#john giovanni zatara

[aboutzatanna]

Not sure why this myth of 'Zatanna was a teen originally in the 60's' persist. Even in her introductory arc she states "I saw my father! For the first time in twenty long and lonely years'. That puts her in her mid-20's at best (same age as Babs prior to her de aging) and the Teen Titans were very much teens during that period.

Source: Justice League of America Vol 1 #51

Only change that happened was that later on, her Whos Who was updated so her father disappeared when she was 18 then she spent an unspecified number of years looking for him.

Even before the childhood friendship with Batman was incorporated into comics, she was treated as an older woman.

Source: Green Arrow Vol 3 #19

I mean, enjoy your AU's, adaptations, fanfics and fan art. But this claim that Zee was always a teenager like in YJ is just false.

[wonderjanga]

Theories About Marvel

The Justice League and many others have theories as to what Marvel is.

Theorist: “What if Captain Marvel is Kryptonian?”

Theorist 2: “Bro what? Dude, he’s had Kryptonite thrown at him and he doesn’t flinch at all.”

Theorist: “No, but hear me out! What if he’s a higher level, or at least a different type of Kryptonian? Who’s to say they don’t come with different powers and weaknesses? Superman and Supergirl are cousins, right? What if all the lasers and cold breath are exclusive to them and them alone? What if Marvel is Kryptonian, and its just that his powers include lightning instead?”

Theorist 2: “That’s actually insane dude! But it also kinda makes sense. Actually wait, let me add on. He could be weak to Kryptonite, but not as much as Superman and Supergirl. Some Kryptonians could be more sensitive to it than others!”

Clark actually got asked about this.

Supes: “What…? No? Marvel’s not Kryptonian. Kryptonians don’t just have mix and match powers. We all have the laser vision and super strength and X-ray vision.”

People still believe this theory even if it was proven wrong by Supes. Though, it’s mostly civilians. Key word: mostly.

Then there’s the magic users theories:

Constantine: “I always thought the bloke was a golem that looked like a human. That Wizard guy he talks about could’ve made him.”

Zatanna: “Really? I always thought he was a lightning elemental.”

Zatara: “He’s the Champion of Magic. It’s more likely he’s made of pure magic…”

Constantine is the closest in Billy’s nonprofessional professional opinion. There’s also Batman’s and Martian Manhunter’s theories.

Batman: “I believe he’s an immortal shapeshifter. There are multiple mentions of him in scriptures, architecture, pottery, and artifacts.”

MM: “I too believe it’s likely. Some of the texts and artworks depict him as women. It’s also likely he changed physical characteristics as well. The nose on this statue is different than described in this scripture.”

Then there’s Diana, Donna, and Cassie.

WW: “I thought it was obvious he was a demigod?”

Donna: “Yes, isn’t he one of Zeus’ children? He’s our brother!”

Cassie: “He’s a really good brother too!”

[kitzatara]

TODAY IS ZATANNA’S 60th DEBUT ANNIVERSARY!!!

Exactly 60 years ago today, Zatanna came onto the comic book pages of Hawkman #4, and has continued to thrill and delight!

So to celebrate here on tumblr, this will be a post about fun facts and information about the one and only, Princess of Prestidigitation, Sorceress Supreme, and Mistress of Magic!

Zatanna is a human and Homo Magi hybrid born to Giovanni “John” Zatara and Sindella. Through Zatara she is of Italian descent, and related to Leonardo Da Vinci, Nostradamus, Cagliostro, and Nicholas Flammel. On her mother’s side she is of Atlantean descent and distantly related to Arion the sorcerer king and demi-god of Atlantis.

Zatanna primarily casts spells by speaking backwards, originally due to her connection to Da Vinci who wrote his journals in reverse. Later it was revealed to be a way to keep the Otherkind from the dark multiverse from finding and feeding on her. And while it is her go to spellcasting method she can cast spells without speaking, through rhymes, runes, song, and even psychically!

Since she can pretty much make anything happen by speaking it backwards she has a laundry list of magical capabilities and is considered one of the most powerful Justice Leaguers, and magic users in the DC universe. Having used her powers to stop many threats over the years and save countless lives.

Despite having near limitless powers Zatanna often suffers from being sidelined in stories, or nerfed to make her more palatable to the narrative. Usually due to a combination of sexism, being not as popular as other characters, or so that the other characters can have the spotlight. But when Zatanna gets to shine, it’s brighter than the sun.

Like many of her peers Zatanna has a no kill rule, and has actually never killed anyone in the main continuity/universe. She has also never died in main canon, a somewhat rare quality among comic characters.

Despite having a no kill rule Zatanna does have a bit of temper, as well as an over reliance on her magic powers. She is a self proclaimed “spellaholic” often using magic for mundane tasks and to get even with people who vex her. And when her father, loved ones, and children are threatened she has been known to lash out. But she always sets things right, and does the right thing in the end.

Despite her temper Zatanna is a very kind and loving character, she considers many of the League members to be like family, and is much beloved among the superheroes and magic users of the world. Her fierce determination to do good and put a smile on people’s faces even when she’s feeling low is a stand out character trait. She has even gone out of her way to protect her enemies, the people who caused her mother’s death, and civilians of people who have harmed her. Because at the end of the day she is a hero, and damn good one.

Zatanna is a complex and fascinating character with so much wonderful history to explore. And it’s so fortunate that she has her first ever Black Label solo called Zatanna: Bring Down The House. What better way to celebrate her 60 years than by checking it out? Issue #3 releases next week! And tomorrow (August 21st) Superman #17 releases featuring a rare team up between the Magic Maid and the Man of Steel. And below are some of my personal comic reading recs!

May you come to love her as I do

Yojne! 🎩🪄

[pablohunie1993]

i love everything i've seen from zatanna bring the house down so far but i have the worst paranoia that john's going to be DC's Part Time Justice Leaguer John Constantine who's critical of zatanna's career/choices and somehow stronger and smarter than her about all magic or even in general, especially considering what the plot is. i'm not saying he can't be better than her at anything but i'm specifically referring to when he's depicted as being zatara's equal who zatanna has much to learn from.

[thingsasbarcodes]

Young Justice 1x16 - Failsafe

[tzigone]

So, I started thinking about Zachary's parents and ended up thinking about the extended Zatara family and magic

For my headcanon reboot. I lean rather Pre-COI for Zatanna and Zatara in terms of personality. I have some issues with Sindrella and the homo magi setup, as I've mentioned before. And there are some changes to fit in the overall universe.

For reference, John Zatara is born in 1956, Zatanna in 1980 and Zachary in 1991.

But, despite leaning a pre-COIE way, I did want to include Zachary. So I thought they shouldn't be the only magic members of the family. So Luigi looked youngish when he gave John his magic tricks. So he's a young grandpa. So all four of Zatara's grandparents are alive when he realizes he has magical abilities. He has not only his little brother and parents, but aunts and uncles and cousins and great aunts and uncles and second cousins.

Well, he goes home when he gets a chance and has his other family members try magic. His brother and father have it and his mom doesn't, so they know it comes from dad's side. So they get other relatives to try. A great uncle, an aunt, and two first cousins (both younger - he's the oldest grandkid on that side) have magic.

But the others don't do exciting things with it like him. Dad, brother, grandpa and great uncle just live life on easy mode. Meals are magicked up. Car's gas tank is full for free. Clothes and appliances - look at a catalog and speak it. Home repairs and remodeling - easy-peasy. Zachary finds the family with such abilities living so mundanely just a waste - so incredibly boring. The aunt and her husband form a company and start flipping houses. Her husband does the research and paperwork and she speaks the dilapidated (or at least extremely outdated) into fashionable modernity - with shag carpeting, harvest gold appliances, and very nice wood wood paneling. Their kids were given good size profit interests of the company when they started, too. But that's still small-time compared to Zat's dreams.

I have some personalities and details on characters, including non-magic ones, but I doubt anyone cares much about that.

[milfzatannaz]

Zatara is the most tragic character in comics bc imagine getting led to your death at a shitty seance by a stupid blonde asshole twink and then you fucking explode and as a ghost you watch your daughter fuck that aforementioned blonde asshole 😔

[dcbinges]

Action Comics #12 (1939) by Fred Guardineer

[outer-space-face]

Zatanna and the Ripper as textposts: 1/???

(lemme know if y'all want more of these, I just thought this was funny ajshjsjsj)

[evilhorse]

Mention the name Zatanna and one’s mind is filled with memories

[landboundstar]

From Ghoulies And Ghosties Part 6

People tend to forget that I had studied magic with Zatanna's father.

It was hard to picture, especially since I didn't have the whole stage magic gig.

He was calm, supportive, a respected Justice League member.

And I was the thorn in their side normally.

But I had picked up a lot from the old man and his lessons. Lying with the truth. Hiding my magic and rituals right under their noses. Being unapologetically myself. Asking forgiveness rather than permission when it came to dealing with a crisis without backup.

He taught me that.

And spells.

I dropped a bag of clothes on the bed, nostalgically pulling memories of the spell to mind. Grease paint and stage lights and a hug from a red nosed Zatanna in pajamas as she recovered from the flu.

I stripped out of my clothes and said the magic words.

"Eb A Lrig."

Looking in the mirror, I thought I'd done pretty good, even if it had been years since I'd pulled it off. It would have been easier if I had just switched with no major alterations. But even with the tweaks, it was a familiar process. Hiding the tattoos, adding long hair, losing a couple inches of height to add some curves instead. I could have tried to look like Zatanna or Dinah or a dozen other people. But that would have meant acting like them too.

Instead, I looked like a slightly punk version of Tinkerbell. And that meant I could act however I wanted. As long as I didn't act too much like myself and give any tells.

I'd gone for a conservative club dress, the type that covered my ass when I sat, with a leather jacket over top, and thick soled boots.

I was not going to make the mistake of running in skyscaper heels again.

But I still had a few touches to add.

A second bag on the bed had makeup, and I put it on, playing with the eye shadow, swearing at the mascara wand, and finishing off with lipstick, surrounded by familiar scents and smells that I normally associated with Zee.

I looked in the mirror one last time and then packed a little clutch with all the essentials. Cash, cigarettes, condoms, a fake ID, a few amulets, salt, a lighter, and a few other bits and bobs that made casting just a touch easier.

Then, it was late enough that I decided it was time for me to earn my keep on Gotham's streets.

It wasn't a long walk to the Iceberg Lounge, but I kept my eyes peeled and my hand close to a lovely bit of magical protection I was passing off as a necklace. Not probably for the reason any other girl out earning her keep at this hour was looking around sharply, but all the better to look for a signature or something material that would help unravel what was going on with the extra magic in Gotham and who was putting it there. Because unless I knew that and the why, there was bloody nothing I could do to help.

And that was assuming that was the only threat I'd been hired to look into. I mean, I could get lucky and be chasing an arrogant twat who didn't feel the need to back up their plan.

But if it were me, I'd have a cover for my actual reasons and would be making sure all eyes were on that and not whatever I really wanted.

Of course, I'm a cynical bastard.

The bouncer glanced at the California driver's license and then back at me. Maybe I didn't look like a Tiffany. But he unfastened the rope and I wiggled my ass inside and made my way to the bar.

Once I ordered a drink, I fiddled with an earring while I looked around, and traced out the last bit of the spell.

A spell that was pretty much a magical earbud, letting me filter out and listen to anything tied to Bruce, especially any plans against him.

After all, people like to talk about plans. What they plan to do, who they plan to be. Go through most bars and a dozen people will be planning something, whether it's a booty call or what they'll say at the big interview. 

And Penguin was a businessman with plans for Gotham. He might draw similar individuals to him.

I sipped at a pretty blue highball that had gin somewhere in the mix and listened for a while to irritated execs and socialite machinations detachedly on my high class stakeout.

Until the spell hit a bit of technical conversation about microchips and adrenaline and a protective spell shorted out my listening device.

Annoyed, I set my drink down, and rubbed my ear. Bloody Christ, I was glad that it had just shorted the spell and not triggered anything spectacular like fire or a summoning favor. 

"Something wrong?"

I turned and smiled up, the snippet of conversation turning around in my head.

"Not at all. Buy you a drink?"

[aboutzatanna]

Happy Fathers Day!

Source: Zatanna (2010) #3

[why-i-love-comics]

Zatanna & The Ripper #25 - "Elephant Bubble Spring" (2022)

written by Sarah Dealy art by Syro, Jace Camedon, Paula Fidelis, & Ayumumum

[ufonaut]

No matter how much time passes, I still feel like that young girl. Who just wants to spend time with her father. Who looks at him like he hangs the moon, the stars, and the whole world.

Giovanni Zatara in Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League - Batman (2022) #1

[pablohunie1993]

[thingsasbarcodes]

Young Justice 1x15 - Humanity