Experience Some Colorful Adventures in Oz
A Stunning Graphic Novel of That Land Over the Rainbow
Jul 20, 2009
For readers previously unacquainted with the magical land created by L. Frank Baum more than a century ago, there's nothing to fear. The introduction to Adventures in Oz neatly summarizes the history of Oz, including the original enchantment by the fairy queen Lurline, the arrival of the great Wizard, the early adventures of Dorothy Gale and the ascension of Queen Ozma. Also included is a colorful map showing the four countries within Oz--Munchkin, Gillikin, Winkie and Quadling--plus key places and features, such as the Merry-Go-Round mountains in the West and the Road of Yellow Brick in the East.
Then we dive into the first of the five enchanting stories, all of which star Dorothy Gale and the Scarecrow.
Book One: The Enchanted Apples of Oz
Bortag the Magician awakens the long-slumbering Wicked Witch of the South, who starts eating all the golden apples from the temporarily-unguarded magical apple tree, and thus stealing the magic. Our heroes race against time to defeat the Witch and restore the tree before Oz loses all its enchantment.
Book Two: The Secret Island of Oz
The Royal Gardener needs only one more fish--the elusive crimson-tailed quipperug--to fill the Emerald City's fishpond with one of every type of fish. Accompanied by the Cowardly Lion and Eureka the pink cat, the delightful duo set out for the Quadling Forest to find the quipperug. But the group is detoured to a secret island inside a whirlpool (yep), and they need the help of a wooden child named Knotboy to get out again.
Book Three: The Ice King of Oz
Queen Ozma is kidnapped by the (literally) cold-hearted Ice King and spirited back to his domain, which is protected against foreign magic. So our courageous couple team up with Nick Chopper (the Tin Woodman) and Flicker the candle-maker (who's now a candle, thanks to the Wicked Witch of the West) to rescue their beloved monarch, even though it means fighting thousands of ice people and the ferocious Ice King himself.
Book Four: The Forgotten Forest of Oz
When Nelanthe the wood-nymph breaks the law of her people, her immortality is revoked and she's banished from the Forest of Burzee. After she's found by and wedded to the King of the Trolls, Nelanthe gets her husband to declare war on the Forest. Assisted by Toto the dog and Sawhorse the wooden steed, our heroes place themselves between the terrifying Troll-Dragon army and the unsuspecting wood-nymphs.
Book Five: The Blue Witch of Oz
When Glinda the Good Witch of the South learns that her counterpart in the East has been trapped by an enchantment for centuries, Dorothy, Scarecrow and Sawhorse journey to the Great Gray Gillikin Swamp. They survive floating islands, bird-bushes and log crocodiles only to face ancient sorcery and a shocking revelation.
Booklist praised Shanower's ability to produce "well-written, charming stories with breathtaking color and the detail of Walt Disney's full animation." Indeed, the writer-artist is so well-versed in all things Oz, having also published prose novels set there, these beautifully-illustrated comics feel like genuine extensions of Baum's work.
But Shanower doesn't just churn out the same type of tale each time; each story has its own scope, theme, mood and color scheme. Secret Island is the wittiest, with a fast pace and a wonderful ecological message. The art of Forgotten Forest is dominated by reds, browns and blacks, which is appropriate for a story of vengeance and war. And The Blue Witch presents some surprisingly complex, mature themes; Shanower thus sticks to more muted shades of blue and gray.
Adventures in Oz has something for every lover of fantasy, folktales or just attractive art. And for the devoted Oz fan, it's a must!
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