‘Zatanna’ Written by Len Wein & Art by Gray Morrow.
‘Flash’ Written by John Broome & Art by Carmine Infantino and Joe Giella.
Cover Art by Gray Morrow.
First Page Art by Mike Nasser & Terry Austin.
SUMMARY:
DC Comics released this 48-page issue for January 1977. First up is an untitled 17-page Zatanna Zatara adventure serving as a sequel to Justice League of America # 51. On a dark and stormy night, at the Zatara family mansion known as Shadowcrest, sorcerer John Zatara is corrupted by an unknown supernatural threat. Under such ominous influence, he banishes his beloved daughter, Zatanna, and her business manager, Jeff Sloane, to a bizarre prehistorical locale.
Taken captive, Zatanna & Jeff face imminent execution by a warlock’s goons in the ‘Tower of the Dead.’ Against seemingly impossible odds, it’s up to the Mistress of Magic to save Jeff, Zatara, and Earth itself from an old foe wreaking vengeful havoc. No matter the heartbreaking consequences, Zatanna must even be willing to kill her mind-controlled father in magical combat to thwart his reign of terror.
From May 1962’s The Flash # 128, the 13-page back-up feature is the frequently-reprinted “Case of the Real-Gone Flash!” Though the story is oddly identified as their third encounter, Barry Allen’s Flash tangles with the formidable 64th Century rogue, Abra Kadabra, for the first time.
REVIEW:
This long-forgotten DC anthology title serves up two worthwhile capers. Len Wein’s reliable scripting and Gray Morrow’s engaging visuals concoct Zatanna’s fun lead feature that amply earns its cover image. Though dated as a Silver Age relic, the Flash’s face-off vs. Abra Kadabra is still worth a quick read.
Along with the bonus materials as kid-friendly padding, DC Super-Stars of Magic Giant # 11 is a nostalgic treat serving up classy, all-ages DC Comics-style entertainment.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
A single-page biography summarizes ‘The Great Houdini.’ Though the author isn’t identified, the facial close-up is illustrated by Mike Nasser & Terry Austin. A second full-page article is entitled “Conjuring Through the Ages.” Neither its writer nor the illustrator of a Merlin image are identified. There are also page-length instructions for three magic tricks: ‘The Coin in the Glass;’ ‘The Disappearing Coin;’ and ‘The Magical Prediction.’
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
