Zatanna: Bring Down The House (2024) #1

by Mariko Tamaki, Javier Rodriguez (cover_art)

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…please put your hands together for Zatanna Zatara! The greatest entertainer in the crappiest hotel and casino of Las Vegas!Not that the ritzier spots on the Strip haven’t come calling, of course. But since a devastating instance of magic gone wrong that forever changed the course of her childhood, Zatanna would much rather live out her days as a top-hat-and-fishnets-wearing sleight-of-hand stage act than bother with real magic. These days, she doesn’t think much of the past at all.That is, until an interdimensional vortex cracks open during Zatanna’s act, and a terrifying demon crawls out to kill her. If she hopes to survive the horrors that follow it, she’ll need to take herself and her power seriously for the first time in a long time—and fast. Because when it comes to your past, you can run…but you can’t hide forever!

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Comics Manga

37 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2024

About the author

Mariko Tamaki is a Toronto writer, playwright, activist and performer. She works and performs with fat activists Pretty Porky and Pissed Off and the theatre troupe TOA, whose recent play, A vs. B, was staged at the 2004 Rhubarb Festival at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Her well-received novel, Cover Me (McGilligan Books) was followed by a short fiction collection, True Lies: The Book of Bad Advice (Women's Press). Mariko's third book, FAKE ID, is due out in spring 2005.

Mariko Tamaki has performed her work across Canada and through the States, recently appearing at the Calgary Folkfest 2004, Vancouver Writer's Festival 2003, Spatial III, and the Perpetual Motion/Girls Bite Back Tour, which circled though Ottawa, Montreal, Brooklyn and Chicago. She has appeared widely on radio and television including First Person Singular on CBC radio and Imprint on TVO. Mariko Tamaki is currently attending York University working a master's degree in women's studies.

[MacMIllan Books]

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm interested.
So far the setup is that Zatanna refuses to use magic.



Due to something spoilery that happened in her childhood, she's decided she'll never touch her powers again, and now works in Vegas as an illusionist. But she gets the feeling that someone or something is following her.



The end of the issue sees her being confronted by a young woman Zatanna thinks may be a stalker because she keeps appearing at all of her shows.
More spoilery things happen and it looks like she may have to reverse her decision to stay out of the real magic game.

dednemmoceR. Recommended.

[Rahul Nadella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Zatanna, and this is a fun introductory issue. I really love what DC are doing with these black label stories as they are fun , intelligent and get to breath enough to really develop the characters. I am shocked this is from Mariko Tomsi, because this issue blew me away. It's quirky, the art and colors are dynamic, and I'm hooked on this series. This first issue is a slow burn, but for fans who appreciate character development and a touch of mystery, it's a magical act worth checking out.

[abbey ౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

my first zatanna solo comic!!!! really love the set up for this story and how vibrant the art is, super excited to continue

[Nes🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art and colors are so charming!

[James B · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a bit of a vague opening issue. I guess it fits with the magic and mystery theme, but still, very little happened. Really hoping this series is good.

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading a Zatanna book and I really enjoyed it! I’ve read some of Mariko Tamaki’s other works with Supergirl and this seems to be following in the same vein of exploring the down to earth struggles of a superhero character, in this case dealing with failure, identity, and feeling like you’re worthwhile. The artwork is great, the dialogue feels natural and I’m already digging Zatanna as a character, she’s stressed and has some sass to her but no doubt she’ll rise to the occasion. Also Fishnets, truly a wonderful invention.

First issue leaves off with a good hook and mystery to follow up on.

[Bella Morrissette · Rating 4 out of 5]

They could never make me hate you Zatanna

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me alegra que POR FIN el sello Black Label vuelva a tener en cuenta personajes fuera del Batverso o primeras espadas de la compañía como Wonder Woman (buenísima Tierra Muerta, ojo). El personaje de Zatanna se presta muchísimo a un abordaje en esta libertad creativa. Debido a su concepción original tan clásica de una "ilusionista de cabaret" con verdaderos poderes mágicos. Todos estos años del personaje han logrado mantener su perfil visual lo más "añejo" posible por mucho que su personalidad se actualizase a los nuevos tiempos. En esta Bring Down The House, parece que Mariko Tamaki y Javier Rodríguez llevarán esto a un excelente puerto. Al presentar a Zatanna en un perfil bajo como artista frustrada de Las Vegas llegando a ofrecer espectáculos gratuitos. Renegando de su estatus como superheroína, aún con todo una amenaza mística se presenta a su escenario. Y quizás pueda tener relación con un traumático suceso de su infancia cuando aún no controlaba sus habilidades mágicas, y/o con la conocida muerte de su padre.

En lo argumental, este número de presentación no hace demasiado alarde. Pero por ello cuenta con el reconocido arte de Javier Rodríguez para hacer maravillar toda composición de página o estampa mágica que se pueda dar en este conjunto. E incluso en la parte final se da una situación tirando a inquietante que veremos si se extiende totalmente al resto de la miniserie.

[Nicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this first book.

Tamaki's story here gives me a little of the vibe from her Supergirl Being Super one, with the protagonist dealing with who she is and her power. The set up with what happens with the boy and her father at the end are great hooks for the tale.

The lettering was fun from Otsmane-Elhaou. I liked the lack of word bubbles to emphasize tone.

The artwork was phenomenal from Rodriguez, as expected. The fun paneling for the morning run, walking through the casino and the escaping crowd framing the spreadpage towards the end! I'm really tempted to pull the Spider-Woman collection forward in my TBRR list to look at that artwork from him again.

Can't wait for the next book!

[Alexis Moreno · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the voice that Z has in this. it’s a mixture of direct, bluntness but in the context of naming the unspoken absurdity. example, when you don’t want to talk to someone you usually don’t ask them how you can help them leave you alone. the idea is common enough, ie “what do you want” but the zaniness of how she went about it was fun to read. Overall, the actions and things that have happened still feel to clean, i’m hoping for more, we’ll see how this turns out. I love the artwork so an extra half star which is rare

[a · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ish? idk the art was beautiful and i really love how the pages were laid out but i wish this first issue was a little longer but hey! cliffhanger! i’ll def be back for more also when is john constantine showing up asking for a friend 🫶
i’m really intrigued in the mystery and i think this could be a really great pick for someone who wants to read dc but doesn’t really want the typical capes supervillains secret lair kind of story

[Machiavelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just read Zatanna: Bring Down the House #1 by Mariko Tamaki and Javier Rodríguez — and what a magical kickoff. The Vegas setting feels alive and electric, and Rodríguez’s vibrant, stylized art perfectly matches Zatanna’s flair. Tamaki’s writing gives Zatanna real presence, mixing mystery, confidence, and just enough bite. It's stylish, clever, and a strong first act that has me eager for more. A fun and promising start to this Black Label series.

[Nightwing’s Thiccness · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m interested to see where this goes. Zatanna stories always take different directions about her relationship with her father. I like that Zatara is far more mysterious, not too much in the forefront but still important.

[Sam Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why is this black label

[Neil Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Formalist magic at work here

[Jeremiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated first issue. Left me wanting more, which is always a good start.

[Ryan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

So pleasantly surprised by this book

[Alex Fyffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Javier Campos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesante inicio

[Erin Eicher · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first super hero comic! I LOOOOVED it I can’t wait for more! The art is beautiful and the compositions are so unique. I’m loving the fact that zatanna won’t touch her powers rn👀

[rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

so far so good, i’m invested in the mystery and beautiful art

[ComicBookCult Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic first issue, beautifully drawn and wonderfully coloured!

[rima · Rating 3 out of 5]

i love zatanna as a character and i’m intrigued, but this issue specifically wasn’t very exciting, hence the 3 stars

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was actually a really fun introductory story to Zatanna! Excited for the next issues.

[Lynzi Justice · Rating 4 out of 5]

didn't know what to expect but i was pleasantly surprised with the first issue!

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good introductury issue. It's fascinating to see this artstyle post martian manhunter because you can see the glimpses of the amazing stuff happening there right now, props to the artist.

[grimbamreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

[Lennon Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Javier Rodríguez’ the best in the biz – between this and Absolute MM what an unstoppable run!

[scarlet♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

zatanna my beautiful wife