Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Zatanna # 5

By Koppy McFad
September 19, 2010 - 01:17

DC Comics' resident master magician battles fire demons and later zombies sent by an evil lord of hell. But she may have even worse problems facing her in the form of her jealous cousin, Zachary and a suave casino manager who is making the moves on her.

This book is not quite the slam-bang action saga that one usually associates with superhero books but it is quite charming, entertaining and suspenseful in its own way. The threats are genuinely menacing without being gory or overly-violent. The characters are interesting without being weird or neurotic and the title character herself is uniquely enchanting. She isn't the usual female 'badazz' who exudes ferocity like too many modern superheroines but she is competent and formidable. She is also easy-going, likeable and seems quite happy with her life, despite the occasional mystic menaces that come her way.

The art, like the story, is bright and easy to follow, in contrast to the gloomy, dark atmosphere of most supernatural-themed titles. Zatanna looks especially attractive without coming off as a hyper-sexualized bombshell. If there is any shortcoming, it is that Zachary Zatanna looks a lot older here than he does in other books.

Rating: 8.5 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12