Welcome back to Collecting Issues, the comic book book club where this month we're pulling a rabbit out of a hat and diving into Zatanna: Bring Down the House! Join us as we review issues #1-5 of the 2025 DC Black Label series by the incredible team of Mariko Tamaki, Javier Rodriguez, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

Is this spooky, Halloween-adjacent tale a true horror comic or more "spider decoration spooky"? We break down this visually stunning "Year One" style origin story for DC's premier magician. From its unique narrative approach to its mastery of the female gaze, we explore how this comic redefines Zatanna for a new generation. Plus, we have to talk about that impossibly clean, muscular, and croissant-eating John Constantine.

Tune in for a breezy, fun, and pop-art-infused discussion that's part comic review, part art appreciation, and part therapy session for our hosts' confused sexualities.

• The Art of Magic: A deep dive into Javier Rodriguez's spectacular, psychedelic, and masterful visuals. We explore his innovative panel layouts, mastery of colour (including that CMYK flashback style!), and pin-up aesthetic.
• A Millennial Magician: How Mariko Tamaki's writing transforms Zatanna into a relatable millennial hero grappling with imposter syndrome, parental legacy, and finding her own power.
• Narrative Tropes & Themes: We tackle the "Chosen One" narrative, the mystery of Zatara's dark past, and whether the story holds up to the incredible artwork.
• For the Female Gaze?: An exploration of how the comic flips the script on Zatanna's traditionally fetishised character design, creating a powerful and sexy story from a distinctly female perspective.
• That Constantine Cameo: Was John Constantine's appearance necessary, or did he just show up to ruin a perfectly good lesbian romance? We have thoughts.

Follow the Podcast:

Join the Discord and read along

Read Our Substack

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on Tiktok

Watch us on Youtube

Get ready for Spooktober! We're reading "Come Find Me," an all-female descent into folk horror curated by Becky Cloonan, from the new publisher DSTLLRY.

00:00 Introduction to Collecting Issues

00:51 Halloween Vibes and Spooky Stories

02:46 Zatanna's Origin and Elevator Pitch

06:51 The Creative Team Behind Zatanna

08:38 Art and Visuals of Zatanna

17:38 Narrative Tropes and Themes

32:27 Zatara's Journey and Characterisation

33:08 Millennial Themes and Imposter Syndrome

33:42 Favourite Sequences and Dialogue

35:20 Zatanna's Struggles and Power Fantasy

37:49 The Phantom Stranger and Magic Councils

42:31 Art Style and Visual Storytelling

51:04 Magic Battles and Demon Designs

58:38 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.