Sunday, January 18, 2009

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz #2 (of 8)

What a delight this series is!

I've always found the enduring appeal of Oz fascinating - not many works of literature from more than 100 years ago still have such a firm grasp on our imagination - but Oz endures.

Perhaps it's more amazing to realize that this may be the first adaptation of the original book that stays true to that original story - at least in terms of the script. Writer Eric Shanower has worked hard to expand the Oz mythos, and does an outstanding job here adapting the original story.

The artist, on the other hand, takes great liberties with the depictions of Oz and its famous inhabitants, but Skottie Young's art, along with Jean Francois Beaulieu's colors, continue to delight.

It's a complete departure from the classic illustrations and it's even further removed from the look of the film - but it's spot on, from the fragile Scarecrow to the gentlemanly Tin Man and the massive Cowardly Lion.

It occurs to me - I'm neglecting to recap the issue. In the second issue of The Wonderful World of Oz, Dorothy continues down the Yellow Brick Road with her new friend, The Scarecrow, and encounters two more new friends. But if you only know the story from the movie, you might be surprised to hear just how the Tin Man was created.

This is a terrific piece of work, and highly recommended for (if you'll forgive the cliche) kids of all ages.

Grade: A

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