Zatanna is rightly counted as one of the most powerful wizards in the DC Universe. Given the focus that magic requires, she would be expected to be all but helpless without her magic. However, Superman #16 proves that Zatanna is a master of more than just the mystic arts.
Written by Joshua Williamson, with art by Jamal Campbell, Superman #16 ties into the Absolute Power event. The issue finds Zatanna in Metropolis, desperately seeking escape from Amanda Waller and her stormtroopers. Unfortunately, an encounter with one of the new breed of Amazo drones robs the magician of her powers.
Zatanna is quickly cornered while trying to open a magic gateway. The two soldiers assume she will be easy prey without her powers. However, the sorceress has one last trick up her sleeve that has nothing to do with magic.
Batman trained Zatanna to fight
A quick flashback recalls Zatanna’s past, where she first met a teenage Bruce Wayne. Before he became Batman, he studied with many experts, including Zatanna’s father, Giovanni Zatara. He and his daughter taught the Dark Knight everything he knew about escapology. The flashback reveals, however, that Bruce spent his time with the Zatara family teaching and learning. To that end, he passed on “other skills” he had picked up to his mentor’s daughter, including some basic combat training.
While she’s not the most competent martial artist, the sorceress proves capable enough to handle two attackers at once. A combination of surprise, a bit of showmanship with a discarded cape, and what fighting skills she had won the battle. The timely arrival of Mercy Graves enabled Zatanna to make her escape when reinforcements arrived. Nevertheless, she proved she wasn’t completely helpless without her magic.
Superman #16 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
