Warning! Spoilers ahead for Batman: The Knight #7
In the latest issue of DC's Batman: The Knight, young Bruce Wayne reveals why his past romance with Zatanna Zatara never went anywhere. Exploring Bruce's training across the world to one day become Gotham's Dark Knight, this new issue sees the future Batman returning to America to learn the art of stage magic from John Zatara, a gifted performer and past friend of his parents. However, this issue also reveals Bruce's first experience with true magic, and it's a big part of why he chose to remain friends with John's daughter Zatanna.
Having known each other since they were children, Batman and Zatanna have always had strong chemistry in the DC Universe. Beginning with a rather flirtatious relationship in Batman: The Animated Series, it should be noted that recent retcons have made Bruce and Zatanna's history even more intertwined in the comics (such as Zatara's connection to Batman's parents). Furthermore, recent stories such as 'Bound to Our Wills' in Batman: Urban Legends confirm that Batman and Zatanna were romantically involved as young teens.
However, the new Batman: The Knight #7 from Chip Zdarsky and Carmine Di Giandomenico reveals the first time Bruce encounters real magic. Discovering that Zatara and his daughter are proficient in far more than simple smoke and mirrors, the future Batman helps Zatanna banish a demon using actual magic. However, their preparations for the battle show Bruce struggling with Zatanna's belief that he needs to let go of the pain in his heart, to move on from his parents' deaths. Unfortunately, that's something Bruce is incapable of doing.
While Bruce's pain is what's ultimately driving him to become the Dark Knight, it's understandable that this would create a wedge between him and Zatanna. Likewise, the idea of magic is a complicated concept for the future Batman to deal with. Following the demon altercation, Bruce speaks with John about the temptation of using magic to bring back and/or speak to his parents. While the cost would be great with Bruce losing many of the skills he's gained to avenge and honor their deaths, the temptation still remains. As such, it would naturally be hard to begin a more committed relationship with a magician like Zatanna, especially with that said temptation always looming over their heads.
While Batman/Zatanna shippers may be disappointed, it's good that there's now an official reason why they never became a more serious item in DC Comics. That being said, all of the recent retcons to their shared history could be building toward a new relationship in the current DC era. After all, Batman and Zatanna are older and both serve as members of the Justice League. With Batman and Catwoman's relationship being a lot more ambiguous these days, perhaps it's time for Batman and Zatanna to give it another shot.