I think it’s only fair to point out from the outset that I’m terrified of Marionettes. Those sick little puppets on string have tormented me ever since a Sunday afternoon kids special about some misbegotten child being chased by a demonically possessed puppet bent on his destruction. I don’t remember if the kid survived, I’ve never been able to watch it through to the end.
This is along the same lines. Zatanna is terrified of puppets (as the title suggests, correct spelling and all!) and has to face this fear throughout this storyline. When I saw the cover I thought I’d be in some real strife, that I’d have to take a time out halfway through and maybe read some Spider-Man instead. But no, somehow this book didn’t check the horror boxes for me on more than two occasions. You’ll see them.
See, the key to delivering a spine-tingler (like this is trying to do) is to suggest at the horror, not overtly point it out. This is done well during the stage scene but that’s about it. The rest of the book is more along the lines of Chucky and that simply doesn’t fit. If this had been done more along the lines of implicit horror like “Signs” or “The Ring” then it could have really wigged some people out, especially me. But I guess this comes down to what the book is trying to deliver. It is after all a book about Zatanna, not demonic puppets bent on world domination and our inevitable destruction. Sorry, got off track.
Another artistic team has picked up the mantle this time around and they do an admirable job, however the ongoing textual changes within the book between different teams are getting a little distracting. When you read a book month after month you get used to the rhythm of certain artists, the changes can be distracting.
Don’t let the puppet element turn you off this, whether you’re scared of them or not. It’s a well written story which is well illustrated and leaves with a satisfying cliff hanger. I just wished it scared me a bit more. I already regret saying that.