Magic in the DC Universe is a power as natural as the sun, the sky, and the earth people stand on. It flows through everything, existing as a vast, limitless source of energy, available to those who are attuned to it. The exact origin of magic is shrouded in mystery, however, as different explanations have been given to what magic truly is and what its origins are. But it was during one of the grandest adventures of Zatanna’s life that the true source of magic was revealed, a source as shocking as was fitting in its nature: life itself!

1987’s Zatanna Special #1 (by Gerry Conway and Gray Morrow) features The Justice League’s resident show-stopping and breath-taking magician, Zatanna in an adventure that pits her against her darkest foe. Unlike many other magic users in the DC universe, such as Shazaam, The Wizard, or Doctor Fate, Zatanna’s method of casting spells requires her to speak her spells backwards. This caveat helps temper her incredibly high level of magical prowess and forces her to focus on her spell casting.

RELATED: Batman Vs Robin Assembles Zatanna, Constantine and Other Magic Users

Zatanna Source of Magic

The issue begins with Zatanna receiving a telepathic message from her mother, Sindella, urging her to return to her mother’s hidden magical city, the home of the homo magi. Zatanna and her stage manager, Jeff, are thrust into a wild journey to the hidden city, evading danger around every turn. Upon arriving in the city Zatanna learns that the city has been afflicted with a sleeping sickness, one that only she can break.

The evil sorceress Allura reveals herself to be the source of the affliction and that she had tricked Zatanna into entering a foul illusion so that she might steal her power. Ensnared within the dark magic, Zatanna’s mother appears and explains to her that life is the very source of magic. Life gives magic purpose, and it is with that purpose that it is so powerful. Armed with this knowledge, Zatanna rallies her strength and defeats Allura, returning home shortly after.

The true origin and source of magic in the DC universe has been explored and retconned for many years. It was always perceived as being a primal, primordial source of energy, one that required great talent and attunement to harness. The history of magic has been traced as far back as the very creation of the entire multiverse. In 2019's Doomsday Clock #9 (by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank) Doctor Manhattan described it as scraps of reality transmuted into an energy source.

RELATED: RUMOR: Pop Star Duo Lipa In Talks To Star In Zatanna DCEU Movie

Zatanna Allura

Sindella’s explanation to Zatanna occurred far before the events of Doomsday Clock and as such stood as a definitive answer for years. Does Doctor Manhattan’s appraisal of magic make Sindella’s statement any less true? Could it be argued that the very fabric of reality could be stitched together by life, thus giving it purpose? Reality without purpose would be chaos, a blank template of nothing and everything all at once. This idea gives credence to Sindella’s statement: without life to guide magic and to give it purpose, magic would be nothing more than another variable energy source.Knowing that life is the wellspring that magic flows from grants magic users an incredibly deep attachment to the entire spectrum of the universes' life force. While many magic users are evil, they are still inextricably bound to the symbiosis that is life and death.

Regardless of what Doctor Manhattan may say, or where the source point of magic was first documented, Sindella is no less correct in what she told her daughter. It's exciting to know that magic, in all its forms and grandeur and applications, is an embodiment of life. Much like life, magic can be beautiful, and it can be horrifying. It can be used to create and to build, and it can be channeled to destroy and to deteriorate. Zatanna uses magic as a force for good, and it was that positivity that allowed her to break free of Allura’s spell and cast the sorceress down. Magic is one of the most powerful forces in the DC universe and regardless of what other characters may say, the root of its power is bound within the force of life, and is something all magic users should respect and adhere to.