THE MASTER MAGICIAN

[spellonrefni]

(thgin emoceb seilfrettub) and the night becomes butterflies (tsud ym hctaw)

Lev's non-selective GIOVANNI ZATARA from DC Comics

rules & info under the cut

RULES -

Basic etiquette is expected: no godmodding, ic is not ooc, etc.

I haven't read many appearances of his before 1982. If you'd like to check you can reference my comic reading list here: https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/profile/alltheleviathans/read-list

if you decide to unfollow me please (soft)block me

rp memes are the best way to start interacting with me, they are always accepted no matter how long ago I reblogged it.

INFO -

Stage magician, treasure hunter and crime fighting vigilante, Giovanni 'John' Zatara is a man of great renown. He has built a fortune both as a stage magician and a treasure hunter. His reputation as the greatest magician to ever live precedes him. In reality, Zatara's real passion is his dedication to protecting innocent lives. Something he is willing to go to extreme lengths for.

He has a daughter named Zatanna, who's mother died in childbirth. He raised her to continue his legacy. During a ritual to stop a great darkness from consuming the world, he sacrificed himself for her, the resulting power charge burning him alive. His violent, magical death has caused him to be stuck in limbo ever since.

Mun is 24 and belgian, also found at @doomedwarlock

[spellonrefni]

Giovanni Zatara in Zatannic Panic: "The Greatest Magician There Ever Was" (2025) by John McCrea

[crownmemes]

Questioning Sentences, Vol. 51

(Questioning sentences from various sources to ask all kinds of muses. Adjust phrasing where needed)

"What do you know about demons?"

"What have you become?"

"What has become of your pity?"

"Do you understand that you can't do this alone?"

"What's he got that I've not?"

"Did you just call me a bitch?"

"What brings you here? You can't possibly have more bad news?"

"Do you ever stop and wonder why people hate you?"

"Do we really have to do this?"

"Are you going to stand there all night?"

"Are you trying to ask me out?"

"What exactly did you do during the war?"

"Will I see you tonight?"

"What the fuck happened to your arm?"

"You believe in all that old magic stuff?"

"Did you know that when people lie, their blood pressure goes up?"

"When have I ever let you down?"

"Would you like me to open that for you?"

"Do you still think about me now and then?"

"You really hate it when I'm right, don't you?"

"You can see that too, right?"

"Can we eat now, or do we have to wait until the arguing is over?"

"It was an accident, wasn't it?"

"Are you like this with all women, or is it just me?"

"How is it you're supposed to actually be helping me?"

"Which one of these guys is the bad guy?"

"Are you going to be a baby about this?"

"How long have you been planning this behind my back?"

"Why did you call me here at 3am?"

"Don't you like it here?"

"Why do you push away anyone who wants to help you?"

"You like to fight, don't you?"

"Would you stay with me for a while?"

"Is it hard for you to admit you're wrong?"

"Are you the kind of man who holds a grudge?"

"Are you sure you want to do that?"

"Where are you off to looking so pretty?"

"Do you think you deserved to be loved?"

"Was it a bad idea for me to stay here?"

"Why are you so hesitant to discuss this?"

"Why would I kill my mother?"

"Do you know what I crave?"

"Do you ever think about giving it all up?"

"Can anyone ever really know another man's soul?"

[helraising-archived]

[‎ ‎ *‎ ‎ ]‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ †‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ @spellonrefni‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ♡‎’d‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ...‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ (⁠ー⁠_⁠ー⁠゛⁠)

“‎ ‎ ...‎ ‎ i do recall sitting through VHS tapes of his recorded stage acts when i was younger. but isn’t the real zatara dead?‎ ‎ no offence or whatever.‎ ‎ ”

[spellonrefni]

" 'Sitting through'? My dear, you wound me. I once filled stadiums of adoring fans with my craft, you know. "

" My time has passed, though. In that you are correct. Unfortunately death is not so straight forward to men of my profession. "

[spellonrefni]

Giovanni Zatara in Zatanna: Bring Down the House by Marcos Martin

[h3xappeal]

" I told you I'm doing everything right. I've got the sigils down, the right ingredients and-" I pause, my hand darting out to find the. "-the spellbook. Where is that stupid thing? " I turn to look at my father, who, as usual is watching me with mild disinterest. " Don't look at me like that. It's not my fault my memory is somewhat fuzzy at the moment. You didn't transform it, did you? " // @spellonrefni

[spellonrefni]

The magician sighs. Zatara has been silently watching his daughter with his arms crossed. Waiting for her to realise that she left the book in the other room for most of her sigil drawing. The memorization is impressive. But this is not the discipline he taught her. " kooblleps raeppa. " He casts, his voice dry. The spellbook appears in front of him and neatly falls into his open hand. " Your memory is not the issue, Zatanna. " Zatanna, not darling or piccola or any other such nicknames he usually addresses her with. He only uses her actual name when he's disappointed. " It is your discipline. You should know better than to let the focus for your spell out of your sight. "

He gestures. " moor raelc. " And all her preparation disappears. " I want you to start again from the top. "

[mcflymemes]

"STOP PUTTING YOURSELF INTO DANGER!" PROMPTS *  assorted dialogue for expressing your fear that the person you care about might get themselves hurt if they keep acting like this, adjust as necessary

i thought i told you to stay back.

i love you too much to let you get hurt like this.

this affects me, too, you know.

every time you leave, i sit up all night waiting, praying you'll come back alive.

you keep pulling stunts like this and something bad will happen.

do you have a death wish or something?

this isn't fair to me.

i deserve better than this.

i didn't get any sleep last night because i was so worried about you.

you promised me you'd stop going out at night.

i don't like hearing this.

you've been risking your life, and for what? so you can feel like a goddamn hero?

i said i would handle it.

what the fuck are you doing here?

you told me you'd stay put.

so much for laying low.

you remember how bad it was last time.

seems like you haven't learned anything.

i believe you promised me you'd lay low.

i can't keep doing this.

don't give me that look.

we'll discuss this later.

this stops now.

i'm tired of picking up the pieces once you've left.

you keep throwing yourself into danger.

you don't give a shit about yourself, do you?

i'm sitting here, worried out of my mind, while you're out doing god knows what.

that was really stupid of you, and you know it.

i thought you knew better than this.

what's your excuse this time?

you do realize what this does to me, right? seeing you get hurt like this? you know it hurts me, too?

you really don't give a shit how this affects me, huh.

that was the dumbest possible thing you could have done.

i need you to stop throwing yourself into harm's way.

that was completely unnecessary.

they had it handled.

you didn't need to step in like that.

why do you think you're invincible?

the last time you pulled a stunt like this, it nearly got you killed.

i can't just sit here and watch you get hurt.

what are you trying to prove?

you just like fucking with my heart, don't you.

this shit hurts me, too, you know.

you're not the only one affected by this shit.

you've got a lot of people counting on you to come home every night.

what happens if you don't come back?

you think we can just carry on without you?

you think i can handle things if you end up dead?

i'm not sticking around to watch you get hurt.

you're not even slick.

you think you're invincible, don't you.

quit pretending you've got everything under control.

let someone else do it for a change.

you can't keep putting yourself through shit like this and expect me to just sit back and watch.

i'm done with this.

next time you do this, i'm not coming back.

promise me this is the end.

look me in the eyes and tell me you'll stop doing this.

let the authorities deal with it.

you're making a big mistake.

is it worth dying for?

i've dealt with enough pain over the years.

[spellonrefni]

Action Comics (1939) #12

[spellonrefni]

" How curious. " Giovanni comments. He isn't sure if she had even noticed his presence in her concentration, the voicing of his thoughts meant as a way to announce it in case she hadn't. " I have seen many things in my time, my dear, but I don't believe I've ever seen magic quite like that. " It isn't often he gets to discover something new anymore. He had almost forgotten the thrill of it. Still, he is a gentleman, and keeps his composure in spite of his enthusiasm. " My name is Giovanni Zatara, care to indulge an old man his curiosity? "

@hexblast

[spellonrefni]

My daughter has the power to save us all. Your power, my dear, is quite the opposite.

Justice League Dark (2018) #14

[zeetna]

zatanna & zatara; daughter & father.

unknown // by lyra wren // vanishing acts by jodi picoult // let your father die energy drink by cecilia corrigan // aristotle and dante discover the secrets of the universe by benjamin alire sáenz

[witchaotics]

The presumptuous attitude of the strange made his jaw tighten in annoyance. Morgan folded his arms over his chest, clearly not amused by his assumptions. "For your information, I have been practicing magic a long time and I am well aware of how to handle it, thank you very much."

[spellonrefni]

" Hmm. I'll believe that when I see it. " He gives him another look up and down, this time with disapproval written on his expression. " Time really hardly matters if the foundation of one's practice is faulty. And chaos magic, my kind sir, is one of the closest magical equivalents to the very definition. " He crosses his arms. " I am somewhat of a representative to the magical community, I would hate to see our reputation be brought down because of an errand, reckless practitioner. Is this something I will need to worry about, sir? "

[spellonrefni]

@h3xappeal said: i don't want to fight with you.

" I have had to fight many I did not wish to fight, Piccola. As I am certain the same will be for you. " He says, his arms crossed as he stands opposite of her in the backyard of his mansion. " You need to be prepared to do what needs to be done for the sake of the world. Magic is fickle, my dear. It may very well be that you might need to fight me in earnest one day. " He explains, then changes his stance. " Your opponents won't rest while you struggle with your morality. ssarg dnib reh! " He exclaims, the grass beneath her feet heeding his command, extending their blades and pulling her down to the ground.

[spellonrefni]

Action Comics #8 (1939)

[h3xappeal]

google someone explain to me why i can't stop thinking about this

[h3xappeal]

this whole spread actually

[mcflymemes]

"I'M KIND BECAUSE I CHOOSE TO BE" PROMPTS *  assorted dialogue for remaining good despite it all, adjust as necessary

they've suffered enough.

i have seen the worst that humanity has to offer... and yet i'm still standing.

the world can keep knocking me down, but i'll get back up.

i don't give up.

i just want to live a peaceful life.

i don't want conflict.

there were nicer ways to ask that, you know.

i don't want to hurt anybody.

i still don't hate you.

i want peace at all costs.

if you would only try and see the world from my point of view.

i don't want to fight with you.

things always get better.

this isn't the end.

you have to stand tall.

the world is cruel, but i won't be.

i believe in you. i always have.

my morals are firm.

there's no harm in a little kindness.

just be gentle with them.

i mean well.

there's too much pain in this world. i don't intend to add to it.

i don't want to fight anyone.

don't you believe in yourself?

i'm not leaving them.

there is enough hate in this world.

i try to lead with love.

it's the right thing to do.

this doesn't have to end in violence.

why don't we talk this through?

maybe he's having a bad day.

i'm going to try again.

there has to be another way to do this.

this isn't the time to quit.

i've seen too many things go wrong. this has to go right.

i'm not giving up just yet.

kindness is not weakness.

you can do better than that.

i try to see the good in everyone.

you can't just give up!

you're a special person.

i deserve better than this.

you deserve happiness.

it costs nothing to be kind.

there's no need to be so mean.

if only you could see yourself the way i see you.

it's still a beautiful day.

there's always tomorrow.

are you asking me to quit?

tomorrow will be better.

you didn't mean that, did you?

maybe we should talk this out.

i will always choose to be kind.

despite everything, i just want to be good.

i do my best to see the good in everyone, no matter what.

you didn't have to do that.

that wasn't very nice.

do you have to be so rude?

a nice word goes a long way.

try smiling at them. see what happens.

you could try being nicer.

i deserve a happy ending.

don't beat yourself up.

don't talk about yourself like that.

i see the goodness in you.

life is truly beautiful.

[spellonrefni]

Zatara dusts off his clothes, with a wave of his hand the last bits of errand magic disappear into nothing. " You should count yourself lucky I was nearby, young man. " He pauses then and seems to reconsider as he properly takes the other man in. " Or perhaps not so young? No matter. Any magician should understand the magic you wield is particularly dangerous. For the sake of our profession, do be more careful with it. "

@witchaotics