Zatanna Zatara is a fictional character in the
DC ComicsDC Comics is one of the largest and most popular American comic book and related media companies, along with Marvel Comics. It is the publishing division of DC Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary company of Warner Bros. Entertainment...
universeA fictional universe is a self-consistent fictional setting with elements which differ from the real world. It may be called, variously, a fictional realm, world or universe...
. Created by writer
Gardner FoxGardner Francis Cooper Fox was an American writer best known for creating numerous comic book characters for DC Comics. Comic-book historians estimate that he wrote over 4,000 comics stories....
and artist
Murphy AndersonMurphy Anderson is an American comic book penciller and inker who has worked for companies such as DC Comics for over 50 years, starting in the 1930s-'40s Golden Age of Comic Books...
, Zatanna first appeared in
HawkmanHawkman is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Dennis Neville, the original Hawkman first appeared in Flash Comics #1, published by All-American Publications in 1940....
vol. 1 #4 (October-November 1964). She appeared in vol. 2 #4 of
Hawkman again as she and
HawkwomanHawkwoman is the name of several fictional superheroines all owned by DC Comics and existing in that company's DC Universe. They are partners, and sometimes spouses or lovers, of the various versions of Hawkman, and share many features with the character Hawkgirl.-Shayera Hol:The Silver Age...
(Shayera Hol) had become close friends.
Fictional character biography
Zatanna is the daughter of magician
Giovanni ZataraGiovanni "John" Zatara is a fictional character in the DC Universe. He first appeared in Action Comics # 1 and was created by writer and artist Fred Guardineer.-History:...
(who appeared in
Golden AgeThe Golden Age of Comic Books was a period in the history of American comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s...
comic books) and Sindella, a member of the mystical “
Homo magiHomo magi is a term to describe a sub-race of magic-using humans in the DC Universe. According to Doctor Mist, the Homo magi evolved in a parallel but separate line, alongside Homo sapiens. Homo magi and Metahumans account for most of the superhuman abilities in the DC Universe...
” race. Zatanna is a direct descendant of the alchemist
Nicholas FlamelNicolas Flamel was a successful scrivener and manuscript-seller who developed a posthumous reputation as an alchemist due to his reputed work on the philosopher's stone....
(who was a famous alchemist in the 14th and 15th centuries), and
NostradamusMichel de Nostredame , usually Latinised to Nostradamus, was a French apothecary and reputed seer who published collections of prophecies that have since become famous worldwide. He is best known for his book Les Propheties , the first edition of which appeared in 1555...
. Her younger cousin, the teenager
Zachary ZataraZachary Zatara is a fictional character in the DC Universe. Zachary is a descendant of the Homo Magi just like his cousin Zatanna and uncle John Zatara. He first appeared in Teen Titans Zachary Zatara is a fictional character in the DC Universe. Zachary is a descendant of the Homo Magi just like...
, is also a magician in the DCU.
The Vertigo series
Madame XanaduMadame Xanadu is a fictional character, a comic book mystic published by DC Comics. She debuted in Doorway to Nightmare #1,...
also has Zatanna's father as homo magi, and a descendant of
Leonardo da VinciLeonardo di ser Piero da Vinci was an Italian polymath, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, painter, sculptor, architect, botanist, musician and writer....
. Zatara notes he met the
Phantom StrangerThe Phantom Stranger is a fictional character of unspecified paranormal origins who battles mysterious and occult forces in various titles published by DC Comics, sometimes under their Vertigo imprint.-Publication history:...
as a child, and the Stranger gave him da Vinci's notebooks, written backwards. In time Zatara used this to focus his powers.
Zatanna makes her living as a stage illusionist prior to discovering her magical abilities while investigating the disappearance of her father. Zatanna's search for her father was the subject of the first major comic book
crossoverA fictional crossover is the placement of two or more otherwise discrete fictional characters, settings, or universes into the context of a single story...
in 1964, and in it, Zatanna interacts with
BatmanThe Batman, originally referred to as the Bat-Man, is a fictional character, a comic book superhero co-created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger , appearing in publications by DC Comics...
and
RobinRobin is the name of fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman. The team of Batman and Robin is commonly referred to as the Dynamic Duo or the Caped...
(in disguise as a witch and under the control of the villain The Outsider),
HawkmanHawkman is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Dennis Neville, the original Hawkman first appeared in Flash Comics #1, published by All-American Publications in 1940....
and
HawkwomanHawkwoman is the name of several fictional superheroines all owned by DC Comics and existing in that company's DC Universe. They are partners, and sometimes spouses or lovers, of the various versions of Hawkman, and share many features with the character Hawkgirl.-Shayera Hol:The Silver Age...
(Vol. 1, #4, Nov. 1964),
the AtomThe Atom is a name shared by several fictional comic book superheroes from the DC Comics universe.There have been four characters who have shared the Atom codename. The original Golden Age Atom, Al Pratt, was created by Ben Flinton and Bill O'Connor and first appeared in All-American Publications'...
(#18, May 1965),
Elongated ManThe Elongated Man is a fictional comic book superhero in the DC universe. He is a reserve member of the Justice League. His first appearance was The Flash vol. 1, #112...
(Detective #355, Sept. 1966), and
Green LanternHarold "Hal" Jordan is a fictional character, a DC Comics superhero. He is DC Comics' second Green Lantern and the first earthman ever inducted into the Green Lantern Corps and founding member of the Justice League of America...
(Vol. 2, #42, Jan. 1966). The series culminated in
Justice League of America #51 (Feb. 1967). This Justice League adventure took place during the Batman television craze where Batman was featured prominently on the cover. The premise that the witch in
Detective #336 was Zatanna was perceived by many fans at the time as an attempt to get Batman participating in this issue of Justice League of America no matter how vague the connection to Zatanna's quest was.
Zatanna assists the
Justice League of AmericaThe Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
on a number of cases before being elected to membership in
Justice League of America #161 (Dec. 1978). During her tenure with the group, her power level diminishes, so that she can only control the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water; this limitation is reversed in
World's Finest ComicsWorld's Finest Comics was a comic book series published by DC Comics from 1941 to 1986. The series was initially titled World's Best Comics for its first issue; issue #2 switched to the more familiar name....
#277 (Mar. 1982).
In the 1993
limited seriesA limited series is a series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
Zatanna: Come Together, Zatanna worries about her lack of focus in using magic. She decides that her father's style of magic is wrong for her, and explores her mother's mystical heritage. This has since been ignored by most writers.
In the 2004 limited series
Identity CrisisIdentity Crisis is a seven-issue comic book limited series published by DC Comics from June to December in 2004. It was created by writer Brad Meltzer and the artistic team of penciler Rags Morales and inker Michael Bair.-Publication history:...
, Zatanna is a member of the Justice League at the time the villain
Dr. LightArthur Light is a fictional comic book supervillain appearing in books published by DC Comics. He is the third individual to have adopted the persona of Doctor Light, after a Golden Age foe of Doctor Mid-Nite and Arthur's associate Jacob Finlay...
brutally attacks and
rapeRape, also referred to as sexual assault, is an assault by a person involving sexual intercourse with or without sexual penetration of another person without that person's consent....
s the
Elongated ManThe Elongated Man is a fictional comic book superhero in the DC universe. He is a reserve member of the Justice League. His first appearance was The Flash vol. 1, #112...
's wife,
Sue DibnySusan "Sue" Dearbon Dibny is a fictional character from DC Comics associated with the Elongated Man. Created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino, the character first appeared in Flash vol. 1 #119...
. When apprehended, he threatens the JLA members' families. Although Zatanna is prepared to erase Light's memories of the incident (as she had done to other villains with dangerous knowledge to the League), tampering with Light's mind sparks a debate among the League members: should the villain's personality be transformed in order to prevent him from repeating his crime? Zatanna, Hawkman, and The Atom (Ray Palmer) vote for such action, while
Green ArrowGreen Arrow is a fictional character, published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in 1941...
,
Black CanaryBlack Canary is a fictional character, a DC Comics superheroine. Created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino, the character first appeared in Flash Comics #86 ....
, and Green Lantern (
Hal JordanHarold "Hal" Jordan is a fictional character, a DC Comics superhero. He is DC Comics' second Green Lantern and the first earthman ever inducted into the Green Lantern Corps and founding member of the Justice League of America...
) vote against. The Flash (Barry Allen) breaks the tie. Zatanna mind-wipes Light, and the process results in his intellectual abilities being lowered. In the midst of the process, Batman appears and tries to stop it. Zatanna freezes him, and the members vote to erase Batman's memories of the incident as well.
Her passionate relationship to Batman sours after he discovers the alteration to his memory. When Zatanna helps Batman with reconnaissance at one of
Ra's al GhulRa's al Ghul, sometimes written Rā's al Ghūl , is a DC Comics supervillain and is one of Batman's greatest enemies. His name is Arabic for "The Demon's Head," and references the name of the star Algol. Created by writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Neal Adams, he was introduced in Batman #232's...
's
Lazarus PitA Lazarus Pit is a fictional natural phenomenon in the DC Comics universe. They are primarily found in the Batman titles and are commonly used by Ra's al Ghul for their restorative powers.- Fictional history :...
s, she asks him why he came to her. "
I needed someone I could trust," Batman says. "
But I had to settle for you." However, after
Infinite CrisisInfinite Crisis is a seven-issue limited series of comic books written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Ivan Reis, and Jerry Ordway. The series was published by DC Comics, beginning in October of 2005...
, their relationship appears to have warmed; in
Detective Comics #824 he calls her for information on a card-counter involved in scamming
the PenguinThe Penguin is a DC Comics supervillain and one of Batman's oldest, most persistent archenemies. The Penguin was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his debut in Detective Comics #58 .The Penguin is a short, rotund man known for his love of birds and his specialized...
. He makes no mention of their conflict, and casually calls her by her nickname, "Zee".
After departing from the League, Zatanna continues to appear on stage and to defend against mystical threats, joining the
Sentinels of MagicThe Sentinels of Magic is a fictional group of magically powered heroes published by DC Comics. They first appeared in Day of Judgment #1 , and were created by Geoff Johns and Matthew Dow Smith.-History:...
.
CatwomanCatwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. The supervillainess was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's second cousin by marriage, Ruth Steel ....
discovers that Zatanna's mind-wipe of Dr. Light in
Identity Crisis is not an isolated occurrence; Catwoman's journey from villain to hero and her resulting efforts to lead a moral life are
retconRetroactive continuity is the deliberate changing of previously established facts in a work of serial fiction. The change is informally referred to as a "retcon", and producing a retcon is called "retconning"...
ned as being the result of Zatanna's mental intervention. Catwoman comes to distrust her memories, motives, and the choices she has made since that incident. In retaliation, Catwoman covers Zatanna's mouth with a piece of
duct tapeDuct tape is a vinyl, fabric-reinforced, multi-purpose pressure sensitive tape with a soft and tacky pressure sensitive adhesive. It is generally silver or black in color but many other colors and transparent tapes have recently become available...
and shoves her out a window (
Catwoman Vol 3 #50).
A 2005 four-issue
Zatanna limited series was published as part of
Grant MorrisonGrant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer and artist. He is best-known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings.-Early years:...
's
Seven Soldiers of VictoryThe Seven Soldiers of Victory is a fictional team of comic book superheroes in the DC Comics universe...
event. In it, at a
support groupIn a support group, members provide each other with various types of help, usually nonprofessional and nonmaterial, for a particular shared, usually burdensome, characteristic...
for
superheroA superhero is "a fictional character of unprecedented powers dedicated to acts of derring-do in the public interest"...
es, she recounts a failed magical ritual to search for her father's tomes, during which one of her past spells summons a
shapeshifterShapeshifting is a common theme in mythology and folklore, as well as in science fiction and fantasy. In its broadest sense, it is when a being undergoes a transformation. Commonly the transformation is purposeful, and not a curse or spell...
named Gwydion, who kills her companions. This
traumaPsychological trauma is a type of damage to the psyche that occurs as a result of a traumatic event. When that trauma leads to posttraumatic stress disorder, damage may involve physical changes inside the brain and to brain chemistry, which damage the person's ability to adequately cope with...
, combined with her guilt from her former mind-wipes, robs her of her powers. With the help of her new apprentice, Misty Kilgore, she captures Gwydion to use as her own. She eventually regains her confidence and powers, and uses them to defeat Zor, a rogue Time Tailor who released the Sheeda as a plague to infect and degrade the entire
universeThe Universe comprises everything that physically exists, the entirety of space and time, all forms of matter and energy, and the physical laws and constants that govern them...
. As a reward, the other Time Tailors allow her one last meeting with her father, who reveals that his books were written in her, his "
greatest spell and gift to the world." In the final battle against the Sheeda, Zatanna casts a spell to move time and space, retroactively positioning the Seven Soldiers to overthrow the Sheeda.
In
Detective Comics #833 (August 2007), it is stated that Zatanna's father was a friend of
Thomas WayneThomas Wayne is a fictional character in the Batman series of comic books. Dr. Thomas Wayne was the father of Bruce Wayne, and husband of Martha Wayne, as well as a gifted surgeon and philanthropist...
. Zatara trained Bruce Wayne in the art of escape; and Bruce and Zatanna were childhood friends (although Batman believes that he has never met in her
Justice League of America #51, and her only memory of meeting him is while she was disguised). Bruce helps Zatanna investigate the death of one of her former assistants; all clues point to a performer named Ivar Loxias. However, Loxias is revealed to be the
JokerThe Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics and appearing as the archenemy of Batman. Created by Jerry Robinson, Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the character first appeared in Batman #1 ....
in disguise; he shoots Zatanna in the throat and incapacitates Batman. Zatanna is able to heal herself by writing a curing spell in her own blood, and she is instrumental in foiling the Joker's scheme. Bruce puts Zatanna's betrayal behind him, allowing the two to renew their friendship.
Zatanna helps
CatwomanCatwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. The supervillainess was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's second cousin by marriage, Ruth Steel ....
, to whom she owes a favor, mind-wiping
Angle ManAngle Man is a fictional DC Comics supervillain.-Publishing history:The Angle Man was created as a recurring foil for Wonder Woman during the period in which Robert Kanigher took over as writer of the comic book....
and
Film FreakFilm Freak is a DC Comics villain and enemy to Batman. He is one of the myriad "gimmick" villains in Gotham City, his trademark being his obsession with motion pictures.-Burt Weston:...
, who had been subdued by Selina after the two discovered her secret identity and threatened her child.
Following the flooding of
Earth-26The DC Multiverse is a fictional continuity construct that exists in stories published by comic book company DC Comics. The DC Multiverse consists of numerous worlds, most of them outside DC's main continuity allowing writers the creative freedom to explore alternate versions of characters and...
, the Zoo Crew and other humanoid animal refugees escape, transformed into their animal counterparts and unable to speak, even though they retain their human-level intelligence. Zatanna encounters the group and takes
Captain CarrotCaptain Carrot is a fictional anthropomorphic superhero published by DC Comics. His first appearance was in The New Teen Titans #16...
as a pet for use in her magic act, unaware of his true identity (
Captain Carrot and the Final Ark #3, February 2008). The Crew has their anthropomorphic forms and powers restored in
Final CrisisFinal Crisis is a seven-issue comic book limited series published by DC Comics in 2008 and written by Grant Morrison. Originally DC announced the project as being illustrated solely by J. G. Jones; artists Carlos Pacheco, Marco Rudy and Doug Mahnke later provided art for the series...
#7 by Nix Uotan.
On the "Roll Call" of
Justice League of America #22, Zatanna is listed as a part of the team. Called upon to help with Red Tornado's restoration in his android form, she aids the League by using Red Tornado's soul to best a new, powerful iteration of Amazo. After this battle, Zatanna rejoins the team.
Shortly before the
mysterious disappearance of BatmanBatman R.I.P. is a comic book story arc published in Batman #676-681 by DC Comics. Written by Grant Morrison, penciled by Tony Daniel, and with covers by Alex Ross, the story pits the superhero Batman against the Black Glove organization as they attempt to destroy everything for which he stands...
and the
Final CrisisFinal Crisis is a seven-issue comic book limited series published by DC Comics in 2008 and written by Grant Morrison. Originally DC announced the project as being illustrated solely by J. G. Jones; artists Carlos Pacheco, Marco Rudy and Doug Mahnke later provided art for the series...
events Zatanna is stalked and targeted by
HushHush is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics and appearing as an enemy of Batman. Created by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Jim Lee, the character first appears in Batman #609 . Following his 12-issue debut arc , Hush resurfaced in Batman: Gotham Knights.-Origin:Dr...
, wanting to get his vengeance over Bruce Wayne using the people he loves most: Zatanna herself and Selina Kyle. Zatanna escapes Hush's wrath, and is able to provide help and relief to the wounded Catwoman.
Paul DiniPaul 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,...
announced at
Comic-ConComic-Con International: San Diego, commonly known as Comic-Con or the San Diego Comic-Con was founded as the Golden State Comic Book Convention and later the San Diego Comic Book Convention in 1970 by Shel Dorf and a group of San Diegans...
06 he is writing a hardcover
graphic novelA graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using the comics form. The term is employed in a broad manner, encompassing non-fiction works and thematically linked short stories as well as fictional stories across a number of genres.Graphic novels are typically...
starring
Black CanaryBlack Canary is a fictional character, a DC Comics superheroine. Created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino, the character first appeared in Flash Comics #86 ....
and Zatanna. On his blog, Dini revealed that
Amanda ConnerAmanda Conner is an Irish American comic book artist and commercial art illustrator best-known for Harris Comics' Vampirella.-Biography:...
and
Jimmy PalmiottiJames "Jimmy" Palmiotti is an American writer of various comic books, games and film.-Biography:Palmiotti is of Italian descent. He is a graduate of the High School of Art and Design in New York City...
will handle the art.
In the Reign in Hell storyline,
Blue DevilBlue Devil is a superhero featured in material published by DC Comics. He first appeared in a preview story published in Fury of Firestorm #24 . That story led directly into Blue Devil #1, also cover dated June 1984...
comes to her to seek assistance in reaching Hell. Both convene in recruiting
Sargon the SorcererSargon the Sorcerer is a fictional character, a second string mystic, superhero and sorcerer appearing in DC Comics during the Golden Age. The original Sargon first appeared in All-American Comics # 26, , and was created by John B. Wentworth and Howard Purcell...
; Zatanna's motives to venture into the realm include helping the soul of her father, locked in the Gull, Hell's commercial province as a spy for the resistance. However,
Lobo-Wolf:* Lobo, Spanish and Portuguese for wolf , especially:** Lobo, Mexican Wolf ** Lobo, Iberian Wolf * Lobo , University of New Mexico mascot-Places:...
kills the soul of Zatara, making his retrieval impossible. Rather than allow himself to be rendered for the bricks and mortar of Hell, Zatara begs her to send him to the Abyss (soul death), the worst fate aside from rendering. Seeking revenge from Lobo for being forced to kill her father, she goes over her head and ultimately Sargon sacrifices himself to Lobo's mercy to allow all other heroes and anti-heroes to escape Hell altogether; Zatanna is left badly shaken from the whole ordeal.
In
Gotham City Sirens Zatanna is visited by Poison Ivy, via magic in a tree who asks her if her encounter with
CatwomanCatwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. The supervillainess was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's second cousin by marriage, Ruth Steel ....
changed Selina in any way.
Relationships
Zatanna has had various romantic relationships with fellow DC characters, including
John ConstantineJohn Constantine is a fictional character, a comic book occult detective published by Vertigo. The character first appeared in Swamp Thing #37 , and was created by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette and John Totleben...
(with whom she practiced
tantraTantra , or tantram is a religious philosophy according to which Shakti is usually the main deity worshipped, and the universe is regarded as the divine play of Shakti and Shiva...
) and
Doctor ThirteenDr. Terrence Thirteen, known simply as Doctor Thirteen or Dr. 13, is a fictional character in comic books set in the DC Universe. The character's first published appearance is in Star Spangled Comics #122, ....
. Zatanna also has a kindly semi-parental friendship with
Timothy HunterTimothy Hunter, is a fictional character, a comic book sorcerer published by DC Comics. He first appeared in The Books of Magic vol. 1 #1 , and was created by Neil Gaiman and John Bolton.-Publication history:...
and also had a brief flirtational relationship with her fellow Justice Leaguer
the Flash (Barry Allen)The Flash The Flash The Flash (Bartholomew Henry "Barry" Allen is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Comics universe. He is the second character known as the Flash. The character first appeared in Showcase #4 (Oct. 1956), created by writers Robert Kanigher and John Broome and penciler...
shortly after the death of his wife Iris.
She also (currently) has a strong friendship with Batman due to their shared (retconned) pasts. In
Detective Comics #843 and #844, Zatanna and Bruce briefly discuss the possibility of having a more meaningful relationship. Both later concede that Bruce is too devoted to his cause as Batman to give her the relationship she wishes for, but the pair reaffirm their bond as close friends.
Catwoman, however, appears to consider Zatanna a more dangerous contender for Bruce's attentions than Jezebel Jet (his current fiancée at the time). A pep talk between the young women confirms how Zatanna really meant, during the fateful discussion with Bruce, to explore the possibility of a true romance, but turned out quietly resigned to the role of best friend and confidante. Claiming to act on Bruce's best interest, she pushes Selina into confessing her feelings to Bruce, thus
stealing him from Jezebel Jet before it's too late.
Zatanna has also a strong bond to
Rose PsychicRose Psychic is a DC Comics heroine affiliated with the company's first superhero, Doctor Occult. They were created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the creators of Superman. She first appeared in More Fun Comics #6 . She appeared in Dr. Occult's first story, and then disappears from the story...
and
Doctor OccultDoctor Occult is a fictional character, a magic user in the DC Comics universe. Created by Superman's creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Doctor Occult is the earliest character created by DC Comics still currently in use in its shared universe fiction....
, who apparently acted as surrogate parents to her after Sindella's disappearance, with Rose distinctly remembering about how she
used to bounce [Zatanna] on her knee.
Alternate versions
- An alternate version of Zatanna with blond hair is seen in the 2005 series Books of Magick: Life During Wartime
Books of Magick: Life During Wartime is a fantasy comic book series published by DC Comics under their Vertigo imprint in 2004 and 2005 that was discontinued after fifteen issues....
. In the series, Zatanna fights for a coalition of humans and faerieA fairy is a type of mythological being or legendary creature, a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural.The word fairy derives from the term fae of medieval Western...
s against the dictatorA dictator is a ruler who assumes sole and absolute power with military control but, without hereditary ascension such as an absolute monarch. When other states call the head of state of a particular state a dictator, that state is called a dictatorship...
ial class of faerie-ruling elites.
- Annataz Arataz, Zatanna's evil Earth-3
Earth-Three is a fictional alternate universe set in the . It is the Earth of an alternate reality in the DC Multiverse. It first appeared in Justice League of America #29 .-Pre-Crisis:Its history is a mirror image to the Earth we know...
counterpart, assists Superman-Prime to detain and torment Mr. MxyzptlkMr. Mxyzptlk , sometimes called Mxy, is a fictional impish supervillain who appears in DC Comics' Superman comic books.He was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, and first appeared in Superman #30 . He is usually presented as a trickster, in the classical mythological sense who enjoys...
in Countdown to Final CrisisCountdown to Final Crisis, known as Countdown for its first 25 issues, is a comic book limited series published by DC Comics. It debuted on May 9, 2007, directly following the conclusion of the last issue of 52...
#23. The imp refuses to provide Prime with information, and Annataz restores his powers. Reflecting upon her own prior cruel actions, she allows herself to be killed by the enraged villain. Her spells are recited "upside-down", rather than backwards.
- Zatanna's evil Antimatter Earth counterpart, who unlike the Earth-3 counterpart is called Zatanna, is briefly mentioned in Trinity
Trinity is the title of an American weekly comic book limited series published by DC Comics that debuted during the first week of June, 2008.-Conception and production:...
#35, as one of the few survivors of a purge on magic users.
Powers and abilities
Zatanna is a powerful sorceress whose abilities are apparently
geneA gene is the basic unit of heredity in a living organism. All living things depend on genes. Genes hold the information to build and maintain their cells and pass genetic traits to offspring...
tic. As a tribute to her father and as a focal point, she usually casts spells by speaking verbal commands backwards. She has also proven capable on many occasions of casting spells by speaking normally, and, in rarer occasions, the ability to use magic for simple tasks without speaking. Like
Black CanaryBlack Canary is a fictional character, a DC Comics superheroine. Created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino, the character first appeared in Flash Comics #86 ....
, Zatanna's reliance on her voice often led to her being bound and gagged by villains in Silver Age stories, thus rendering her 'powerless'. On very rare occasions, Zatanna has cast spells by writing them in her own blood rather than speaking them aloud. As stated by herself and Batman,
blood magic is far more powerful than spoken incantations. It's used as a last resort, only to heal from severe physical damage preventing her to speak, like having her
larynxThe larynx , colloquially known as the voicebox, is an organ in the neck of mammals involved in protection of the trachea and sound production...
mangled by a bullet, or her mouth magically erased by her own powers . The only magic command issued in both cases,
Heal me, had to be spelled backwards, as she were speaking (
laeH em).
Overuse of her magical powers can deplete them to the point that further use of logomancy starts to put a considerable strain on her physical well-being: as with other magical users, the only way to restore her waning powers is an extended period of rest
Even if not as precisely as
Madame XanaduMadame Xanadu is a fictional character, a comic book mystic published by DC Comics. She debuted in Doorway to Nightmare #1,...
, Zatanna has proven herself able to call upon
tarotThe tarot , , is a pack of cards , used from the mid fifteenth century in various parts of Europe to play card games such as Italian Tarocchini and French Tarot. The tarot has four suits corresponding to the suits of conventional playing cards...
reading for insight or divination . Apparently, such a task doesn't require verbal incantations, spoken or written, at all, nor is it tied to a specific tarot deck.
The limits of her powers have never been clearly established. She has been called the most powerful member of the Justice League, and is often depicted working alongside the most powerful magic-users on Earth, including
Doctor FateDoctor Fate is the name of a succession of fictional sorcerers who appear within DC Comics' universe. The original version was created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Howard Sherman, and first appeared in More Fun Comics #55...
,
Madame XanaduMadame Xanadu is a fictional character, a comic book mystic published by DC Comics. She debuted in Doorway to Nightmare #1,...
, and
Captain MarvelCaptain Marvel is a fictional comic book superhero, originally published by Fawcett Comics and later by DC Comics. Created in 1939 by artist C. C. Beck and writer Bill Parker, the character first appeared in Whiz Comics #2...
. She has used her powers to command elemental forces, heal, transmute and transmogrify objects, manipulate minds, and attack her opponents with energy blasts. She has resurrected the city of
MetropolisMetropolis is a fictional city that appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and is the home of Superman. Metropolis first appeared by name in Action Comics #16, in 1939....
from ruin , merged
AquamanAquaman is a fictional comic book superhero who appears in DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in More Fun Comics #73 . Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles, Aquaman later starred in several volumes of a solo title...
's spirit with the entire ocean, and manipulated time and space. During a portion of her initial tenure with the Justice League, her powers were more limited, consisting in the manipulation of fire, air, water, and earth. Furthermore, her powers seems tied to her self-confidence, as the long series of blunders described in
Seven Soldiers left her both emotionally and psychologically shattered, powerless, until she was able to restore her lost confidence.
Zatanna may be harmed by magic, even if her training makes her able to defend from the most magic users. Along with Etrigan and the
Phantom StrangerThe Phantom Stranger is a fictional character of unspecified paranormal origins who battles mysterious and occult forces in various titles published by DC Comics, sometimes under their Vertigo imprint.-Publication history:...
she was able to hold her own against a host-less Spectre, and was later able to banish alone the god-empowered
Mary MarvelMary Marvel is a fictional character, a comic book superheroine, originally published by Fawcett Comics and now owned by DC Comics. Created by Otto Binder and Marc Swayze, she first appeared in Captain Marvel Adventures #18 in...
from her home, but the current iteration of
AmazoAmazo is a fictional android from DC Comics. He has fought the Justice League of America on several occasions.-Fictional character biography:...
was able to employ her own powers to take away her voice, acting fast enough to leave her off guard and unable to defend herself. Powerful enchantments against beings of magic, like gods, are able to restrict her as well, preventing her to access enchanted places or dispel the adverse charm.
Zatanna is a skilled illusionist, showgirl and stage magician even without resorting to her innate magical powers. In fact she considers part of her "training" exercising
sleight of handSleight of hand, also known as prestidigitation or légèreté des mains , is the set of techniques used by a magician to manipulate objects such as cards and coins secretly....
tricks, and she claims to have invented a variation of the
three card shuffle gameThree-card Monte, also known as the Three-card marney, Three-card trick, Three-Way, Three-card shuffle, Menage-a-card, Triplets, Follow the lady, Find the lady, or Follow the Bee is a confidence game in which the victim, or mark, is tricked into betting a sum of money, on the assumtion that they...
called the
Zatara shuffle, in which she's so fast and precise that, even without resorting to cheating, only skilled gamblers like Selina Kyle are able to follow the movements of her hands.
Zatanna owns a mansion called Shadowcrest, in which she keeps a vast library of magical knowledge, as well as an arsenal of powerful relics, enough to do "
just about anything you'd want to do." Shadowcrest seems to exist in a completely different dimension, although it is initially located outside of Gotham.
DC Animated Universe
Zatanna (voiced by
Julie BrownJulie Ann Brown is an American actress, comedienne, novelty singer-songwriter and screenwriter. Brown is perhaps best known for her work in the 1980s, where she often played a quintessential valley girl character....
) first appears in a
Batman: The Animated SeriesBatman: The Animated Series is an American animated series adaptation of the comic book series starring the DC Comics superhero, Batman. The series is noted for being the first to take place in the DC Animated Universe. It was produced by Warner Bros. Animation.The visual style of the series is...
episode of the same name, as an illusionist with no apparent magic powers. She developed a close relationship with Bruce Wayne (who was using the alias "John Smith") during the years in which Bruce was traveling the globe, learning skills that later serve him as Batman. Zatanna later comes to
Gotham CityGotham City, another name for New York city appearing in DC Comics, and is best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 .- Origin of name :...
with her magic show, but finds herself being framed by a criminal magic debunker. Her efforts to restore her name and stop the villain put her side-by-side with the Batman, whom she recognizes as "John Smith".
Further
DC Animated UniverseThe DC Animated Universe is a fan term that refers to a series of popular animated television series and related spin-offs produced by Warner Bros. Animation which share the same continuity. Most of these series are adapted from DC Comics properties...
depictions, both in online Flash animation shorts and
Justice League UnlimitedJustice League Unlimited is an American animated television series that was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on Cartoon Network. Featuring a wide array of superheroes from the DC Comics universe, and specifically based on the Justice League superhero team, it is a direct sequel to the...
episodes, show her trademark magic. She appears in the episode "This Little Piggy", (this time voiced by
Jennifer HaleJennifer Hale is a Canadian-born American actress and singer best known for her voice over work in video games like Tales of Symphonia, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, the Metroid Prime trilogy, Metal Gear series, Mass Effect, Brutal Legend, and Disney's animated movies.-Biography:Hale was...
), where she helps Batman search for the villainess
CirceCirce is a fictional character, a villainous sorceress and major adversary of Wonder Woman appearing in DC Comics publications and related media. Based upon the Greek mythological character of the same name who imprisoned Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey, the comic book encarnation of Circe first...
, who has turned
Wonder WomanWonder Woman is a DC Comics superhero created by William Moulton Marston. First appearing in All Star Comics #8 , she is one of three characters to have been continuously published by DC Comics since the company's 1944 inception .Wonder Woman is a member of an all-female tribe of Amazons...
into a pig. Zatanna is apparently aware of Batman's true identity since her last appearance ("
Bruce!...I haven't seen you for so long...") and knows him well enough to perceive his romantic relationship with Wonder Woman. She seems to be very good friends with Batman, as they often banter ("
Don't get snippy with me!"). In her
JLU depictions, her spells are often cast backwards, but almost equally often cast without words, and on one occasion, speaking normally.
DCAU writer
Paul DiniPaul 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,...
wrote both of Zatanna's major appearances described above, and apparently likes the character quite a lot. In 1998,
Alan BurnettAlan Burnett is a television writer-producer particularly associated with DC Comics and Walt Disney television animation. He has had a hand in virtually every DC animated project since the waning years of the Super Friends, and continues to do so...
told
Wizard Magazine "
Paul Dini wanted to use Zatanna because he’s secretly in love with her. It’s something we try not to talk about too much." Dini later married magician
Misty LeeMisty Lee is an American professional magician. She has also worked as an improv comedian and a voice actress for animated cartoons....
.
In her last appearance in the DCAU, on the
Justice League Unlimited series finale, "Destroyer", Zatanna appears in a non-speaking role as one of many League Members called to help fight the invading
ApokoliptanIn the DC Comics fictional shared Universe, Apokolips is the planet ruled by Darkseid, established in Jack Kirby's Fourth World series. It is also integral to many DC Comics stories. The planet is considered the opposite of New Genesis....
forces. She transforms an entire flock of
ParademonIn the DC Universe, Parademons are monstrous shock troops of Apokolips used by Darkseid to maintain the order of Apokolips.-History:Loyal to their master but none too bright, the armored Parademons fly through the air, carrying powerful weapons used to quell the rabble. Their true strength is in...
s into doves, then transmutes them into explosive energy, and destroys several Apokoliptan battleships with them.
Web animation
Zatanna makes two appearances in the
Gotham GirlsGotham Girls is an American Flash animation series about the females of Gotham City, created and produced jointly by Warner Brothers and Noodle Soup Productions...
flash animation episodes, voiced by Stacie Randall. In "A Little Night Magic", Zatanna walks home on her own after doing a magic show and has some adventures on the way: She turns a robber's gun into a snake, splits a truck in half when it almost runs her over, and turns some street thugs into toads after they take her hat. In "Hold the Tiger", Zatanna stops Catwoman from stealing the Cat's Eye Opals from a jewelry store. Zatanna doesn't arrest Catwoman but instead asks Catwoman for help in finding her
white tigerA white tiger is a tiger with a recessive gene that creates the pale coloration. Another genetic characteristic makes the stripes of the tiger very pale; white tigers of this type are called snow-white or "pure white". This occurs when a tiger inherits two copies of the recessive gene for the paler...
.
Two episodes of a
Cartoon Monsoon contest entry feature Zatanna as a teenage hero who is a cross between
Sabrina, the Teenage WitchSabrina the Teenage Witch is a comic book series published by Archie Comics about the adventures of a teenage fictional character named Sabrina Spellman. The character was created by writer George Gladir and artist Dan DeCarlo. The comic's characters have also appeared in various other media...
and
Buffy the Vampire SlayerBuffy Summers is a fictional character from Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise. She first appeared in the 1992 movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer, before going on to appear in the television series and subsequent comic book of the same name...
. This saw her match wits with
Klarion the Witch BoyKlarion the Witch Boy is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe character first seen in the pages of The Demon in 1973.- Kirby's Klarion:...
, and also featured her father (referred to only as "Zatara") as well as the new character of Zatanna's older, non-magic-wielding brother (named "Damon" in promotional literature, though his name was only mentioned once in the second episode).
Film
In 2005 screenwriter Hadley Davis (
Ice PrincessIce Princess is a 2005 Disney live action film, directed by Tim Fywell.-Plot:Casey Carlyle , a brainy bookworm and physics geek, decides to use her academic skill by pursuing a scholarship to Harvard University offered to the top students in Connecticut. For the scholarship, Casey must do a...
) announced that she had written an action-comedy featuring a teenaged version of Zatanna. Nothing further was ever heard about this project, and it is presumed to have been abandoned.
Smallville
Zatanna appeared in the seventeenth episode of the
eighth seasonSeason eight of Smallville, an American television series, began airing on September 18, 2008. This is the third season to air on the CW television network. Season eight regular cast members include Tom Welling, Allison Mack, Erica Durance, Aaron Ashmore, along with new series regulars Cassidy...
of
SmallvilleSmallville is the fictional hometown of Superman in comic books published by DC Comics. While growing up in Smallville, the young Clark Kent attended Smallville High with best friends Lana Lang and Pete Ross. Smallville was the setting of many Superboy comics, which depicted Clark as a young man...
, titled "Hex", played by actress
Serinda SwanSerinda Swan is a Canadian actress and model. She was born on July 11, 1984, in West Vancouver, British Columbia. She has modeled for Guess Jeans and appeared in a Milky Way television commercial, among other things. She appeared on the television series Smallville, episode Hex, as DC Comics...
. She is described as the daughter of the deceased John Zatara, "the world's greatest magician." Zatanna is at the Ace of Clubs, where
Chloe SullivanChloe Sullivan is a fictional character from the television series Smallville. Series regular Allison Mack has portrayed the character since the pilot episode; two other actresses performed the role of Chloe Sullivan as a child. The character was created exclusively for Smallville, by series...
’s party is being held. To enlighten her birthday, Zatanna uses magic to make Chloe’s inner desire come true… which makes her look like
Lois LaneLois Joanne Lane-Kent is a fictional character, the primary love interest of Superman in the comic books of DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, she first appeared in Action Comics #1 ....
. She later goes to Oliver Queen to offer him a deal: to grant him his wish if he returns her father’s magical book to her. She is later confronted by
ClarkClark Joseph Kent is a fictional character created by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel. He serves as the civilian and secret identity of the superhero Superman....
and Chloe, explains the nature of the magic, and grants Clark’s wish to be normal. Once she gets the Book of Zatara from
Green ArrowGreen Arrow is a fictional character, published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in 1941...
, whom she recognizes as Oliver, it is revealed that she wants to use it to bring her father back. When Oliver is about to destroy the book, he is magically chained up to a post. With the magic over Clark and Chloe being uplifted, Zatanna has to realize that her father sacrficed himself so she could live. She later goes to Oliver to explain herself, and decides to help him if he encounters any supernatural foes along the way by leaving him her phone number.
Video games
Zatanna is a playable character in the console videogame
Justice League HeroesJustice League Heroes is a console video game for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable systems. It is based on DC Comics' premiere superhero team, the Justice League of America. It was developed by Snowblind Studios and published and distributed by Warner Bros...
, voiced by
Kari WahlgrenKari K. Wahlgren is an American voice actress who has provided English language voices for dozens of anime titles and video games. She also provided the voices of the characters Tink in the 2003 film Neverland, Mindy in the 2008 film Bolt, and the computer program Jean in the 2009 television pilot...
.
Zatanna is set to appear in the upcoming video game
DC Universe OnlineDC Universe Online or DCUO is a MMORPG being developed by Sony Online Austin. Jim Lee serves as the game's Executive Creative Director, along with Carlos D'Anda, JJ Kirby, Oliver Nome, Eddie Nunez, Livio Ramondelli, and Michael Lopez. EverQuest developers Chris Cao and Shawn Lord are also involved...
.
Parodies/Homages
Zatanna was spoofed in the
Tiny Toon AdventuresSteven Spielberg Presents Tiny Toon Adventures, usually referred to as Tiny Toon Adventures, is an American animated television series created by Tom Ruegger and produced by Amblin Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation. It began production as a result of Warner Bros. reinstating its animation...
episode "
Just-Us League of Supertoons" as
Fifi Le FumeFifi La Fume is a cartoon character from the Warner Bros. animated television series Tiny Toon Adventures. She is one of the main characters on the show. Fifi is voiced by Kath Soucie. Fifi is a young, purple and white female skunk with a pink bowed ribbon in her hair. She attends Acme...
's alter-ego, Scentanna, the
Mystical Maiden of Musk.
Zatanna was also spoofed in
The Fairly OddParentsThe Fairly OddParents is an American animated television series created by Butch Hartman about the adventures of Timmy Turner, who is granted fairy parents named Cosmo and Wanda. The series started out as cartoon segments that ran from September 4, 1998 to March 23, 2001...
episode, "
The Masked Magician", where Timmy Turner had an alter-ego called The Masked Magician.
External links