reading an episode of one of the JL animated shows. The art wasn't what I personally like, but it was also amazingly consistent -- another rarity of late. And things did annoy me, like Canary on Mt. Everest in a hoodie (WTF DC -- dudes definitely decided that one)??!!! Overall though, a solid read somewhere between 3 & 3.5 stars. I'd have rounded up but I don't see myself rereading it or buying it. There's precious little solo (or even non-GA) team up material out there for Canary (not counting Birds or League stuff) and it was solid for what it was, so I'd recommend it!
January 22, 2015
I'd have to give this a 3.5/5.0 because I wasn't enamored of the facial rending of the characters, moreso Zatanna. For lack of a better word, she looked a bit goofy at times, with the exaggerated eyes and arched brows. I'm a bit of a Zatanna fangirl, especially from the previous Paul Dini run, and I liked her look so much better in those. It's a shallow thing, but I can't help how I feel. Overall, the story was good. Pretty straightforward, not a lot of surprises. A cute way to team up to admirable, strong female lead crimefighters, with slightly different approaches. I liked the strong foundation for their friendship and that they made such an excellent team together. I liked the Green Arrow cameo, but I was glad he was strictly a guess star and didn't participate in the major story arc unnecessarily. This is Black Canary's show.
I think readers who enjoy Black Canary and Zatanna will like this book. You may or may not enjoy the art more than me. I was jazzed like crazy that my library had this. Keep them coming!
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.
I think readers who enjoy Black Canary and Zatanna will like this book. You may or may not enjoy the art more than me. I was jazzed like crazy that my library had this. Keep them coming!
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.
February 3, 2017
PG13 for some of the content. This cute-ish tale mixes flashback and contemporary action for a Black Canary / Zatanna team-up. I've got some issue with some things - some of the art did not look like normal people, and the villainess seemed too suddenly too powerful & too talented, and the heroines go shopping before discussing the case.
August 6, 2019
Black Canary and Zatanna VS L.’s review
BC: Alright we’re here.
L: Cool! Come in!
Z: So does this review have rules aside from typical Goodreads reviews?
L: Yes. No magical fucking with my mind and no loud screaming. Any of that shit and I call Superman.
BC: But he’s on our side.
L: Not if you went psycho on me... also I have a bit of red kryptonite so...
Z: Oh.
BC: Okay fine but you can’t use any superhero killing weapons if a fight starts.
L: Wasn’t planning on fighting so okay.
Z: Oh we thought you might be a new super villain.
L: Nah, I got other shit to do.
BC: Okay. Umm... book review time I guess. Did you like it?
L: I liked some things about it. First of all, fun story! This book definitely gives the sort of adventure I look for in a superhero comic!
Z: Yay! What do you think of us?
L: What do I think of the bad-ass trained fighter who helps the Justice League kick ass and the ultra-powerful sexy magic lady? You 2 are awesome!
Z: Yay! I like this guy!
BC: I only saw a 3 star rating. I’m suspicious of him. What else did you like?
L: Well the action is certainly exciting and fun. I think just about anyone who likes superheroes could enjoy the action scenes this story has to offer.
BC: We did kick ass, didn’t we?
Z: Yeah!
BC: Okay, keep saying nice things about the comic we’re in.
L: It is often cute.
BC: THE FUCK? Us? Cute?
L: Did you read your own comic? There are quite a few cute moments! I mean just look at this!
(BC and Z look at each other)
BC: Okay our adventure was cute at times. So why only 3 stars?
L: Shit. Well... it is predictable.
Z: DARN!
L: Look in all fairness I read tons of superhero comics so maybe it’s just hard to surprise me with this theme, it just seemed very standard in terms of how the plot works... even with the weird supernatural magic-y stuff going on.
BC: Okay but surely there’s more than that.
L: Your villain wasn’t particularly interesting. She was just such a typical “urr I’m gonna fuck shit up because evil”. It gets kinda old reading villains like that and it’s a tad lazy as far as storytelling goes.
Z: It is odd how characters like us often have to fight villains who seem to have no motivation other than being evil.
BC: Yeah I’ll give him that, it’s a good point.
L: There were some plot holes (example: spells work one way during a scene and a different way in the next) and plot convenience.
BC: Isn’t that good? Not the holes but the convenience.
L: For you maybe. For me I like the characters I read about having actual problems to solve as opposed to everything being super easy, barely an inconvenience.
Z: Did you just reference a series of YouTube videos you watch?
L: References in reviews are tight.
BC: Can we move on?
L: There are some things I have mixed thoughts on.
BC: Such as...
L: Well, there’s the art. Some of it looks really good... other parts however not so much.
Z: There were a few pics of us that certainly could have been better.
BC: But some really good ones were in there too.
L: That’s why I have mixed thoughts on it. Same for the humor.
Z: What!?!
L: I mean it is sometimes funny, for example: when you tease Dinah by making the Green Arrow and Black Canary action figures come to life!
Z: He found it funny!
L: But then there was cheesy dumb stuff. Like when you turned a group of people into fish because one of them made a dumb comment (not to mention that is an unheroic overreaction that The Boys would have went nuts with).
BC: You were saying, Zatanna?
Z: Shit.
L: Yeah sorta hit or miss with the comic relief.
BC: Okay so what are your overall thoughts.
L: My overall thoughts on the comic are mixed. I mean without a doubt it’s a fun, action filled superhero adventure that is satisfying to fans of DC superheroes but I don’t think I’d particularly recommend it.
BC: Alright. I would have preferred a 4 or 5 star rating but you make valid points so it’s understandable. Your thoughts, Zatanna?
Z: Yeah. Me too.
BC: Are you even listening?
Z: Hmm? Oh sorry, I was looking at this cutie’s social media pages.
L: Umm... cutie?
Z: Yeah... a cutie who just happens to be an 18 year old, comic reviewing fan of superheroes.
BC: Oh fuck...
Z: Say I saw some strange but cool interests as I looked around. I think you’ll enjoy this. Knirhs weiver yug!*
(*”shrink review guy”, for those who aren’t familiar with Zatanna’s backwards talking when doing spells)
BC: Oh gosh. I’m leaving! Typical comic nerds and their weird ass fantasies.
Z: Oh please, John Constantine was into much weirder shit than this. Besides, this could be fun! L. might be even cuter like this in fact.
BC: Well I guess she didn’t mind his review not being more positive. (Rolls eyes and closes door)
3/5
BC: Alright we’re here.
L: Cool! Come in!
Z: So does this review have rules aside from typical Goodreads reviews?
L: Yes. No magical fucking with my mind and no loud screaming. Any of that shit and I call Superman.
BC: But he’s on our side.
L: Not if you went psycho on me... also I have a bit of red kryptonite so...
Z: Oh.
BC: Okay fine but you can’t use any superhero killing weapons if a fight starts.
L: Wasn’t planning on fighting so okay.
Z: Oh we thought you might be a new super villain.
L: Nah, I got other shit to do.
BC: Okay. Umm... book review time I guess. Did you like it?
L: I liked some things about it. First of all, fun story! This book definitely gives the sort of adventure I look for in a superhero comic!
Z: Yay! What do you think of us?
L: What do I think of the bad-ass trained fighter who helps the Justice League kick ass and the ultra-powerful sexy magic lady? You 2 are awesome!
Z: Yay! I like this guy!
BC: I only saw a 3 star rating. I’m suspicious of him. What else did you like?
L: Well the action is certainly exciting and fun. I think just about anyone who likes superheroes could enjoy the action scenes this story has to offer.
BC: We did kick ass, didn’t we?
Z: Yeah!
BC: Okay, keep saying nice things about the comic we’re in.
L: It is often cute.
BC: THE FUCK? Us? Cute?
L: Did you read your own comic? There are quite a few cute moments! I mean just look at this!
(BC and Z look at each other)
BC: Okay our adventure was cute at times. So why only 3 stars?
L: Shit. Well... it is predictable.
Z: DARN!
L: Look in all fairness I read tons of superhero comics so maybe it’s just hard to surprise me with this theme, it just seemed very standard in terms of how the plot works... even with the weird supernatural magic-y stuff going on.
BC: Okay but surely there’s more than that.
L: Your villain wasn’t particularly interesting. She was just such a typical “urr I’m gonna fuck shit up because evil”. It gets kinda old reading villains like that and it’s a tad lazy as far as storytelling goes.
Z: It is odd how characters like us often have to fight villains who seem to have no motivation other than being evil.
BC: Yeah I’ll give him that, it’s a good point.
L: There were some plot holes (example: spells work one way during a scene and a different way in the next) and plot convenience.
BC: Isn’t that good? Not the holes but the convenience.
L: For you maybe. For me I like the characters I read about having actual problems to solve as opposed to everything being super easy, barely an inconvenience.
Z: Did you just reference a series of YouTube videos you watch?
L: References in reviews are tight.
BC: Can we move on?
L: There are some things I have mixed thoughts on.
BC: Such as...
L: Well, there’s the art. Some of it looks really good... other parts however not so much.
Z: There were a few pics of us that certainly could have been better.
BC: But some really good ones were in there too.
L: That’s why I have mixed thoughts on it. Same for the humor.
Z: What!?!
L: I mean it is sometimes funny, for example: when you tease Dinah by making the Green Arrow and Black Canary action figures come to life!
Z: He found it funny!
L: But then there was cheesy dumb stuff. Like when you turned a group of people into fish because one of them made a dumb comment (not to mention that is an unheroic overreaction that The Boys would have went nuts with).
BC: You were saying, Zatanna?
Z: Shit.
L: Yeah sorta hit or miss with the comic relief.
BC: Okay so what are your overall thoughts.
L: My overall thoughts on the comic are mixed. I mean without a doubt it’s a fun, action filled superhero adventure that is satisfying to fans of DC superheroes but I don’t think I’d particularly recommend it.
BC: Alright. I would have preferred a 4 or 5 star rating but you make valid points so it’s understandable. Your thoughts, Zatanna?
Z: Yeah. Me too.
BC: Are you even listening?
Z: Hmm? Oh sorry, I was looking at this cutie’s social media pages.
L: Umm... cutie?
Z: Yeah... a cutie who just happens to be an 18 year old, comic reviewing fan of superheroes.
BC: Oh fuck...
Z: Say I saw some strange but cool interests as I looked around. I think you’ll enjoy this. Knirhs weiver yug!*
(*”shrink review guy”, for those who aren’t familiar with Zatanna’s backwards talking when doing spells)
BC: Oh gosh. I’m leaving! Typical comic nerds and their weird ass fantasies.
Z: Oh please, John Constantine was into much weirder shit than this. Besides, this could be fun! L. might be even cuter like this in fact.
BC: Well I guess she didn’t mind his review not being more positive. (Rolls eyes and closes door)
3/5
November 27, 2014
I agree with both Anne and Sam on this one.
Pros: they both look like 'em. Streetwalkers I mean...Hookers, Super-skanks. Prostitutes, ladies of the night, escorts, Lono? Help me out here with more slutty synonyms...
Fishnets abound. That's usually lovely, but a bit tiresome here.
The artwork is cartoon-y, like Anne said. I feel like this is perfectly suited to 9-12 yr olds looking to get into comics, maybe even girls? It's definitely a silly one, but it provides a doorway for kids who have no imagination and this helps. (Sadly, this is imaginative to someone under 15).
Too bad, as Sam and I agree, Paul Dini is a great Batman writer, and usually more dependable than this. Also, he did the Zatanna mini-series' which are the most attention she ever gets...(Anne go read these, and let us both hope she gets a bigger role post-Trinity War).
All in all, it's Okay...I guess...but nothing memorable, just not utter shite like other 2 star books.
Get this review and more at:
Pros: they both look like 'em. Streetwalkers I mean...Hookers, Super-skanks. Prostitutes, ladies of the night, escorts, Lono? Help me out here with more slutty synonyms...
Fishnets abound. That's usually lovely, but a bit tiresome here.
The artwork is cartoon-y, like Anne said. I feel like this is perfectly suited to 9-12 yr olds looking to get into comics, maybe even girls? It's definitely a silly one, but it provides a doorway for kids who have no imagination and this helps. (Sadly, this is imaginative to someone under 15).
Too bad, as Sam and I agree, Paul Dini is a great Batman writer, and usually more dependable than this. Also, he did the Zatanna mini-series' which are the most attention she ever gets...(Anne go read these, and let us both hope she gets a bigger role post-Trinity War).
All in all, it's Okay...I guess...but nothing memorable, just not utter shite like other 2 star books.
Get this review and more at:
August 19, 2016
Not bad! So when I saw this when it came out it looked interesting, and now that I have read it, weeeeeeeeeeeeell its got a lot of jokes which made me laugh a number of times (Shrugging). So first off, this is definitely set in Pre-Crisis continuity, so no connection to The New 52! So the story is that Black Canary, while on a undercover JL op, she came under the influence of a Bloodspell, and she needs Zatanna to help her get rid of it, and beat the baddie... that's about it. We also get to see some flash backs, to when Zatanna and Canary first met, and when Canary got Zatanna into The Justice League, these parts I liked quite a bit! We also get to see some pretty funny jokes in this book, particularly with Green Arrow! The Negatives, this entire book just seems like a Justice League Unlimted episode, then an actual Graphic Novel, which I guess is sort of understandable since Paul Dini, was involved in all the old dc animated shows; but at the end of the day, it makes for a pretty mediocre story! The Artwork was also not my cup of tea at all, it looks like a bad recreation of Amanda Conners work! In the end this not a bad book, and like I said I did laugh a lot in this book, so its a pass.
June 15, 2018
Super fun and cute story here. I'd love to read more of these two awesome gals on adventures together, but it seems this is a one off. Still worth it!
April 22, 2014
Black Canary and Zatanna: Bloodspell Review
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Joe Quinones
Let it be known that anyone saying that there aren’t any superhero books for women are clearly not looking. The last couple of years have heralded a change in the comic book industry and I think for the better. A, B and C list characters are given books of their very own and being given the chance to be embraced by the current generation of readers and the new generation of readers. Not only are they being given books but they’re being given creative teams that can do these characters justice and make them worth reading about. Female characters can be put in a book but without the right team to make them compelling, the sales will plummet.
One-off original graphic novels can be hit and miss. Sometimes they’re incredible and sometimes it seems like the whole idea was a fleeting thought. Paul Dini and Joe Quinones teaming up for Black Canary and Zatanna: Bloodspell was a dream team that I didn’t know I wanted.
Paul Dini offers up a story that requires absolutely no previous character knowledge to read. You can jump on board with this story and Dini fills in the blanks for everything that you need to know and does it in such a way that you never feel a sense of confusion and you never feel overwhelmed with the information being presented to you. The story is simple enough in concept but the execution of it is great and combines informative narration with punchy and fun dialogue. The story at the heart of it is about longtime friends and Dini nails Zatanna and Dinah’s relationship. Everything from the way they fight together, the way they interact and the way that they talk is consistent with what Dini has set up in the book for them. They’re fun, strong, powerful, smart, witty and they want to do the right thing at all times. Dini never takes any deviations that drive thoughts that take you out of the story and overall it’s compelling from start to finish.
Paired with Quinones art and the story is a knockout success. Quinones draws women respectfully and while both Zatanna and Dinah are still in their skimpy uniforms, he doesn’t take any liberties to make them additionally so. I think both Dini and Quinones wrote this not necessarily FOR women but with the idea that these are prominent female characters that will draw in female readers and in order for the book to be taken seriously, they needed to take a serious shot at the book.
That’s not to say that this book is particularly serious either. It’s a serious story, sure, but Dini makes sure to throw in all kinds of fun for readers and doesn’t let us forget that these are fictional characters that exist for our enjoyment so we should be having fun with them. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, which lately has been the sign of not only a good story to me but rather a great story.
And coming back to Quinones’ art for a smidge, but honestly he was the artist on this book that I didn’t know I wanted. His style just works fantastically with female characters and while there were a couple panels where faces were long and what have you, if that’s the biggest gripe that I have with the book, then that might as well be nitpicking. The facial expressions are the real draw to his art though. Sure, comics are basically storyboards, but with some art you can actually see it animate in front of you and such is the case with this. The facial expressions are so vibrant that you can see Dinah and Zatanna making them and how their faces moved to get into that particular frame that Quinones has chosen to put down on paper.
VERDICT
Buy it. I love, love, LOVED this story and despite reading this digitally, I’ll be spending my money on a physical copy to put on my shelves the moment that it’s out.
Paul Dini and Joe Quinones made me care about these two characters more than I have in I don’t even know how long. Their talents came together to create this book that works on so many levels and will become a must-read for any fan of these characters or heck, just anyone wanting to read a good story. I can’t say enough good things about this book and hopefully I won’t have to because you’ll go out and read it yourself.
Black Canary and Zatanna: Bloodspell will be released on May 27, 2014.
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Joe Quinones
Let it be known that anyone saying that there aren’t any superhero books for women are clearly not looking. The last couple of years have heralded a change in the comic book industry and I think for the better. A, B and C list characters are given books of their very own and being given the chance to be embraced by the current generation of readers and the new generation of readers. Not only are they being given books but they’re being given creative teams that can do these characters justice and make them worth reading about. Female characters can be put in a book but without the right team to make them compelling, the sales will plummet.
One-off original graphic novels can be hit and miss. Sometimes they’re incredible and sometimes it seems like the whole idea was a fleeting thought. Paul Dini and Joe Quinones teaming up for Black Canary and Zatanna: Bloodspell was a dream team that I didn’t know I wanted.
Paul Dini offers up a story that requires absolutely no previous character knowledge to read. You can jump on board with this story and Dini fills in the blanks for everything that you need to know and does it in such a way that you never feel a sense of confusion and you never feel overwhelmed with the information being presented to you. The story is simple enough in concept but the execution of it is great and combines informative narration with punchy and fun dialogue. The story at the heart of it is about longtime friends and Dini nails Zatanna and Dinah’s relationship. Everything from the way they fight together, the way they interact and the way that they talk is consistent with what Dini has set up in the book for them. They’re fun, strong, powerful, smart, witty and they want to do the right thing at all times. Dini never takes any deviations that drive thoughts that take you out of the story and overall it’s compelling from start to finish.
Paired with Quinones art and the story is a knockout success. Quinones draws women respectfully and while both Zatanna and Dinah are still in their skimpy uniforms, he doesn’t take any liberties to make them additionally so. I think both Dini and Quinones wrote this not necessarily FOR women but with the idea that these are prominent female characters that will draw in female readers and in order for the book to be taken seriously, they needed to take a serious shot at the book.
That’s not to say that this book is particularly serious either. It’s a serious story, sure, but Dini makes sure to throw in all kinds of fun for readers and doesn’t let us forget that these are fictional characters that exist for our enjoyment so we should be having fun with them. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, which lately has been the sign of not only a good story to me but rather a great story.
And coming back to Quinones’ art for a smidge, but honestly he was the artist on this book that I didn’t know I wanted. His style just works fantastically with female characters and while there were a couple panels where faces were long and what have you, if that’s the biggest gripe that I have with the book, then that might as well be nitpicking. The facial expressions are the real draw to his art though. Sure, comics are basically storyboards, but with some art you can actually see it animate in front of you and such is the case with this. The facial expressions are so vibrant that you can see Dinah and Zatanna making them and how their faces moved to get into that particular frame that Quinones has chosen to put down on paper.
VERDICT
Buy it. I love, love, LOVED this story and despite reading this digitally, I’ll be spending my money on a physical copy to put on my shelves the moment that it’s out.
Paul Dini and Joe Quinones made me care about these two characters more than I have in I don’t even know how long. Their talents came together to create this book that works on so many levels and will become a must-read for any fan of these characters or heck, just anyone wanting to read a good story. I can’t say enough good things about this book and hopefully I won’t have to because you’ll go out and read it yourself.
Black Canary and Zatanna: Bloodspell will be released on May 27, 2014.
July 14, 2025
Divertido, entretenido ocasionalmente gracioso, tristemente nada especial, pero no me arrepiento de leerlo.
April 15, 2022
2.5 stars
Love both Zatanna and Dinah but this ultimately flat story.
Love both Zatanna and Dinah but this ultimately flat story.
September 7, 2015
Ah Dinah and Zee tale written by Dini, fun times.
Much like Ivy and Harley and Ollie and Hal, there are certain friendships in the DCU which are just fun and Zee and Dinah are absolutely one of them. I will be honest, I missed this graphic novel when it came out, but having recently read the Zatanna run I stumbled across this, so how is it? It's aight.
World: I found the art to be fun and colorful but the facial expressions of the people to be a bit off. Their eyes and mouths were weird and kinda put me off a bit. The world itself is pretty much self contained as it is there mainly as backdrop to serve the story which is essentially a buddy hero story.
Story: Fun and light is the order of the day. There is nothing really groundbreaking or deep here. This is simply a buddy hero story and it does it to a T. The pacing is good, the dialog is full of character and the interaction between Zee and Dinah is fun. It does not take itself seriously and it's a fun diversion. I did very much enjoy the snippet in the beginning on how they met, that was a bit of character development that I appreciated. Overall a fun popcorn tale.
Characters: Zee and Dinah are full of personality and character. Dini is good at writing characters and it shows in this graphic novel. There is not a lot of deep character development to be found here, but what you get is fun characters acting like they should I'm a light and fun romp of a tale. Just funness.
I enjoyed it. Right after Fear Machine it was a wonderful sweet tale.
Onward to the next book!
Much like Ivy and Harley and Ollie and Hal, there are certain friendships in the DCU which are just fun and Zee and Dinah are absolutely one of them. I will be honest, I missed this graphic novel when it came out, but having recently read the Zatanna run I stumbled across this, so how is it? It's aight.
World: I found the art to be fun and colorful but the facial expressions of the people to be a bit off. Their eyes and mouths were weird and kinda put me off a bit. The world itself is pretty much self contained as it is there mainly as backdrop to serve the story which is essentially a buddy hero story.
Story: Fun and light is the order of the day. There is nothing really groundbreaking or deep here. This is simply a buddy hero story and it does it to a T. The pacing is good, the dialog is full of character and the interaction between Zee and Dinah is fun. It does not take itself seriously and it's a fun diversion. I did very much enjoy the snippet in the beginning on how they met, that was a bit of character development that I appreciated. Overall a fun popcorn tale.
Characters: Zee and Dinah are full of personality and character. Dini is good at writing characters and it shows in this graphic novel. There is not a lot of deep character development to be found here, but what you get is fun characters acting like they should I'm a light and fun romp of a tale. Just funness.
I enjoyed it. Right after Fear Machine it was a wonderful sweet tale.
Onward to the next book!
August 1, 2015
A delightful story end-to-end, with strong underlying themes of friendship and loyalty. I really enjoyed the style of Quinones artwork, as well- the female protagonists were all beautiful and healthfully proportioned, not absurd supermodels. Definitely the kind of comic I hope my daughter grows up to read someday.
May 23, 2016
As soon as I saw this in store, I KNEW I had to own it.
And I was not at all disappointed for following my gut.
It's fun and a quick read, and I LOVE that the focus is just in these two! Great way to start off in the DC world without being overwhelmed, or a great read when other storylines are too heavy.
Loved.
And I was not at all disappointed for following my gut.
It's fun and a quick read, and I LOVE that the focus is just in these two! Great way to start off in the DC world without being overwhelmed, or a great read when other storylines are too heavy.
Loved.
May 8, 2017
Three and a half stars. Nothing astonishing, but solid and enjoyable. I like the relationship between Dinah and Zatanna, and if they have to be wearing those swimsuit things, I at least appreciate the way their legs are drawn—they look strong, sturdy, and not extra sexualized.
May 19, 2024
Puntaje: 3.6 Estrellas.
Continúo mi lectura de la colección de Héroes y Villanos de DC con un tomo protagonizado por un dúo que tiene una sinergia sin igual. Desde la serie de Young Justice ya percibía y Canario Negro y Zatanna hacían buen equipo, y “Hechizo de sangre” es la historia que me lo ha confirmado.
Lo primero que nos presenta Paul Dini es una escena que ocurre alrededor de 15 años en el pasado, en donde Zatanna (quien se encuentra en un exámen de sus estudios mágicos) conoce a Dinah, quien se encontraba escalando una montaña. En este momento inicia una amistad que durará décadas y que representa la sororidad del universo DC.
“Hechizo de sangre” girará alrededor de una misión de Canario Negro, en donde una criminal realiza un ritual mágico ejercer la lealtad de sus compañeras de misión. Dinah se encontraba de encubierto y recibe este hechizo, por lo que requerirá la ayuda de Zatanna para salir de él y salvar a las demás personas afectadas.
Con esta premisa, Paul Dini nos presenta una historia muy entretenida en la que, además de los retos mágicos que deberán enfrentar, seremos testigos de momentos clave de la amistad de estas heroínas, como el primer día de Zatanna en la Liga de la Justicia.
Este tomo podría perfectamente ser un capítulo de una serie animada de DC, pues su historia e ilustraciones son muy dinámicas y nos ayudan a comprender un poco más a los personajes que la protagonizan.
Eso sí, esta es una historia entretenida, y ya está. No es el tipo de historia que te dejará boquiabierto o que construirá una trama mucho más compleja. El objetivo de este tomo es que pases una tarde riendo y acompañando a Dinah y Zatanna en su mágica misión.
Continúo mi lectura de la colección de Héroes y Villanos de DC con un tomo protagonizado por un dúo que tiene una sinergia sin igual. Desde la serie de Young Justice ya percibía y Canario Negro y Zatanna hacían buen equipo, y “Hechizo de sangre” es la historia que me lo ha confirmado.
Lo primero que nos presenta Paul Dini es una escena que ocurre alrededor de 15 años en el pasado, en donde Zatanna (quien se encuentra en un exámen de sus estudios mágicos) conoce a Dinah, quien se encontraba escalando una montaña. En este momento inicia una amistad que durará décadas y que representa la sororidad del universo DC.
“Hechizo de sangre” girará alrededor de una misión de Canario Negro, en donde una criminal realiza un ritual mágico ejercer la lealtad de sus compañeras de misión. Dinah se encontraba de encubierto y recibe este hechizo, por lo que requerirá la ayuda de Zatanna para salir de él y salvar a las demás personas afectadas.
Con esta premisa, Paul Dini nos presenta una historia muy entretenida en la que, además de los retos mágicos que deberán enfrentar, seremos testigos de momentos clave de la amistad de estas heroínas, como el primer día de Zatanna en la Liga de la Justicia.
Este tomo podría perfectamente ser un capítulo de una serie animada de DC, pues su historia e ilustraciones son muy dinámicas y nos ayudan a comprender un poco más a los personajes que la protagonizan.
Eso sí, esta es una historia entretenida, y ya está. No es el tipo de historia que te dejará boquiabierto o que construirá una trama mucho más compleja. El objetivo de este tomo es que pases una tarde riendo y acompañando a Dinah y Zatanna en su mágica misión.
August 1, 2020
Decent, but fairly insubstantial fun. Basically it serves as a combo origin story for Zatanna/BC meeting and a short team up stopping a witch from revenge murdering her one time crime pals from beyond the grave.
There's definitely some fun playing around with the concept, especially with some tricksy body switching near the end, but ultimately it doesn't really go anywhere or do anything super interesting with the characters.
The artwork was also a bit so so. Very over glossy at times, especially with the odd character face
Also Black Canary climaxes and breaks a vase with her superhero voice. I don't know who needs to know that but there we go.
There's definitely some fun playing around with the concept, especially with some tricksy body switching near the end, but ultimately it doesn't really go anywhere or do anything super interesting with the characters.
The artwork was also a bit so so. Very over glossy at times, especially with the odd character face
Also Black Canary climaxes and breaks a vase with her superhero voice. I don't know who needs to know that but there we go.
August 16, 2018
Well that was...easy.
I mean it was a fun little story. Plenty of great character moments but it all just sort of ended rather abruptly. It's like they ran out of money or something. Just when it was getting good it just went "oh...ok poof. Done." Rather jarring.
I mean it was a fun little story. Plenty of great character moments but it all just sort of ended rather abruptly. It's like they ran out of money or something. Just when it was getting good it just went "oh...ok poof. Done." Rather jarring.
June 15, 2023
A fun romp but not much more than that
September 25, 2025
I want to like this because I like the premise. I really didn’t prefer the art style though and the story was way to surface level.
September 29, 2025
3.5 ★
so cute and the clark cameo 😣
so cute and the clark cameo 😣
Read
December 31, 2025un poco flopa
January 7, 2026
they should have kissed
November 18, 2025
It's fine. Had a good premise but the rest of the plot and characters fell flat. The abrupt scene changes threw me.
March 30, 2024
i love when two powerful women team up to be baddies, but i think it would have been better if they kissed
January 6, 2016
Just a wonderfully fun read, a throwback to classic Silver Age / Bronze Age DC Comics storytelling. Complete in one installment, with just enough nods to character continuity (Pre-Crisis, of course) to set the tone and timing without being slavish. Zatanna and Black Canary have always been among my favorite DC characters and favorite members of the Justice League, with their ties to the Golden Age (through Zatanna's father Zatara and Canary's mother, the original Black Canary (side note: as convoluted as the original story may have been, I loved Roy Thomas' revelation that the BC who joined the League in the early 70s was not the original BC).
This adventure is tightly plotted: plenty of action mixed with plenty of characterization. The flashbacks are on-point and relevant to the story while also allowing for a bit of humor to creep in (mostly in terms of how everyone, both their fellow Leaguers and even the female supervillians they fight, tend to underestimate the "fishnet brigade").
Quinones' art is just on the whimsical side of realistic: not so cartoony as to be distracting, but not so realistic as to be grim. It strikes the right tone, matching the plot. He captures the essence of each of the lead characters regardless of which costumes they're wearing (and that includes the horrible 80s garb each woman was saddled with, in one of the flashbacks).
Characterization-wise, I felt like I was revisiting two old friends, and learning something new about them. The opening flashback to the first time they met, as teenagers, rang true to me. It's been a very long time since I've read Zatanna's original appearances (the "Quest For Zatara" storyline that ran through various heroes' solo books and culminated with Zee meeting the JLA), so my only qualm with this book is that the Zee who meets the JLA in flashback here seems a bit more flighty/starstruck than I recall her acting. That's a minor quibble, though.
This is a well-told (written and drawn) adventure with two smart, capable female leads fighting a smart, capable female antagonist, that put me in mind of Gail Simone's run on the Birds of Prey comic. Definitely worth looking up.
This adventure is tightly plotted: plenty of action mixed with plenty of characterization. The flashbacks are on-point and relevant to the story while also allowing for a bit of humor to creep in (mostly in terms of how everyone, both their fellow Leaguers and even the female supervillians they fight, tend to underestimate the "fishnet brigade").
Quinones' art is just on the whimsical side of realistic: not so cartoony as to be distracting, but not so realistic as to be grim. It strikes the right tone, matching the plot. He captures the essence of each of the lead characters regardless of which costumes they're wearing (and that includes the horrible 80s garb each woman was saddled with, in one of the flashbacks).
Characterization-wise, I felt like I was revisiting two old friends, and learning something new about them. The opening flashback to the first time they met, as teenagers, rang true to me. It's been a very long time since I've read Zatanna's original appearances (the "Quest For Zatara" storyline that ran through various heroes' solo books and culminated with Zee meeting the JLA), so my only qualm with this book is that the Zee who meets the JLA in flashback here seems a bit more flighty/starstruck than I recall her acting. That's a minor quibble, though.
This is a well-told (written and drawn) adventure with two smart, capable female leads fighting a smart, capable female antagonist, that put me in mind of Gail Simone's run on the Birds of Prey comic. Definitely worth looking up.
October 15, 2014
This good, old-school, super-hero team-up features fellow Justice League members Black Canary, a martial artist with a sonic scream, and Zatanna, a stage magician who wields real magic. Both are known in part for their fishnet stockings. Paul Dini reveals how the two women met as teens, who Black Canary helped Zatanna join the Justice League, and see the two team-up to solve a sorcerous crime.
With all that has gone on with DC Comics' New 52, it's refreshing and a surprising relief to read an original graphic novel that takes place pre-52... in my efforts to give the comics company a chance with their line-wide reboot of a few years ago, I sometimes don't realize who much less I enjoy their comics nowadays. Dini captures the personalities of the two women in their heyday, and the two work surprisingly well together despite their very different power sets and crime-fighting realms. This one is a fun read for long-time comic fans.
With all that has gone on with DC Comics' New 52, it's refreshing and a surprising relief to read an original graphic novel that takes place pre-52... in my efforts to give the comics company a chance with their line-wide reboot of a few years ago, I sometimes don't realize who much less I enjoy their comics nowadays. Dini captures the personalities of the two women in their heyday, and the two work surprisingly well together despite their very different power sets and crime-fighting realms. This one is a fun read for long-time comic fans.
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