Review - Black Canary and Zatanna: Bloodspell

While infiltrating a ring of thieves, Black Canary reluctantly partakes in a blood magic ritual that binds her to the group. When the ringleader of the operation dies during the mission, she returns as a ghost to kill Canary and the surviving members of the group. To overcome the blood magic and stop the ghost, Canary reaches out to the one person she knows who can help – Zatanna Zatara, the mistress of magic.

Black Canary and Zatanna: Bloodspell is a graphic novel written by Paul Dini and illustrated by Joe Quinones.

Bloodspell is a cute little tribute to one of the lesser known friendships in the DC Universe. As members of the Justice League during the iconic Satellite era, Black Canary and Zatanna have been friends for decades. Despite this, very little has been written to reflect this. Paul Dini and Joe Quinones reimagine the pair as having met years before becoming superheroes, with Black Canary becoming somewhat of an older sister figure for the mistress of magic. We see their friendship grow over time through flashbacks, which punctuate the main storyline. This is especially useful as a developmental tool for Zatanna as it shows her going from an apprentice (to her parents and later to the League) to a confident sorceress. Given his affection for the character, it should be no surprise that Dini puts everything he has into portraying Zatanna as a multi-dimensional individual with insecurities and showing her growth. With that said, Black Canary ends up being the standout. She has more attitude than Zatanna, so her dialogue is punchier and has more humour to it. Dini seems to really “get” her voice and understands how she should be portrayed. The contrast between the two characters is evident and it really works for this graphic novel. Although, it is irksome that Dini seems a little too comfortable having his characters call each other bitches. With many male writers, the usage (or over-usage) often straddles the fence between “this is how women speak” and “this is how men think women speak.”

While I enjoyed the storyline and found the dialogue to be incredibly entertaining, what I fell in love with about Bloodspell was its art. Joe Quinones is an absolute master of expressions and dynamic layouts. I appreciate the effort he puts into ensuring each character is distinctive in how they’re portrayed visually. Black Canary and Zatanna don’t just look like the same character with different hair – consideration was put into their facial features and their body language in a way that readers understand their personality even if there isn’t a line of dialogue present. The action sequences are top notch as well. There are two major sequences, the first involves a chase between Black Canary and the ringleader of the group of thieves and the second is a showdown between Black Canary and Zatanna as they’re fighting off the ghost of the ringleader. The chase scene is actually quite campy as it features Black Canary duking it out with the ringleader as she attempts a getaway on a jetpack. It takes place in the skies above Las Vegas, so Quinones has to get creative with how he sets the scene. The end result is effective and engaging, but also kind of dark given how it ends. The other big sequence sees the ghost alternately possessing both Zatanna and Black Canary, forcing them to fight each other. It’s a neat narrative device and it gives Quinones a chance to pit these two iconic characters against each other. I also wanted to give props for Quinones’ homage to Mary Jane Watson’s famous introductory panel from her first appearance. Zatanna places a glamour on Black Canary, which turns her into a buxom redhead. There’s a joke about how she looks like Power Girl, but there’s a visual wink to Mary Jane when we see a character open a door to see the disguised Black Canary on the other side.

Black Canary and Zatanna: Bloodspell is a fun, self-contained read that’s sure to please new and old fans. If you grew up reading the old Justice League of America comics from the Bronze Age, there are neat little references to that particular era throughout. If you grew up watching Young Justice, there are elements that feel familiar to that world (such as Zatanna being four years younger than Canary and there being a Miss Martian action figure featured in one scene). I enjoyed the fact that Dini and Quinones placed character above all else. Yes, there’s a lot of great action, but the friendship between these two characters is front and center. Between the gorgeous art and the impressive character work, Bloodspell had been wishing it were an ongoing series.

RATING: A-

Review: DC Comics Bombshells Volume 1 - Enlisted

With World War II in full swing, government bigwig Amanda Waller puts together an elite squad of untapped resources – women – to contribute to the war effort. Dubbed the Bombshells, these incredible heroines are sent behind enemy lines in order to undermine the Nazi regime.

DC Comics Bombshells Volume 1: Enlisted collects issues 1-6 of DC Comics Bombshells, written by Marguerite Bennett and with art by Marguerite Sauvage, Laura Braga, Ming Doyle, and various others.

Based off of the popular DC Collectibles line of statues, DC Comics Bombshells re-imagines the iconic women of the DC Universe as World War II era heroines. While the statues were quite obviously created to superficially portray them as little more than sexy 1940s style pin-up girls, the world that Marguerite Bennett and her artists build in this series is nothing short of brilliant. Bennett takes cues from the statues – such as initially portraying Batwoman as a baseball player – and manages to create something wholly unique in the process.

Enlisted largely serves as an origin story for the Bombshells. It introduces each member individually, but focuses primarily on the narratives of Batwoman, Wonder Woman and Supergirl. Batwoman, as mentioned previously, is portrayed as a baseball player who spends her nights combatting crime as a masked vigilante. She is one of the first to be recruited by Amanda Waller and is tasked with venturing to Europe in order to rendezvous with Contessa Selina DiGatti (the DC Comics Bombshells version of Catwoman).  Bennett writes a wonderfully layered Batwoman, examining her relationship with Maggie Sawyer and utilizes her as an almost James Bond-esque kind of a figure within the narrative. Standout moments include her banter with Selina, as well as the gorgeously drawn vignettes of Kate’s time with Maggie prior to her enlistment (Marguerite Sauvage is a total artistic goddess!). Wonder Woman, perhaps as a result of already being a World War II era creation, is left largely unchanged within this universe. Her story plays out much the same – Steve Trevor lands on the Amazons’ island and Diana going off to fight bad guys in Man’s World. What is different here is the inclusion of Mera as Diana’s closest friend and the Amazons seem even more disconnected than usual. Finally, we have Supergirl – who crash-landed in Russia rather than America. Kara, along with her adoptive sister Kortni, enroll in the Night Witches program. When she is discovered to have superpowers, she and Korti become the Russian heroes Supergirl and Stargirl. It’s a fascinating twist, particularly since it allows readers the opportunity to see beyond the American or British involvement in the Second World War. Bennett clearly shows that she’s done her research in that respect. I also love that she seems to reference Justice League Unlimited (or at the very least Justice League United) by linking Supergirl and Stargirl in this way.

I thoroughly enjoyed Enlisted. Its focus on the women of the DC Universe is great, but it’s ultimately the world that Bennett and her artists build that drew me in. I found myself curious as to how she’d re-imagine each Bombshell and seeing how she’d take inspiration from their statues. For instance, Zatanna is a cabaret performer in Berlin who works under duress due to her Jewish-Romani heritage. Bennett also rather hilariously works in Constantine being turned into a rabbit (a rather prominent feature of Zatanna’s Bombshells statue). Beyond that, the dialogue is a major strong point of this series. Bennett really captures the punchy way in which we often envision this era, which creates a constant electric interplay between the characters and injects the book with some rather clever (and often queer) double-entendres and subtexts.

DC Comics Bombshells is fairly unusual as a series for quite a few reasons. It’s outside of the main canon, it’s set in an imagined past and it has a high rotation of artists. That last point is somewhat contentious, as it invites quite a bit of inconsistency in terms of quality. Some artists, unfortunately, aren’t as good as others in this collection and it ends up taking away from the overall aesthetic of the world being built around these characters. That said, I absolutely adore the sheer amount of female talent that explodes out of this book. Bennett is joined by a host of ridiculously talented female artists and, if anything, it ends up proving that badass female artists are not as hard to come by as the industry pretends they are. Marguerite Sauvage handles the art chores in the first issue and totally knocks it out of the park. Her style is very fresh and cute. It seems strange, but I’m also in awe of how she draws hair. Another favourite of mine is Mirka Andolfo, who brings us the art for Harley Quinn’s section of the book. Her style is extremely expressive and vibrant. She’s a perfect match for the zany Harley. Then there’s Bilquis Evely, who is primarily responsible for the Supergirl and Stargirl sections. Her aesthetic is sketchier, but there’s a quality to it that seems to mimic the setting in which those sections are set. Other standouts include MLSanapo and Laura Braga, both of whom get to draw Wonder Woman. Their style is much more traditional in its approach to comic book art.

Aside from the inconsistency in quality brought on by rotating artists, I could not find or admit to a single flaw in DC Comics Bombshells. I love the direction, tone, and dialogue present in this title. Bennett creates an absolutely fascinating world of whimsy and wonder, which is further brimming with a pop art sensibility thanks to its talented artistic creators. There’s also a welcome sense of gravity to it, as Bennett further explores the harsher realities of World War II since some of the book’s characters are Jewish (notably Batwoman and Zatanna) and since a queer character is placed at the forefront (again, Batwoman). As someone who fits squarely into an LGBTQ+ readership, Bennett and DC Comics Bombshells itself offer a sense of both representation and of normalcy amidst such a turbulent setting. In essence, this is the book we need and deserve. DC Comics Bombshells Volume 1: Enlisted is quite possibly one of the best comic book trades I’ve read in a good long while! It’s a must-read for sure!

RATING: A+

Review: Justice League Dark Volume 3 - The Death of Magic

When Zatanna and the young wizard Tim Hunter are spirited away to another world, the rest of Justice League Dark must make ally themselves with the government once more in order to rescue their friends. Meanwhile, Constantine’s House of Mystery is taken from him by an unseen foe, who releases nightmares to keep Constantine and his teammates busy.

Justice League Dark Volume 3: The Death of Magic collects Justice League Dark #14-20, written by Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes with art by Mikel Janin.

After the Justice League Dark arrives in the otherworldly dimension where Zatanna and Tim Hunter have disappeared into, they quickly discover that nothing is as it should be. Deadman is alive, Black Orchid has transformed into a hulking monster, Madame Xanadu’s immortality is gone and she’s aging at a rapid rate, and Constantine cannot tell a lie. This shift in the status quo makes the characters vulnerable, particularly since Constantine’s transparency makes it that much more difficult for him to manipulate his teammates and keep them at a distance. Similarly, we see Madame Xanadu’s stoic veneer drop. She’s exposed and defenseless, but even in this aged state she’s hellbent on using her visions to help her allies. This level of character work is as refreshing as it is touching. We get to see aspects to these characters that we’re otherwise denied under normal circumstances. Of course, not all of the changes that happen to our protagonists make them vulnerable. In fact, Zatanna is more powerful in this world and we see her kick some serious ass as a kind of dark warrior. Some of the most memorable action sequences involve Zatanna unleashing her magic upon her foes.

Beyond the strong character work, The Death of Magic has a fantastic story with compelling themes. We learn that this other world was once a place where magic ran wild, until science took over and banished it to the fringes of society. It’s reminiscent of the narratives of Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy XIII, albeit much more simplified. Lemire and Fawkes are clearly interested in the way in which science and industrialization has a destructive effect on the natural world. They intertwine this with themes concerning destiny and responsibility, as we witness characters embrace who they’re meant to be in an honest and sincere way.

Through and through, The Death of Magic is a traditional fantasy story that pulls in familiar creatures like elves and fairies. It’s a thrill to see our heroes in an environment like this, as they’d previously been surrounded by the darker elements of magic. This lightness offers a new perspective to the book, as it shows that not all magic is evil and destructive. It can heal and protect as well.

In the aftermath of the first arc in this collection, Lemire and Fawkes pen another enthralling story where a powerful warlock known as Doctor Destiny takes control of the House of Mystery and sends nightmares after the Justice League Dark. As these nightmares wreak havoc across New York City, Constantine and his allies get a little help from the Flash. It’s an interesting choice in a guest star, but in the best possible way. In fact, the chemistry between the Flash and Frankenstein is so electric that it makes me wish the former was a permanent fixture in the book.

On the subject of Frankenstein, it’s worth mentioning that his inclusion in the team was a fantastic decision. He meshes in a way that previous members haven’t (Shade, I’m looking at you) and provides a more physical presence in battle. Where the others resort to magic, it’s actually great to have someone in the group who can hack and slash.

Despite the presence of the spotlight stealing Flash, the real star of this particular collection ended up being Madame Xanadu. For nearly 20 issues, Justice League Dark has been focused primarily on Constantine and how he relates to the other characters. However, The Death of Magic shifts to provide more insight into the enigmatic Xanadu. From her heroic sacrifice in the opening arc to her flirtations with Deadman to the revelations about her past, it’s incredibly satisfying to finally see her fleshed out as a fully-formed character. Better yet, it shows that there’s still so much to learn about her.

Justice League Dark continues to impress. It has carved out a nice little niche in the DC Universe and, thanks to writers like Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes, readers are treated to fantastical stories that are driven by richly drawn characters. This is a book that’s atypical in so many ways to the normal output from DC Comics. Our protagonists aren’t larger than life heroes who are paragons of good, instead they’re deeply flawed individuals who are just trying to do the right thing. The Death of Magic is exceptional in every way. The two arcs collected are total page-turners and all the characters involved are extremely compelling. If anything, The Death of Magic proves why Justice League Dark is such an important book for DC Comics.

RATING: A

Review: Justice League - Trinity War

When Superman seemingly murders one of the members of the Justice League of America,  a war is incited amongst Earth's finest heroes. His closest allies seek to prove his innocence, while the government uses the opportunity to devalue the Justice League's authority. At the centre of it all is the mysterious woman known as Pandora, whose actions may have led to the fall of Superman.

Justice League: Trinity War collects Justice League #22-23, Justice League Dark #22-23, Justice League of America #6-7, Trinity of Sin: Pandora #1-3, Constantine #5, Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger #11 and The New 52 Free Comic Book Day Special 2012. It features writing by Geoff Johns, Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes, with art by Ivan Reis, Doug Mahnke and Mikel Janin.

At its core, Trinity War is a story of loyalty and friendship. Despite Superman's apparent guilt, Batman and Wonder Woman refuse to believe that their closest friend could truly be capable of murder. Their leadership unites the Justice Leagues, but fractures them as well. Under Batman's guidance, his group looks to the victim for answers. Wonder Woman leads her team on a crusade to find Pandora and learn the truth about the mysterious box that may have infected Superman with great evil. 

The tensions between Batman and Wonder Woman are palpable. While both have the same goal, their approach is entirely different and it's exciting to watch them butting heads. It's equally as thrilling to see Wonder Woman be given such a prominent role during a rather important event, since DC Comics' rival company is rather infamous for diminishing the role of its female characters during their events.

As far as crossovers go, this one is pretty epic. We see the clash of all three of DC Comics' Justice Leagues, giving fans a whole lot of hero versus hero action. This also means getting to see many of your favourite heroes interacting with one another when they otherwise wouldn't be. Though she has very little in the way of dialogue, Catwoman is one of the sassier characters in this crossover. Other standouts include Element Woman and Katana, as well as the aforementioned Wonder Woman. Batman is also written extremely well. Lesser writers will depict him as arrogant, always right and annoyingly flawless in battle. Here, he's sensitive and caring. His willingness to do whatever it takes to prove Superman's innocence is touching.

On top of that, a couple Wonder Woman villains get some rather impressive panel time. Giganta and Doctor Psycho's appearances within this crossover is a nice touch that any Wonder Woman fan should appreciate. At the same time, it would have been nicer to see the involvement of the villains bumped up a bit. If there was one thing Trinity War was missing in the way of its narrative, it was villainy.

While Trinity War is near flawless in theory, the execution is off. Not all issues collected in this trade are equal, with the quality varying from issue to issue. It's evident that there wasn't a lot of cohesion between the writers and artists, as the story doesn't progress as organically as it could have. The biggest problem with this particular collection is how meandering it feels due to the inclusion of Pandora's solo issues, as well as an issue of Constantine. Though Pandora's background is elaborated upon in her series, it adds very little to the ongoing story and it feels like an inconvenient interruption. The crossover is better read without these issues.

Beyond the poor pacing, there's another glaring issue with Trinity War and that is its lack of payoff. The crossover builds towards a rather impressive all-out battle between the heroes as Pandora's Box infects them with its evil, but rather than receiving a neat little resolution, the story ends with a cliffhanger. Ultimately, this diminishes the impact the story has since it means that Trinity War is little more than a lead-in for another crossover event. Despite this, the revelations made during the concluding moments of the story are pretty damn cool. There's a rather unexpected betrayal and the reveal of Pandora's Box's true origins is very creative.

There are a lot of pros and cons to Trinity War. The pacing is haphazard, the execution is a bit messy and the payoff is missing. However, characterization is strong and the action is intense. While all characters may not get to shine, those that do shine brightly. This is a testament to the strong writing from Johns and Lemire. Beyond all of that, Trinity War is just plain gorgeous! The superstar artistic talents of Ivan Reis, Doug Mahnke and Mikel Janin really elevate the story, turning each page into a masterpiece. If anything, Trinity War should be read just to see the great work these talented artists have contributed.

RATING: B

Review: Justice League Dark Vol. 2 - The Books of Magic

When Constantine and his band of magical misfits are recruited by a government organization for a rescue mission, they uncover an artifact that will reveal the location of the ancient Books of Magic. These legendary tomes are said to hold the very essence of magic, which means that this ragtag Justice League must find them before anyone else can.

Justice League Dark Volume 2: The Books of Magic collects issues #7-13, 0 of the titular series and Justice League Dark Annual #1, written by Jeff Lemire and illustrated by Mikel Janin.

Picking up right where the previous volume left off, Constantine and his allies are pulled into a conflict agains the vampire Cain after the death of the vampiric champion Andrew Bennett. In these two issues, the Justice League Dark dukes it out against a horde of vampires in the muddy streets of Gotham City.

The inclusion of these issues is both exciting and frustrating. Peter Milligan handles the writing, penning some incredible action, while Admira Wijaya and Daniel Sampere knock it out of the park with their art. The cameos of Batgirl and Batman are a nice touch as well. On the downside, the story itself is disjointed. These are two pieces of a larger crossover and, since the conclusion isn't found in this volume, this means that the narrative goes unresolved.

Canadian writer Jeff Lemire takes the reigns following this crossover, beginning the epic "Books of Magic" storyline. This multi-part narrative sees the aforementioned Justice League Dark battling it out against Felix Faust for control of the map to the location of the Books of Magic. Where Milligan struggled to give the characters depth and the story scope, Lemire provides snappy dialogue and a fantastic globe-trotting adventure.

Reading Lemire's work here is truly like watching a movie. His cinematic sensibilities allow the story to unfold like a great adventure film, giving readers the feel of an Indiana Jones epic with a twist of Harry Potter. Beyond the story itself, Lemire excels at writing the characters. He digs deep with Constantine, giving him a layered and complex personality that translates well in his dialogue. He also seems to understand Zatanna in a way that allows her to be that much more captivating as a character. He allows her to become the heart of the team without forcing it. New addition Black Orchid is also a welcome change to the team's dynamic. Her aggressiveness and take-no-prisoners attitude is refreshing in contrast to the more laissez-faire attitude of the others.

Another major plus in this trade paperback's favour is Mikel Janin's art. In the previous volume, his work often felt stiff and traced. However, his work is vastly improved here. The characters, Zatanna especially, are so much more expressive and truly pop out of the page. He is also to be praised for his composition, as he isn't afraid to try out different layouts and perspectives, as well as putting together some rather impressive action scenes.

As a whole, Justice League Dark Vol. 2: The Books of Magic is practically flawless. The characters are vividly written and the art is both whimsical and gritty. Still, the inclusion of the "Rise of the Vampires" issues feel unnecessary as they have very little bearing on the rest of the collection. 

Furthermore, Lemire inundates readers with the introductions of new characters. While it was understandable for him to replace the newly departed Mindwarp and Shade (good riddance!), the introductions of Steve Trevor, Dr. Mist, Felix Faust, Black Orchid, Tim Hunter, Nick Nero, Frankenstein and Amethyst become tedious and overwhelming. He really could have gotten away with trimming the cast a little.

That said, it's really hard not to love this collection. The storytelling is impeccable and cinematic in nearly every sense of the word, the characters are relatable and Lemire gives this team a true presence within the DC Universe. For fans of the supernatural or adventure stories, this collection will not disappoint.

RATING: A

Top 10: Greatest Women of DC Comics

In 1941, DC Comics revolutionized the world of comic books when they introduced the very first female superhero -- Wonder Woman. After her triumphant debut in the pages of Sensation Comics, Wonder Woman became a hit amongst readers and she would go on to inspire the creation of countless other superheroines.

Consequently, DC Comics has remained dedicated to promoting their heroines by placing them in the spotlight and giving them the chance to shine through a plethora of ongoing solo series.

This article focuses on the ten greatest women of DC Comics as chosen through The Women of the DC Universe Poll.

10. Huntress

Real Name: Helena Wayne (I), Helena Bertinelli (II)
First Appearance: All Star Comics #69 1979 (Wayne), The Huntress Vol. #1 1989 (Bertinelli), Huntress Vol. 3 #1 2011 (The New 52)
Special Abilities: Archery, Martial Arts, Marksmanship

On the alternate Earth known as Earth-Two, Helena Wayne was the only daughter of Batman and Catwoman. By day she was an unassuming attorney, but at night she was the costumed vigilante known as the Huntress. Motivated to take up crimefighting after the tragic death of her mother, Huntress used her keen sense of morality and killer aim to dish out her own brand of justice.

Following the soft reboot of the DC Universe in the mid-1980s, Huntress was revamped as Helena Bertinelli. As the heiress to a mafia dynasty, Helena was the sole survivor of a massacre that all but eradicated the Bertinelli family. Vowing vengeance, Helena took on the mantle of the Huntress to destroy the mafia.

As one of DC Comics' most enduring heroines, Huntress has become a modern icon and fan-favorite who has gone on to headline several mini-series. She has also been a key member of the beloved Birds of Prey comic and has been adapted into such hit series as Justice League Unlimited, Batman: The Brave & The Bold and Arrow.

09. Starfire

Real Name: Princess Koriand'r of Tamaran
First Appearance: DC Comics Presents #26 1980 (Classic), Red Hood & The Outlaws #1 2011 (The New 52)
Special Abilities: Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Durability, Energy Projection, Flight

Princess Koriand'r was the youngest daughter of the royal family of the planet Tamaran. During a conflict with a neighbouring planet, she was used as a bargaining chip to reach an agreement. After years in captivity, Koriand'r escaped her imprisonment and fled to Earth where she became the superheroine known as Starfire.

As one of the new characters introduced in Marv Wolfman and George Perez's seminal The New Teen Titans, Starfire's free-spirited nature and Amazon-like appearance made her an instant hit. Despite this, the character wouldn't really reach A-list status until she was adapted for the children's cartoon Teen Titans. While this adaptation made her a household name, it also created a lot of misconceptions about her due to the extreme liberties they took with her. Regardless, Starfire is currently the sole female member of the Outlaws and is more powerful and independent than she's ever been.

08. Power Girl

Real Name: Kara Zor-El

First Appearance: All-Star Comics #58 1976 (Classic), Mister Terrific #1 2011 (The New 52)

Special Abilities: Heat Vision, Super Hearing, Enhanced Vision, Flight, Invulnerability, Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Speed, Super-Breath

As Superman's cousin from another reality, Kara Zor-El found herself stranded in a strange land. Never one to be comfortable in the shadow of her more famous relative, she would go on to blaze a trail for herself as the brash and bodacious heroine known as Power Girl.

Perhaps best known for her controversial cut-out costume, Power Girl has established herself as both a sex symbol and problematic feminist character. Despite the divisive nature of her physical appearance, she continues to be a fan-favourite due to her sassy personality and relatable persona. Whether she's debuting cutting edge technology as the CEO of Starr Industries or chilling at home watching horror movies, Power Girl has readers hooked.

07. Supergirl

Real Name: Kara Zor-El

First Appearance: Action Comics Vol. 1 #252 1959 (Classic), Supergirl Vol. 6 #1 2011 (The New 52)

Special Abilities: Heat Vision, Super Hearing, Enhanced Vision, Flight, Invulnerability, Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Speed, Super-Breath

After years of believing himself to be the only survivor of Krypton's destruction, Superman discovered that one other Kryptonian had survived when his cousin Kara Zor-El crash landed on Earth. Bearing the familiar S-shield, Kara proved herself as the champion Supergirl through a series of trials and has established herself as one of Earth's greatest heroes.

As one of the earliest examples of a female version of a prominent male hero, Supergirl set the standard for plucky teen heroines. Her popularity led towards her headlining the pages of Adventure Comics, as well as several self-titled ongoing series. While her origins may have fluctuated over the years, Supergirl's status as an icon is undeniable and has only been further bolstered by her appearances in Superman: The Animated Series and Smallville, not to mention a planned live-action series based off of her adventures.

06. Zatanna

Real Name: Zatanna Zatara
First Appearance: Hawkman Vol. 1 #4 1964 (Classic), Justice League Dark #1 2011 (The New 52)
Special Abilities: Sorcery via spells spoken backwards

As the only daughter of the legendary magician Giovanni Zatara, Zatanna followed in her father's footsteps and became a popular stage magician. Her mystical abilities also led her down the path of heroism, using her unique talents to investigate magical mysteries and fight crime as a member of the Justice League.

Despite being one of the most prominent female members of the Justice League, Zatanna was inexplicably relegated to the fringes of the DC Universe for decades. Due to her appearances in Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League Unlimited and Smallville, as well as her role in the controversial limited series Identity Crisis, interest in the character was renewed. This increased recognizability helped establish her as an A-lister, leading towards her critically-acclaimed self-titled ongoing series and membership within Justice League Dark.

05. Catwoman

Real Name: Selina Kyle
First Appearance: Batman Vol. 1 #1 1940 (Classic), Catwoman Vol. 4 #1 2011 (The New 52)
Special Abilities: Acrobatics, Thievery, Martial Artist

Orphaned at a young age, Selina Kyle turned to thievery to survive on the streets. She perfected her craft by stealing from the rich, using these spoils to lead a new life as a pampered socialite. Inspired by her affection for cats and the vigilante known as Batman, Selina donned a catsuit and became the master thief Catwoman. A constant thorn in Batman's side, Catwoman has been both the Dark Knight's foe and ally.

Debuting a full year before Wonder Woman, Selina Kyle began her career as The Cat. From these humble beginnings, she would go on to become Batman's most prominent female antagonist. Earning the moniker of the feline fatale, her enigmatic persona and undeniable sex appeal made her a favourite amongst readers. Multiple incarnations and adaptations later, she has earned the right to be considered a true comic book legend.

04. Harley Quinn

Real Name: Dr. Harleen Quinzel

First Appearance: Batman: Harley Quinn 1999 (Classic), Suicide Squad Vol. 4 #1 2011 (The New 52)

Special Abilities: Psychology, Gymnastics

Once an ambitious young psychiatrist, Harleen Quinzel sought to establish a name for herself by helping to rehabilitate the sociopathic Joker. Persuaded by his lies and manipulations, Quinzel fell for the villain and gave up her life to become his costumed associate Harley Quinn. Harley's toxic relationship with the Joker wouldn't last, encouraging her to strike out on her own and becoming a key member of the Suicide Squad.

Originally created for the beloved Batman: The Animated Series, Harley Quinn won audiences over with her hilarious antics and quirky persona. Her popularity saw her official introduction into the comics, where she's become one of DC Comics' most prominent villains. She has since gone on to become a modern icon thanks to appearances in video games like Batman: Arkham Asylum and Injustice: Gods Among Us, as well as her roles in television adaptations like Birds of Prey and The Batman. If that weren't enough, she's also set to be one of the leads in the upcoming Suicide Squad film.

03. Black Canary

Real Name: Dinah Lance

First Appearance: Flash Comics Vol. 1 #86 1947 (Classic), Birds of Prey Vol. 3 #1 2011 (The New 52)

Special Abilities: Canary Cry, Master Martial Artist

Trained from a young age in the ways of hand-to-hand combat, the heroine known as Black Canary has used the combined might of her fists and distinctive sonic scream to fight crime as a vigilante. As the field leader of the Birds of Prey, she has taken down terrorists and supervillains alike.

As one of DC Comics' earliest heroines, Black Canary has kicked more collective ass than most other superheroes (male or female). She's been a member of the Justice League, the Justice Society and has led the various incarnations of the Birds of Prey for nearly three decades. She's also become a favourite amongst casual fans due to her numerous appearances in adaptations, some of which include Justice League Unlimited, Smallville, Batman: The Brave & The Bold, Young Justice and Arrow. This is one birdie you can't keep down.

02. Batgirl

Real Name: Barbara Gordon
First Appearance: Detective Comics Vol. 1 #359 1967 (Classic), Batgirl Vol. 4 #1 2011 (The New 52)
Special Abilities: Martial Arts, Eidetic Memory

Inspired by the exploits of Batman, Barbara Gordon donned the mantle of Batgirl in pursuit of bringing peace and justice to the streets of Gotham City. Though she was crippled for several years by the Joker, Barbara recovered and resumed her career as the thrill-seeking Batgirl.

Barbara Gordon is easily one of DC Comics' most inspirational and recognizable feminist heroes. Whether swinging from rooftops as Batgirl or hacking sophisticated computer systems as Oracle, she has proven herself to be an independent woman who is the equal of her male contemporaries. From her iconic portrayal in the live-action Batman series to more recent incarnations in Batman: The New Adventures, The Batman and Young Justice, Batgirl continues to be a household name whose exuberance and spunky personality have earned her a devoted fanbase. 

01. Wonder Woman

Real Name: Princess Diana of Themyscira

First Appearance: All-Star Comics #8 1941 (Classic), Wonder Woman Vol. 4 #1 2011 (The New 52)

Special Abilities: Superhuman Strength, Durability, Speed, Reflexes, Agility and Stamina, Flight, Enhanced Healing Factor, Master Hand-to-Hand Combatant

As the daughter of the Queen of the Amazons, Princess Diana left her island home to fight for truth and love in "Man's World" as the costumed heroine Wonder Woman. Known for her compassion and strong sense of morality, Wonder Woman believes wholeheartedly in equality and works tirelessly to promote world peace.

There's no disputing that Wonder Woman is the most iconic superheroine of all-time. Her impact is undeniable, having inspired the creation of countless others over the years. She has proven that women can be taken seriously as heroes and that they can be just as captivating as their male counterparts (if not more so). Her recognizable star-spangled costume and her unique accessories make for an instantly iconic look, while her ideals have endeared her towards the LGBTQ and feminist communities. It's no wonder she's number one.

Review: Justice League Dark Vol. 1 - In the Dark

When the dangerous sorceress known as Enchantress unleashes her magical fury on the world, Madame Xanadu assembles a supernatural task force to stop the psychotic witch.

Justice League Dark Volume 1: In the Dark collects issues #1-6 of Justice League Dark, written by Peter Milligan and featuring art by Mikel Janin.

As one of the launch titles in DC Comics' The New 52 initiative, Justice League Dark established itself as a standout with its atypical approach to the superhero genre. With a cast of magic-themed characters and its gritty tone, the book uniquely appeals to horror enthusiasts and lovers of the supernatural. While the story structure itself may be quite conventional, the characters involved and the overall aesthetic are distinct. Writer Peter Milligan strives to write deeply flawed individuals, emphasizing the notion that power does not guarantee happiness. Overall, he captures the essence of fringe comics and packages it within the realm of the mainstream.

Given the fact that this collection tells the origin of this mystical iteration of the Justice League, Milligan has a lot to contend with. He has to find a way to organically bring together the individual members of the team and succeeds by using Madame Xanadu as the catalyst for their assemblage. Unfortunately, each of these characters have their own subplots and backstories. This clutters the primary narrative. Milligan also isn't big on exposition, despite dropping references throughout about the characters' individual circumstances. For anyone unfamiliar with this cast, it'll make it that much more difficult to understand who they are and be able to root for them. Sadly, this title is actually one of the least accessible from the New 52.

Artist Mikel Janin's work in this collection is amazing. His characters are so expressive and there's a sense of realism about them. He has an excellent sense of composition and his layouts are quite creative, contributing to the book's atypical approach to comic books. Above all else, Janin's execution of the gory elements to the story is perfection.

Justice League Dark: In the Dark is undeniably one of the most distinctive and unusual books from DC Comics' New 52 initiative. It's deliciously devious and downright gruesome. While it may not be as accessible as it could be and underutilizes fan-favourite Zatanna, its potential and aesthetic is enough to make up for its shortcomings.

Rating: B

Review: Justice League Volume 3, Throne of Atlantis

For his second year on DC Comics’ flagship comic Justice League, Geoff Johns had big plans in store for the World’s Greatest Heroes. He would re-introduce one of Wonder Woman’s most dangerous foes and pen an epic crossover with Aquaman’s book. These stories were collected in Justice League Volume 3: Throne of Atlantis. In it, he explores the personal lives of the League and has them face off in one of their toughest battles yet.

When last we left the League, Green Lantern had quit and Superman shared a kiss with Wonder Woman. Johns leaves little room for the characters to adjust to these changes in the team dynamic as he immediately propels them into battle with the Cheetah. In this two-part story re-introducing the villainess to the New 52 continuity, Johns portrays the character as a viable threat to the League. He also manages to pay homage to the history of the character and enhances her importance to Wonder Woman’s narrative by weaving their origins together. This new Barbara Minerva is perhaps more deceitful and more cunning than ever before. With the powers of a goddess at her disposal, she’s also infinitely more powerful. Hats off to Johns for utilizing the character in such a prominent book and for showing her the respect she deserves. It proves that Cheetah is more than just some throwaway baddie.

The main attraction of this collection, however, is the crossover with Aquaman titled “Throne of Atlantis.” In it, the Justice League must face off against the threat of an invasion from the forces of Atlantis.  The assembling of the issues here leaves much to be desired. There are two versions commercially available – one that focuses on Aquaman’s title and the other on the League’s. The latter leaves out crucial issues that explain the main antagonist’s origins. That aside, “Throne of Atlantis” is arguably the best League story told in the New 52 continuity up until that point. The armies of Atlantis are extremely dangerous and they pose a very real threat to the League. As such, the League calls in some reserves and we get to see a few friendly faces offer their help (namely Black Canary, Black Lightning, Element Woman, Vixen, Hawkman, Firestorm, and Zatanna). Mera is also placed front and centre. She shines bright as the storyline’s breakaway character. She commands each panel she’s in, so much so that it seems ridiculous that she’s not officially part of the Justice League (seriously DC, make this happen!). Similarly, Johns does a lot of great character work here. Cyborg feels more human than ever and there’s a rather touching scene between he and the Flash. The budding relationship between Wonder Woman and Superman is also written quite well.

Fans of the Justice League should not pass up the chance to read Justice League Volume 3: Throne of Atlantis. This collection of stories is thrilling and features some excellent character development. The action is fantastic, the art is gorgeous, and the villains are truly something else. Johns finds his groove in this trade paperback. He continues to give Wonder Woman prominence in the League, portrays Mera as the true badass that she is, and even teases fans with the appearances of fan-favourites like Black Canary and Zatanna.

Rating: A-