List of DC Comics characters: Z

==Colby Zag== {{main|Rag Doll (character)}}

==Zale== {{main|List of Green Lanterns#Zale}}

==Zan== {{main|Wonder Twins}}

==Zaneth== {{main|List of Green Lanterns#Green Lanterns by sectors of the universe}}

==Tim Zanetti== {{main|Breach (character)}}

==Zara== {{main|Zara (character)}}

==William Zard== {{main|Wizard (DC Comics)}}

==Zatanna== {{main|Zatanna}}

==Zatara== ===Giovanni Zatara=== {{Comics character list header|debut=''Action Comics'' #1 (June 1938)|debutmo=|debutyr=|creators=Fred Guardineer|abilities=*Mastery of magic; primarily able to invoke supernatural effects by speaking the desired effects backwards and possess extensive knowledge of the supernatural. Access to various mystical artifacts * Master stage magician and escape artist|alias=Master Magician|name=|teams=All-Star Squadron<br />Justice Society Dark<br>Cult of the Cold Flame|CBDBid=|GCDid=}}'''Giovanni "John" Zatara''', simply called '''Zatara''', is a fictional magician and superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in ''Action Comics'' #1 in 1938 during the Golden Age of Comic Books, making him one of DC Comics' oldest characters.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=339}}</ref>

====Fictional history==== The son of Italian immigrants and a descendant of Leonardo da Vinci, Giovanni becomes a successful stage magician and superhero. Originally depicted as human,<ref>''DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest'' #5 (December 1980)</ref> the character is later depicted as a homo magi whose teaching from Phantom Stranger helped control his magical abilities at a young age.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Wagner |first=Matt |title=Madame Xanadu: Disenchanted |publisher=DC Comics |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-4012-2291-8}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |author=Matthew K. Manning |title=The DC comics encyclopedia: the definitive guide to the characters of the DC universe |author2=Stephen Wiacek |author3=Melanie Scott |author4=Nick Jones |author5=Landry Q. Walker |date=2021 |publisher=DC Comics |isbn=978-0-7440-2056-4 |edition=New |location=New York, New York |oclc=1253363543}}</ref> In his adult hood, the character garners a reputation among his contemporaries, rivaling Doctor Fate,<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Tynion IV |first=James |title=Justice League Dark |author2=Álvaro Martínez Bueno |author3=Raul Fernandez |author4=Brad Anderson |date=2019 |publisher=DC Comics |isbn=978-1-4012-9460-1 |volume=2, Lords of order |location=Burbank, CA |oclc=1110150328}}</ref> and is the father of Zatanna and uncle of Zachary Zatara.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mitchell |first1=Kurt |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940-1944 |last2=Thomas |first2=Roy |date=2019 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1-60549-089-2 |page=25}}</ref> He is also a love interest of Madame Xanadu prior to meeting Sindella.<ref name=":22">{{Cite book |last=Wagner |first=Matt |title=Madame Xanadu: Disenchanted |publisher=DC Comics |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-4012-2291-8}}</ref>

At the conclusion of the 1986 ''Swamp Thing'' storyline "American Gothic", John Constantine assembles Zatanna, Mento, and Sargon the Sorcerer to battle the entity known as the 'Great Evil Beast'. The four hold a séance at Wintersgate Manor, the home of Baron Winters in Georgetown, to summon the Beast. The Beast burns Sargon to death and attempts to kill Zatanna as well. Zatara absorbs the Beast's attack, sacrificing himself to save his daughter's life.<ref>''Swamp Thing'' (vol. 2) #50 (July 1986)</ref>

Zatara has made sporadic appearances in the afterlife since his death. In the ''Reign in Hell'' miniseries, Zatara is part of a resistance movement operating in Hell. As with most of the 'dead', he risks becoming fodder for Hell, where the physicality of the damned is used for general resources. At his request, Zatanna sends Zatara's soul to the Abyss, a realm that Hell cannot touch.<ref>''Reign in Hell'' #5 (January 2009)</ref> In the ''Blackest Night'' event, Zatara is resurrected as a member of the Black Lantern Corps and attacks Zatanna. Zatanna is successful in banishing the Black Lantern, but is left psychologically crushed from having to kill her father.<ref>''Justice League of America'' (vol. 2) #39–40 (January - February 2010)</ref>

====Powers and abilities==== A master magician, Zatara invokes magical effects and casts spells by speaking a spell or phrase backwards for a desired effect (known as "Logomancy").<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |author=Matthew K. Manning |title=The DC comics encyclopedia: the definitive guide to the characters of the DC universe |author2=Stephen Wiacek |author3=Melanie Scott |author4=Nick Jones |author5=Landry Q. Walker |date=2021 |publisher=DC Comics |isbn=978-0-7440-2056-4 |edition=New |location=New York, New York |oclc=1253363543}}</ref> Additionally, Zatara is a capable stage magician, skilled in prestidigitation, a skilled escape artist,<ref name=":02" /> and can be manipulative and deceptive against other magicians.<ref name=":12">{{Cite book |last=Tynion IV |first=James |title=Justice League Dark |author2=Álvaro Martínez Bueno |author3=Raul Fernandez |author4=Brad Anderson |date=2019 |publisher=DC Comics |isbn=978-1-4012-9460-1 |volume=2, Lords of order |location=Burbank, CA |oclc=1110150328}}</ref>

====Zatara in other media==== =====Television===== * Zatara appears in a flashback in the ''Batman: The Animated Series'' episode "Zatanna", voiced by Vincent Schiavelli.<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Zatara Voices (DC Universe) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/DC-Universe/Zatara/ |access-date=May 17, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref> * Zatara appears in ''Young Justice'', voiced by Nolan North.<ref name="btva" /> This version is a member of the Justice League and was originally trained by Kent Nelson. After Nelson dies, Zatara is forced to don the Helmet of Fate and become Doctor Fate, Nabu's host, to prevent Zatanna from doing so. Due to the strain of hosting Nabu's power, Zatara ages rapidly over the course of several years and maintains his sanity by reciting the Lord's Prayer. In the fourth season, Zatanna forms the Sentinels of Magic to free Zatara by arranging for Nabu to rotate between its members as hosts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matadeen |first=Renaldo |date=December 27, 2021 |title=Young Justice: Phantoms Made Zatara's Origin More Tragic - And More Suspicious |url=https://www.cbr.com/young-justice-phantoms-zatara-origin-more-tragic/ |access-date=May 17, 2024 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}}</ref> * Zatara appears in ''DC Super Hero Girls'', voiced by Phil LaMarr.<ref name="btva" />

=====Film===== Zatara makes a cameo appearance in ''Superman'' via a mural.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brooke |first=David |date=July 12, 2025 |title='Superman' reveals Hall of Justice mural: 300 years of heroes on display |url=https://aiptcomics.com/2025/07/12/superman-movie-mural-dc-studios/ |access-date=July 16, 2025 |website=AIPT}}</ref>

=====Video games===== Zatara appears as a character summon in ''Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=October 4, 2013 |title=DC Characters and Objects - ''Scribblenauts Unmasked'' Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |access-date=May 17, 2024 |website=IGN}}</ref>

=====Miscellaneous===== * Zatara appears in the "Zatanna" entry of the ''Cartoon Monsoon'' contest, voiced by Steve Blum. This version is the frustrated father of a teenage Zatanna. * Zatara appears in a crossover between ''The Batman Adventures'' and ''Superman Adventures''. This version previously taught a young Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent. * Zatara appears in ''Smallville Season 11'' as a member of Shadowpact during World War II.<ref>''Smallville Season 11: Olympus'' #1-4</ref>

===Zach Zatara=== {{Main|Zachary Zatara}}

==Zauriel== {{main|Zauriel}}

==David Zavimbe== {{main|Batwing (DC Comics)}}

==Zazzala== {{main|Queen Bee (comics)}}

==Zebra-Man== {{main|Zebra-Man}}

==Lori Zechlin== {{main|Black Alice (comics)}}

==Leon Zeiko== {{main|Doctor Psycho}}

==Zeiss== '''Philo Zeiss''' is a mercenary, contract killer and bodyguard, surgically enhanced to augment his speed and reflexes, and equipped with vision-enhancing goggles and extensive martial arts training. He is brought to Gotham City by the Sicilian Mafia, where he battles Batman to a standstill and nearly kills Catwoman.

==Doris Zeul== {{main|Giganta}}

==Zeus== {{main|Zeus (DC Comics)}}

==Maxie Zeus== {{main|Maxie Zeus}}

==Clifford Zmeck== {{main|Major Force}}

==Zod== {{main|General Zod}}

==Zodiac Master== '''Zodiac Master''' is a villain who made his presence known in Gotham by predicting a succession of disasters, all of which he has secretly orchestrated. Having cemented his reputation, he starts offering odds on the relative success or failure for the plans of various criminals, all in exchange for 25% of the take.<ref>''Detective Comics'' #323 (January 1964)</ref>

===Zodiac Master in other media=== * Zodiac Master makes a non-speaking appearance in the ''Batman: The Brave and the Bold'' episode "A Bat Divided!". * Zodiac Master appears in ''The Lego Batman Movie''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Acuna |first=Kirsten |date=February 10, 2017 |title=The 18 most obscure villains in 'The LEGO Batman Movie' ranked |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/villains-in-lego-batman-movie-2017-2 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250820034322/https://www.businessinsider.com/villains-in-lego-batman-movie-2017-2 |archive-date=August 20, 2025 |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=Business Insider}}</ref>

==Ashley Zolomon== {{Comics character list header |debut = ''The Flash'' (vol. 2) #197 |debutmo = June |debutyr = 2003 |creators = Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins |abilities = |alias = |name = |CBDBid = |GCDid = }} '''Dr. Ashley Zolomon''' is a character appearing in DC Comics. The character made her first appearance in ''The Flash'' (vol. 2) #197 (June 2003), and was created by Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins. She is a profiler in Keystone City's police department who is a colleague of Wally West and the estranged wife of Hunter Zolomon.

Ashley worked with the F.B.I. when she met Hunter and they married with the two specialized in apprehending low-level costumed criminals until Hunter inadvertently caused her father's death by mistakenly believing that the Clown was incapable of using a gun, causing their estrangement.<ref name="f197">''The Flash'' (vol. 2) #197 (June 2003)</ref>

===Ashley Zolomon in other media=== An alternate universe version of Ashley Zolomon appears in ''The Flash'' episode "Versus Zoom", portrayed by Tatyana Forrest. This version is the mother of Hunter Zolomon and the wife of James Zolomon, who murdered her.

==Hunter Zolomon== {{main|Hunter Zolomon}}

==Zookeeper== {{main|Zookeeper (comics)}}

==Zor-El== {{main|Zor-El}}

==Kara Zor-El== {{main|Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)}}

==Kara Zor-L== {{main|Power Girl}}

==Zilius Zox== {{main|Zilius Zox}}

==Victor Zsasz== {{main|Victor Zsasz}}

==Tony Zucco== {{main|Tony Zucco}}

==Zuggernaut== {{Comics character list header |debut = ''Firestorm the Nuclear Man'' #69 |debutmo = March |debutyr = 1988 |creators = John Ostrander and Joe Brozowski |abilities = Superhuman strength, near invulnerability, energy discharge, long, sharp claws and fangs |alias = Matvei Rodor |name = Zuggernaut |CBDBid = 7844 |GCDid = Zuggernaut }} The '''Zuggernaut''' is an alien who crashed on Earth as a meteorite in Russia. It was found by, and bonded to, '''Matvei Rodor''', a black marketeer. Rodor is in conflict with a corrupt Moscow prosecutor named Soliony and agrees to Zuggernaut's offer of help in exchange for being its host.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=357}}</ref>

Returning to Moscow, they attack Soliony, who has been interrogating Mikhail Arkadin. Arkadin summons Firestorm and escapes the jail to find Zuggernaut threatening Soliony. Zuggernaut is driven off when Firestorm burns their chest.<ref>{{cite comic |date=March 1988 |title=Firestorm |story=Back in the U.S.S.R. |issue=69 |volume=2 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=Ostrander, John |penciller=Brozowski, Joe |inker=De La Rosa, Sam}}</ref>

Zuggernaut reappears a short time later and allows itself to be captured to get to Soliony. Again Firestorm intervenes, creating discord for both the alien and its host.<ref>{{cite comic |date=June 1988 |title=Firestorm |story=Return of the Zuggernaut |issue=72 |volume=2 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=Ostrander, John |penciller=Brozowski, Joe |inker=De La Rosa, Sam}}</ref> Their fight with Firestorm is interrupted by Stalnoivolk, allowing Rodor to override Zuggernaut's desire to fight Firestorm and chase after Soliony. They, in turn, are delayed by the Russian super-team Soyuz, allowing Firestorm to catch up and stop them. This results in Rodor being killed and Zuggernaut withdrawing to find a new host.<ref>{{cite comic |date=July 1988 |title=Firestorm |story=Blood Red Square |issue=73 |volume=2 |publisher=DC Comics |writer=Ostrander, John |penciller=Brozowski, Joe |inker=De La Rosa, Sam}}</ref>

==Zyklon== '''Der Zyklon''' is a fictional DC Comics character. Created by Roy Thomas, the character first appeared in ''All-Star Squadron'' #45 (May 1985).

The word ''zyklon'' is German for ''cyclone''. Zyklon was given the power to move at superhuman speeds by scientists of the Third Reich, and assisted Baron Blitzkrieg, in stealing the Liberty Bell. Their plans were thwarted by Johnny Quick, Liberty Belle, Hawkgirl, and the Flash, members of the All-Star Squadron. <ref>''All-Star Squadron'' #45 (May 1985)</ref>

==Werner Zytle== {{main|Count Vertigo}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:List Of Dc Comics Characters: Z}} DC Comics characters: Z, List of