Tue May 20, 2008 — by Aaron Rosenberg

Happy Birthday: Zatanna

It's no act!

Zatanna Zatara learned early on that magic was in her blood—but she had no idea how right she was.

Her father, Giovanni “John” Zatara, was a stage magician whose act concealed his very real magical abilities. Growing up, Zatanna followed in her father’s footsteps, becoming a stage illusionist.

Her own power manifested while searching for him after he went missing, a quest that found her teaming up with several members of the Justice League of America. She wound up helping them on other missions and eventually becoming a member herself.

For a brief period Zatanna’s powers were significantly reduced, but that limitation later vanished. Zatanna inherits her talent from both sides—her mother Sindella is also a member of the Homo Magi, the race of magic-wielding humans that lives among regular mortals.

At one point, Zatanna explored that heritage more fully, setting aside the techniques she had learned from her father—specifically, casting spells by speaking backward—but later reverted to her traditional style.

Currently Zatanna is a member of the Sentinels of Magic and a reserve member of the Justice League.

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