Author/artist Jamal Campbell and letter Ariana Maher take Zatanna on tour and in an all-new 6th issue series, it’s as fun as it sounds! I mentioned a while ago on the AIPT Comics Podcast that this is probably my most predicted comic of 2025, but this first issue doesn’t disappoint me. Campbell brings elegant and chaotic energy to the book. This creative team obviously makes it an unforgettable experience worthy of a character who can do anything with the right set of words, using all the tricks at his own pace!
Campbell’s page layout is beautiful. They are consistently original and allow characters to flow beautifully and flow into and out of wild situations in ways that can be easily followed. It’s not a story feat that always shows more than 10 spells per page. In many ways, it feels like Campbell brings all the big ideas he’s had to magic users before and throws them out there as soon as possible. Heck, the first page looks like a classic storybook, and the next double page spread takes us through some of the biggest moments in Zatanna’s history (Campbell is You can draw more superheroes, and the rest of the matter is a madcap tour of multiple genres and tones.
DC
In one of my favourite moments, Zatanna uses ASL to cast a spell when her mouth is tied up. In another case, Zatanna dives into many alternative realities based on the various films produced by the Ghost at the heart of the story. The pages are divided into several panels, each serving as its own small short story. It’s almost overwhelming at times, but mostly in the sense that you want to go back and reread the pages and get the last little visual gags and mystical habits first.
Meanwhile, Ariana Maher clearly makes many fun contributions to the harsh differences between these different realities. Beyond the visual symbols when Zatanna is casting a spell, her normal speaking patterns and letters adapt to the genre in which the character will find herself next. One highlight is the film noir reality, in which the old-fashioned typewriter fonts switch to a caption box that conveys a massive shift in tone. It’s a lot of fun.
DC
On the other hand, the non-stop nature of the story is certainly very interesting, but I don’t want the issue to take a little while to slow down, or at least this first part allowed to play with some. I realized I was. An extra problem. Here, I felt that refusing to hold my breath was at a disadvantage, like the aforementioned “Five Set Pieces of a Page.” The book is very enjoyable, but aside from the fact that they love her work, I don’t feel like I know anything about Zatanna’s crew. .
But honestly, that’s a minor complaint. I wouldn’t be so bad when I could feel this book on the page and provide the final image on the edge of my seat next month. This is a book miracle for Zatanna fans and we can’t wait for Campbell to see where we go next. txen eussi, esaelp!
“Zatanna” #1 is a magic thrill ride
Zatanna #1
Consistently original and visually stunning, the new “Zatanna” series feels like the closest to actually seeing Zatanna perform live.
Every page has some new ideas or original design elements.
After accepting all of Zatanna’s history, we forget about new paths to come
Set up a compelling threat and an astonishing final image.
