Written by Sholly Fisch
Art by Dario Brizuela; Franco Riesco; & Saida Temofonte
Cover Art by Dario Brizuela & Franco Riesco
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for December 2016, this issue is entitled “Conjuror’s Conundrum.” Attending Zatanna Zatara’s Halloween Night magic show at the Mystic Mansion, Mystery Inc. join the Justice League sorceress to help find her missing father: the legendary magician, John Zatara. Zatanna & Mystery Inc. discover that Doctor Fate’s helmet; Sargon the Sorcerer’s Ruby of Life; and Ibis the Invincible’s Ibistick also vanished two days ago, just like Zatanna’s dad.
Suspecting some magical chicanery, Mystery Inc. accompanies Zatanna in interrogating Klarion the Witch Boy; Wotan; the Blue Lama; and even Zatara’s imprisoned old foe, Tigress. The enigma comes full circle to the Mystic Mansion for a magical showdown.
REVIEW:
Well-played! With so many DC magician cameos (including a sly hint re: Zatanna’s romantic past with an unnamed Constantine) stuffed in, writer Sholly Fisch devises a terrific story worth of an animated TV episode. While the mystery’s obvious culprit is instantly forgettable, the finale’s magical hijinks compensate for some formulaic twists. The art team delivers outstanding support, as this entertaining issue is well worth finding for all ages. Highly recommended!
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The nefarious Scarecrow provides a two-page Halloween pumpkin-decorating activity. In their Young Justice animated incarnations, there are single-page profiles for Zatanna Zatara and Klarion the Witch Boy. Johnny DC’s “DC Entertainment for Everyone” hypes the month’s new DC kid-friendly releases.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars
Note: As a recommended double-feature, Sholly Fisch also wrote 2011’s Batman – The Brave and The Bold # 12, which features Batman & Zatanna Zatara’s Halloween Night caper at the House of Mystery.
