This review contains spoilers for Zatanna: Bring Down the House!
As Zatanna: Bring down the house passes the halfway mark, she has already completed several steps of a hero’s journey. Up to this point, Zatanna, or Z, has introduced us to her normal world, (reluctantly) felt her call to adventure, and repeatedly rejected that call. Next, Z is introduced to her mentor. At this point, Z has still refused to accept even the possibility that she can perform real magic. She does tricks. Not magic! But that is put to the test here.
DC Comics
Zatanna has been pushed to her limits; she doesn’t want to do magic! But the Order of Rabbits says otherwise! Yes, you read that right. Of course, the rabbits are organized in a book about arguably the most powerful wizards. Sort of. But either way, the story focuses on Zatanna’s inner refusal to embrace the full depth of her powers. With the help of a pointy-eared friend, not him, this identity crisis must be overcome if she wants to become a hero. This back-and-forth leads to a thrilling internal conflict that inevitably leads to exploring not only the parts of Zatanna’s past she wants to ignore, but also her father’s.
DC Comics
Mariko Tamaki’s exploration of Zatanna’s identity as a human, a daughter, and a sorceress has been the foundation of this miniseries. It’s gone from somewhat skimpy to somewhat curious to downright threatening. There are clearly powers far beyond Zatanna’s wildest dreams, controlling things she didn’t even know could be controlled. But all of these parts of her life are interwoven throughout the story due to Tamaki’s masterful storytelling. This book continues the trend of overlapping all of Zatanna’s secrets and questions until it becomes clear to both her and the reader that they’re all connected. This keeps the pace of the book at a great pace thanks to the Black Label format, as Tamaki is able to add depth that she might not have otherwise had enough room for on the pages.
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The art design of this issue is another masterpiece from Javier Rodríguez. As the book’s artist and colorist, Rodríguez does an excellent job of bringing the story to life in the best possible way. This issue takes a slightly psychedelic turn at one point, and Rodríguez’s brilliant line work makes it a treat like no other. This is further enhanced by his vibrant color palette, which helps to make some magical moments really pop off the page. One of the best moments depicting this is when Zatanna is introduced to the Soul Destroyer. Wow. What a moment. This reveal is something that feels and looks absolutely terrifying thanks to the spectacular artwork. Overall, Rodríguez’s work does a spectacular job of bringing the story to life and creating a captivating atmosphere from start to finish.
DC Comics
Zatanna: Bring down the house #3 is another smash hit issue. If you haven’t read that story, or aren’t sure whether to read it, let this issue convince you! Tamaki and Rodríguez create something truly engaging and special with this reimagining of Zatanna’s origins, and it’s a must-read for old and new fans alike. This issue continues to offer brilliant storytelling and spectacular illustrations that help make this book even more worthy as a love letter to Zatanna. What’s more, this miniseries has been a pleasure from the start, and the creative team behind it delivers something magical.
‘Zatanna: Bring Down the House’ No. 3 is another issue that hits the mark
Zatanna: Bring Down the House #3
This edition of Zatanna: Bring Down the House is a spectacular read that combines an intriguing mystery with a grotesque, magical joyride.
The mystery of why Zatanna cannot/will not do magic continues to connect various storylines in a fascinating way.
Javier Rodríguez continues his brilliant work with expressive lines and vibrant colors
The pace remains even as things move toward the finale, as Zatanna begins to understand her larger place in the magical world.
