If Jamal Campbell’s work on Zatanna: It’s Showtime left you wanting more, then Zatanna #1 is going to be your new obsession. It picks up the baton right where the miniseries left off, but everything feels bigger, sleeker, and a lot more dangerous. Zee has just inherited the title of “Prime Magus,” a role so ancient it’s practically unheard of, yet the book still manages to make her brand of magic look totally effortless. If you want a comic with style to spare, this is it.
- Title: Zatanna #1
- Creatives: Jamal Campbell (Writer, Artist, Colorist), Ariana Maher (Letterer)
- Characters: Zatanna Zatara, Nightmare Nurse, Amethyst, Va’irra, Agent Di Manes, Allura, DEO (Department of Extranormal Operations)
- Villain: The Lady White, Agent Di Manes, Parasitic Spirit
- Format: Ongoing Series (DC: Next Level)
- Our Rating: 9/10 Stars
The Scale of the Prime Magus
Right from the jump, you can tell you’re in for a spectacle. Zatanna #1 opens with a gorgeous double-splash page that serves as a cold open. Campbell draws Zatanna in her signature “showtime” poses as she jumps from crisis to crisis like she’s dancing through paintings. We see her battling magical threats alongside heavy hitters like Nightmare Nurse and Amethyst (Princess of Gemworld). No realm is too big or too godly for her now. The colors in this debut issue are stunning, and the layout makes the action feel incredibly fluid.
Things aren’t all roses and stage lights, though. One second, she’s taking down cosmic gods, and the next, she’s dropped into this grisly, blood-soaked crime scene that feels way darker than her usual motif. Seeing Zee standing over a pile of goons with that stone-cold expression is a rare side of her (even if it’s not her doing), and Campbell absolutely nails the vibe.
The Verdant City and Creative Spellcasting
The story really kicks into high gear midway through with a wild, magical chase scene. Zatanna is hot on the trail of a parasitic spirit all the way to the Verdant City of Elves, where the stubborn little monster has latched onto a girl named Va’irra. Campbell’s art feels effortless on these pages, with the city a gorgeous wash of vibrant colors, and the spirit a piercing crimson look that absolutely pops against the background.
The real star of the show, however, is the magic itself. While Zatanna’s signature backwards speech is front and center, it’s the visuals that really seal the deal. She’s doing way more than just casting spells; she’s ripping open portals, binding enemies, and diving into their minds. At one point, she’s even cruising around on a giant playing card. Between that and her literally playing rock-paper-scissors with her magic, the whole thing feels incredibly inventive and perfectly on-brand for her.
The DEO and the Mystery of Agent Di Manes
Once the spirit is dealt with, the DEO (Department of Extranormal Operations) shows up. Specifically, their new Occult Affairs Department arrives on the scene. They’re led by Agent Di Manes, who has one of the coolest character designs I’ve seen in a while. He wears a sharp black suit and a brown overcoat, but his face is just a black void with scribbled “X” eyes and a jagged mouth. It’s equal parts mysterious and unsettling.
Seeing the DEO branch out into magic feels like a massive level-up for the agency and adds a new dynamic to the DC Universe. Plus, Zatanna’s entrance is pure perfection. She drops in their helicopter with a classic “ta-daa~”, catching sniper bullets and scattering cards like it’s just another Tuesday. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention how much I loved seeing Zatanna in her classic, flashy outfit right next to Di Manes’ creepy, void-like silhouette. It’s easily one of my favorite panels of the issue.
Mage vs. Sorcerer: A New Status Quo
The way this ends really cements Zatanna’s legacy. It frames the DC Universe in a way that feels huge: the League handles Earth, the Lanterns handle space, and the Legion handles the future. But when it comes to the mystic arts, it all starts and ends with Zatanna.
The real kicker, though, is that “Prime Magus” title. It’s tempting to say, “Oh, she’s just DC’s version of Doctor Strange,” but that feels like a misnomer. While Marvel has Sorcerers Supreme popping up all over their universe, DC’s Prime Magus feels like a singular, absolute force. Plus, most sorcerers are just “borrowers,” middlemen who cut deals with deities for a spark of power. “Prime Magus Zatanna” doesn’t seem to need permission; the magic is hers, purely internal and self-sustaining.
Verdict: Should you buy Zatanna #1?
Ultimately, I had a great time with Zatanna #1. Between the fresh mystery and the multiversal scale of the story, there’s a lot to love here: all brought to life by some truly top-tier art. It feels right to finally see Zatanna get the power upgrade she deserves; on a stage this large, she feels right at home.
I also have to give it up for Ariana Maher on letters. She and Campbell are such a dream team. Seeing the pink speech bubbles return for Zee’s backward magic is such a great touch, and the way she styled the spirit’s sound effects (all creepy and jagged) fits the mood of Campbell’s art perfectly. If you like inventive magic, just go buy it. You won’t regret it.
‘Zatanna’ #1 Levels up DC’s Mistress of Magic to Prime Magus
Ultimately, I had a great time with Zatanna #1. Between the fresh mystery and the multiversal scale of the story, there’s a lot to love here: all brought to life by some truly top-tier art. It feels right to finally see Zatanna get the power upgrade she deserves; on a stage this large, she feels right at home.
