Zatanna #4 (2025)

Long ago, Hell had served as the background for an epic struggle between the demons Etrigan and Nebiros. Etrigan proved victorious, tore his opponent's skin from flesh and threw it to the river Acheron. There, the demonskin languished for countless years until it was found by Daniel Cassidy, who would fashion the disembodied skin into a suit. Zatanna, still weakened after her battle with Clayface, awakens in the realm of illusions the Lady White lured her into, with only Clayface, reduced to a small puddle of harmless clay, to keep her company. Still fearful, Clayface explains that the Lady White said that she would help him find his family if he helped her with his plans; then, she stabbed him with a golden spear similar to the sword afflicting Zatanna, who finds a small red letter lying next to her. Zatanna creates a portal to return to San Francisco, only to find Blue Devil and Adam have disappeared without a trace. Meanwhile, at the Crimson Palace, Brother Night and Lady White discuss their next move. Brother Night is annoyed that Zatanna is onto them now, but Lady White replies that she is too affected by the sword to be a threat to them. Even if she discovers the sword's true name, it will be too late to help her. Lady White also reports that she is having trouble in having Blue Devil submit to the sword, as the skin of Nebiros is too thick, but Brother Night tortures her with magic and tells her to keep trying to find a solution. Back at Shadowcrest, Zatanna tries to find a way to remove the sword from her chest, all the while continuing to hear a voice that berates her efforts. She is suddenly visited by her employees, who have brought food and drinks so they can have fun and, hopefully, Zatanna can take her mind off her worries, at least for a while. She talks to them over what happened and feels guilty over indirectly causing Adam's death, but Zatanna's friends inspire her to continue fighting the good fight and their words give Zatanna an idea. When she sleeps, she allows herself to be consumed by a nightmare in which she is tied to a lighthouse getting hit by a storm thus be visited by the demon Fuseli. Zatanna wants his help so they can settle a favor he owes her for abandoning her when she needed him and Fuseli reluctantly agrees. She wants information about the sword and he says that the sword itself doesn't actually exist and that its magic actually comes from the lighthouse Zatanna is tied to. She also asks him to read the letter she found back when she fought Clayface. The letter is an invitation to the Night of Desires, a special event hosted by Brother Night and Lady White at the Crimson Palace. At the Crimson Palace, the Night of Desires has begun. Brother Night has gathered a large crowd of wizards, demons and all sorts of magical creatures for a night of entertainment. Zatanna, in her usual form of entertainment, teleports into the event and Brother Night, having expected her arrival, introduces her as the guest of honor. She demands the release of her friends and Brother Night shows the captured Blue Devil at the hands of Lady White. Just as Zatanna tries to release him, she is attacked by Adam, who has been turned into a mindless slave. Zatanna freezes Adam with a key but Lady White has used magic to awaken the power of Nebiros hidden in his skin and turn Blue Devil into a savage demon. As the fight continues, Zatanna continues to be tormented by the words of the sword still embedded on her chest, but Zatanna has no time to feel sorry for herself. She removes the sword from her chest, releasing dozens of golden shards across the room.