It’s showtime! Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for Zatanna Zatara, now starring in her very own magical limited comic series!
Jamal Campbell is the writer and artist of the six-issue Zatanna limited series, which magically appeared on store shelves on February 19. Campbell sets the story when Zatanna is at the height of her powers, comfortable in her own skin as both a Justice Leaguer and the headliner of her own magic show tour. The spellbinding superstar meets her match, however, when a mystifying new foe known as the Lady White steals more than just Zee’s spotlight…
Zatanna #1 opens like a fairy tale. Readers get a quick glimpse of Zatanna’s past, including the tragic fates of her parents Zatara and Sindella and her time in the Justice League, in a mesmerizing two-page spread that highlights Campbell’s incredible line and color work. There are also a few tantalizing tarot cards cascading down the page, featuring John Constantine as the Fool and Wonder Woman as Strength. (Can those be real, please?)
Then Zatanna slowly opens her eyes, dispelling the memory, and the show begins.
The Mistress of Magic is getting ready for her new tour, which is scheduled to debut in a storied San Francisco theater. Her talented crew is hard at work in preparation, from set construction to rehearsing their own parts of the action-packed act. Zatanna, who knows all their names, can’t resist giving them a quick speech to kick things off. She’s completely at ease in front of the small crowd and confident in her crew’s abilities. But young Adam, a performer in a high-flying sword illusion, can’t shake the feeling that he doesn’t belong.
Seeing Zatanna give Adam a pep talk is a delight, and not just because of the advice she gives him. Zatanna’s recent stories, like Zatanna and the Ripper and Zatanna: Bring Down the House, are phenomenal tales of the young magician learning about who she is and accepting the power she wields. In this miniseries, however, Zatanna is experienced, knowledgeable and confident in her abilities both on and off stage. It’s so much fun to see her thriving in her element of show business and using her magic powers as naturally as breathing. She even casts a spell by using sign language when she can’t voice it, which is ingenious on both her and Campbell’s parts.
Her confidence as a hero shines the brightest—in no small part due to the comic’s gorgeous art—when the Lady White captures some members of the crew and transports them to the astral plane. Zatanna doesn’t hesitate to go in after them and slings her backwards-spoken spells like a seasoned pro. She saves her crew members from the strange peril they find themselves in…and then Zatanna comes face to face with the Lady White herself.
The issue ends with a surprising twist only the Lady White sees coming. While I won’t spoil it for you here, trust me when I say the next issue of Zatanna can’t get here fast enough for me to find out what happens next.
If you’ve been a fan of Jamal Campbell since his work in Naomi, Far Sector and Superman, you’re going to be delighted with his enchanting art and story in this series. And, of course, if you’re a fan of Zatanna, this is a must-buy!
⁺ ˚*･ Daer siht cimoc! ･*˚⁺
Zatanna #1 by Jamal Campbell is now available in print and as a digital comic book.
Kelly Knox writes about all-ages comics and animation for DC.com and is the author of several nonfiction books about some of your favorite film franchises. Follow her on X at @kelly_knox and Bluesky at @kelly-knox.com to talk superheroes, comics and pop culture.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Kelly Knox and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.
