ZATANNA #3: One Last Magic Trick

Zatanna #3: Transported into a dream-like world Zatanna’s powers are weak and failing due to the Lady in White’s grip on her. As she is being tormented Zatanna must make a difficult choice to apply reason or exert every ounce of magic she has left.

Creative Team:

Jamal Campbell (WRITER, ARTIST, and COVER)

Ariana Maher (LETTERS)

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

Let’s Discuss this Issue:

Normally I would break down the art and story into separate categories however, Jamal Campbell is putting in some insane effort and taking this run all upon himself with the help of Ariana Maher on the lettering.

I’m not so sure that Jamal is not a wizard or sorcerer as well, and this third issue further cements my thoughts. The way the art is working together and picking up where we left off, with Zatanna bursting with color against a tan color palette. It flows together well and is telling a story in its own right. The shift from this simple color and into an explosion of purples and chaos is done on a dime and thrusts immediately into a heart-pounding chase.

The chase and battle between Zatanna and Clayface culminates in one of the most insanely well-done one-shot pages I have seen in a comic with a haunting image of Zatanna as though we see her in an X-ray tearing apart Clayface. The line work and the detail had me stopped in my tracks for a long time just studying every ounce of detail. Within this extraordinary artwork is Ariana lettering words that appear to be melting off of the page.

It’s rare to see Zatanna in such a vulnerable state, but she is at her weakest at her weakest moment beaten and broken. The story is putting her against a foe that is leagues ahead of her, and I am intrigued as to how she can overcome this and where Jamal takes this story.

Overall Grade 10/10

Zatanna #3 is perhaps the best issue yet. It is full of heart-pounding moments as Zatanna is at her most desperate and I am left wondering how she will make it out. The art is full of horror shots and astounding art and colors. I cannot tell you how badly you must be reading this!

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