Superman has been one of the most famous superheroes for 88 years, and most people have likely heard of him. However, along with his first comic, another DC hero also came into the world, but hardly anyone knows him today.
Many have heard the story: in 1938, Action Comics No. 1 was released, featuring the first appearance of Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. He quickly became one of the most recognized heroes of all time, recognized by nearly everyone to this day.
But he wasn’t the only DC hero to make his first appearance in this comic: Giovanni Zatara. However, these days, his daughter is the more well-known figure.
A Magician Who Speaks Backwards
Who is Giovanni Zatara? Zatara is a magician, dressed quite stereotypically in a suit and top hat, but he is nonetheless a powerful sorcerer. As a teenager, he learned from notes left by his ancestor, Leonardo da Vinci, that he could actually perform magic by speaking backwards.
With this ability, he became a hero. In Action Comics No. 1, he solved a robbery on a train. Even though this isn’t reflected much in the feature films, there are many characters and an entire cosmos of magic and mysticism in the DC Universe.
Zatara never became a significant character, but his daughter did. Zatanna Zatara. The sorceress made her first appearance in 1964 in Hawkman No. 4. She remains a well-known figure in the DC cosmos and recently launched a new comic series in 2026. Besides that, she has also been a member of the Justice League of America and Justice League Dark, which deals with magical issues.
In the series Young Justice, both Zatanna and her father appeared:
Magic Is a Good Weapon Against Superman
How powerful is magic in the DC Universe? Much like in the Marvel Universe, magicians and magical beings in DC have almost limitless potential and can face even godlike opponents. They can influence time, space, and even reality.
On the other hand, magic also enhances well-known characters like Shazam or Black Adam. Additionally, demons like Trigon pose a great threat, which can be compared to villains like Darkseid.
In Superman’s case, magic is also a special weapon, as the Man of Steel has no natural resistance against sorcery. Thus, it is possible to injure him with spells or even manipulate him with them.
Zatanna and her father use magic by speaking words backwards. They can make opponents forget things, but these words must also be spoken aloud, which is perhaps the greatest weakness of both magicians.
Do you want to learn more about the magical world of DC and which comic character interests you? Feel free to let us know in the comments. Superman is considered one of the strongest, but he can also be defeated. These opponents show this: 10 characters who have defeated Superman in battle
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