In 2025, writer, artist, and colorist Jamal Campbell did triple duty in the miniseries Zatanna: It's Showtime. It was six issues and followed Zatanna Zatara as she fought to remove a mystical sword that was hurting her whenever she used her magic. Eventually, the spell was going to kill her. Thankfully, she survived thanks to someone long thought dead.
While it was always clear that she was one of the most powerful people in DC Comics, each issue showed that our hero was one of the most determined and compassionate people in comics. Now, it's a new year, and Jamal Campbell has brought Zatanna back in an ongoing series. We’re one issue in, and this series will be a banger.
Zatanna's new role
As soon as the issue starts, readers learn that Zatanna took what Harley Quinn told her during their battle to heart. Throughout their fight, Quinn reminded Zatanna that she’s the world’s strongest magic user and she should remind people of that. At the end of DC K.O.: Harley Quinn vs. Zatanna, I thought that Z would succumb to the influence of the Omega Energies. Instead, No. 1 starts with Zatanna taking the title of Prime Magus. It’s like the Sorcerer Supreme, except she’s protecting people in multiple realms.
During an interview with DC, Jamal Campbell says, "Zatanna has stepped into the role (Prime Magus) in hopes of adding to that legacy and becoming a leader to the Realms of Magic, protecting, uniting, and guiding them through the dark days approaching."
"The Prime Magus is a title new to us, but fans will find it reaches far back into the history of magic in the DC Universe. Also known as “The Greatest,” the previous Prime Magi—Hecate, the Upside-Down Man and Zehuti—were all figures of immense power who had great influence in forming magic into what it is today."Jamal Campbell
Like most No. 1 issues, things begin with the hero displaying their skill and personality. In this case, Zatanna was battling a plague spirit infecting an elf of the Verdant City of Elves. After removing the plague, Zatanna had the option of destroying it. But once Z realized that the plague was scared, she opted to safely seal the spirit until she could help it. This showed that her approach to solving problems wasn't always going to be a closed fist. Sometimes it would be an open hand.
Soon after defeating the plague, Z confronts a group that was watching her since she started her journey. Their leader reveals himself to be the chief agent of the Department of Occult Affairs, Agent Di Manes. The department is run by Mister Bones, who believes that America needs protection from magical threats. When Zatanna mentions that they’re in a different realm, Agent Di Manes says that people in America “expired” because of the threat.
"Zatanna is definitely Queen of the Crossover, and while the first stretch of the series will be mainly on her as a solo act, I can’t wait to bring in other characters from the world of magic and the wider DC Universe into the book. In fact, one of Zatanna’s secret goals as Prime Magus will facilitate doing just that."Jamal Campbell
From what little I know about Mister Bones, he seems like Nick Fury. They both understand that the world needs protecting, but neither feels the need to talk with others outside of their organization. This always leads to conflicts that could have easily been avoided. It’s foolish for them not to ask for help or announce their presence. However, as a reader, it's always great when the antagonists get what they deserve for being stubborn.
I will end this article with Jamal Campbell’s comments on how this connects to his Zatanna: It’s Showtime. “Additionally, the miniseries left off with quite a few open threads that will be reintroduced and explored. From the ghostly vampire Lady White and the tragically cursed Adam to the machinations of Brother Night and the true nature of the Crimson Palace, they are all threads that connect to larger stories that will be explored one by one. Oh, and her arch nemesis, Allura, is a harmless little bunny now. Completely harmless…
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