REVIEW: Knight Terrors: Zantanna #2

Zatanna is taking her last stand in the last issue before the finale of the Knight Terrors saga. Can the world’s greatest magician pull the ultimate rabbit out of a hat in Knight Terrors: Zatanna #2?

Zatanna has been wide awake this entire time but she’s been living a nightmare like everyone else. Trapped deep in the bowels of the Halls of Justice and running from Insomnia’s henchmen, she had an ally in Robotman of the Doom Patrol. But at the end of issue #1 he was turned into a Sleepless Knight and has joined the Zatanna hunt. If you missed all that, the beginning of this issue recaps issue #1. It feels like a bit of filler as most second issues in the saga just jump right into the action. Fortunately, once the recap is done, things go from 0-60 real quick. Her nightmare revolves around disappointing her father as a magician and daughter. It’s a trick she already knows but is still vulnerable to the mental manipulation. That vulnerability is well presented by writer Dennis Culver and is the highlight of the story.

The art again shines in this issue as the stylized character design bring the nightmare story to life. Zatanna looks amazing both in action and conveying her emotions. And the Sleepless Knights look exactly like nightmare henchmen should. The evil Robotman is the standout. His gold plating now rusted and the top of his helmet opened up and shaped like a crown while exposing his brain. The design is both cool and menacing. The chase is excitingly represented and broken up with some cool looking trips into the recesses of Zatanna’s mind. And the paneling is also top notch, with several epic full page action sequences. Overall, from design to coloring, its an excellent issue. Awesome work by artist David Baldeon and colorist Rain Beredo.

Good stories leave you wanting more, and that is exactly what Knight Terrors: Zatanna #2 does. The issue seems to fly by and the ending leads readers to the doorstep of the saga’s finale. More time with Zatanna and her father would’ve been nice instead of the issue #1 recap but what is presented is fantastic. A well-done introspective exploration of what drives, molds, and scares heroes is always welcomed. And despite her parental issues being well traveled territory, it is presented here in a unique and emotionally relatable way. And the fact that her enemies are trying to take her alive hints at her importance to the (hopefully) epic finale. Readers of Zatanna and Knight Terror should definitely check this issue out.

Writing – 4 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Coloring – 4 Stars

Overall – 4 Stars

Written by; Dennis Culver
Art by; David Baldeon
Colors by; Rain Beredo
Letters by; Pat Brosseau
Published by; DC Comics

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Christopher R. Ford

Writer, author, and blogger. Published author of three children's books and also writes for the boy Creators For The Culture. Part-time sneaker head, full time nerd.