Warning: Spoilers ahead for Zatanna & the Ripper #8!WEBTOON's newest crossover series with DC, Zatanna Zatara is getting a crack at crime solving herself and is on the path to discovering the identity of the world's most infamous serial killer: Jack the Ripper.
In 1888, London's Whitechapel districts were terrorized by an unknown killer. The impoverished area was gripped by fear as a man was butchering and killing vulnerable women, and the police had no idea who he was or how to stop him. To this day the true identity of the killer is unknown, though many have their own thoughts and speculation. If detectives in 1888 couldn't figure out this killer's identity and the sleuths of modern day still are unsure, who else could possibly solve this crime? Why not Gotham's greatest detective, Batman? In Gotham by Gaslight, he was given just the opportunity.
Set in a late 1800s Gotham, this one-shot placed Batman and his counterparts in the middle of a historic Ripper-like tale, taking full advantage of this new setting. While Gotham by Gaslight takes Batman's world and gives it a 19th-century twist (such as Martha and Thomas Wayne being killed by a highwayman and having one of the clues be from the Civil War), Zatanna & the Ripper magically transports Zatanna out of 2022 and into 1888 with her unable to return to modern times. It looks like Zatanna just might be able to solve this crime faster than Batman did in his foray.
Unlike Batman, who even in the 19th century has his wealth and privilege, Zatanna is a fish out of water and actually finds a place among the vulnerable women who are under attack by the Ripper. Despite her magical abilities, she does not have perfect control over them. Attempts to return to 2022 only have her pluck certain modern items into the past. However, Zatanna still has abilities far beyond Batman's normal detective skills, with the mind of a 21st-century person to boot. She's already used her magic to blend in and draw crowds and attempted to track down where one of the missing girls could have gone with a spell on her ring. With hints meaning that the Ripper is going beyond the "Canonical Five" of confirmed victims, Zatanna certainly has her work cut out for her, but it seems she's already on the fast track.
It is fantastic to see Zatanna becoming the focus of more stories, especially one as creative as Zatanna & the Ripper. In issue #8, it seems that fan favorite occult detective John Constantine will be playing a bigger role in the story as well. Everything is coming together for this murderer's identity to be brought to light sooner rather than later.
Zatanna & the Ripper is available on WEBTOON.
