Zatanna - A Hctam Edam Ni Nevaeh, II .tP – MK Stangeland Jr.

(6 Panels)

Panel 1: ZATANNA sits in a chair in her apartment, looking at a pocket watch.

ZATANNA (1): (Text box carrying over from the previous page.) Don’t worry. I think I know someone who can help.

ZATANNA (2): Hmmm…he’s late.

Panel 2: Similar to Panel 1. A burst of smoke has erupted from near where ZATANNA is sitting. MR. MXYZPTLK’s silhouette can be seen in the middle of the smoke. ZATANNA looks towards the smoke and smiles, as she knows who’s just appeared and has been expecting them.

SFX: POUF!

MR. MXYZPTLK: Muah-ha! I have returned!

ZATANNA: If fashionably so.

Panel 3: MR. MXYZPTLK stays in place in the air, but looks towards ZATANNA, and has a disappointed look on his face.

MR. MXYZPTLK: Oh. It’s you again.

ZATANNA (1): That it is.

ZATANNA (2): I happen to have a job for you, if you’d prefer not to leave right away this time.

Panel 4: MR. MXYZPTLK looks astonished and outraged. ZATANNA looks like she may be enjoying the situation just a wee tad bit much.

MR. MXYZPTLK: What?! You would dare to blackmail a denizen of the fifth dimension!

ZATANNA (1): I’m not sure I’d call it ‘blackmail’.

ZATANNA (2): But yes, I would. Do a little favor for me, and I’ll let you stay around Earth until you decide to get into trouble again. Otherwise, I’ll send you right back where you came from.

MR. MXYZPTLK: Well, I’ll be having none of it!

Panel 5: ZATANNA opens her mouth as she prepares to make MR. MXYZPTLK send himself back home. MR. MXYZPTLK holds out his hands in front of him in protest as he changes his mind.

ZATANNA (1): If you insist.

ZATANNA (2): KLTPZYXM .RM, …

MR. MXYZPTLK: No, wait!

Panel 6: Smaller panel focusing on MR. MXYZPTLK. He sits in the air with his arms and legs crossed in front of him and somewhat hunched over. He looks particularly grumpy about allowing himself to be pulled into agreeing with ZATANNA’s terms.

MR. MXYZPTLK: Alright, you stupid witch. What do you need me to do?

(END PAGE)

(As you might imagine, this is a sequel to the Mr. Mxyzptlk script that Rol wrote last September, "A Hctam Edam Ni Nevaeh", and follows the further adventures of Zatanna and Mr. Mxyzptlk.)

Zatanna - Surprises - Grant McLaughlin

Two rows, each taking up about half of the page. Row one is made up of panels 1 through 4, which are all from the same fixed-angle. Panel 5 is alone on the bottom half of the page, making for a partial splash.

1 – Zatanna is at home, wearing civilian clothing and reclining on a couch in her living room. She is in the middle of a phone conversation, holding the phone with one hand and shuffling a deck of cards with the other. She is biting her lower lip, looking uncertain.

ZATANNA: I've performed to my fair share of hostile audiences, but even I have limits.

2 – Zatanna's expression changes to one of shock, surprised by the interrupting words of the person on the other end of the line. She stops shuffling the cards.

ZATANNA: I think you'll have to ask someone else, I can't imagine what you could say to change my mi--

3 – Zatanna bites her lip again, but this time it is not from uncertainty. She is flustered and blushing hot red, taken off-guard by the comments from the other end of the line. She has forgotten about the cards that were in her other hand, having dropped them to unconsciously reach towards her mouth to try to cover her embarrassment. No dialogue.

4 – Zatanna has moved out of her reclining position, now sitting up straight on her couch. Her flush is subsiding, but her cheeks still have traces of red. She cradles the phone in both hands and grins slyly.

ZATANNA (1): Well, that does change things. Your suggestive promises have convinced me.

ZATANNA (2) (quieter): Especially that last one.

5 – New scene. A table surrounded by superheroes in their civilian identities (a combination of Bat-family, Teen Titans, and others that Damian Wayne has worked with during his short career). At the centre of all the guests is Damian, wearing one of those ridiculous cone shaped birthday hats and an expression of extreme displeasure. Everyone is evidently there to celebrate his birthday, because each guest has a plate of cake in front of them and they are participating in clichéd birthday activities (some of them are blowing into noisemakers, others are breaking open party favours, and so forth). Zatanna stands before the table, wearing her regular costume. Damian and Zatanna are the main focus of this panel, though Bruce is also quite visible. Damian looks towards Zatanna, unimpressed. Zatanna is flustered once again, this time taken off-guard by Damian's prescient comments. Bruce grins semi-awkwardly and looks to the side, scratching the back of his head, playing at nonchalance.

DAMIAN: So you're the entertainment my father arranged for this unnecessary and ridiculous celebration.  What bawdy promises did he make to convince you to come?

Zatanna - Career Woman - Danial Carroll

PAGE ELEVEN (three panels)


PANEL ONE, INSET
We begin with a close up of Zatanna's hat, sitting upside down upon a wooden bedroom dresser. The scene is illuminated by soft, yellow candlelight.


PANEL TWO, INSET
Close up of Zatanna, untying her hair. She looks not so much saddened, as tired--worn out.


PANEL THREE, SPLASH
Wide view of Zatanna sitting upon a stool at the dresser. Her hair is now out and she is placing the tie next to the hat. She is looking into a mirror whose base is lined with lit candles, though she is not looking at herself. Following her eyes, we can just make out that behind her, in the darkness of the room beyond, there lies a person asleep in her bed.

ZATANNA: ->sigh<-

Zatanna - Scream - Matt Duarte

Zatanna in “Scream” by Matt Duarte

Panel 1

Description: Zatanna (in street clothes) and her assistant Mikey are walking casually down the street.. They are talking shop.

MIKEY: So what do you want to do about the last two weeks in August? Rome sounds good, but a couple of places in Milan were also interested in having your show.

ZATANNA: I'm sure we can squeeze them both in. Italy is lovely that time of the year...

Panel 2

Description: Same as the previous shot, except that Zatanna has disappeared, and in her place there's only a wind current, signalling a downward and upward motion. Someone has grabbed Zatanna and took her up before she could realize it. Mikey has turned in surprise.

MIKEY: Ohh, two weeks of Italian food may be too much to han..

MIKEY: Where did she go?

Panel 3

Description: We see Zatanna being pulled up by a chain, upper into the atmosphere. We can see the city all the way at the bottom, very far away now. There is a clear sign of struggle on her face.

ZATANNA (CAPTION): Air... getting...thinner..

ZATANNA (CAPTION): Can't... even... speak...

Panel 4

Description: We can now see that the person pulling Zatanna is none other than the Main Man himself, Lobo. He is pulling her by driving his bike really fast and upward. Big grin and a cigar on his mouth.

LOBO: Sorry ´bout the disappearing act, toots, but I fig'red you'd be used to it.

Panel 5

Description: Lobo is landing somewhere on the moon. Behind him, Zatanna is suddenly wearing her work clothes and there is a big bubble around her head.

LOBO: Someone pay big credits to have ya taken out. And you know how the saying goes.

LOBO: In space, no one can hear you scream, haha.

ZATANNA: (EMPTY SPEECH BUBBLE)

ZATANNA: (EMPTY SPEECH BUBBLE)

Panel 6

Description: Lobo has been bound in strong chains. Zatanna stands in front of him, with a very stern look. The air bubble around her head is still there, allowing her to breathe.

ZATANNA: dnib oboL!

LOBO: Hey! What gives...

ZATANNA: Clearly you didn't do your research right, or else you would know that the power comes from me, not my incantations.

ZATANNA: Now tell me, who sent you to kill me?

Next: Zatanna: Wanted Dead or Alive!

Zatanna – Showgirl – Sime McDonald

ZATANNA

Starring in an ELSEWORDS tale…

“SHOWGIRL”

PANEL ONE

Zatanna is bowing onstage, having just completed her act. The crowd is cheering, applauding the show, smiles plastered on their faces; they’ve been thoroughly entertained.

CAPTION

1908.

SFX

ClapClapClapClapClapClap!

PANEL TWO

Focus on one man in the crowd, unsmiling, not clapping. He’s mid-fifties, balding, spectacles perched on the edge of his nose. This is Kenneth Dorling, FBI agent.

SFX

ClapClapClapClapClapClap!

PANEL THREE

Later, in Zatanna’s dressing room. She’s glamoured up, about to hit the town. She’s quite the celebrity, after all. She’s applying makeup, looking into the mirror. She hasn’t noticed Dorling watching her from the doorway.

KENNETH DORLING

Ahem.

PANEL FOUR

Zatanna glowers at Dorling, arms by her side, lips pursed, prepped to utter an enchantment at the first hint of trouble. Kenneth Dorling stands before her with his arms by his side.

KENNETH DORLING

Zatanna Zatara, my name is Dorling.

I’m from the government.

ZATANNA

This about my taxes?

PANEL FIVE
Dorling’s smile shows no hint of warmth.

KENNETH DORLING (1)

This is about a crime, Miss Zatara.

KENNETH DORLING (2)

If you’d like to accompany me to my vehicle downstairs?

PANEL SIX
Zatanna’s reluctance plays across her face.

ZATANNA

I don't - - that is to say, I - -

PANEL SEVEN

Dorling holds out his identification, ‘FBI’ clearly emblazoned.

KENNETH DORLING (1)

You misunderstand, Miss Zatara.

I'm not here to arrest you.

KENNETH DORLING (2)

I’m here to recruit you.

Zatanna – Do geese see god? – Rol Hirst

Panel One.

Close on Batman (Bruce), grim-faced as usual, explaining a puzzling problem.

Batman: Every time I think I’ve put a stop to his insane plans… he somehow manages to get the upper hand again.

Panel Two.

Flashback. Batman has just defeated the Joker. He holds the clown prince by the scruff of the Joker’s crazy purple Abba T-shirt. Despite having just taken a good pummelling from the Batman, Joker is still quietly giggling to himself. General Joker-flavoured fight-scene carnage in the background.

Joker: Was it a bat I saw?

Joker: Heheh…

Panel Three.

Close on Zatanna, listening to Batman’s tale of woe. She wants to help. (Because, y’know, she secretly luuuurves him.)

Batman (off-panel): At first I thought it was just a really bad case of déjà vu… now I’m not so sure, Zee.

Panel Four.

Flashback. The Joker has broken into the Batcave along with the Floronic Man’s old henchwomen Eva Green and Holly Wood. All three baddies are hurling knives and daggers at a huge spinning wheel to which the Joker has tied Batman (Dick) and Robin. Batman (Bruce) is rushing in to save his friends. The two henchwomen are wearing black outfits with a large white ‘S’ on the front and back, the Joker’s black outfit has a large white ‘O’. He’s standing between them.

Joker: Eva – can I stab bats in a cave?

Joker: Ahahahahaha!

Panel Five.

Two shot of Batman and Zatanna, standing on a darkened rooftop.

Batman: The Joker once told me that he hates the way our encounters always follow the same predictable course.

Batman: He starts out on top, but in the end I always knock him down.

Batman: What if he’s found some way to reverse that pattern – hit rewind every time I win… so that he never really loses?

Zatanna: You think he’s using some kind of crazy backwards magic… that’s why you called me. You may be right.

Panel Six.

Flash forward. Zatanna and Batman (Bruce) are both tied to a huge firework-style rocket, about to be launched from atop a skyscraper somewhere in Gotham City. The Joker stands watching, grinning maniacally, arms aloft. The Joker’s shirt says ‘!Tut tuT!’

Joker: Reviled did I live ‘n’ evil I did deliver!

Zatanna: We were both wrong – it’s much worse than backwards magic, Batman – it’s palindromic… the one enchantment none of my spells can combat!

Joker: Party, boobytrap!

Zatanna – Some Of Them Want To Be Abused – Ryan K Lindsay

1. A round table of costumed freaks are assembled. There are no known villains here, all new guys. Have fun designing these guys. Use plenty of whips and zippered mouths. One man stands up addressing everyone else. Above them all, a young woman hangs upside down from a rope. She is bound in intricate knots.

Tekcor Niks: The trap is set, we must be prepared. Is everyone ready?

2. Another male villain stands near a chalkboard. On it are the names of these dastardly lads. You can read Teckor Niks, Sllab Yriah, Tohs Muc, Tfahs Drah.

Tohs Muc: Good question, Tekcor Niks, I believe we’ve got the names out there enough. The papers have been running them. Most believe the Egyptian backstory. Fool!

3. Another male villain stands from the table, a defiant fist thrust into the air.

Tfahs Drah: This foul wench will feel the beating of Tfahs Drah!

4. A female villain walks from the shadows. She is sultry and slutty. Mostly slutty.

Anigav Tew: Not before she’s enveloped by the villainy of Anigav Tew.

5. Zatanna’s hat has dropped from the ceiling and is settling on the table. All the villains look up. Teckor Niks is twiddling his fingers in a giddily anxious way.

Teckor Niks: Oh blessed, let the rapture begin.

Zatanna - Shake the Room - Ben Rosenthal

Premise - Zatanna wiped sompe people's minds a while back. You may have heard about it. This is what happens when one of those people realise it (you know, other than the ones we've already seen.)

1. Zatanna sits, bound and gagged to a chair. Even though it is dark, we can see that she is in a rundown apartment. Zatanna is looking at the person whom is speaking. We cannot see who it is, as they are off panel.

VOICE (off panel)

You see Zee, I’ve been thinking.

Well, I’ve been trying to think. But I noticed something. There are holes in my thoughts. Gaps, if you will.

Almost like it has been....erased.

2. A close up of Zatanna’s face, mouth bound with duct tape. Her eyes are squint shut in discomfort. The same look one would get on their face if they were pricked by a needle.

VOICE (off panel)

So the hundred dollar question is, Zee – why did you erase my memories...

But left the image of you doing it?

3. The same framing as Panel 2. Zatanna’s eyes are open, staring at our unseen individual. Her face shows a sternness. She is determined.

VOICE (off panel)

I can see your hands moving, Zee. I can assure you that you will not be able to get through those enchanted ropes.

4. A shot of Zatana’s back, arms tied behind her, and then tied to the chair. One of her fingers is bloody, having been cut open. On the back of the chair is the word ‘moob’ written crudely in her blood.

VOICE (off panel)

Oh.

Zatanna - 'Nuff Said? - Maxy Barnard

The Premise: Oh come on, now. You know the idea here, right?

----------------------------------

(note: instead of dialogue in the speech balloons, I will instead describe the objects to put in there in place of actual speech, contained within []. e.g [UPSIDE DOWN TOILET]. Figure it'd be the best approach to doing her magic without saying anything, and it should add a nice touch to it all.)

#.1
Zatanna is chasing an imp down a new york alleyway towards a dead end.


#.2
The imp's back is pressed against the wall of the dead end, panicked. Zatanna is striding over, one hand on her hip.


#.3
Close on Zatanna as she points to the ground, mouth all agape and surly as if saying something really unpleasant to the imp.

Zatanna: [MIRRORED EXIT SIGN] [DOWNWARD ARROW] [FIREY PIT]


#.4
The imp flails in pain and grows in size as it's pulled by an unknown force through a dark portal on the ground.


#.5
The imp has grown into a large fire demon, a fair foot or two taller than Zatanna and is pulling itself out of the hole, lunging towards Zatanna, who is jumping as if surprised.


#.6
Close on Zatanna as the imp/fire demon's shadow falls over her, backlit by his bright orange flames. One of her hands is up on her mouth in shock.

Zatanna: [A PILE OF POO]

‮Why Zatanna?

‮What an interesting question! To be honest a lot of this comes down to me being REALLY into choosing female characters for this site. They're usually a lot more involving and take far more creative 'umph' for our group of manly men to write.

‮But just saying that would be a great disservice to such an enticing character. Zatanna Zatara is notable AMAZING. A backwards talking magician(really? Who woulda guessed that from this horrifically hard to read why post?) by trade, and frequent Justice Leaguer, Zatanna is the go-to character when dealing with anything mystical in nature in the DC universe. Which totally puts her ahead from the competition. I mean is Doctor Strange this attractive? No, but then they're both drawings so WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!

‮Anyway, all of this is doing a fair old job of bigging her up, but what stuff is their to mine when writing about Zatanna? Answer: A BUNCH OF STUFF. First and foremost she's been known for having a relationship with recent re-addition to the DCU and former Thought Balloons choice John Constantine, so any Alphas can just straight up resort to doing a script about the two of them. Secondly, she rather famously erased the JLA's memories following the horrific Dr. Light rape storyline in Identity Crisis, and though she's gone through a lot as a result of it, her guilt is still out there, ready for plucking if you want to make a more tragic storyline. Other than those two there's always her relationship with the Gotham City Sirens and more specifically Catwoman to play about with if you want to go all out girl power, as well as elements from her Seven Soldiers miniseries and her current ongoing to pluck at.

‮Still, I won't tell you what to do. I just hope that you all have something brilliant to bring to the table at the proper start of year two of Thought Balloons!

You can buy the first volume of Zatanna's latest series HERE (UK) and her Seven Soldiers mini can be found amongst the others in these various collections (UK), and of course there's Identity Crisis HERE (UK) and her famous storyline Zatanna's Search HERE (UK).

And if you want to kill me because I wrote that whole Why post using Cyrillic Millions then... I'm sorry.