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Zatanna
JLA: Zatanna's Search
Featuring the debut of the world's greatest magician adventures JLA: ZATANNA'S SEARCH masterfully reprints the earliest appearances of the female mage as they were originally published in the 1960's. Born with the ability to perform magic by speaking backwards, Zatanna quickly became one of the most powerful beings on the planet. But when her father disappeared during a magical adventure, the young sorceress discovered that even her powers were not enough to find him. Now with the aid of Batman, Hawkman, the Atom, and Green Lintern, Zatanna embarks, on a death-defying mission to save her father and return him to his own realm.
128 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1980
4 people are currently reading
873 people want to read
About the author
Gardner Francis Fox
1,192 books90 followersGardner Francis Cooper Fox was an American writer known best for creating numerous comic book characters for DC Comics. Comic book historians estimate that he wrote more than 4,000 comics stories, including 1,500 for DC Comics.
Fox is known as the co-creator of DC Comics heroes the Flash, Hawkman, Doctor Fate and the original Sandman, and was the writer who first teamed those and other heroes as the Justice Society of America. Fox introduced the concept of the Multiverse to DC Comics in the 1961 story "Flash of Two Worlds!"
Pseudonyms: Gardner F. Fox, Jefferson Cooper, Bart Sommers, Paul Dean, Ray Gardner, Lynna Cooper, Rod Gray, Larry Dean, Robert Starr, Don Blake, Ed Blake, Warner Blake, Michael Blake, Tex Blane, Willis Blane, Ed Carlisle, Edgar Weston, Tex Slade, Eddie Duane, Simon Majors, James Kendricks, Troy Conway, Kevin Matthews, Glen Chase
Fox is known as the co-creator of DC Comics heroes the Flash, Hawkman, Doctor Fate and the original Sandman, and was the writer who first teamed those and other heroes as the Justice Society of America. Fox introduced the concept of the Multiverse to DC Comics in the 1961 story "Flash of Two Worlds!"
Pseudonyms: Gardner F. Fox, Jefferson Cooper, Bart Sommers, Paul Dean, Ray Gardner, Lynna Cooper, Rod Gray, Larry Dean, Robert Starr, Don Blake, Ed Blake, Warner Blake, Michael Blake, Tex Blane, Willis Blane, Ed Carlisle, Edgar Weston, Tex Slade, Eddie Duane, Simon Majors, James Kendricks, Troy Conway, Kevin Matthews, Glen Chase
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 13, 2014
If I used one word to describe this book, it would be 'dated.' The other word I'd use was 'cheesy'. I don't think these stories have aged well at all. I checked this out because I am a huge fan of the character Zatanna, and I was curious to see her search for her father Zatara played out. Now I know what happened back then, and I'm ready to move forward and explore the newer Zatanna stories.
I think there is definitely a sensibility of the earlier age, including the sexism that was evident in the early to mid 20th Century. I cringed when Zatanna is referred to as the "Maid of Magic." I was happy that in later stories, she receives her current moniker of "Mistress of Magic." It sounds better, less chauvinistic.
As far as other aspects of the story, I felt like the science and magic explanations are simplistic and the ways in which Zatanna and the other Leaguers defeat their foes are too basic for me to feel they are credible. I guess it's due to the fact that I didn't read a lot of the older comics. I don't know if that is typical for the older ones.
The artwork is okay. It's just dated and sometimes corny.
After going back in the day with the stories in this collection, I'm glad that the new comic writing is more sophisticated.
If someone asked me if this is worth reading, I'd have to say, sadly no.
Overall rating: 2.5/5.0 stars.
I think there is definitely a sensibility of the earlier age, including the sexism that was evident in the early to mid 20th Century. I cringed when Zatanna is referred to as the "Maid of Magic." I was happy that in later stories, she receives her current moniker of "Mistress of Magic." It sounds better, less chauvinistic.
As far as other aspects of the story, I felt like the science and magic explanations are simplistic and the ways in which Zatanna and the other Leaguers defeat their foes are too basic for me to feel they are credible. I guess it's due to the fact that I didn't read a lot of the older comics. I don't know if that is typical for the older ones.
The artwork is okay. It's just dated and sometimes corny.
After going back in the day with the stories in this collection, I'm glad that the new comic writing is more sophisticated.
If someone asked me if this is worth reading, I'd have to say, sadly no.
Overall rating: 2.5/5.0 stars.
October 28, 2019
A long winding tale of a daughter searching for her father. I began this two years ago which is crazy! Anyway, most of the issues were pretty well done, considering when they were released. There were a few issues here and there but I did like the fact that for someone who wasn't a main character in a series got her own story that showed off personal growth. Plus Zatanna was able to meet so many different heroes!
August 1, 2019
Picked this up at the local library and basically devoured it in one afternoon. If memory serves, this was one of the earliest crossover stories that went through more than two titles. Besides introducing Zatanna, the crossover brought back her father who had been in limbo since his last appearance in Action Comics over ten years earlier (1951 to be exact).
A great set of stories by itself, Zatanna's Search also helped established that there were heroes on Earth-One before Superman showed up, which led to a whole slew of heroes and stories that showed up in Brave & Bold. Another interesting note is that Zatanna used the phrase Zero Hour, which later became the title of the first big crossover event that tried to fix some of the continuity issues from Crisis on Infinite Earths.
If anyone who reads this gets the chance, find the original Zatara stories in various reprints. Most of the 60, 80, or 100-page issues of Action have one and they are usually a pretty good buy. They are a little cringe-worthy, but still charming for the most part.
Find It! Buy It! READ IT!
A great set of stories by itself, Zatanna's Search also helped established that there were heroes on Earth-One before Superman showed up, which led to a whole slew of heroes and stories that showed up in Brave & Bold. Another interesting note is that Zatanna used the phrase Zero Hour, which later became the title of the first big crossover event that tried to fix some of the continuity issues from Crisis on Infinite Earths.
If anyone who reads this gets the chance, find the original Zatara stories in various reprints. Most of the 60, 80, or 100-page issues of Action have one and they are usually a pretty good buy. They are a little cringe-worthy, but still charming for the most part.
Find It! Buy It! READ IT!
January 31, 2010
Classic 1960's Zatanna teams up with the Atom, Batman, the Elongated Man, Green Lantern, and Hawkman in her quest to find her missing father. Silly in places--I did already say classic 60's--like when she fights the Druid in a sub-atomic world with sub-atomic people, but also a little awesome.
Fine, friendly fun for the whole family.
Fine, friendly fun for the whole family.
December 15, 2010
I just couldn't get into this and I wasn't sure why. On the surface it seemed okay but I just wasn't enjoying. Normally I love old comics, maybe it's because it felt sucky that Zatanna couldn't do things herself, she needed help from all the male superheroes? I mean why couldn't Wonder Woman or Black Canary get in on the action? The only part of the story I really liked was the end. The explanation of Zatanna and Zatara got their powers. I guess I don't like character introductions that rely so heavily on other characters.
April 19, 2013
Charming but (inevitably?) dated, Zatanna's beginnings still make for a pleasant enough read. The sexism within is more quaint than offensive...at one point Green Lantern actually says "What a spot to be caught in! Letting a girl fight my battles..." with Zatanna in earshot. She doesn't bat an eye. (Naturally.)
March 28, 2020
Dang it's been a while since I read this probably one of the first DC crossovers and it's not amazing or a masterpiece but it's nostalgic and a good introduction to Zatanna a very important character in the DC Universe
September 24, 2017
very enjoyable story all about this minor character from the seventies. this tale spans many years and many titles.
July 31, 2019
Calificación: 5
June 6, 2024
Zatanna goes on a search for her dad. Complete collection of the 4 comics spanning Zatanna’s first appearance in Hawkman #4 November 1964. 5.0 Folios
October 19, 2018
This is great book.
Read
December 13, 2021This comic was... bizarre. Is this just what crossovers looked like way back when? I think the writers are trying to introduce Zatanna by looping her into these mini-adventures with well-known superheroes but by the end, all we have are some really brief, half-baked, Bizzaro shorts with each JLA member and somehow Zatanna is still kind of a cipher. I get that she is close w/ her dad, and he's a magician, and so is she, and oh yeah they can both do real magic, and there's the whole 'spells = saying things backward' deal. But I also kinda already knew that about Zatanna - maybe I'm taking it for granted.
Here's the bottom line. I really WANT to like Zatanna. But her character is kinda blah, empty, boring. I can't believe someone as objectively COOL as Zatanna could be boring but it seems like we don't know anything about what she's really like. What's she into, what (other than her dad) does she care about, what does she love about magic, what does she hate about it? WHO is she into? What are her life goals? What does she really care about? How does she talk, and act? Quirks, mannerisms, foibles, etc. - People have been writing Zatanna for decades since this book, and still... it's a total mash of nothing. It's like those mashed potatoes from a box that taste like cardboard at best. I'm just, continually disappointed for such a cool character concept to be so woodenly executed. Like... fishnets just ARE NOT ENOUGH TO CREATE A PERSONALITY guys. It's a tease that never comes through. I think recent cartoons for kids (I'm looking at you, DC Super Hero Girls) have done more to characterize Zatanna into a real believable person than any previous comic. Maybe she'll get a fantastic makeover like 70% of the Bat-Family did after Batman: The Animated Series did such a great job.
But I'm jumping ahead and judging years upon years of Zatanna writers and stories when really I should just talk about this one book. Maybe it's the cause of all Zatanna's problems, that her intense search for her missing father is relegated to a hop skip jump cameo parade. Or maybe it's just that a lot of older comics weren't super heavy into any kind of plot or character development, let alone a weirdo grouping of mini-one-shots like this.
I think someone could re-write this entire story, and Zatanna's entire life, and make something really cool, if only they didn't have to fight against continuity in general and also of the 5-8 most popular DC superheroes and their own continuities.
Anyway. This is really short. And it's kinda hard to find - don't waste like $60-$400 online from some jokers trying to make a trade paperback collectible here. You can get this on a few online comic places or find .pdf scans or maybe get it at a library. Is it worth reading? Eh... how much do YOU love super old and cheesy DC stuff? I will say that the Hawkman/Hawkgirl story, the first one, is 100% the best. The split in half thing was actually pretty inventive and nifty.
Here's the bottom line. I really WANT to like Zatanna. But her character is kinda blah, empty, boring. I can't believe someone as objectively COOL as Zatanna could be boring but it seems like we don't know anything about what she's really like. What's she into, what (other than her dad) does she care about, what does she love about magic, what does she hate about it? WHO is she into? What are her life goals? What does she really care about? How does she talk, and act? Quirks, mannerisms, foibles, etc. - People have been writing Zatanna for decades since this book, and still... it's a total mash of nothing. It's like those mashed potatoes from a box that taste like cardboard at best. I'm just, continually disappointed for such a cool character concept to be so woodenly executed. Like... fishnets just ARE NOT ENOUGH TO CREATE A PERSONALITY guys. It's a tease that never comes through. I think recent cartoons for kids (I'm looking at you, DC Super Hero Girls) have done more to characterize Zatanna into a real believable person than any previous comic. Maybe she'll get a fantastic makeover like 70% of the Bat-Family did after Batman: The Animated Series did such a great job.
But I'm jumping ahead and judging years upon years of Zatanna writers and stories when really I should just talk about this one book. Maybe it's the cause of all Zatanna's problems, that her intense search for her missing father is relegated to a hop skip jump cameo parade. Or maybe it's just that a lot of older comics weren't super heavy into any kind of plot or character development, let alone a weirdo grouping of mini-one-shots like this.
I think someone could re-write this entire story, and Zatanna's entire life, and make something really cool, if only they didn't have to fight against continuity in general and also of the 5-8 most popular DC superheroes and their own continuities.
Anyway. This is really short. And it's kinda hard to find - don't waste like $60-$400 online from some jokers trying to make a trade paperback collectible here. You can get this on a few online comic places or find .pdf scans or maybe get it at a library. Is it worth reading? Eh... how much do YOU love super old and cheesy DC stuff? I will say that the Hawkman/Hawkgirl story, the first one, is 100% the best. The split in half thing was actually pretty inventive and nifty.
March 14, 2025
Collected:
1) Hawkman #4 – "The Girl Who Split in Two!" 2.75/5 stars: Nice intro story to introduce Zatanna, her powers, and mission.
2) Detective Comics #336 – "Batman's Bewitched Nightmare" 2/5 stars: This felt pointless bc
3) The Atom #19 – "World of the Magic Atom" 4/5 stars: Really liked how much Zatarra was featured in this one. You really got to see her use her magic more. Loved how both her and The Atom got to showcase their powers and what makes them special. Best of the collection so far.
4) Green Lantern (Volume 2) #42 – "The Other Side of the World!" 3.5/5 stars: Cool story although it started a bit slow. Maybe because just don't know too much about the Green Lantern. But it was fun to see another dimension again and a cool little twist for Zatanna's magic.
5) Detective Comics #355 – "The Tantalizing Troubles of the Tripod Thieves" 3/5 stars: Thought at one point while reading, 'Ok, I guess I see why the DC #336 (2/6) was included. Maybe it was to introduce Elongated Man so it could tie back to his love of mysteries or something and that one was the last time he was in the story, or the best feature of the character for Z's storyline.' But nope, turns, out I only needed to read one of the 2 stories in #336, bc only one applicable to Z's search and it wasn't the one related to Flash & EM. Also read both stories here when didn't need to but extra comic lore never hurt. But this tale for the story was a good read.
6) Justice League of America #51 – "Z—as in Zatanna—and Zero Hour!" 2.5/5 stars: Ok, so we learn in this how DC #336 became the later retcon. And Kinda hilarious way to end Z's search but it seems the best and only way
Bonus: DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #5 – "The Secret Spell" 3/5 stars: The first of a few origin stories in the book. Nice tie-in. Tells how Daddy Z came into his power, as well as Z herself, and how what prompted her search. Short & sweet.
1) Hawkman #4 – "The Girl Who Split in Two!" 2.75/5 stars: Nice intro story to introduce Zatanna, her powers, and mission.
2) Detective Comics #336 – "Batman's Bewitched Nightmare" 2/5 stars: This felt pointless bc
3) The Atom #19 – "World of the Magic Atom" 4/5 stars: Really liked how much Zatarra was featured in this one. You really got to see her use her magic more. Loved how both her and The Atom got to showcase their powers and what makes them special. Best of the collection so far.
4) Green Lantern (Volume 2) #42 – "The Other Side of the World!" 3.5/5 stars: Cool story although it started a bit slow. Maybe because just don't know too much about the Green Lantern. But it was fun to see another dimension again and a cool little twist for Zatanna's magic.
5) Detective Comics #355 – "The Tantalizing Troubles of the Tripod Thieves" 3/5 stars: Thought at one point while reading, 'Ok, I guess I see why the DC #336 (2/6) was included. Maybe it was to introduce Elongated Man so it could tie back to his love of mysteries or something and that one was the last time he was in the story, or the best feature of the character for Z's storyline.' But nope, turns, out I only needed to read one of the 2 stories in #336, bc only one applicable to Z's search and it wasn't the one related to Flash & EM. Also read both stories here when didn't need to but extra comic lore never hurt. But this tale for the story was a good read.
6) Justice League of America #51 – "Z—as in Zatanna—and Zero Hour!" 2.5/5 stars: Ok, so we learn in this how DC #336 became the later retcon. And Kinda hilarious way to end Z's search but it seems the best and only way
Bonus: DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #5 – "The Secret Spell" 3/5 stars: The first of a few origin stories in the book. Nice tie-in. Tells how Daddy Z came into his power, as well as Z herself, and how what prompted her search. Short & sweet.
December 6, 2013
Gardener Fox's Zatanna minis get serialized in this graphic novel, highlighting the unique world of 1960s comics. Originally penned as backup stories, each issue highlighted the magician Zatanna teaming with a Justice League member in her attempts to locate her father. After initially making contact with Hawkman and Hawkgirl, she leaves a clue for Batman and Robin, shrinks into subspace with the Atom, battles a warlock's army with Green Lantern, and solves a mystery with the Elongated Man. With the entire League assembled, Zatanna must discern the truth about her father's disappearance and how the League can help her get the master magician back. While the stories are a perfect example of the oddball treats of the 1960s, the volume feels like a forced compilation used to introduce Zatanna to the greater DC universe. A great reminder of comic book legacy, Zatanna's search still feels like a magic trick that was not quite pulled off correctly.
May 22, 2010
When I was putting holds on JLA comics and stuff more-or-less at random at the library I naturally picked this one up because it's got Zatanna. See, she's right there in the title?
Anyway, there's some historical significance here, and the stories have that Silver Age charm going on, and Zatanna is of course great, but, mostly... it's just another comic. I'm not one of these people who is automatically down on old comics. Some of them are amazing, and hold up great. Some of them suck bad on retrospect. This one... it's just a comic. I enjoyed it, but nothing too memorable either way.
Anyway, there's some historical significance here, and the stories have that Silver Age charm going on, and Zatanna is of course great, but, mostly... it's just another comic. I'm not one of these people who is automatically down on old comics. Some of them are amazing, and hold up great. Some of them suck bad on retrospect. This one... it's just a comic. I enjoyed it, but nothing too memorable either way.
August 18, 2017
I know its old but I still think it would have been a better story if Zatanna didn't have to be saved by men the entire time.
The new stuff is so much better. But there are glimpses of it, even this early on.
The new stuff is so much better. But there are glimpses of it, even this early on.
March 26, 2009
Old school comics complete with cheesy dialogue. But the storyline is quite good and there's lots of magic. Plus Zatanna is pretty cool and Batman makes a cameo.
June 18, 2012
I completed reading this the day after Father's Day. A nice read. I found it hard to read though I stuck with it & enjoyed it. Nice to know Zatanna's roots.
December 22, 2012
Mid-60's Justice League adventures introducing Zatanna.
December 28, 2012
A collection from 2004 of stories from the 60's. All about Zatanna's search for her fader.
October 21, 2013
Fun. Zatanna is one of my favorite JLAers, and this story arch firmly establishes her in DC continuity. It actually made me appreciate Ralph Dibny more, and increased my love for Ray Palmer.
April 7, 2015
Not bad at all. Story caught my eye because of Zatanna, but its also a very good look at the Silver age Justice League. A bit tedious but it keeps you interested. C
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews