What do you think?
Rate this book
Marvel's Oz Comics #5
Oz: Road to Oz
Dorothy and Toto are off on another fantastic adventure! When dusty Kansas roads suddenly turn into magic highways, it's a safe bet that one of them is the road to Oz! This time Dorothy's companions are strange - an old homeless guy with a magic magnet, and a mentally-challenged child named Button-Bright, transformed magically by the king of the talking foxes! Who will get an invitation to the most lavish celebration ever known, the birthday party of Ozma of Oz? And how will Dorothy and the Shaggy Man get through the Deadly Desert? Johnny Dooit may have an idea! Eric Shanower and Skottie Young deliver another Oz adaptation that's an instant classic!
Road To Oz 1-6
Road To Oz 1-6
136 pages, Hardcover
First published March 19, 2013
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
October 31, 2015
A fair adaptation from a pointless book
Creative Team:
Writer: Eric Shanower (based on the original works by L. Frank Baum)
Illustrator: Scottie Young
NOT SO EASY TO RATE
My rating to this particular graphic novel is an average between the great presentation by Eric Shanower (writer) and Scottie Young (artist) and the original source material by L. Frank Baum.
If I think on the graphic novel per se, easily I could give it easily a full 5 stars rating, but the story that it's an adaptation of the original book by L. Frank Baum barely can reach a 3 stars rating.
So, I think quite fair to give a 4 stars rating overall.
Eric Shanower did his best to work out the book, but after all, he had kinda tied his hands due of having to work based on what L. Frank Baum did on the original prose book, that I feel it wasn't as good as his previous engagaments with the world of Oz.
IN CASE YOU ARE NEW TO THIS VERSIONS
In case you don't about those adaptations and/or you didn't read my previous reviews about the other OZ graphic novels, I can assure you that the formidable teamwork of Shanower and Young is a delight and you won't find a better graphic adaption around from the original work by L. Frank Baum.
Due the classic film "The Wizard of Oz", that I love, I was interested to read this graphic adaptations, that while I am reading them, I did research and I can assure that they are quite faithful to the original source material.
Of course, the best option always will be just to read the original books (that I will do, hopefully in a near future) but if you want to read the OZ stories in a graphic format, never doubt that getting these ones is a great option...
...because they truly are.
COOL NEW CHARACTERS BUT NO PLOT OR CLIMAX
Okay, about the story in this particular adventure...
Sure, there are cool things like having back Toto in the story, and the new characters are real interesting, the Shaggy Man, Button-Bright and Polychrome.
However the whole story is quite pointless and without any real danger (sure we have the Scoodlers but not nearly a threat comparing to previous adventures.
The "climax" of the story is the Birthday Party of Ozma and it's only that, a birthday party, there isn't any secret plot or the intrusion of some nasty villain trying to spoil the party, no, they have a real nice and appeased party...
...so much for a "climax", geez!!!
Also, you get a huge bunch of "guest appearances" that they are characters from other Baum's book unrelated with Oz, that one can think that a "crossover" is not a bad idea, however they didn't do anything useful or relevant on the story but to attend to...
...the dang nice and appeased birthday party!!! Geez!!!
So, while any excuse to return to the marvelous land of Oz is good, well, I was expecting some insightful moral lesson or some perilous and daring challenge against a powerful villain, but no, nothing relevant happens in this story.
Still, having to read the book with the ready-witted adaptation for the dialogues by Eric Shanower, along with the truly wonderful illustrations by the great artist Scottie Young, was a wondrous treat, so I have no regrets of having bought this book.
Creative Team:
Writer: Eric Shanower (based on the original works by L. Frank Baum)
Illustrator: Scottie Young
NOT SO EASY TO RATE
My rating to this particular graphic novel is an average between the great presentation by Eric Shanower (writer) and Scottie Young (artist) and the original source material by L. Frank Baum.
If I think on the graphic novel per se, easily I could give it easily a full 5 stars rating, but the story that it's an adaptation of the original book by L. Frank Baum barely can reach a 3 stars rating.
So, I think quite fair to give a 4 stars rating overall.
Eric Shanower did his best to work out the book, but after all, he had kinda tied his hands due of having to work based on what L. Frank Baum did on the original prose book, that I feel it wasn't as good as his previous engagaments with the world of Oz.
IN CASE YOU ARE NEW TO THIS VERSIONS
In case you don't about those adaptations and/or you didn't read my previous reviews about the other OZ graphic novels, I can assure you that the formidable teamwork of Shanower and Young is a delight and you won't find a better graphic adaption around from the original work by L. Frank Baum.
Due the classic film "The Wizard of Oz", that I love, I was interested to read this graphic adaptations, that while I am reading them, I did research and I can assure that they are quite faithful to the original source material.
Of course, the best option always will be just to read the original books (that I will do, hopefully in a near future) but if you want to read the OZ stories in a graphic format, never doubt that getting these ones is a great option...
...because they truly are.
COOL NEW CHARACTERS BUT NO PLOT OR CLIMAX
Okay, about the story in this particular adventure...
Sure, there are cool things like having back Toto in the story, and the new characters are real interesting, the Shaggy Man, Button-Bright and Polychrome.
However the whole story is quite pointless and without any real danger (sure we have the Scoodlers but not nearly a threat comparing to previous adventures.
The "climax" of the story is the Birthday Party of Ozma and it's only that, a birthday party, there isn't any secret plot or the intrusion of some nasty villain trying to spoil the party, no, they have a real nice and appeased party...
...so much for a "climax", geez!!!
Also, you get a huge bunch of "guest appearances" that they are characters from other Baum's book unrelated with Oz, that one can think that a "crossover" is not a bad idea, however they didn't do anything useful or relevant on the story but to attend to...
...the dang nice and appeased birthday party!!! Geez!!!
So, while any excuse to return to the marvelous land of Oz is good, well, I was expecting some insightful moral lesson or some perilous and daring challenge against a powerful villain, but no, nothing relevant happens in this story.
Still, having to read the book with the ready-witted adaptation for the dialogues by Eric Shanower, along with the truly wonderful illustrations by the great artist Scottie Young, was a wondrous treat, so I have no regrets of having bought this book.
February 4, 2020
Dorothy meets the Shaggy man. He is asking for directions and Dorothy shows him how to go, only somehow Dorothy ends up someplace new and finds herself back in Oz. She meets people from the Fox world and the Donkey world. She finds out Ozma is having a birthday party and so she heads to Oz for the celebrations. She meets many wonderful people, but that's about all of the plot. I don't think a whole lot more happens. There are a few more characters around that are pretty cool, like polychrome, a child of the rainbow. I love her.
This is a MG graphic novel and it works really well for the middle grade set. I thought this was a good version and I'm going to let my niece read it if she will. I hope she will. It's colorful. The plot is not the strongest, but the characters should keep them engaged.
I haven't read this 5th book on Oz yet, but I plan on getting to it soon. This has been a nice preview.
This is a MG graphic novel and it works really well for the middle grade set. I thought this was a good version and I'm going to let my niece read it if she will. I hope she will. It's colorful. The plot is not the strongest, but the characters should keep them engaged.
I haven't read this 5th book on Oz yet, but I plan on getting to it soon. This has been a nice preview.
August 19, 2021
As Shanower states in his forward, this is the weakest of Baum's Oz novels. There's not much to it other than Dorothy and Toto along with 2 new friends go on a walking road trip to Oz. They, of course, meet some new characters but outside the Scoodlers there's no suspense or danger. There is some cross promotion as Baum brings in characters from 5 of his non-Oz books as guests at Ozma's birthday including Santa Claus. Skottie Young's art still brings the world of Oz to life brilliantly.
April 1, 2023
Maybe I'm just getting tired, or maybe Baum was - but this book seemed a lot like the last one, which itself was the weakest in the series to that point. Basically, Dorothy and friends pop up at Point A (i.e., somewhere in the Oz-verse) and then go on a long walk to Point B (Oz) before having a party and being sent back to Point C (their respective homes). And that's it, for both books.
And yes, there is another entire menagerie of new critters to enjoy - the Shabby Man, the Fox King, Scoodlers, Polychrome - or not particularly enjoy, (I'm looking at you, Button-Bright). Indeed, with the cavalcade of cameo appearances in the last big party scene, Baum for the first time starts to repeat himself, or at least wear a little thin: the Gingerbread King, the Candy Man, even Santa Claus.
There's just one more book in the MARVEL series, but I think I'll wait a bit on that one - give my sense of "childlike wonder" a chance to recharge.
INTERESTING HISTORICAL FOOTNOTE: I found the appearance of Queen Zixi of Ix in the final pages an interesting character, since at the time of Road's writing, the Empress Dowager Zixi (now spelled "Cixi"), last ruler of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, was still ruling China - and would do so until being overthrown in 1911. That reminded my of the somewhat xenophobic "China Country" and it's surrounding wall in the original Wonderful Wizard of Oz...hmm, is there something deeper going on here? And in fact, a quick Google search turned up at least one webpage (http://www.sexualfables.com/OzisChina... - although God knows why this is on a website called "Sexual Fables") positing that at least the first Oz book is set in the last years of Imperial China - that the City of Oz is the Forbidden City; that the Yellow Brick Road is the Yellow River, the "mother river" of Chinese civilization; and that the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow represent England, Germany and Russia, (with the field of poppies a none-too-subtle reference to Britain's opium trade). And it's true that Baum finished writing the book in 1899, just as the anti-Western Boxer Rebellion was beginning...
So, a very interesting theory. But that's apparently all it is - a theory - as I couldn't find anything else that specifically linked the two worlds. (And just for fun, you can click on this website to see illustrations for a version of the story set completely in 16th century China: https://billynunez.com/The-Wizard-of-.... Very cute, although I have no idea why the Munchkins are drawn as koalas...)
And yes, there is another entire menagerie of new critters to enjoy - the Shabby Man, the Fox King, Scoodlers, Polychrome - or not particularly enjoy, (I'm looking at you, Button-Bright). Indeed, with the cavalcade of cameo appearances in the last big party scene, Baum for the first time starts to repeat himself, or at least wear a little thin: the Gingerbread King, the Candy Man, even Santa Claus.
There's just one more book in the MARVEL series, but I think I'll wait a bit on that one - give my sense of "childlike wonder" a chance to recharge.
INTERESTING HISTORICAL FOOTNOTE: I found the appearance of Queen Zixi of Ix in the final pages an interesting character, since at the time of Road's writing, the Empress Dowager Zixi (now spelled "Cixi"), last ruler of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, was still ruling China - and would do so until being overthrown in 1911. That reminded my of the somewhat xenophobic "China Country" and it's surrounding wall in the original Wonderful Wizard of Oz...hmm, is there something deeper going on here? And in fact, a quick Google search turned up at least one webpage (http://www.sexualfables.com/OzisChina... - although God knows why this is on a website called "Sexual Fables") positing that at least the first Oz book is set in the last years of Imperial China - that the City of Oz is the Forbidden City; that the Yellow Brick Road is the Yellow River, the "mother river" of Chinese civilization; and that the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow represent England, Germany and Russia, (with the field of poppies a none-too-subtle reference to Britain's opium trade). And it's true that Baum finished writing the book in 1899, just as the anti-Western Boxer Rebellion was beginning...
So, a very interesting theory. But that's apparently all it is - a theory - as I couldn't find anything else that specifically linked the two worlds. (And just for fun, you can click on this website to see illustrations for a version of the story set completely in 16th century China: https://billynunez.com/The-Wizard-of-.... Very cute, although I have no idea why the Munchkins are drawn as koalas...)
June 4, 2013
I love Shanower's Oz adaptations a little more with each one I read. By now, I've fallen fully in love with Skottie Young's vision of Oz. No, it isn't John R. Neill, but what is? Shanower does an excellent job of adapting the books into comic form, and it's very obvious that he has a great love for the Land of Oz. There are so many little details that will make an Oz fan happy. On a nerdy side note, this was the first of the Oz books that I ever read, and it made me feel absurdly happy to see that it had been Shanower's first Oz book, too.
December 22, 2013
I have loved this series by Shanower and the art by Skottie Young is the main selling point (IMO). But, this is the first one where I got to the end and thought "what was the point"? Shanower, who adapts it from Baum's book, does warn us that it is considered the weakest of the Oz books and he is correct. It is also the first adaptation in the series to only go 6 comics instead of 8 and I can see why. Not much story to tell. But even with no story it feels rushed and not enough time is given to develop moments or new characters or even pay homage to the old ones. Basically Dorthy is in Oz again and on her way to Ozma's birthday. She meets some new traveling companions - but they have very little personality (especially Button Bright) or we don't get a chance to see them do anything (Polly Chrome) or they start off with potential and then fade as the story goes on (Shaggy Man). Even the dangers are barely given much thought and there isn't much suspense in how they are handled. And the big birthday is a chance to see all the Oz characters in one place but they just get walk on's and no part in a story. Why not develop a story for this get together - some suspense? some drama? You really get the feeling Baum did not care at all for this story and ran out of steam after the first few chapters. Only Skottie's art saves this book from being a complete waste of space. I think I'll give the next book a try but if it is as poor then that might be the end for me as far as this series goes. Here's hoping it was just an exception.
March 8, 2014
Based on one of the weakest volumes of the Oz series, this graphic novel adaptation couldn't be worse than the original. And it's not, but it's not much better. It's a slimmer volume than any of the previous, and Shanower doesn't do anything to enhance Baum's original, or smooth out the awkwardnesses that saturate Baum's story. Shanower defends the original in his introduction, but one can't help feeling that he's as glad as we are that this one is out of the way.
September 3, 2017
60th book read in 2017.
Number 600 out of 624 on my all time book list.
Number 600 out of 624 on my all time book list.
April 23, 2023
I'm not even sure what really happens in this story. A plot needs a problem and the problem of the story seems pretty lame. This whole story seems like a vessel just to check in with the old friends of the fairylands. It was cool to check in with them and all, but the visit with them was brief and the new characters weren't nearly as good as the ones in prior stories. Nothing really drove the story of Oz forward.
February 12, 2019
Como siempre: loco, fantástico.
May 8, 2013
There's always been a lot to like about the Oz sequels, but I always felt their charms got buried in Baum's sometimes repetitive, often dull prose style. What the comics remind me of is how utterly strange, whimsical, and at times downright funny his dialogue could actually be.
When a magical builder pops up, builds a ship almost instantaneously, and says, "I could paint it in a minute, but it would take an hour to dry, and I don't have that kind of time!" I can't help but love the weirdness of it all.
But the main reason I started reading the Oz comics is the art work. Skottie Young's interpretation just bubbles up with life and whimsy. Characters are expressive and hyper-exaggerated which makes them feel like they've come straight out of your imagination rather than a century-old series of children's books. He's quickly become one of my favorite comic book artists working today.
This series represents probably the most accessible way to read these classic stories, and I can't wait for them to reach some of the later entries, like the Patchwork Girl of Oz, because I'd really rather not try to read the original text.
When a magical builder pops up, builds a ship almost instantaneously, and says, "I could paint it in a minute, but it would take an hour to dry, and I don't have that kind of time!" I can't help but love the weirdness of it all.
But the main reason I started reading the Oz comics is the art work. Skottie Young's interpretation just bubbles up with life and whimsy. Characters are expressive and hyper-exaggerated which makes them feel like they've come straight out of your imagination rather than a century-old series of children's books. He's quickly become one of my favorite comic book artists working today.
This series represents probably the most accessible way to read these classic stories, and I can't wait for them to reach some of the later entries, like the Patchwork Girl of Oz, because I'd really rather not try to read the original text.
May 17, 2013
Not my favorite one, but still amazing. Brilliant artwork, clever writing. Just a fantastic adaptation all around.
January 31, 2019
Oz introduces far too much content that fails to add relevant to an already captivating story resulting in a drawn narrative.
October 2, 2022
(Zero spoiler review) 2.75/5
I was kind of surprised to find this wasn't the last story collected in the omnibus. As charming as this series remains, I must admit, it's starting to drag on me. Yes, the art is still wonderful, although perhaps has lost some of its whimsy, given how much I've pushed through it these last few days. Yes, we still have some delightful characters. Yes, Oz is still an interesting world. It's just too much of this all at once, really isn't the way to consume it. It really is starting to run together into one drawn out amalgam of a story. Whether consuming it in smaller doses would keep it feeling a little more fresh, I can't say. My mine gripe with this series remains however. It is far too long, and faithful representation of the stories aside, these really needed to be edited down, often quite significantly. Having never read the original books, whether this is simply a fault of a very old story not standing the test of time as well as it could have, or whether a lot of its magic is lost in the transition from prose to pictures, I don't know, and probably never will as I can't see myself reading the novels. I really feel the best way to read this would be to share it with your children. That would also help to slow the pace down, and maybe introduce a little wonder and whimsy back into the stories. It's fine, It's just feeling a little too flat for me at this stage. 2.75/5
OmniBen.
I was kind of surprised to find this wasn't the last story collected in the omnibus. As charming as this series remains, I must admit, it's starting to drag on me. Yes, the art is still wonderful, although perhaps has lost some of its whimsy, given how much I've pushed through it these last few days. Yes, we still have some delightful characters. Yes, Oz is still an interesting world. It's just too much of this all at once, really isn't the way to consume it. It really is starting to run together into one drawn out amalgam of a story. Whether consuming it in smaller doses would keep it feeling a little more fresh, I can't say. My mine gripe with this series remains however. It is far too long, and faithful representation of the stories aside, these really needed to be edited down, often quite significantly. Having never read the original books, whether this is simply a fault of a very old story not standing the test of time as well as it could have, or whether a lot of its magic is lost in the transition from prose to pictures, I don't know, and probably never will as I can't see myself reading the novels. I really feel the best way to read this would be to share it with your children. That would also help to slow the pace down, and maybe introduce a little wonder and whimsy back into the stories. It's fine, It's just feeling a little too flat for me at this stage. 2.75/5
OmniBen.
January 14, 2024
This was a lot of fun. I think if you've read the originals then you'll enjoy getting the visuals to the story, and if you haven't it will be a fun extension to the world of oz. There's not much of a plot, but that's similar to the originals - it's more about the fun world and characters that you're learning about. I did find the Shaggy Man quite creepy in the original, so glad to see he was less so in this one. Also I love Polychrome!
September 24, 2017
Not much of a story to this one. As other reviews on here state, that's Baum's fault, not Shanower's & Young's, so the rating's difficult to assign. Is it a faithful adaptation? Yes. Is it beautifully illustrated? Yes. Is it interesting to read? No, not all that much, but it's hard for me to ever regret time spent in Oz, so I'm happy to have this version on my shelf.
We do meet a few important characters: the Shaggy Man; Button-Bright; and the best of the bunch, Polychrome, the daughter of the rainbow. We also get to see a bunch of old friends and other new characters, some more inventive than others. (Hey, I can't help it, I'd appreciate this book just for the pages of illustrations in the fox city.)
As with any Oz book, there are at least a few clever lines mixed in. Although I've never been all that fond of the Shaggy Man - I guess his Love Magnet has no effect on me - he drops some insightful statements about intelligence ("the more stupid one is, the more he thinks he knows") and being open to adventure ("if we travel long enough, we'll come to some place or another in the end").
Some of the characters are also hilariously mean, which is an aspect of children's lit that I think a lot of grown-ups forget about later in life. These characters, even the most beloved ones, are often rather selfish, self-important, or filled with spiteful pride. The Scarecrow, for example, supposedly the wisest man in Oz because of his Wizard-given brains, makes a dig at a little boy's intelligence. "There's another sort of button covered with dull cloth," he tells little Button-Bright. "That must be the sort your papa meant when he said you were bright as a button."
I snorted with laughter. That was uncalled for, Scarecrow. But also really funny.
This is one of the Oz books that makes it seem like Baum was a bit tired of writing about this world his readers wouldn't let him escape. Even so, it's inventive and fun, and it's great to see a fully illustrated interpretation of it.
We do meet a few important characters: the Shaggy Man; Button-Bright; and the best of the bunch, Polychrome, the daughter of the rainbow. We also get to see a bunch of old friends and other new characters, some more inventive than others. (Hey, I can't help it, I'd appreciate this book just for the pages of illustrations in the fox city.)
As with any Oz book, there are at least a few clever lines mixed in. Although I've never been all that fond of the Shaggy Man - I guess his Love Magnet has no effect on me - he drops some insightful statements about intelligence ("the more stupid one is, the more he thinks he knows") and being open to adventure ("if we travel long enough, we'll come to some place or another in the end").
Some of the characters are also hilariously mean, which is an aspect of children's lit that I think a lot of grown-ups forget about later in life. These characters, even the most beloved ones, are often rather selfish, self-important, or filled with spiteful pride. The Scarecrow, for example, supposedly the wisest man in Oz because of his Wizard-given brains, makes a dig at a little boy's intelligence. "There's another sort of button covered with dull cloth," he tells little Button-Bright. "That must be the sort your papa meant when he said you were bright as a button."
I snorted with laughter. That was uncalled for, Scarecrow. But also really funny.
This is one of the Oz books that makes it seem like Baum was a bit tired of writing about this world his readers wouldn't let him escape. Even so, it's inventive and fun, and it's great to see a fully illustrated interpretation of it.
December 23, 2013
While trying to help the Shaggy Man find the right road near her home in Kansas, Dorothy soon finds their path is not in Kansas any more. She, the Shaggy Man and Toto meet all sorts of interesting characters along their path, some friendly and some a bit hostile. They pick up two more members to their party when they come across a little lost boy called Button Bright (who really isn't all that bright) and the inadvertently abandoned daughter of the Rainbow, Polychrome. Eventually Dorothy and gang make their way to Oz in time for Ozma's birthday party and discover that Ozma was the instigator of their adventures, wanting to make sure Dorothy was in Oz for the party. The celebration gives occasion for a grand reunion with most of the past friendly characters Dorothy has met in her travels through Oz (and according to the intro, a bunch of other characters from Baum's non-Oz books).
There isn't much driving plot to the story, except for Dorothy and gang to avoid trouble along the road and make it safely to Oz. But those who enjoy the Oz books should enjoy the ride. Given the incredible popularity of the rest of this graphic novel series, I'm sure this book will find plenty of eager readers as soon as it goes on the shelves. (I purchased the first four books in August. The books don't usually stay on the shelves a whole day after being returned before getting checked out again. The students love these graphic novel adaptations of the Oz books.)
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Dorothy and her companions get threatened with violence, but nothing happens to them except some magic that gets undone. The Scoodlers can remove their heads and throw them at Dorothy and gang. They get thrown into a ravine by the Shaggy Man. No violence beyond that (though the Scarecrow does a "sword swallowing act" at the party and the accompanying picture shows him pushing a sword through his head and out the back which is a little disturbing).
There isn't much driving plot to the story, except for Dorothy and gang to avoid trouble along the road and make it safely to Oz. But those who enjoy the Oz books should enjoy the ride. Given the incredible popularity of the rest of this graphic novel series, I'm sure this book will find plenty of eager readers as soon as it goes on the shelves. (I purchased the first four books in August. The books don't usually stay on the shelves a whole day after being returned before getting checked out again. The students love these graphic novel adaptations of the Oz books.)
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Dorothy and her companions get threatened with violence, but nothing happens to them except some magic that gets undone. The Scoodlers can remove their heads and throw them at Dorothy and gang. They get thrown into a ravine by the Shaggy Man. No violence beyond that (though the Scarecrow does a "sword swallowing act" at the party and the accompanying picture shows him pushing a sword through his head and out the back which is a little disturbing).
January 13, 2015
This is the fifth book in Marvel’s reboot of the Oz series. There are six books total in this series. There isn’t much plot here, just lots of crazy characters. It wasn’t the best of the Oz books, but still fun to read.
Dorothy travels down the road to Oz with the Shaggy Man and meets Polychrome (a daughter of the rainbow) and Button Bright (a not so bright young boy) along the way. They go through a kingdom of foxes and a kingdom of donkeys and sail a sand ship across the deadly desert all in time to make it to Ozma’s birthday celebration.
There isn’t much plot in this book at all. This story is all about the crazy quirky characters Dorothy meets along the road to the Emerald City.
The illustration continues to be stunning. I loved both how the Shaggy Man and Polychrome are portrayed. I did enjoy that Toto was back in the story as well (but I missed Eureka). This story is basically a homecoming of all the wonderful characters we have meet in this series so far.
I have really enjoyed the forewords in these books by Shanower. He does an excellent job of explaining the original Oz story, the changes they made in the Marvel version, and even goes into the history of the Oz series a bit. Every graphic novel in this series has had this and it adds a lot to the story.
Overall this was a well done installment in this series, even if it is one of the weakest stories of the series. This is a graphic novel series that is great for all ages. I really have enjoyed it and look forward to reading the final book in this graphic novel series.
February 1, 2014
A quieter journey than in past volumes, but full of memorable characters nonetheless. Dorothy offers to help the Shaggy Man find his way and is unwittingly pulled into a journey that takes her far from her Kansas home and back to Oz. Later, Dorothy finds that this journey was a trick of Ozma's so that she could ensure Dorothy's attendance at her birthday party.
Similarly to the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy makes friends along her journey and in one way or another they find themselves in need either Ozma's services or something else in the land of Oz.
A two page author's note appears before the start of the story and helps readers understand the author's personal connection to the volume about to be presented along with the historical climate in which Baum was writing, how the volume fits into the series, and how the team of people who worked on the graphic novel adaptation approached their subject.
I was happy to learn that Baum tried a little cross-promotion of his other children's books in this volume by bringing characters from his other books into the land of Oz. Pretty clever and it certainly made me want to reach for those other books for the backstory on characters who were as mysteriously presented as Button-Bright.
Overall, this series is spectacular. It's such a treat to be whisked away to the land of Oz through Skottie's young's uniquely beautiful visions of the land and its many people and travelers. The writing is true to the text from which it is taken and begs to be revisited. Highly recommended for grades 5-8+.
Similarly to the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy makes friends along her journey and in one way or another they find themselves in need either Ozma's services or something else in the land of Oz.
A two page author's note appears before the start of the story and helps readers understand the author's personal connection to the volume about to be presented along with the historical climate in which Baum was writing, how the volume fits into the series, and how the team of people who worked on the graphic novel adaptation approached their subject.
I was happy to learn that Baum tried a little cross-promotion of his other children's books in this volume by bringing characters from his other books into the land of Oz. Pretty clever and it certainly made me want to reach for those other books for the backstory on characters who were as mysteriously presented as Button-Bright.
Overall, this series is spectacular. It's such a treat to be whisked away to the land of Oz through Skottie's young's uniquely beautiful visions of the land and its many people and travelers. The writing is true to the text from which it is taken and begs to be revisited. Highly recommended for grades 5-8+.
March 8, 2019
In this book, Dorothy simply walks to Oz. Ozma enchants the road that Dorothy & her friend the Shaggy Man are walking upon so they find themselves in fairyland. They again meet a variety of bizarre characters as they try to make their way to the Emerald City. On their journey, they gain some additional companions; Button-Bright, a young boy whose only answer to any question is "Don't know" and Polychrome, the daughter of the rainbow. They enter the city of foxes, the city of donkeys, and must escape from evil Scoodlers (fearsome long legged creatures with faces on both sides of their heads). When they reach the deadly dessert that surrounds the land of Oz, the Shaggy Man summons Johnny Doit, a handyman who instantly makes a ship for them to sail over the dessert. As they continue their journey, they meet old friends as they approach the Emerald City. In a very child-like wondrous ending, Billina, Tik-Tok, the tin man, Jack Pumpkinhead, and all the other characters have a giant birthday party for Ozma. After the party, Dorothy is once again returned home with the help of the Nome king's magic belt.
Shanower has proclaimed a true love of Baum's works, so I assume these are true representations of Baum's material. These adaptations seem to indicate that the Baum books get a bit repetitive. I've really enjoyed these graphic-novel versions, but I think I'll skip the original novels.
Shanower has proclaimed a true love of Baum's works, so I assume these are true representations of Baum's material. These adaptations seem to indicate that the Baum books get a bit repetitive. I've really enjoyed these graphic-novel versions, but I think I'll skip the original novels.
August 22, 2018
Of the five graphic novel of the Oz series, this one was one of my favorite, a close second would be the first Oz book. I enjoyed most of the characters that we met in this book, except for Shaggy Man. He really just irritates me, mostly because he’s a con-man and I had him pinned from the first few panels of the book. But it was a great read, Dorothy and her band of friends travel through various countries to reach Oz. We get a more expansive elaborate view of the Oz world.
Skottie Young’s art is some of my favorite, I’ve been a huge of his work for a few years now. His interpretation of Polychrome was lovely. (My sister showed me the original illustration from the book.) While, Young’s version is different, she’s just a sight to look at. The foxes of Foxville were also a sight, especially the princesses.
This story is more character driven than plot driven, but I didn’t mind. Dorothy’s adventure is different in comparison to her other adventures to Oz. We see a lot of familiar characters from the previous books, and learn a bit more about them as well. Jack the Pumpkin Head in particular, as in the last book he was very briefly seen in Oz but we had very little interaction. I am excited to read the L. Frank Baum version after I’ve finished the graphic novels.
Skottie Young’s art is some of my favorite, I’ve been a huge of his work for a few years now. His interpretation of Polychrome was lovely. (My sister showed me the original illustration from the book.) While, Young’s version is different, she’s just a sight to look at. The foxes of Foxville were also a sight, especially the princesses.
This story is more character driven than plot driven, but I didn’t mind. Dorothy’s adventure is different in comparison to her other adventures to Oz. We see a lot of familiar characters from the previous books, and learn a bit more about them as well. Jack the Pumpkin Head in particular, as in the last book he was very briefly seen in Oz but we had very little interaction. I am excited to read the L. Frank Baum version after I’ve finished the graphic novels.
July 8, 2013
So there wasn't anything monumental in this Oz book, but the author chose a word to describe this particular story and I feel it is appropriate. The word is picaresque which hear means of or relating to an episodic style of fiction dealing with the adventures of a rough and dishonest but appealing hero.
The hero is question is called the shaggy man, but mostly this story is just a re-introducing and in some cases, an introduction, of all sorts of characters Frank L. Baum has created. This includes characters that appeared in other non-Oz works of fiction written by Baum that he tried to market by cross-pollinating his works. Perhaps this is most true of a young boy named Button Bright who would eventually appear in a novel Baum considered to be his best called Sky Island.
As always, Skottie Young is a genius and this book was a whimsical much appreciated diversion!
The hero is question is called the shaggy man, but mostly this story is just a re-introducing and in some cases, an introduction, of all sorts of characters Frank L. Baum has created. This includes characters that appeared in other non-Oz works of fiction written by Baum that he tried to market by cross-pollinating his works. Perhaps this is most true of a young boy named Button Bright who would eventually appear in a novel Baum considered to be his best called Sky Island.
As always, Skottie Young is a genius and this book was a whimsical much appreciated diversion!
January 18, 2014
Much shorter that the Oz graphic novels that preceded it. Also, it's an adaptation of an inferior Oz book. It showed that L. Frank Baum was getting tired of writing them, including adding in characters from his other books in the end of this one to get people to read them. (It didn't work.) The plot is dull, with Dorothy and her companions heading towards Ozma's birthday party. I do not blame the graphic novel for this, however, and in the preface, they do warn that it's usually considered the worst of Baum's Oz books. I say that goes to Rinkitink in Oz, but that's neither here nor there. This is still worth taking a look at. The pictures are beautiful, and it's a good adaptation. I can't wait for the adaptation of the better Oz book, The Emerald City of Oz, which comes out in a few months.
February 18, 2017
Review of this title Oz: Road to Oz
This is another great graphic novel; I really love the artwork!
More of a review for L. Frank Baum's work:
I know this is an adaptation of The Road to Oz, but man I did not know that all of these stories would be so repetitive. Dorothy somehow finds herself back in Oz, meets up with a few new friends, they make their way to the emerald city with challenges along the way, meet up with old friends, and then Dorothy gets sent back home. Don't get me wrong, they're still very interesting, but I'm kind of glad there is only one more book.
This is another great graphic novel; I really love the artwork!
More of a review for L. Frank Baum's work:
I know this is an adaptation of The Road to Oz, but man I did not know that all of these stories would be so repetitive. Dorothy somehow finds herself back in Oz, meets up with a few new friends, they make their way to the emerald city with challenges along the way, meet up with old friends, and then Dorothy gets sent back home. Don't get me wrong, they're still very interesting, but I'm kind of glad there is only one more book.
July 14, 2019
I read this book in comparison with the original story and was very pleased.
Kudos to Marvel for doing a great job releasing a quality product. Eric Shanower adapted the story simplistically and beautifully. The art of Skottie Young was intricate and engaging.
Here's my short review of the original story- 4.5 - Dorthy's back leading a new band of characters, not as lovable as her first group of friends, but just as loyal. This story wonders a bit, but in the end, we're back at our second home in OZ having a grand banquet with Ozma, which was probably the most delightful part of the story.
The comparison- Much of what I felt reading the original was there when reading this version. This is a perfect children's series for a reluctant young reader and any adults who may not have the time to read the original. I'm so blessed to have been able to read both.
Highly recommended.
Kudos to Marvel for doing a great job releasing a quality product. Eric Shanower adapted the story simplistically and beautifully. The art of Skottie Young was intricate and engaging.
Here's my short review of the original story- 4.5 - Dorthy's back leading a new band of characters, not as lovable as her first group of friends, but just as loyal. This story wonders a bit, but in the end, we're back at our second home in OZ having a grand banquet with Ozma, which was probably the most delightful part of the story.
The comparison- Much of what I felt reading the original was there when reading this version. This is a perfect children's series for a reluctant young reader and any adults who may not have the time to read the original. I'm so blessed to have been able to read both.
Highly recommended.
October 27, 2019
Miss 4 adored this! She was utterly captivated by the illustrations and loved Dorothy, the Shaggy Man, and Polychrome (the Rainbow's daughter). The illustrations are marvellous and very child friendly. She is so very, very glad that there are more graphic novels in the series.
As an adult, I remember adoring The Wizard of Oz as a child but being less thrilled by some of Braum's other books. I rather suspect that the graphic novel is probably a more captivating version than the book as the plot is more of a slow ramble than a narrative quest-arc.
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
As an adult, I remember adoring The Wizard of Oz as a child but being less thrilled by some of Braum's other books. I rather suspect that the graphic novel is probably a more captivating version than the book as the plot is more of a slow ramble than a narrative quest-arc.
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
February 16, 2017
Dorothy somehow ends up on roads that don't lead to Kansas and as she travels, she meets many new people, some nice and others not so nice, on her way to Oz to get sent home once again.
A silly, sort of plot-less story of a road trip and lots of new characters. Everything is delightfully strange and I love the art, which is the main reason I read these.
A silly, sort of plot-less story of a road trip and lots of new characters. Everything is delightfully strange and I love the art, which is the main reason I read these.
June 29, 2018
Although Skottie Young’s work is as amazing as ever, this Oz book is honestly kinda dull....but maybe it’s just my modern sensibilities finding old works too archaic? With the fresh modern art, the story felt dated and slow....
February 10, 2019
My only real gripe with this series is the art. It's hit or miss. I don't think they've quite captured Dorothy, but Scarecrow looks fine. Polychrome looks whimsical, but the Shaggy Man looks like a deranged hobo.
August 11, 2017
The art was great as always but the source material for this comic isn't very interesting .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews