Written by ALISA KWITNEY Art by MIKE NORTON Cover by JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO
Leave the world of the mundane behind and step through the magical doors of Mystik U! After a tragic accident, a young Zatanna Zatara, under the guidance of Rose Psychic, enrolls in a mysterious university that teaches its students how to master their unique brands of magic. Will Zatanna fit in with her new classmates (Enchantress, Sargon the Sorcerer, Faust and more!) and unlock her true potential? Find out in this exciting bimonthly miniseries from novelist Alisa Kwitney (DESTINY) and Mike Norton (Revival, Runaways)!
On sale NOVEMBER 29 • 48 pg, FC, 1 of 3, $5.99 US • RATED T+
>Zatanna Zatara is one of the most powerful magicians to walk the Earth, capable of altering the fabric of reality with one backwards word.
>But what was she like in college?
>If you’ve ever been a college student, you know it’s a highly unique time in a person’s life. You’re a newly minted adult, free to make your own choices, but those choices are complicated by the fact that you haven’t yet settled into the person you’ll ultimately become. It’s an unpredictable and wild time in most people’s lives. So imagine what it’s like when magic is thrown into the mix.
>This is the background of MYSTIK U, an upcoming prestige-format limited series written by Alisa Kwitney (Destiny) and drawn by Mike Norton (Revival, Runaways) that will reimagine the lives of four of DC’s magic users in spectacular new ways. To give us the background on this unique new title, we spoke with both Alisa and Mike about what readers can expect when classes start this fall.
>So what is Mystik U about?
Mike: Mystik U is about a sheltered show biz kid (Zatanna), a bitter rebel (Sebastian Faust, son of Felix), a split personality (Enchantress), a competitive premed student (new character Pia Morales), and an awkward prodigy (Sargon the Sorceror) all discovering that they have the capacity to perform real magic.
They’re enrolled at a university for the magically gifted, where the world’s most powerful practitioners of magic will mentor their fledgling talents…and try to discover which of them is fated to betray the others and become a powerful force of evil.
Daniel Brooks
>Sounds like we can expect plenty of magic. What else can we expect?
Alisa: Human stuff. The first year of college is a kind of theater where people improvise themselves—sometimes they change their names, and they might adopt a whole new way of dressing along with a new passion. It’s also a place where you might discover that, after years of being on the bottom of the food chain in high school, there are people who recognize your talents. But the opposite can also occur—you realize that you’re no longer the best in the class at something. Mystik U is very much a story of freshman orientation for Zatanna and the others, but on magickal steroids.
Mike: An interesting take on a story you may have thought you knew. I’ve really enjoyed looking at some of these characters in a way I never did before!
>Is there a villain?
Mike: Gotta have a villain!
Alisa: There is definitely a villain, but there’s also an exploration of the villain’s journey. One of the things I always loved about Harry Potter was the unfolding of the story of the young Tom Riddle and how he came to be Lord Voldemort. If I could ask J.K. Rowling to write a book for me, it would be the complete tale of Tom Riddle’s school days at Hogwarts.
Thomas Rodriguez
>Some of your core cast members—like Sargon the Sorcerer—aren’t as well known. Why did you pick this particular cast?
Alisa: I wanted some of the more obscure magical characters from the DCU because I knew I would have the freedom to explore different aspects of them. For example, it seemed clear to me that Sargon should be from the Middle East. The historical Sargon of Akkad was the founder of a dynasty that ruled over what is now Iran and Iraq and beyond. I also wanted to look more closely at Sargon’s relationship with his ruby. Does it give him his powers, or enhance them? And at what cost?
I wanted a brooding, aloof, tormented Heathcliff type, because that’s always sexy, and Sebastian Faust fit the bill perfectly. I mean, he gets his powers because his father, the evil sorcerer Felix Faust, betrays him and uses him. And Faust (the son) needs to conceal his eyes with dark glasses because he’s not in complete control of his power. That’s just deliciousness to a writer. I don’t know why everyone hasn’t been clamoring to write more Faust.
As for Enchantress, I wanted to show a different side of her. I don’t see June Moon and Enchantress as a good girl/bad girl split, or a clear case of possession. I mean, who hasn’t gone to college and experimented a bit and discovered a new side of themselves?
Ian Miller
>Mystik U really exists >it's aged down established heroes instead of actual teen heroes >no Misty >no Klarion >no Brother Power the Geek >no modern-day emo revival of Scare Tactics >Rose Psychic tho
I don't know what to think desu. I don't just wanna read DC Harry Potter, but I love the idea of this book if it delves.
Brody Cook
And then there’s Zatanna. There’s so much expectation placed on her—she’s the one who comes into the book, and the school, with a reputation, with history and baggage. Everyone expects her to be the one to watch—so how does that impact on her? And what happens when she doesn’t perform as well as she—and everyone else—expects?
Pia, who is the new character, is clearly the most obscure. She thought she was on one track—medical school—until her powers manifested and she realized she had to figure out what to do with this new ability. She’s also snarky and opinionated. I get tired of seeing ensemble casts where the guys get all the funny lines and the girls are always left saying, “Come on, it’s time to get back to work.” Pia’s a bit of a wiseass.
>These are all younger versions of the characters than we’re used to seeing. What went into designing their look in this series?
Mike: A lot of thought went into trying to make modern, real-life looks for the established characters. It was challenging and fun updating some of the more obscure characters too. This hasn’t been a part of the DCU I’ve had a lot of experience in, so it’s been a blast jumping in and playing.
>We’ve definitely seen magical schools before. How does Mystik U differ from that other very popular wizarding school?
Mike: Well, that other school doesn’t have the House of Mystery or the House of Secrets on its campus! That’s one difference!
John Perry
...
Landon Wood
fuck I spoke too soon
Cooper Russell
...
Josiah Walker
last page
Benjamin Hughes
>that other school doesn’t have the House of Mystery or the House of Secrets on its campus! Gay
Jacob Walker
Alisa Kwitney is what makes this promising. I liked some of her Vertigo work. I'm glad it isn't some shit writer like Tynion.
Lincoln Allen
>The Price of Admission Isn't the price of magic in the DCU mean that you are fucked eternally?
Nolan Price
Honestly this sounds pretty bad. Zatanna should've been a teacher, along with the others. Tim Hunter, Klarion, maybe you could've even salvaged Khalid Fate too as a student.
Jace Phillips
Honestly I would have liked the actual current kid heroes too, but since this is just a mini maybe they could launch a real ongoing in that vein if it does ok.
Parker Martinez
So left to right that's
>? >Pia Morales >Sebastian Faust >Zatanna >Sargon >June Moone >I want to say Black Alice, but due to the crescents I'm leaning toward Enchantress when June's possessed
Michael Sullivan
the ? is Rose Psychic
Joshua Wood
Jakeem Thunder?
Jacob Bell
bimonthly means one issue per two months, right?
Easton Russell
Ah, that's right. Thank you, user.
Landon Myers
Seriously though this HAS to be the campus band.
Caleb Fisher
Neat, Mike Norton.
Joshua Ross
Nice, I would have guessed Traci 13
Connor Lee
This canon or no?
Hunter Ortiz
When this was first announced I had hoped Traci would appear. It's weird that her brother got a lot of play.
Jordan Campbell
Apparently she is being used in Superwoman, but I haven't read that
Michael Young
yeah she's back to a more punk-inspired look, I haven't kept up with it though
Jaxson Bailey
She is, she's dating Natasha Irons.
Nolan Watson
>>Zatanna Zatara is one of the most powerful magicians to walk the Earth Oh fuck off with this feminist garbage. Also the nerf on Sargon is ridiculous.
Lincoln Anderson
Zatanna is a top tier magician though. When has she not be? She and her dad have a completely OP hax magic ability.
Luke Clark
my guess is "probably"
she's been in that tier since at least COIE with that magical circle shit
Ethan Garcia
Shit yeah. He's super interesting but Johns didn't do much with him in JSA.
Levi Morales
Cool, Sebastian Faust was supposed to appear in that Suicide Squad Black Files book that was coming out this month but then got pulped
Elijah Brown
She was not on her dad's level and her dad wasn't on Sargon's level.
Aiden Torres
Wow, it's almost as if a non-canon mini series can change things up from what they should be.
Lucas Cox
Both of them are much younger here though.
Ethan Roberts
It's canon and her power level's beep upped in the last several years not just for this mini. All female characters have suffered from power creep because feminism.
Gavin Bell
Isn't Sargon a lot older than Zatanna? That would make this not canon.
Owen Lewis
That's what happens when a character is too OP. They job alot.
Jayden Nelson
>Zatanna No thanks, vapid character only liked because of her outfit.
Might be like Young Animal: It's within the confines of the DCU, but not strictly intertwined.
Lincoln Sanders
Then I won't read. I only read canon works.
Bentley Young
Possible, I guess we'll see then. I just expect them to more strongly state that it's canon when that's the case, like King did whenever someone asked about MM because is not an uncommon belief among readers.
Jaxon Ward
Nowhere does she says that it's non canon. It's just its own corner of the universe, like a lot of magic characters were before they went pew pew in nu52.
Gavin Anderson
I hope this is half as good as Sandman King of Dreams
Carson Wright
Nah, I mean that he never tapped into his core. He supposedly grew up lonely and obviously with a chip on his shoulder. He shouldn't have made friends off panel(the only on panel friendship he developed with was Courtney). Also, Thunderbolt should've been autistic about his commands to balance out his power, when Jakeem says "yo, Thunderbolt, smoke em" the geenie should respond with just blowing some harmless smoke in their direction. Use language and communication in such a way that you both limit Jakeem by having him need to formulate his commands on very specific and long sentences while also ensuring that some hilarity follows.
Ryan Russell
It's called a retcon. But yeah Sargon is much older.
Aaron Powell
The Gaiman prose book?
Mason Edwards
Someone better use Mahama,Mamudo, and Death flies. Comics never do insta-death magic.
Brandon Phillips
Sargon was only in silver-age stuff, right? I remember not recognizing him in The Books of Magic
Dominic Sanders
and by Silver-Age I actually meant Golden Age
Logan Nelson
...
Chase Hughes
thats good enough reason to like a character.
Lucas Lee
Sargon has already appeared in this continuity. And he's definitely older than Zatanna.
Kevin Powell
what if he decides to deage himself to fuck college chicks
Brody Phillips
Is there some cookie-cutter script out there for these uni-based storylines?
Jason Morris
Saga of The Swamp Thing
David Barnes
Wtf? Jailbaits?
Hunter Stewart
no, it's a college
Thomas Ross
Sargon is old enough to be Zatannas father. The second Sargon is about a decade younger than she is.
Of course it's not canon. It's straight up AU. Magic school just does not fit with DC magic, or the background of any of those characters. The only way this would not be AU was if the magic school was something Zatanna was trying to do to teach the younger generation.
Thomas Walker
She was on the Justice League of America, dude. As the magic specialist.
Ayden Scott
>Well, that other school doesn’t have the House of Mystery or the House of Secrets on its campus!
That "other very popular wizarding school" LITERALLY has a house of secrets kek
Luis Edwards
Keep reading shitty comics then, DC canon hasn't been the same since the reboot.
Andrew Garcia
Good, who cares about DC canon anymore? I just want good stories.
Ayden Reyes
The way people cling onto 'canon' is pathetic when even the publishers themselves just reset continuity and reboot the fuck out of their popular titles every year for sales numbers.
Just throw names like Arania, Conner or Impulse/Bart, and watch part of Sup Forums turn into weeping widows. I'm almost starting to savour the salty taste of fan tears, I can almost feel the desire to have Bendis write even more Marvel titles and just let Geoff Johns take over DC and repeat the whole rainbow Lantern event but even bigger.
This 'canon' only seems to be crippling writers from doing creative things, so for all I care it's just fucking gone. Let the writers piss on canon, as long as the story is captivating and the art doesn't look like the bitch from Bee & Puppycat got a new job.
Brayden Rodriguez
>miniseries >1 of 3 Is this a new format? I noticed that DC started to do 3 parts miniseries instead of 6 parts that they usually do (tho, I'm not against it tbqh).
Jace Rogers
That's not saying much.
Brandon Allen
... in 1986.
Nicholas Cruz
>$5.99 >1 or 3 God dammit, I want it $2.99 and as an ongoing.
Matthew Wright
>Zatanna being a massive slut in college im behind it
Gavin Taylor
It's double-length so it's basically the same as 6 normal issues.
I think the Deadman mini was similar?
Liam Ramirez
>tired of "straight man" females >creates a "snarky and opinionated" female instead But this is also extremely trite and overdone.
Aiden Perez
The Etrigan mini announced yesterday will be 6 issues at $2.99, and there is always a chance that more magical being will appear in it.
Jacob Harris
>Etrigan Mini >Pretty much a Zatanna mini >Ragman Mini What are we building up to, here?
Julian Morales
Looks like DC's playing it smart knowing full well Z's going to nosedive hard, so better to get it over with in three than six.
Carter Cooper
Nah, that tired meme won't do, you're completely deluded if you think COIE was the same as Flashpoint.
Thomas Cooper
This. I honestly can care for DC canon anymore, since they fucke it up so much. At this point it's an useless concept for me, I just care about good stories.
Jacob Adams
What the fuck is this hipster trash? Why is Sargon just a nerd in a turban?
Mason Wilson
At the time the JLA were only the best of the best.
Luke Cook
It was though.
Eli Carter
Shadowpact Rebirth
Carson Scott
DC is supposed to be above this wtf
Sebastian Watson
God I fucking hate Pia Morales already. Look at her sassy brown girl pose. You can tell she's seconds away from telling straight white men to clear a path for her walk.
Parker James
It wasn't. Nowadays they don't know what the fuck is canon anymore (THEY DID BACK THEN, and they made an effort to keep track of continuity, now they just don't care) and characters aren't as well developed as they were back then.
Logan Adams
I hate Flashpoint apologists that use the COIE argument like it was remotely the same shit.
Kayden Robinson
Fuck off casual she has been for decades
Josiah Watson
>(THEY DID BACK THEN, and they made an effort to keep track of continuity, now they just don't care) They honestly didn't, this is why we got Zero Hour in 1994.
Luis Ross
What are you even talking about? DC had Gotham Academy for the last few years, where were you complaining then?
Caleb Thompson
>Continuityfags
Robert Martin
I don't even like Flashpoint, but I'm not the one defending reboots. So you should be the one defending COIE, in how less of a clusterfuck it was.
Luis Roberts
After COIE there was Zero Hour, which retconned more things, followed by any number of retcons and reboots (Infinite Crisis, the first Green Lantern Rebirth, etc).
The point is, reboots and retcons were commonplace. Even back in the good old days. You're just too young to remember.
Cameron Jenkins
>One of >ONE OF >ONE OF Christ you are a sensitive little Sup Forumsack
Parker James
Yes None of the main cast were white
William Thomas
DC IS ABOVE NOTHING, FOOL!
Should I post the Justice League Megazord again? Teen Titans Go? DC UNIVERSE ONLINE?!
Connor Cook
>international magic school >being upset that some nonwhites are there Do you not want to see weird turban magic out of Sargon? fag.
Ethan Turner
This was before he got his awesome suit and cape.
Alexander Nguyen
Red Arrow and Vixen? And written by Brad Meltzer too. Fuck off man.