Zatanna and the House of Secrets - a DC Graphic Novel

This latest graphic novel for young readers by DC Comics is just further proof that DC is finally getting it right when it comes to comic books for kids.  The stories and art do not need to be childish and silly to be enjoyed by young readers - DC can still provide well-written stories with great art that kids will love, and Zatanna and the House of Secrets proves that comics CAN be for kids again!

Zatanna and the House of Secrets introduces readers to a young Zatanna and her father, Zatara. Zatanna has not yet come into her powers, and she thinks her father is just a stage magician who recites his "magic" words backwards - little does she realize the power those words have!  But this is much more than just a story about how Zatanna came into her powers. It's also a story about friendship. About loyalty. About growing older. About responsibility. There are definitely a lot of lessons learned in the story, but none of them are done in an "in your face" way of storytelling; rather, they just happen to be there as Zatanna herself grows throughout the story.

Now, for those who are continuity hounds, take note! This story is not set within the standard DC universe of comics. This story is a self-contained, all-in-one story in a universe that is clearly all on its own.  In this story, Zatara and his daughter Zatanna live in a house for which Zatara is the guardian. It is a house full of secrets, as Zatanna soon discovers when she disobeys her father and sneaks out to attend a party with some friends - and she takes along the rabbit she is supposed to be watching.  Only, someone is watching her!  Soon enough, Klarion the Witch Boy steals the key around the rabbit's neck, Klarion's mother takes over the house, and Zatara disappears!  What's a young witch who doesn't yet know she is a witch to do?

Writer Matthew Cody weaves a magical tale (pun intended!) about a young Zatanna coming into her own and learning exactly why her father speaks those words backwards when he performs his magical acts.  She also learns more about her family, her heritage, and a really huge secret about herself along the way.  Zatanna also discovers the importance of loyalty to her friends, as well as the responsibility of power, and with the help of Klarion, she manages to weave her way through the numerous halls and rooms of the House of Secrets in an effort to find her father.

Artist Yoshi Yoshitani provides a cartoon-style art that almost makes the reader feel as if he or she is watching a cartoon rather than reading a graphic novel.  The panels flow nicely one to the next, and while I personally prefer more realistic art for my comics, I found that I enjoyed Yoshitani's art for this story. Simple where it could be, but detailed and expressive where it needed to be.

I enjoyed the book quite a bit, and I could easily see this as a regular, ongoing series (or at the very least, a series of graphic novels).  With more stories along this line, I think DC could really improve its readership with the younger generations!

RATING:  10 Jimmy Stewart films out of 10 for providing good, clean, light-hearted comic reading for a whole new generation of fans!