Description:
Black Canary. Zatanna Zatara. Two of the DC Universe's brightest stars join forces to combat a deadly new threat-a chilling supernatural foe that preys on their weaknesses and unleashes their awesome powers against each other.
A year ago, Black Canary infiltrated a gang of female criminals set to pull a dangerous heist at a Las Vegas casino. Its leader was skilled in hand-to-hand combat and with more than a passing interest in the occult, specifically black magic, one nasty customer. Rather than be taken by Canary or the law, she went to her death, vowing she would get revenge on Canary and her own former gang members. Now, a year to the day later, death stalks those gang members, and Canary must turn to her friend Zatanna to help investigate.
Collects:
-
Authors: Paul Dini
Artists: Joe
Quinones
Published By: DC Comics
Published When:
May 27 2014
Parental Rating: Teen
Review:
My interest was completely captured by this book, like a fish caught in a fishnet.
This fascinating original story is a true graphic novel, using the medium to tell an engaging near-full-length story. It brings together two Justice League women, Black Canary and Zatanna, and its pages are filled with their teamwork, conflict, and history.
Paul Dini's narrative begins high amid the snowy peaks of the Himalayas, with a chance encounter of a young girl Zatanna, completing a challenging magic-based rite-of-passage, encountering Dinah Lance on a solo mountaineering adventure. They connect, establishing the first bud of a bond of friendship, then go their separate ways to deal with their own personal challenges.
Flashback moments in time of their deepening relationship are inserted at key moments throughout the mainline narrative. As Canary seeks to uncover what is killing the women of a theft ring she had infiltrated, and enlists Zatanna's help with the magical threads and threats she encounters, we are given glimpses of their shared past such as Canary first showing a star-struck Zatanna around the Justice League's satellite, or together battling the Female Furies.
The magic-powered force killing the women eventually possesses each of Black Canary and Zatanna in turn, pitting them against each other in an amazing back-and-forth battle with each other, and in a race against time to save one of the women being threatened.
This is a fun romp through the past and a compelling present adventure, drawing on their bonds of trust and friendship.
I admit that the art by Joe Quinones takes some getting used to. Since Black Canary and Zatanna are two heroines famous in part for their fishnet stockings, Quinones does a great job of including these signature elements but largely de-sexualizing their representations. And he excels at showing the playfulness and depth of their relationship. A knowing smirk here, a sly glance there, are well delivered. Yet the proportions of his characters take some getting used to, visually. Especially the noses, which frequently feel excessively, distractingly large and blocky.
The bonus features at the end of the graphic novel are an amazing gift. Beyond the typical alternate version covers or brief sketches, this section is entitled "Back Stage" and includes extensive character sketches and the entire story in both script and pencil breakdowns, a rare and thrilling glimpse into the craft of building a graphical narrative.
Overall this is a 3.5 capes effort, an enjoyable story of female friendship and dedication to the cause of Good.
ISBN-10: 1401210546
ISBN-13:
978-1401210540
Language: English
Pages:
144 pages
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