Sat Mar 8, 2008 — by Aaron Rosenberg

On This Day: Zatara the Magician

Nothing up my sleeves but a birthday card...

Giovanni “John” Zatara was born today in 1919 and by his mid-20s had a successful career as a stage magician while concealing an awesome secret—he could do real magic!

Zatara was descended from the Homo Magi, a race of magic-wielding humans, and learned the secrets of harnessing that power—speaking backwards—by reading the diaries of his direct ancestor, Leonardo Da Vinci. Zatara used his magic to help people between his shows, and during World War II he was part of the All-Star Squadron.

His daughter, Zatanna, became both a stage magician herself and a superhero, fighting for a time as part of the Justice League of America. Zatara gave his life to save her when they and several others fought the demonic Great Evil Beast.

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