#Zachary Zatara

[autisticrosewilson]

Thinking about the au where Dick really did adopt Jason and baby Jay ends up being raised by the whole Titan team. Those are his big siblings!!! They have a very elaborate schedule for has him when, whose picking him up from where, who's apartment he's sleeping in, ect. Jason doesn't feel the need to be the emotional support in the field so he gives up Robin willingly and is just their civilian brother with insane training. Villains think he's an easy mark but no one who has ever tried has been found. This au is very important to me personally and lives deep in heart.

[timbit-robin-art]

Really wish I chose a bigger canvas to experiment on, but alas.

[melonnabar]

Commission

[strawberrytalia]

hopefully people besides me find this funny 😭

[dailydccomics]

dudes rock art by Brett Booth, Rob Hunter + Andrew Dalhouse

[tzigone]

So, I started thinking about Zachary's parents and ended up thinking about the extended Zatara family and magic

For my headcanon reboot. I lean rather Pre-COI for Zatanna and Zatara in terms of personality. I have some issues with Sindrella and the homo magi setup, as I've mentioned before. And there are some changes to fit in the overall universe.

For reference, John Zatara is born in 1956, Zatanna in 1980 and Zachary in 1991.

But, despite leaning a pre-COIE way, I did want to include Zachary. So I thought they shouldn't be the only magic members of the family. So Luigi looked youngish when he gave John his magic tricks. So he's a young grandpa. So all four of Zatara's grandparents are alive when he realizes he has magical abilities. He has not only his little brother and parents, but aunts and uncles and cousins and great aunts and uncles and second cousins.

Well, he goes home when he gets a chance and has his other family members try magic. His brother and father have it and his mom doesn't, so they know it comes from dad's side. So they get other relatives to try. A great uncle, an aunt, and two first cousins (both younger - he's the oldest grandkid on that side) have magic.

But the others don't do exciting things with it like him. Dad, brother, grandpa and great uncle just live life on easy mode. Meals are magicked up. Car's gas tank is full for free. Clothes and appliances - look at a catalog and speak it. Home repairs and remodeling - easy-peasy. Zachary finds the family with such abilities living so mundanely just a waste - so incredibly boring. The aunt and her husband form a company and start flipping houses. Her husband does the research and paperwork and she speaks the dilapidated (or at least extremely outdated) into fashionable modernity - with shag carpeting, harvest gold appliances, and very nice wood wood paneling. Their kids were given good size profit interests of the company when they started, too. But that's still small-time compared to Zat's dreams.

I have some personalities and details on characters, including non-magic ones, but I doubt anyone cares much about that.

[waitingforthet]

Zachary Zatara and John Constantine doodle based off of that one meme

Check my Patreon out if you’d like to support the comic, even a little bit helps. Or just to check out the reward tiers, there’s some neat bonus stuff and I tried to make them fun: https://www.patreon.com/waitingforthet

[devilsmamba]

zee (19) Knew before zach (15) did

happy pride month

[kitzatara]

Do you think Zatanna should have her own city?

Not necessarily but I have dreamt of Zatanna becoming the protector of the hidden city of her people (the Homo Magi), it’s funny to me that she falls into the same category as Wonder Woman or Aquaman where she has a secret civilization she’s a part of but unlike them it’s just… never brought up or touched on. So in my mind I want her to be slightly different where she’s not a leader or long lost princess, (even though I wouldn’t complain if DC did go that direction) but maybe a chosen one where it’s her destiny to protect them.

The Homo Magi were canonically capable of manipulating magic at will, stated to live for centuries but had to remain hidden because they’d be struck with instant attraction to Homo Sapiens if they ever saw one. Which is exactly what happened to Sindella and Zatara. Making Zatanna the only known living hybrid between the two species. Pretty much every other magic user who is categorized as a Homo Magi it’s because of their genetics. That they’re descended from Homo Magi who lived centuries ago. But Zatanna got a jump start to her genes and is a direct descendant.

So I love the idea of DC revamping the Homo Magi story where she discovers her mother is alive, and from the hidden city, she goes to find them and learn about her past and her medulla jewel. The villaious Highlord can return and show that their society has become corrupt. Those with the most power hoarding it for themselves and dictating over the weak. With Zatanna’s arrival she can face off against the highlord and his followers, free her mother and her people and usher in a new era. (As the prophecy foretoldtm)

Doing so maybe results in the city being exposed, and lots of greedy, power hungry dark magic users want to pillage the hidden city and its inhabitants for their incredible power. People like Felix Faust, Wotan, Wizard, Allura, Tannarak, Brother Night, etc. Queue saga of Zatanna regularly stopping them and thwarting schemes while learning about her heritage and the magic of her people. Whoch again we can explore themes I mentioned in previous asks about Zatanna being magically privileged in a sense. How these people are so desperate to acquire more power and more arcane secrets, the way it’s all handed to Zatanna.

I like the idea of her opening the city to the good magic community, those who wouldn’t abuse its secrets, maybe creating a portal there in the oblivion bar, maybe having a personal one in her home of Shadowcrest so she can visit whenever she likes. These portals creating a protective spell to keep that “instant attraction” thing from causing problems. Although there is lots of potential for wacky hijinks. I love the idea of her taking Zachary with her as they learn more about this place even if he isn’t half Homo Magi like she is. (At least we don’t think so because we still don’t know who his parents are). Zatanna asking Diana and Arthur (technically her cousin) about how to balance normal life, hero life, and the responsibilities of a secret nation lol.

The hidden city has sooo much potential for storytelling and fun and asding depth to her lore. And every year that passes that we don’t return to it and instead rehash her father’s death or how she learned she had magic instead, I die a little. So yeah.

thanks for the ask!

[sandcatart]

👉👈

[teentitansbrokenyouth]

Guess who's baaaack?! Our new mini-chapter is out! Let us know what you think!

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[dc-polls]

"That Really Happened?!" DC Comics Tournament Round 1 - Match B1

[ID: Two images of cropped comics panels. The first is Carol Ferris as Star Sapphire who is visibly pregnant. The second image is Zachary Zatara holding a glowing disc. He has an anguished look on his face and says, "Goodbye, Kate." /END]

Schrödinger's Pregnancy

VS

Zachary Zatara Has Dead Twins

Make sure to follow the links above to read more about each event!

Which one is more shocking, unbelievable or just plain wild?

As always you can find all posts related to the tournament using #dc-polls-trh

[nitpickrider]

And then they never actually followed up on this. Because this era of DC was allergic to actually interesting team line ups.

[landboundstar-writing]

Chills

An original story

Nightwing and Zach are on a rooftop patrol. What could happen? SFW - but careful, content warnings.

CW: Dick Grayson (Nightwing)/ Zach Zatara, making out, heart to heart talk, pole dancing, semi-public makeout, discussion of potential self-harm.

If you like, tip. (Anything helps)

If you can't, reblog.

Nightwing blew on his hands as they stood out in the cold.

“Here.” 

A piping hot cup of coffee was pushed at him.

He looked over at Zachary Zatarra, who sipped his own coffee.

“Do you think they'll get systems up and running any time soon?”

Zach laughed. 

Nightwing turned.

“Are you laughing at me?”

“Yes.” Clearly unrepentant, Zach smiled and took another sip. “You grew up fighting a guy who freezes things, you know, when you were doing rooftop patrols. And you are complaining about drawing the short straw for rooftop threat patrol while the systems are down?”

“Yes. You work with your hands. I should not need to explain that cold fingers aren't the most flexible or dexterous. Not to mention that it can reach stakeout levels of boredom. Probably not tonight for that, but have had some rooftop threat patrols like that. ”

“Ooh. Dexterous. Borrowing Jason's books again?”

“Bite me. I don't like swinging around on fingercicles, okay?”

He did not miss the eyebrow that Zach raised as he took another sip of coffee. Which, okay, was still steaming hot and warming his hands as he held on to the cup.

“Seriously. Hate cold hands. Do you know what it feels like to have your hands cracked or throw a punch when it’s freezing?”

“It sucks. Picking locks with cold hands is worse. Especially underwater. Do you need a refill?”

Nightwing shook his head. “No. I'm good. Sorry, but which one of your cousin's enemies stuck you in a box, locked up underwater?”

Zach's smile broadened, the cheerful grin making his face light up. “Me. It's part of my show.”

“Of course it is.” Nightwing rolled his eyes, but he was smiling too. He raised his binoculars to do a scan, but everything was still clear. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.” Zach sounded relaxed, but Nightwing wasn't fooled. The stiffness in his shoulders that hadn't been there before gave it away more than the smile that no longer touched his eyes. “What did you want to ask about?”

“Why do you split time with Titans and Young Justice. You're listed for both teams.”

“Over half of us are on multiple teams. Young Justice and Titans. Young Justice and full Justice League. Whatever Jason is with the Outlaws, Titans, and whichever other group he added.” Zach looked at the water pipe in the middle of the roof, made of sturdy enough metal to survive attacks as it ran the backup water supply in from a rooftop tank. Then, he took a step back and jumped, pulling himself into a human flag with surprisingly little effort. “And if I was better, I might do that. But I like both teams, and I'm not good enough to be full Young Justice let alone Justice League yet.”

“Not good enough? Want to explain that to someone who can't cast magic missile?”

“I told you before, that was a spell deflection, not a magic missile. And it’s simple. Really.” Zach hopped down, circling the pipe in what Nightwing was pretty sure was an imitation of Gene Kelly's Singing In The Rain dance. Zach, Nightwing had to admit had moves. And for a second he was distracted, imagining the two of them dancing together. 

“I can cast spells.” Zach continued, seemingly unaware of Nightwing’s thoughts “But not as well as Zatanna, or Uncle Gio. Or John. Not in the same category as Dr. Fate. Pretty sure even Raven is better than I am at casting, at least with shielding and defensive stuff. So probably not good enough to be full Young Justice, since they are getting ready to be full Justice League. Especially since I'm not as high of a circle as they are.”

“Like, not as high of a skill rank? Like magic belts with karate?”

Zach fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable with the question. “Not exactly. Like, I know why they object to my crossing circles. But I feel John Constantine does not get to lecture me about circle crossing when he has possessed himself with a demon to survive a gunshot wound.”

Nightwing put his hand on top of Zach's, stopping his spinning. “Is it something I could help with?”

There was a snort from the magician. “No.”

“You don't know if you don't ask.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Try me.”

Zach looked at Nightwing “You would help me have a near death experience? Like not breathing, heart skips a few beats, near death experience?”

“No!” 

The idea of Zach not being there hurt. Nightwing hadn’t known that it would hurt that badly until Zach said it, but even the thought was too much.

Zach shrugged. “Told you I knew the answer.” He went to start spinning again, but Nightwing kept his hand on top, gripping onto Zach's hand.

“Sorry for not wanting you to die, Zach. And your power doesn't matter as much as you think. I mean, I can't do what you do. And I'd pick you over Clarion any day, no matter how powerful he is.”

“Wow, thanks.” Zach sounded irritated and took a small step forward. It should have had Nightwing back up a step, should have made him let go of Zach's hands to give him space.

But Nightwing wasn't backing away. They stood, inches apart, with Zach's hand covered by his, still gripping the water pipe.

And standing there, Zach wasn't worried about the cold. Hell, his hands were sweating as new thoughts went through his head, scattering any arguments he might have given. 

Nightwing bumped Zach's hip with his own. “Stop hogging the pipe. I want a turn.”

Zach felt weirdly boneless, his stomach flipping as his grip loosened on the pipe. He stepped back, hoping to feel normal once he backed up. Once his stomach stopped flip-flopping . Once his palms stopped sweating. Once his heart stopped beating so fast.

When Nightwing let go of his hand, he almost felt normal. Almost.

Except for the fact that Zach kind of wanted to feel Nightwing grab his hand again. To keep touching him.

He watched as his fellow Titan climbed up the pipe and hooked a leg around it before flipping himself so that he hung upside-down clinging to the pipe by gripping it with his knees.

“Should I applaud?” Zach asked. 

“If you'd like”. Nightwing answered, grinning up at Zach.

“Is hanging upside-down a bat thing or does your family know you like to play on poles?”

For a moment or two, no one spoke while Nightwing swung back and forth, his hips and abs tensing under his uniform in a way that Zach was having a hard time looking away from. Then, he just let go. He somersaulted forward and Zach stepped back instinctively so he didn't get rolled into.

As soon as he stopped rolling, Zach wryly realized that maybe he hadn't backed up enough because Nightwing came up standing right in front of him. If he stepped forward, even an inch, Nightwing would be standing on Zach's feet. 

But for some reason, he couldn't move back another step. He could not move at all.

“It isn’t just you.”

“What? But N-”

“No, not Nightwing. I mean, yes, I am Nightwing. But that is not my name.”

“But -”

“Say it, Zach.”

“What? Richard? Grayson? Dick? What do you want me to call you?”

“Any of them. All of them. I don’t care. Who do you see when you look at me?”

“N-”

A gloved hand touched Zach’s lips before he lowered his hand to his side again. “Let me take the mask off and try it again.”

Zach knew that the weird sound he made as he gulped had to be audible but he couldn’t help it. Just as he could not stop what he said next as he watched his friend take his mask off.

“Dick, whatever I did, you don’t have to do this.”

“I was wondering what it would take to make you say my name.” He still hadn’t moved away, staying so ridiculously close. “And you’re Zach. Zachary Zatarra. You.”

N - no, Dick took a step forward and there was no space at all.

“You’re making it sound so easy. Even if it was not a big deal when you play with magic. Names matter.”

“Yeah, I get that. I would get that even if I didn’t know Zee and John. And so is being yourself and not someone else.”

Dick wanted to reassure his friend, help him feel better. But he wasn’t immune to the tension rising between him. He wanted to hold Zach, but with how worked up the other Titan was he wasn’t sure how he would react. 

It turned out he didn’t need to wait long at all.

For just a second, listening to Dick, Zach saw red. He felt his temper flare, hot and dangerous and he put his hands against Dick's chest and pushed him.

“Don’t, Don't pretend you get it.”

Dick didn't budge an inch. Instead, his stance shifted so his feet were planted on either side of Zach's and grabbed his hands.

“Don’t pretend I get what, Zach? Comparing myself? I grew up in a performing family. My Dad, my cousin Boston, my mom - they were all better because they had been practicing longer. But, no, I couldn't keep up with them. And then they died and Bruce adopted me. Do you think I didn't compare myself to him, especially once I was Robin? Do you think I don't compare myself to everyone who has abilities? Do you think I haven't been where you are? Comparing myself, afraid to be myself? Afraid to let others see or feel?”

“And would you say that if you knew I didn't want to hit you but instead I wanted to-,” Zach couldn't finish what he wanted to say. His mouth was suddenly dry. He had gone from shouting to whispering, and he didn't know when he had grabbed Dick's hands back. When all distance had disappeared so he just had to move his head and -

They were kissing. Dick was always aware of where his body was, and he had Zach in a fight often enough to know the same was true of him. But there was a shift of heads and their lips brushed each other. And that was enough to set off all the feelings between them. Because that brush of lips was not enough.Soon, they were kissing, hands grabbing at hips while their tongues while their tongues warred.

It wasn’t until they came up for air that Zach noticed the back of his shirt was untucked. And the frigid air on his back brought him back to where they were.

“Stop.”

Without hesitation, Dick backed up. “Sorry, you just looked.”

Zach shook his head, panting out words as he tried to catch his breath.. “That. Later Definitely. More. That. Patrol. Roof. Cold.”

It sounded like caveman nonsense to him, but Dick clearly understood and grinned at Zach.

“Yeah. More later.” He picked up the binoculars. “Got any more coffee?”

They picked patrol up again with electricity sizzling between them while they waited for the power to come back on.

[ratscrap]

best friends help light eachothers cigarettes

[dailydccomics]

beware Titans army Teen Titans vol 3 #53