Written by Matthew Cody
Illustrated by Yoshi Yoshitani & Ariana Maher
SUMMARY:
This 2020 160-page paperback is published by DC Comics. Thirteen-year old Zatanna “Zee” Zatara quietly lives with her widower father, Zatara, in an odd-looking suburban home. Yet, to the magical world, it’s the enigmatic ‘House of Secrets,’ with Zee’s stage magician father as the caretaker. On Halloween, after standing up to a bully at middle school on a friend’s behalf, Zatanna’s tough day worsens upon returning home. Sneaking out that night for a school costume party, Zee can’t stop the creepy Klarion the Witch Boy from swiping a magical key out of her safekeeping.
At the House of Secrets, Zatanna and her black-and-white bunny, Pocus, discover that their home has been invaded by the Witch Queen’s dark supernatural forces. Searching the now-corrupted house, the future Justice Leaguer becomes desperate to find her missing father. With a little help, Zee unlocks the truth of her own family’s practice of speaking magical spells backwards. Even more so, she must find the magic hidden within herself to defy the Witch Queen.
REVIEW:
To writer Matthew Cody’s credit, he cleverly tweaks Zatanna’s established origin for a pre-teen audience. In this storyline, these changes make sense, including the poignant fate of Zee’s mother. Cody also devises an entertaining mystery for a young Zatanna’s coming-of-age as a new sorceress. Supporting roles by Pocus, Zatara, Klarion, and a few of Zee’s previously-unseen childhood friends add some extra dimension to the supernatural fun. Artist Yoshi Yoshitani’s watercolor visuals will look quite rudimentary to adults, but her fresh approach should appeal to an elementary school audience. For Zatanna fans, this prequel graphic novel conjures up a delightful gem, even if the visuals could have been cranked up a notch or two for older readers.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
A table of contents is provided re: the six chapters. There are brief bios on Matthew Cody and Yoshi Yoshitani. Lastly, readers get a ten-page preview of the graphic novel, Anti/Hero, by Kate Karyus Quinn, Demitria Lunetta, & Maca Gil.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
