Zatanna (comic book)

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

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

Publication history

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

Print media

Reception

Andy Frisk from Comic Book Bin rated the first issue of the series 7.5 out of 10 stars and described Stéphane Roux's work as "very solid and smooth."[7] Zack Little from Inside Pulse thought Jamal Igle's drawing style was "good," noting that his technique's best feature was "the attention he pays to detail." He also mentioned in his review of issue eleven that the characters Mikey Dowling and Brother Night were "the main attraction of the volume" and a "little bundle of suspense", respectively.[8] Greg McElhatton of Comic Book Resources positively reviewed the first issue of Zatanna, finding it "enjoyable", and praised the way Paul Dini depicted Zatanna's daily life. He also referred to Roux and Karl Story's artistic work as "beautiful and exciting".[9]