It’s been a long time since Zatanna had her own book. A very long time. The last thing we have, really, was Seven Soliders Of Victory by Grant Morrison. After reading that, I became so enamored with the character that I invented a new column for this website (Character Spotlight) just as an excuse to write about how awesome I thought the character was. Now, with the Justice League torn apart and a new one forming, I was highly looking forward to a book that featured her as a regular member of the team. Unfortunately, post-Blackest Night, Robinson has decided not to include her on the team as she is off doing something on her own.
What is that something? Oh, just starring in her own series! That’s right, you read that correctly! Starting in May, Zatanna will be getting a brand new series all of her very own! But in case you aren’t convinced by that alone, how about I throw in some other great news: 1. The book is being written by Paul Dini. This is great news because Dini is one of two people who gave me a great appreciation of the character due to his work with her (albeit brief) in Detective Comics. 2. The book is being drawn by Stephane Roux, a terribly talented artist who has never really gotten the chance to shine. However, the interiors posted on the Source look amazing, and can only make me more excited for this book, and should get you geared up too.
Needless to say, this is already on my pull. I’ve been waiting for a solo Zatanna title for a while now, and it’s nice to finally have one. The book is even supposed to focus on giving her a bit more of a backstory, as well as a cast of characters. FINALLY.
For quotes from Dini and Roux, click behind the jump.
Paul Dini, writer:
Outside of her star turn in 7 SOLDIERS OF VICTORY, her ongoing supporting role in JLA and guest appearances elsewhere, Zatanna doesn’t come with a lot of backstory. That’s both a blessing and a challenge for me as a writer. I don’t have to adhere to 70 years of continuity, but that doesn’t give me a lot of history to draw from, either. That said, I’ve been having a lot of fun populating her world with new characters, friends and allies as well as an entirely new mystical rogues gallery. I’m out to create some really unique and creepy villains, ones that aggressively prey on humankind the way gangsters in a crime book would victimize innocent people. As Zatanna herself says in the first issue, there’s little in the way of human punishment that can be enforced on evil mystics. There are few laws they are compelled to obey, no jails to hold them, and no way ordinary people can defend themselves from their attacks. Zatanna has taken it upon herself to operate as both peacekeeper and avenger between those two worlds.
Though a lot about Zatanna’s world is new, it is still firmly rooted in the DC Universe. She’s still a JLA member, and that will play into her stories now and then. Also, I plan to explore her somewhat dicey relationship with her younger cousin, Zachary Zatara. I saw a good chance to inject some family discord there, so when I was developing the book, I ran some ideas by Geoff Johns. He created Zach, so I wanted to get his okay before I shook things up. Luckily Geoff was cool with what I wanted to do, so readers can expect to see Zach becoming a permanent part of Zee’s world.
Stephane Roux, artist:
What can I say about being attached to the project? I’m a fan of the character AND a longer-time fan of the writer. Paul’s delivering very exciting scripts, pushing the character in directions that make it so much fun for me to draw. I’m dealing with various dimensions, litterally. You’ll be scared, you’ll be excited, you’ll enjoy the fights she’s going through. And because it’s Paul, because it’s Zatanna, I simply can’t afford to deliver average art. Not to mention Karl Story’s sure helping me make art look great. Hope the effort shows, hope you like it.
