SIGNING ON WITH THE SEVEN: RYAN SOOK ON ZATANNA

[MattBrady]

For someone who’s perennially been out of the spotlight, Zatanna is getting a lot of love lately. While she’s played a key role in last year’s Identity Crisis, she’s also getting her own stint as one of Grant Morrison’s “Seven Soldiers” miniseries, illustrated by Ryan Sook.

Daughter of Zatara and Sindella (and also a distant relative of Leonardo DaVinci) and first seen in 1964’s Hawkman #4, Zatanna has played pivotal roles in both the DCU’s magical world as well as the Vertigo universe for decades: it was Zatanna who prompted one of the first crossover story arcs as she searched for her missing father; she, along with John Constantine, shepherded Tim Hunter into the world of magic; was the catalyst for…essentially Identity Crisis and everything that has followed; and has protected the DCU from numerous supernatural threats.

But now, under Morrison and Sook’s guidance (and deliberately fuzzy continuity as apparently all Seven Soldiers miniseries take place in their own world), Zatanna is on her own, looking to make a comeback.

Or, as the solicitation for issue #1, in stores this week reads:

The sorceress attempts to boost her profile by taking part in a reality TV show that sees her undergoing a rigorous detox on a lush island near Themyscira! Here, Zatanna tries to get her head together and figure out what to do with her life. She's come to an emotional impasse as her magical powers are waning, resulting in an obsession with finding her father's lost magical journals hoping they contain the secrets she needs of his black art.

For Sook, joining on with Morrison’s grandiose vision of a series of interconnected miniseries about a team whose members never meet came when he was looking for a change from Hawkman.

“Editor Pete Tomasi asked if I'd be interested in a project with Grant, and the answer was yes!,” Sook said. “They asked if I wanted to do Zatanna's arc and I agreed for several reasons; it sounded like something new, it was a female lead character which I thought was cool, not to mention a classic character, and written by one of the comic worlds favorite writers. It was one of the easier decisions I had to make.

“I had only heard snippets of what Grant’s larger concept was and never actually read any of the material until I got the script for the first issue of Zatanna, but now, having actually read the first several issues of the SSOV series, I’m amazed at how well it’s all coming together.”

Artistically, how did Sook approach Zatanna? After all, like any comic book character, she’s gone through phases over the years, from stage performer to out and out superhero, to magical warrior, temptress, and beyond.

“How I approached Zatanna is simply based on the images of the character in the comics over the years rather than what has been written of her character,” Sook said. “And of course, much of it is coming from how Grant is writing her in this comic. The writer always sets the tone for what I draw on the page, and this is no different.”

That said, the Zatanna at the start of the miniseries is shown in a light that’s’ a tad different from where she’s been before. Specifically – she’s broken down, and unsure of herself, looking for a hand up.

“I guess I'd have to say that how I'm expressing her character artistically is with a lot of emotion,” Sook said. “I also am trying to show her in a more modern and believable style which, ideally, makes her a more real and believable character. I think - hopefully – that works to capture how Grant is writing her in this series. Body language and emotion - along with dialogue - always works to convey the character’s present state of mind.”

Unlike other artists of the SSOV miniseries, Sook didn’t receive much from Morrison in regards to revised designs for Zatanna or any other major characters. “All I received really were Grant’s written descriptions and some dimensionscape sketches that he did for a couple of scenes in issue one,” Sook said. “So there was plenty of design work for me to do, including a handful of new characters as well as revamping a few old ones. All in all that part of the project was a lot of fun.”

Another of the artistic challenges offered by Zatanna: rabbits. Not only are they one the cover of #1, they’re inside as well, something that forced Sook to examine the rodents in more detail than he ever imagined he would.

So what’s his secret in drawing the perfect rabbit?

“First, breed albino Angora Arctic Hares in you studio for three months so you have lots of reference material,” Sook deadpanned. “Then, apparently, try not to draw them realistically at all.”

But don’t be misled by the rabbits. “Very truthfully all I can say about the story is this - Zatanna book is so different than the ads depict,” Sook said. “It’s actually far different and far cooler than anything you’ve seen would lead you to believe. It's all very intriguing; trust me, I’m as curious to see what's on the next page as people will be when they’re reading it. That's all I can say.”

Sook’s currently hip-deep in the bi-monthly miniseries, but once it’s wrapped, the artist’s current plans call for him to head to Dark Horse for some work with Mike Mignola.

Related articles:

Seven Soldiers: Seven Artists

Peter Tomasi: The Eigth Soldier

JH Williams: Soldier Zero

Cameron Stewart: Guardian Soldier

Simone Bianchi: The Shining Soldier

[James Seals]

So can't wait for this. Morrison is God! Zantana kicks major @$$, and the art rocks!

James

[Carlos Javier]

That art really is terrific. What little glimpses we get of the story tells me that should be intriguing as well. Be careful what you wish for, Zatanna.

Considering how screwed up her spells end up becoming, maybe someone should think about erasing her memory. I'm sure Batman would volunteer.

[stlfan79]

This was the title of the group I was most looking forward to, Morrison on Zatanna is just crazy; couple that with Sook who is one of my favorite artists and it is a dream come true combo for me.

[samnoir]

I loved seeing Merry Girl of 1,000 Gimmicks bicker with Zatanna about who's problems are worse.

Now am I not mistaken in spotting Doom Patrol's Crazy Jane amongst those women in group therapy? The one with the black dress, black hair with bangs and striped stockings?

I do like the fact that Morrison has picked up on the thread of Zatanna's problems with men... John Constantine first and foremost, but I believe Paul Dini touched on it as well in his recent Vertigo special.

Betwen her appearances and Vertigo books like Books of Magick Life During Wartime and DCU books like Identity Crisis, and now Seven Soldiers, hopefully they are consistent enough that they could all be the same Zatanna. I do like that Vertigo and DCU share some of their characters, and I think it enhances both to see Swamp Thing or Zatanna jump back and forth.

Ryan Soook is hugely under-rated and I hope this will propel him to the A-list.
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[Kolimar]

She's got her fishnets on and nothing else.

[csGuy]

Originally posted by Kolimar
She's got her fishnets on and nothing else.

as she's calling for a man no less!!!

[pseudosham]

"Sook’s currently hip-deep in the bi-monthly miniseries, but once it’s wrapped, the artist’s current plans call for him to head to Dark Horse for some work with Mike Mignola."

oh oh?? interesting. . . i will be waiting for it

[Alfonso]

Can't wait for this. Every 7S issue so far has been gold.

[rodolfo leon]

Originally posted by csGuy
as she's calling for a man no less!!!

and there's a bottle of wine by her side, and a huge stain... the makings of a nice night!

(i mean, performing magic while ONLY wearing fishnets... now that's what i call a fetish!)

[muikane]

I'll never understand why ppl enjoy his comics soooo much. It's almost weird. The Manhattan Guardian was not a good comic by any degree or measure. Shining Knight had awful armor designs. Unrealistic fuzzy armor. The story in it was decent though.

But the Guardian, come on. I would have liked to see some New Yorkisms in it--Something to hold it above the fray.

But then again, I'm biased too. I never much enjoyed Morrison's stuff. I prefer Millar and nit gritty to druggy and fantastical.

[MattBrady]

Originally posted by muikane
I'll never understand why ppl enjoy his comics soooo much.

Because people have different opinions.

Now, you can move on to life's other mysteries.

MattB

[Eison]

Art looks great, story seems interesting, guess it'll be one I'll look to pick up.

[Jacob Gilbert]

Originally posted by Kolimar
She's got her fishnets on and nothing else.

Last year, they had her nude, except for some well placed soap bubbles, in "Everyday Magic". Now, Kolimar's reporting Sook draws Zee topless in her 'nets? I'm already on the Seven Soldiers bandwagon. Shining Knight was OK, Guardian has promise. The only thing I'm concerned with is if Sook is drawing her wearing those clunky knee boots, which clash with the 'nets.

Of course, writing all these books will have Grant up there with Bendis and Waid for busiest writer in the biz.

[Dildo_Baggins]

Originally posted by muikane
I'll never understand why ppl enjoy his comics soooo much. It's almost weird. The Manhattan Guardian was not a good comic by any degree or measure. Shining Knight had awful armor designs. Unrealistic fuzzy armor. The story in it was decent though.

But the Guardian, come on. I would have liked to see some New Yorkisms in it--Something to hold it above the fray.

But then again, I'm biased too. I never much enjoyed Morrison's stuff. I prefer Millar and nit gritty to druggy and fantastical.

lol I have your same problem. But with Mark Millar. I really don't like his work, but I have some friends who worship it. Funny, huh?


btw, I am saving my money for All Star Superman and the We3 trade(how I loved that mini), thank you.

[elnino]

wow, this preview is great. the writing's all right and the art is superb. definitely something to think about!

[OcCaM]

I'll never understand why people feel the need to ruin other people's fun!

In fact, considering this IS a Morrison thread, why jump on it just to tell others you don't understand why they like it? What's the point?

I'm one of those who likes Grant but doesn't worship him.

That translates to: Loved his Animal Man and JLA particularly.
Also, loved SeaGuy, Sebastion O and Vimanarama is pretty good from what I've seen so far and FF1234 was awesome!

We3 kindof bored me but it was ok, same for New Xmen. Doom Patrol was kind of blah also. Finally, read it when DC put out the second trade recently and read both trades in one sitting. Only issue I actually really enjoyed was the amusing Monsieur Mallah and his lover issue! FunnY!

Couldn't get into Invisibles, too weird and wouldn't even try Filth from the few pages of that crap I saw online.

So, while I've at least enjoyed most of his work, even so, these 7 Soldiers just don't really appeal to me that much. I'll be getting them in trade I'm sure though. Although, I'm finally ordering Marvel Boy this week or next week, so who knows when I'll be getting these. Ah well, don't really care that much.

Except this series! Zatanna and Sook on it? I'm there right now! In fact I'll be ordering this tonight and getting my shipment of comics/trades next week. Long wait! (Esp. since this week has a new Twisted Toy Fare. Almost worth spending the full $13 and not $7 just to get it NOW at the local comic shop *ugh*!)

Odd thing about Sook is that while he started as a Mignola clone, I don't care for Mignola's artwork but love SOok's! Actually, I hate Mignola's artwork so much, that it's only been recently since Guy Davis started doing the artwork, that I've been buying the BPRD/Hellboy stuff. Kind of glad Hellboy is NOT in the BPRD series thus far to be honest.

So, when Davis eventually leaves the BPRD world, do you think Sook might replace him? *crosses fingers*

[beta-ray]

Originally posted by Jacob Gilbert
Last year, they had her nude, except for some well placed soap bubbles, in "Everyday Magic". Now, Kolimar's reporting Sook draws Zee topless in her 'nets? I'm already on the Seven Soldiers bandwagon. Shining Knight was OK, Guardian has promise. The only thing I'm concerned with is if Sook is drawing her wearing those clunky knee boots, which clash with the 'nets.

Of course, writing all these books will have Grant up there with Bendis and Waid for busiest writer in the biz.

Bubbles eh? Wonder if people complained about that like they do about Shanna.

I am so-so on Morrison, and haven't been too keen on Sook's recent work (did like his older work) but this looks not bad so will probably pick it up.

[Solamon]

I really like this character and I'm glad Grant decided to make her one of his Seven Soldiers. The preview looks promising. I can't wait until tomorrow.

[Solamon]

PS: This issue decides whether or not I'm in with Seven Soldiers for the long haul.

[Alfonso]

Originally posted by muikane
But the Guardian, come on. I would have liked to see some New Yorkisms in it--Something to hold it above the fray.

That would hold it ABOVE the fray? As opposed to every issue of Ultimates, which seems to dedicate at least two pointless splash pages to show some kind of NYC architecture? At least Guardian showed a subway at its correct station (the R at 8th st). Considering I go to that station three days a week and it looks quite accurate, that's good enough for me.

[HIPHOPJUNKIE]

Looks amazing...Morrison rules the comic landscape (aside from Geoff Johns)!

DeeCee for life, bitchez!

[LunarDaydreamer]

I'm a massive fan of Morrison's work, particularly Animal and Flex Mentallo - but Seven Soldiers is suggesting it will be his finest hour. Fabulous stuff thus far, but Zatanna comes out a week before my payday ... *piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiines*!

[tyopot]

i really luv sook`s work.along with ethan van sciver.they`re 2 of my fave artists right now @ dc comics.

can`t wait for this one.

[Johnny Bacardi]

Sook’s currently hip-deep in the bi-monthly miniseries, but once it’s wrapped, the artist’s current plans call for him to head to Dark Horse for some work with Mike Mignola.

Sook's early work looked so much like Mignola's that I STILL think that he ghosted many Hellboy issues...

For someone who’s perennially been out of the spotlight, Zatanna is getting a lot of love lately.

Zee was a big part of that recent Kelly/Mahnke/Nguyen/etc. JLA arc that involved ancient Atlantis.

This looks great, and I'm looking forward to reading it. Out of all these characters, Zatanna's always been a favorite.