Tsrif Cra Eond. Knaht Dog !
First Arc Done. Thank God!
I am not hating this series, but I am not loving it as well. Rumor has it that the series too so long to come out because of Zatanna and were the series should be released. The series would eventually be released here in the DCU, when her Prestige Everyday Magic was a Vertigo release. With Levitz gone from his office job and Didio in power, Zatanna's home is permanent at the DCU. The effect of this being a DCU book is showing early off. This series is limited by the DCU time-line.
Zantanna is 46 year old character who has aged very little if aged at all. Her father has been dead since Crisis on Infinite Earth maxi-series, well really since Alan Moore's American Gothic arc where in Swamp Thing #50 Zatara is killed in a psychic cycle lead by John Constantine. That issue was printed in 1985... 25 years later and the characters act like it was only a few years ago. That is the problem.. in comic land it was only a few years ago... Zatanna would stay in the DCU where she is as beautiful as ever while John Constantine left to what is now the former Vertigo Universe where he has aged had scares, been hell and back. The relationship with Zatanna and her father cannot be addressed properly without addressing the events of American Gothic. When this issue was written, created and printed Dan Didio's announcement of the former DCU characters in Vertigo to be returned. This Mandate looks to not effect John Constantine as of yet, since there was on flashbacks to Zatara's death. I does weaken the ultimate narrative, since new readers are with held information, while John Constantine fans don't want Hellblazer to end, but are interested on if and how he could be involved in the DCU.
The Pros: The first arc was short and easy to follow. New readers can jump in with little worry. It is also only 3 issues long so jumping off is not that much of a waste of money. The art is great, except for the horrible Brian Bolland covers, did they not learn from Everyday Magic and the other two ugly variants? Dini was not as sexual in this issue, which was nice. The only thing could be a mild Electra complex, but I'll admit that I would be too hard on him if I accused him directly of it. Zatanna and Zatara are close... I am sure the embrace was meant paternally. It is a fun series, but nothing ground-breaking.
The Cons: This issue did not have that impact moment I was looking for. The second issue ended nicely, but this issue felt like a rushed ending. I still don't care for the supporting cast at this point.
Verdict: I am glad this arc is done. Now do I drop the series or give the second arc a chance?
3/5 SRATS
Cheers!
- Silkcuts
