Ogre Flog a Golfer Go!
First let me address the Amanda Conner cover, she manages to encapsulate the spirit of San Francisco perfectly! Seagulls, Starbucks, an IPAD and the Golden Gate Bridge all in one image. Gotta love it!
When I first picked up this issue from my LCS, I groaned really loudly. Why? Because I was super annoyed that Paul Dini was not writing this issue. He is playing hop scotch with a lot of his signature titles and I couldn't believe that he did it AGAIN. But, it is Zatanna and I simply adore her, so I picked it up anyways and I'm so glad I did!
The Story
San Francisco, The Sutro Baths and some very good looking Mermaid-people are bathing under the protection of magic, so that none of us ordinary folk can see them. There pretense of protection is quickly shattered when a man with a fairy attached to a rope asks if "Any of you lot know where I can find a Maccy D's?" Obviously he's a Brit. One thing leads to another and it is soon discovered that this seemingly harmless Englishman brutally murders them with an inexplicable amount of magic. Zatanna discovers the bodies of these poor souls and is off to solve the mystery of the dead Mer-people.
The Good
Stephane Roux is back on art and he kills it! Good stuff! Matthew Sturges writes a very witty and hilarious story. I was very satisfied as well as less forlorn about Paul Dini skipping out on the book. Zatanna is a great character and the reasons why are highlighted in this issue as her intellect and charm shine brightly.
The Bad
I was born and raised in California and have spent quite some time in the City (San Francisco), it really isn't so magical LOL. It's dirty and sometimes very scary at night, as well as poverty stricken in many areas. I'm sure that Zatanna is so overwhelmed by the magic she so intrinsically possesses that she forgets that the city is only magical when you can sore above it. Don't get me wrong San Francisco can be wonderful, but like every major urban area there is much ill to be spoken. That is my minor qualm and minor it is, as I don't expect Zatanna to address social issues lol. Just a thought I had while reading it.
Read Zatanna! This issue is truly a treat and will you keep you laughing hysterically most of the way through. Lesson learned from this issue? There is more than one way to skin a cat.
