Knight Terrors: Zatanna #2 is straightforward but superb. Straightforward isnt a criticism, as it makes the story so effective. It means the plot moves quickly and seamlessly, not weighed down by pages and pages of exposition. Read Full Review

Knight Terrors - Zatanna #2 is an exciting and worthwhile tie-in to the overall Knight Terrors event. Though Zatanna's difficult past with her father is nothing new, this limited series, in the given two issues, was able to concisely deconstruct and then rebuild Zatanna as a character while giving a believable and satisfying ending before reuniting Hex & Violence. Read Full Review

This is a great example of how to do one of these minis, not by rehashing what we already know but by pulling back the curtain on characters we haven't seen get a focus and introducing us to new stories about them. Read Full Review

I am a huge fan of David Baldeons art and this issue features some fantastic action and character designs. Every page and panel has something beautiful and compelling to see. Read Full Review

A well-done introspective exploration of what drives, molds, and scares heroes is always welcomed. And despite her parental issues being well traveled territory, it is presented here in a unique and emotionally relatable way. And the fact that her enemies are trying to take her alive hints at her importance to the (hopefully) epic finale. Readers of Zatanna and Knight Terror should definitely check this issue out. Read Full Review

A good ending to this mini arc. The art and writing is solid however I would have liked to have seen more of how Zatanna has paid the price for her magic. The death and harm to her loved ones can be shown as a powerful price a price that Cliff seems to have had to pay as well. Read Full Review

Knight Terrors: Zatanna simply doesn't have enough going on to justify the series' existence with its conclusion, though Baldeon is able to give the limited series some just via the artwork. Read Full Review

https://youtu.be/hhDcEj8pDGU

If the first part of Zatanna’s story was an example of what an event tie-in should be, KNIGHT TERRORS ZATANNA #2 is an example of how a tie-in can stumble under the weight of the event.

My biggest complaint with this issue is the fact that Zatanna is facing off with the Sleepless Knights in the same week they’re also battling Deadman, Sandman, and Damian in Joshua Williamson’s KNIGHT TERRORS #3. Even if both issues are happening at different points in the story’s timeline, it was disorienting to see them be the losing antagonists twice in the same week. Maybe Insomnia should have gotten some better hench-people? I don’t blame Culver for this, as he’s only continuing where his story left off, but it definitely took the wind out of this issue’s sails for me. It goes back to my major gripe with “Knight Terrors” as an over-arching event — DC doesn’t appear to have plotted the event out in it’s entirety before giving the tie-in writing teams their individual tasks.

However, Culver’s second script lacks the same wit and bite it had when Zatanna and Robotman were bantering with each other in the previous issue. This is due to Robotman spending the majority of the issue hunting down Zatanna under the spell of the Sleepless Queen. We do get a glimpse of levity between our two heroes at the end of the issue after Zatanna uses her own magic to defeat her enemies and return Robotman to his sense. It’s teased that we’ll be seeing more of Hex & Violence in KNIGHT TERRORS: NIGHTS END #1! Culver also writes a scene where Zatanna confronts the illusion of her father, a nightmare in the awaken world, in a way that offers a unique perspective on a relationship that has been written about often.

David Baldeon’s art continues to impress and includes scenes with captivating action, believable horror, and magical mysticism. Rain Beredo also shines on colors on the last few pages as Zatanna’s magic is on full display. Combined, the creative duo also craft a brilliant design for The Rustbringer, Robotman’s possessed alter ego. His metallic color and intense shading make the character standout amongst everyone else.

Rating: 6.5/10 more