Summary
Warning: contains spoilers forZatanna: Bring Down the House#2!
Zatannais getting a new origin, flipping the script on one of theJustice Leagueheroes' most iconic moments–and making her a murderer as well. Since her debut 50 years ago, Zatanna’s origin has been tweaked, and the newZatanna: Bring Down the Houseis retellingit for the modern era. In issue two, one of the most important moments in her life is retold in a shocking new way.
Zatanna: Bring Down the House#2 is written by Mariko Tamaki and drawn by Javier Rodriguez. The series is split into two time frames: Zatanna in the present day, as she comes to terms with her magical heritage, and during her childhood. The previous issue revealed Zatanna, as a child, caused the death of one of her friends when a spell backfired. In issue two, her father, Zatara, tries to help her revive the boy. However, Zatanna’s magic still will not work right, and Zatara seemingly dies in the process.
Zatanna: Bring Down the HouseIs Updating Her Origin
Zatanna’s Father Zatara Is Crucial to Her Backstory
Zatanna’s relationship with her father has been a defining aspect of her character, andBring Down the Houseis casting it in a new light.
Zatanna: Bring Down the Houseis taking a “Year One” approach to the character, showing formative experiences that shaped her into the Justice League icon fans know. Zatanna’s relationship with her father has been a defining aspect of her character, andBring Down the Houseis casting it in a new light. Zatara is distant from his daughter. The spell Zatanna cast in the first issue that killed her friend was an attempt to follow in Zatara’s footsteps. Realizing that he may have been at least partially responsible for the boy’s death, Zatara attempts to put things right.
Zatanna first appeared in 1964’sHawkman#4, created by Gardner Fox and Murphy Anderson.
Zatara pays the price inZatanna: Bring Down the House#2, seemingly perishing as a result of his daughter’s spell. The issue makes it clear her father’s death was a watershed moment for her, one that caused her to turn her back on magic. In the mainstream DC Universe, Zatara perished fighting the Great Darkness inSaga of the Swamp Thing#50. Just like his death inBring Down the House, his passing in battlechanged Zatanna on a fundamental level: it made her want to be a better hero, and to honor his legacy.
Two Different Deaths for Zatara, Two Different Lives for Zatanna
Zatanna’s New Childhood Was An Unhappy One
Zatanna’s new origin has significantly darkened her backstory, but her father remains a key part of it. Zatara’s death inSwamp Thing, while tragic, turned out to be a learning experience for Zatanna. InBring Down the House, however, Zatara’s death shatteredZatanna. It caused her to not only forsake magic, but gave her a rough and tumble childhood drifting through the foster system. WhileBring Down the Housemay not be a part of regular DC continuity, it provides a darker look at thisJustice Leagueicon, turning her into a killer.
Zatanna: Bring Down the House#2 is on sale now from DC Comics!
