Giovanni Zatara Giovanni "John" Zatara, simply called
Zatara, is a fictional magician and superhero appearing in
American comic books published by
DC Comics. The character first appeared in
Action Comics #1 in 1938 during the
Golden Age of Comic Books, making him one of DC Comics' oldest characters.
Fictional history The son of Italian immigrants and a descendant of
Leonardo da Vinci, Giovanni becomes a successful stage magician and superhero. Originally depicted as human, the character is later depicted as a homo magi whose teaching from
Phantom Stranger helped control his magical abilities at a young age. In his adult hood, the character garners a reputation among his contemporaries, rivaling
Doctor Fate, and is the father of
Zatanna and uncle of
Zachary Zatara. He is also a love interest of
Madame Xanadu prior to meeting Sindella. At the conclusion of the 1986
Swamp Thing storyline "American Gothic", John Constantine assembles Zatanna,
Mento, and
Sargon the Sorcerer to battle the entity known as the 'Great Evil Beast'. The four hold a séance at Wintersgate Manor, the home of
Baron Winters in
Georgetown, to summon the Beast. The Beast burns Sargon to death and attempts to kill Zatanna as well. Zatara absorbs the Beast's attack, sacrificing himself to save his daughter's life. Zatara has made sporadic appearances in the afterlife since his death. In the
Reign in Hell miniseries, Zatara is part of a resistance movement operating in
Hell. As with most of the 'dead', he risks becoming fodder for Hell, where the physicality of the damned is used for general resources. At his request, Zatanna sends Zatara's soul to the Abyss, a realm that Hell cannot touch. In the
Blackest Night event, Zatara is resurrected as a member of the
Black Lantern Corps and attacks Zatanna. Zatanna is successful in banishing the Black Lantern, but is left psychologically crushed from having to kill her father.
Powers and abilities A master magician, Zatara invokes magical effects and casts spells by speaking a spell or phrase backwards for a desired effect (known as "Logomancy"). Additionally, Zatara is a capable stage magician, skilled in
prestidigitation, a skilled escape artist,
Zatara in other media Television • Zatara appears in a flashback in the
Batman: The Animated Series episode "
Zatanna", voiced by
Vincent Schiavelli. • Zatara appears in
Young Justice, voiced by
Nolan North. • Zatara appears in
DC Super Hero Girls, voiced by
Phil LaMarr.
Video games Zatara appears as a character summon in
Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.
Miscellaneous • Zatara appears in the "Zatanna" entry of the
Cartoon Monsoon contest, voiced by
Steve Blum. This version is the frustrated father of a teenage Zatanna. • Zatara appears in a crossover between
The Batman Adventures and
Superman Adventures. This version previously taught a young Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent. • Zatara appears in
Smallville Season 11 as a member of
Shadowpact during World War II.
Zach Zatara ==Zauriel==