Zatanna: Bring Down the House #5 – Mariko Tamaki, Writer; Javier Rodriguez, Artist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: Zatanna’s journey from terrified stage magician to supernatural warrior has been the most compelling part of this Black Label mini, and with this final issue, we see her complete her personal crucible by fire. Along with her reluctant ally from the Casters, Zatanna descends into a supernatural realm to find the roots of the spell that was cast on her all those years ago by her father. There’s just one problem – to return to that time, she returns as well – and winds up in the body of her ten-year-old self, forcing her to rely on someone she only partway trusts as an army of demons emerges. This offers Javier Rodriguez a chance to indulge in his best surrealist art, playing with the format of panels in some intriguing ways, as well as for Tamaki to drive home the them that this is about Zatanna overcoming her childhood trauma and discovering what she’s truly capable of.
I think this series could probably have stood another issue or two, as the last few issues had a surprisingly leisurely tone and explored some of Zatanna’s relationships – and this issue is just no-holds-barred from page one to the ending, as Zatanna confronts the literal ghosts of her past. The showdown with her father, or at least what’s left of him, has some of the best visuals of the entire run, as well as revealing some shocking truths about Zatanna’s power issues that might be pretty controversial. But I think it fits neatly with the themes Tamaki explored in this series, and it ends with Zatanna in a good place. I think this, like most Black Label series, will read very well as a collected edition, but it also benefited from a good amount of humor throughout. I’m hoping that magical bunnies remain a mainstay of the DC magic world going forward, personally.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
