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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