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Marvel's Oz Comics #2
Oz: The Marvelous Land of Oz
The epic continues! Fresh off their landmark THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF OZ, superstars ERIC SHANOWER (Age of Bronze) and SKOTTIE YOUNG (X-MEN) return with L. Frank Baum's MARVELOUS LAND OF OZ. Join new characters Tip and Jack Pumpkinhead as they're whisked to Oz, and meet foes and friends! You've NEVER seen L. Frank Baum's masterpiece like this before... COLLECTING: The Marvelous Land of Oz #1-8
192 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
September 29, 2015
OZ-esome!!!
Creative Team:
Writer: Eric Shanower (based on the original works by L. Frank Baum)
Illustrator: Scottie Young
BACK TO OZ
If you think that since Dorothy was back in Kansas, that meant that it was the end of the adventures in Oz...
...you can't be more wrong about it!
The wonderful creative team of Eric Shanower and Scottie Young return to adapt the second book by L. Frank Baum and you are able to return to the magical land of Oz with them.
Some of the popular characters of the first adventure made appearances but you get a big bunch of totally new characters in this story.
I enjoyed at the fullest since while I was quite aware of the events in the first book due the classical movie adaptation, not matter the changes in the story, you had all the essential elements and moments, however, when I read for the first time The Marvelous Land of Oz was indeed terra incognita and I think that it was like to be another member in the party discovering and getting surprises about all what was happening at Oz.
If you want to read it, don't try to research much ahead, just dive in the book! Since there is a major twist in the story that if you know about it before the reading, you will miss a lot of the fun, stun and punch!
If you loved the first trip to Oz...
...you'll have a blast with the second one!!!
Highly recommended to readers of all ages.
Creative Team:
Writer: Eric Shanower (based on the original works by L. Frank Baum)
Illustrator: Scottie Young
BACK TO OZ
If you think that since Dorothy was back in Kansas, that meant that it was the end of the adventures in Oz...
...you can't be more wrong about it!
The wonderful creative team of Eric Shanower and Scottie Young return to adapt the second book by L. Frank Baum and you are able to return to the magical land of Oz with them.
Some of the popular characters of the first adventure made appearances but you get a big bunch of totally new characters in this story.
I enjoyed at the fullest since while I was quite aware of the events in the first book due the classical movie adaptation, not matter the changes in the story, you had all the essential elements and moments, however, when I read for the first time The Marvelous Land of Oz was indeed terra incognita and I think that it was like to be another member in the party discovering and getting surprises about all what was happening at Oz.
If you want to read it, don't try to research much ahead, just dive in the book! Since there is a major twist in the story that if you know about it before the reading, you will miss a lot of the fun, stun and punch!
If you loved the first trip to Oz...
...you'll have a blast with the second one!!!
Highly recommended to readers of all ages.
December 24, 2017
A bit heavy on the gender roles but otherwise cute
June 21, 2021
Eric Shanower and Skottie Young return to adapt the 2nd Oz book. Both the Scarecrow and the Tin Man return when General Jinjur and her army of fed up women take over the Emerald City. New characters Tip, Jack Pumpkinhead and the Sawhorse are also on board in this journey across Oz. It's also the first appearance of the long running character Ozma.
Skottie Young and Jean-Francois Beaulieu continue to wow on art. If anything, they've gotten even better with their character designs.
Skottie Young and Jean-Francois Beaulieu continue to wow on art. If anything, they've gotten even better with their character designs.
April 1, 2023
RE-READ UPDATE: Just a delightful reimagining of a fun story - that ends with one of the biggest surprise reveals in children's literature! Almost makes me want to go read the Baum original...almost.
Shanower does a good job reducing-but-not-changing Baum's original text to create a coherent story in graphic novel form. But the real heroes are Young and his brilliant colorist Beaulieu. Am including a couple pages here to give you a feel - but you can actually read the entire series free online beginning here: https://readallcomics.com/the-wonderf...
ORIGINAL REVIEW: Absolutely no clue what this book would be about, which is strange considering what a pervasive part of modern culture the original Oz story is. Lot of fun and fantastical characters here - Tip, Mombi, Jack Pumpkinhead, the Saw-Horse, the Woggle-Bug, the Gump, and the last-pages introduction of Ozma - plus some welcome expanded roles for Scarecrow, Tin Man (aka Nick Chopper in this book), Glinda and the Queen of the Field Mice.
On the downside, Baum's vision of the "silly," all-female army that takes over Oz is laughably un-PC 115 years on...but it's also hard to hold someone's views up to today's standards after more than a century, and as Shanower notes in his introduction, Baum was the son-in-law of prominent suffragette and women's rights leader Matilda Joslyn Gage, and a strong supporter of her cause. So I guess...just different times, man.
But once again, the real stand-out here is Young's artwork and Beaulieu's coloring. This book is much brighter than the first, which I found a little gray and dark - again, after reading the whole story, it was just fun to go through again and study the drawings, as there's just so much to find there.
Shanower does a good job reducing-but-not-changing Baum's original text to create a coherent story in graphic novel form. But the real heroes are Young and his brilliant colorist Beaulieu. Am including a couple pages here to give you a feel - but you can actually read the entire series free online beginning here: https://readallcomics.com/the-wonderf...
ORIGINAL REVIEW: Absolutely no clue what this book would be about, which is strange considering what a pervasive part of modern culture the original Oz story is. Lot of fun and fantastical characters here - Tip, Mombi, Jack Pumpkinhead, the Saw-Horse, the Woggle-Bug, the Gump, and the last-pages introduction of Ozma - plus some welcome expanded roles for Scarecrow, Tin Man (aka Nick Chopper in this book), Glinda and the Queen of the Field Mice.
On the downside, Baum's vision of the "silly," all-female army that takes over Oz is laughably un-PC 115 years on...but it's also hard to hold someone's views up to today's standards after more than a century, and as Shanower notes in his introduction, Baum was the son-in-law of prominent suffragette and women's rights leader Matilda Joslyn Gage, and a strong supporter of her cause. So I guess...just different times, man.
But once again, the real stand-out here is Young's artwork and Beaulieu's coloring. This book is much brighter than the first, which I found a little gray and dark - again, after reading the whole story, it was just fun to go through again and study the drawings, as there's just so much to find there.
January 6, 2021
Everybody is familiar with The wizard of Oz mostly I suspect through the amazing movie with Judy Garland, in my humble opinion that is the definitive Oz movie. What less people know especially those that do not read, or do not read chidren literature is that Baum actually wrote quite a few sequels after the unexpected succes of the first OZ book he was bombarded with letters from children.
So here is the sequel and it is Dorothy free with a guest role by the scarecrow and the Tin man. This is the story of Tip who lives with a witch and after he pranks her she decides to change him in a statue and tip decides to do a runner with the creation of his joke a pumpkin headed wooden man. They run towards the Emerald city. The city is in danger of being besieged by an all girl army who want to throw of the reigns of male domination. The thread is serious enough that the current king Scarecrow runs with them to travel to Glinda the sorceress to ask her to help them to set everything right.
It is a beautiful fairytale that actually continues the story of the land of Oz through the eyes of new players and is a brilliant effort that really is very enjoyable. The Woggle-Bug is a brilliant new character that will be easy a children favorite as well it is mine.
Marvel set a brilliant team on this collection of 8 comics who tell the tale and their drawn character do add to the charm of the story as written by L. Frank Baum.
If you want to switch off reality and Covid, this is the perfect potion.
So here is the sequel and it is Dorothy free with a guest role by the scarecrow and the Tin man. This is the story of Tip who lives with a witch and after he pranks her she decides to change him in a statue and tip decides to do a runner with the creation of his joke a pumpkin headed wooden man. They run towards the Emerald city. The city is in danger of being besieged by an all girl army who want to throw of the reigns of male domination. The thread is serious enough that the current king Scarecrow runs with them to travel to Glinda the sorceress to ask her to help them to set everything right.
It is a beautiful fairytale that actually continues the story of the land of Oz through the eyes of new players and is a brilliant effort that really is very enjoyable. The Woggle-Bug is a brilliant new character that will be easy a children favorite as well it is mine.
Marvel set a brilliant team on this collection of 8 comics who tell the tale and their drawn character do add to the charm of the story as written by L. Frank Baum.
If you want to switch off reality and Covid, this is the perfect potion.
October 21, 2021
Bell riduzione a fumetti del secondo volume della saga ambientata nel Regno di Oz. Protagonisti sono lo Spaventapasseri, suo malgrado spodestato dal suo ruolo di re, e l'Uomo di Latta a cui chiede aiuto. I due sono accompagnati da un gruppo di personaggi buffi e simpatici, tra cui spicca Jack Testa di Zucca.
Finale a sorpresa per una storia dai risvolti femministi.
Gli autori dicono di essersi attenuti in modo fedele alla storia del romanzo e la relativa riduzione teatrale e a questo punto ho proprio voglia di leggerlo.
Bellissimi i disegni che completano il tutto con note horror adattissime al periodo di Halloween.
Finale a sorpresa per una storia dai risvolti femministi.
Gli autori dicono di essersi attenuti in modo fedele alla storia del romanzo e la relativa riduzione teatrale e a questo punto ho proprio voglia di leggerlo.
Bellissimi i disegni che completano il tutto con note horror adattissime al periodo di Halloween.
February 8, 2012
After finishing Eric Shanower and Skottie Young's graphic novel adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz last year, I was hoping they'd adapt other L. Frank Baum novels. We're all most familiar with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion of course, but there are other bizarre Oz friends and enemies that would shine with the right treatment.
The next book in the series is out in a trade paperback that collects all eight issues of the ongoing comic: The Marvelous Land of Oz. The 200 page book is printed on high quality paper, and is a fun journey back to Oz for either new readers or those who have already read Baum's original books.
I've read the first seven or eight of the Oz books, but it's been a while, so some of the stories and characters tend to run together. Reading this adaptation was a good reminder of the fun vision that Baum had of that magical world, and also overcomes some of the weaknesses that his writing has.
The Marvelous Land of Oz starts off in the Land of the Gillikins, somewhere north of the Emerald City. There we meet a young boy Tippetarius, known simply as Tip. He lives with an old witch Mombi, and is basically her servant. One day to frighten her, he builds a large wooden man and gives him a pumpkin for a head. After he sprinkles some Powder of Life on the man, he comes to life, and Tip names him Jack Pumpkinhead. Soon Jack and Tip are on the run from Mombi, are joined by a living Sawhorse, and head to the Emerald City to get some advice by King Scarecrow.
Like The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this entry in the series feels more episodic than most novels do. It's also the tale of a group of companions traveling from place to place in Oz, having adventures, and then escaping. In addition to the new characters mentioned, there's a large insect called the Highly Magnified Wogglebug, and a flying sofa called the Gump. The only repeated characters from Wonderful Wizard of Oz are the Scarecrow and Tin Man--there's no Dororthy or Lion in this particular adventure.
Some of the story points will be familiar to people who remember 1985's Return to Oz, which was kind of a mash-up of the books Marvelous Land of Oz and Road to Oz. Others, like a "girl rebellion" overthrowing the Scarecrow haven't been adapted before. Shanower explains some of the language and situations that might come across as misogynistic in a Foreword--that Baum was a proponent of female empowerment, as evidenced by his many heroines. That said, the dismissal of General Jinjur and her "Girl Army" will probably leave a bad taste in many readers' mouths.
The artwork by Skottie Young is as good--if not better--than it was in Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Because this story is less familiar than the first, it's not jarring to see his version of Tip, or Mombi, or other characters. He's taken the descriptions and classic illustrations by Denslow and adapted them--made them more colorful and lively than anything we've seen before. Assisted by colorist Jean-Francois Beaulieu, the pages are vibrant and lively and pull your eyes along, even when Baum's sometimes clunky dialogue doesn't.
This is a fun book for lovers of fantasy of all ages. If your only experience with the land "Over the Rainbow" is the 1939 movie, pick up the first graphic novel and this one, and become a citizen of Oz.
The next book in the series is out in a trade paperback that collects all eight issues of the ongoing comic: The Marvelous Land of Oz. The 200 page book is printed on high quality paper, and is a fun journey back to Oz for either new readers or those who have already read Baum's original books.
I've read the first seven or eight of the Oz books, but it's been a while, so some of the stories and characters tend to run together. Reading this adaptation was a good reminder of the fun vision that Baum had of that magical world, and also overcomes some of the weaknesses that his writing has.
The Marvelous Land of Oz starts off in the Land of the Gillikins, somewhere north of the Emerald City. There we meet a young boy Tippetarius, known simply as Tip. He lives with an old witch Mombi, and is basically her servant. One day to frighten her, he builds a large wooden man and gives him a pumpkin for a head. After he sprinkles some Powder of Life on the man, he comes to life, and Tip names him Jack Pumpkinhead. Soon Jack and Tip are on the run from Mombi, are joined by a living Sawhorse, and head to the Emerald City to get some advice by King Scarecrow.
Like The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this entry in the series feels more episodic than most novels do. It's also the tale of a group of companions traveling from place to place in Oz, having adventures, and then escaping. In addition to the new characters mentioned, there's a large insect called the Highly Magnified Wogglebug, and a flying sofa called the Gump. The only repeated characters from Wonderful Wizard of Oz are the Scarecrow and Tin Man--there's no Dororthy or Lion in this particular adventure.
Some of the story points will be familiar to people who remember 1985's Return to Oz, which was kind of a mash-up of the books Marvelous Land of Oz and Road to Oz. Others, like a "girl rebellion" overthrowing the Scarecrow haven't been adapted before. Shanower explains some of the language and situations that might come across as misogynistic in a Foreword--that Baum was a proponent of female empowerment, as evidenced by his many heroines. That said, the dismissal of General Jinjur and her "Girl Army" will probably leave a bad taste in many readers' mouths.
The artwork by Skottie Young is as good--if not better--than it was in Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Because this story is less familiar than the first, it's not jarring to see his version of Tip, or Mombi, or other characters. He's taken the descriptions and classic illustrations by Denslow and adapted them--made them more colorful and lively than anything we've seen before. Assisted by colorist Jean-Francois Beaulieu, the pages are vibrant and lively and pull your eyes along, even when Baum's sometimes clunky dialogue doesn't.
This is a fun book for lovers of fantasy of all ages. If your only experience with the land "Over the Rainbow" is the 1939 movie, pick up the first graphic novel and this one, and become a citizen of Oz.
March 2, 2023
My 7 year old son and I read this book together. The idea of a Marvel backed graphic novel based on L Frank Baum's Oz ubiverse was intriguing.
This story is about what happens after Dorothy has left Oz.
We thought that the illustrations were amazing! It was also really cool to experience more of Baum's stories, as I've never read them before. My son and I loved a few of the characters, but we both agreed that the Woggle Bug was the worst. We weren't fans of how arrogant he was. I wasn't a big fan of the wording used in the story. It seemed like it was trying too hard to use difficult language, but I'm assuming that most of Baum's books are closely used in writing these.
I highly recommend these books to fans of the Oz universe.
This story is about what happens after Dorothy has left Oz.
We thought that the illustrations were amazing! It was also really cool to experience more of Baum's stories, as I've never read them before. My son and I loved a few of the characters, but we both agreed that the Woggle Bug was the worst. We weren't fans of how arrogant he was. I wasn't a big fan of the wording used in the story. It seemed like it was trying too hard to use difficult language, but I'm assuming that most of Baum's books are closely used in writing these.
I highly recommend these books to fans of the Oz universe.
October 16, 2016
An excellent graphic adaptation of L. Frank Baum's original novel. Eric Shanower and Skottie Young do a wonderful job with the storytelling and artwork respectively. This story, the second in the series, is notable for the introduction of Jack Pumpkinhead, the Woggle-Bug (hilarious), the young boy Tip, and the witch Mombi. To date there are three other graphic novels in this series that I haven't read yet, and I hope there will be more. Also, I want to go back and reread Baum's 14 original Oz books as well as the 14 by Ruth Plumly Thompson (and there are more by various other authors).
January 3, 2011
First cab off the rank this year is Eric Shanower and Skottie Young’s adaption of L. Frank Baum’s The Marvelous Land of Oz. Much like its predecessor The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (adapted by same), I was highly impressed by its loyalty to the original. Not only is its plot accurate, it has captured the spirit and youthful energy of Baum’s world superbly.
For those not familiar with the tale, The Marvelous Land of Oz tells the story of Tippetarius, known more commonly as “Tip”. Unlike Dorothy, Tip is a native of Oz who, when he runs away from the evil witch who is his guardian, finds himself entwined with the politics of Oz.
General Jinjur and her army of Ozian girls have marched onto the Emerald City, revolting against the Scarecrow King and the long standing patriarchal rule of Oz... which would be more impressive if the soldier-girls were a little more skilled in their work and noble in their intentions.
Tip and his magical creations Jack Pumpkin Head and Saw Horse join the Scarecrow and the Tin Man in restoring order to Oz.
As I said, this is a faithful adaption of Baum’s book, yet it possesses a charm unique to its form. Skottie Young’s highly stylistic artistry is beautiful and lends the perfect degree of whimsy to Shanower’s treatment of Oz’s political scene.
For those not familiar with the tale, The Marvelous Land of Oz tells the story of Tippetarius, known more commonly as “Tip”. Unlike Dorothy, Tip is a native of Oz who, when he runs away from the evil witch who is his guardian, finds himself entwined with the politics of Oz.
General Jinjur and her army of Ozian girls have marched onto the Emerald City, revolting against the Scarecrow King and the long standing patriarchal rule of Oz... which would be more impressive if the soldier-girls were a little more skilled in their work and noble in their intentions.
Tip and his magical creations Jack Pumpkin Head and Saw Horse join the Scarecrow and the Tin Man in restoring order to Oz.
As I said, this is a faithful adaption of Baum’s book, yet it possesses a charm unique to its form. Skottie Young’s highly stylistic artistry is beautiful and lends the perfect degree of whimsy to Shanower’s treatment of Oz’s political scene.
February 17, 2015
Charming. Belongs in every home.
August 21, 2022
(Zero spoiler review)
I read this as the second book contained within the Oz omnibus, and after a solid yet up and down initial offering with The Wizard of Oz, this one was a much more flawed, disappointing read. I mentioned pacing as one of my main issues with the previous Oz story. Stating how the more concise narrative adopted by the screenplay was by far the better way to go. Unfortunately, not only is this story longer, it also features less endearing, less interesting characters engaged in a much less interesting narrative. Gone is the already familiar, timeless tale of Dorothy and Toto trying to get back to Kansas. Here however, we have a story that had potential if it were drastically cut down. I understand Eric Shanower is a massive fan of Frank L Baum's original stories, and usually such a faithful representation would only lead to positive outcomes. Here however, nothing could be further from the truth. This thing is Waaayyy too long. Like god help me, why is it still going too long. a three or four issue edit, carefully cut and crafted to leave in all the best bits whilst trimming away the considerable fat would have, along with Skottie Young's still great (although not as great this time) artwork. Yet presumably because he couldn't bare to leave so much of the original story on the floor, we get aimless preamble after pointless adventure, leading to what was a somewhat unexpected conclusion, though I had long since divested myself from caring all that much. This disappointed me to the point where I strongly considered selling this rare and out of print book, thinking that if all the stories faded in quality like this, there was no chance I was going to reread it, so why not cash in somewhat. I'm gonna stick it out and see where it goes next, although this bloated, somewhat boring story really took the wind out of my sails. That, and Baum's dated references and humour really didn't carry over as well as in the original tale. Fingers crossed it returns to form. 2/5
OmniBen.
I read this as the second book contained within the Oz omnibus, and after a solid yet up and down initial offering with The Wizard of Oz, this one was a much more flawed, disappointing read. I mentioned pacing as one of my main issues with the previous Oz story. Stating how the more concise narrative adopted by the screenplay was by far the better way to go. Unfortunately, not only is this story longer, it also features less endearing, less interesting characters engaged in a much less interesting narrative. Gone is the already familiar, timeless tale of Dorothy and Toto trying to get back to Kansas. Here however, we have a story that had potential if it were drastically cut down. I understand Eric Shanower is a massive fan of Frank L Baum's original stories, and usually such a faithful representation would only lead to positive outcomes. Here however, nothing could be further from the truth. This thing is Waaayyy too long. Like god help me, why is it still going too long. a three or four issue edit, carefully cut and crafted to leave in all the best bits whilst trimming away the considerable fat would have, along with Skottie Young's still great (although not as great this time) artwork. Yet presumably because he couldn't bare to leave so much of the original story on the floor, we get aimless preamble after pointless adventure, leading to what was a somewhat unexpected conclusion, though I had long since divested myself from caring all that much. This disappointed me to the point where I strongly considered selling this rare and out of print book, thinking that if all the stories faded in quality like this, there was no chance I was going to reread it, so why not cash in somewhat. I'm gonna stick it out and see where it goes next, although this bloated, somewhat boring story really took the wind out of my sails. That, and Baum's dated references and humour really didn't carry over as well as in the original tale. Fingers crossed it returns to form. 2/5
OmniBen.
April 9, 2012
I enjoyed this volume even more. With the exception of the Scarecrow and the Tin Man, we have an entirely new roster of characters including Tip, Jack Pumpkinhead, Sawhorse, Woggle-Bug, the flying Gump, Mombi, and General Jinjur.
The text of the original book is one half of the inspiration behind the fantastic film, "Return to Oz" which I have seen at least 10 times if not more and LOVE!!!
Apparently the book is somewhat controversial because of the way some people read the character of General Jinjur and argue that it is anti-feminist and to them I say...nay. Within the context of the story, Jinjur works and her whole storyline. Baum has no shortage of strong female characters nor is he making blanket statements about females in the military.
Controversy aside, I really enjoyed some of the characters in this one although Jack Pumpkinhead was a bit dimmer than I remembered. Baum's characterizations are started to get a little obvious and he likes to keep his sidekicks relatively simple with bursts of little wisdom coming from their mouths. Again, Eric Shanower's intro notes are a must read and him and Skottie Young do a fantastic job adapting the text.
Truly, one of the most shocking plot twists occurs in this book and is incredibly fascinating to consider.
I really really enjoyed this!
The text of the original book is one half of the inspiration behind the fantastic film, "Return to Oz" which I have seen at least 10 times if not more and LOVE!!!
Apparently the book is somewhat controversial because of the way some people read the character of General Jinjur and argue that it is anti-feminist and to them I say...nay. Within the context of the story, Jinjur works and her whole storyline. Baum has no shortage of strong female characters nor is he making blanket statements about females in the military.
Controversy aside, I really enjoyed some of the characters in this one although Jack Pumpkinhead was a bit dimmer than I remembered. Baum's characterizations are started to get a little obvious and he likes to keep his sidekicks relatively simple with bursts of little wisdom coming from their mouths. Again, Eric Shanower's intro notes are a must read and him and Skottie Young do a fantastic job adapting the text.
Truly, one of the most shocking plot twists occurs in this book and is incredibly fascinating to consider.
I really really enjoyed this!
December 24, 2012
Marvelous Land of Oz is one of my favorite of the Oz books, and it would be better if not for how very much General Jinjur's revolt is a product of its time. It's profoundly sexist to modern readers, and was hardly forward thinking at the time. Shanower reads it as Baum clumsily attempting to address suffrage issues, and there's something to be said for that. (Jinjur and her army are varying degrees of sexist stereotypes of what women in the army would be like, but Glinda's female army is unfailingly professional.) But I can put this aside since it comes from a 100+ year old book. I love Marvelous Land for the rest of it, especially Jack Pumpkinhead, one of my favorite residents of Oz. Shanower's adaptation is very faithful, and I've really come to like his signature art style in his Oz adaptations.
January 26, 2014
La trama es increíblemente machista por momentos (por mucho que en el prólogo intenten limpiar un poco el nombre de Baum) y la verdad es que el protagonista (Tip) es bastante cargante.
Sin embargo es muy entretenido y el dibujo es maravilloso.
Sin embargo es muy entretenido y el dibujo es maravilloso.
May 31, 2020
It’s been years since I read an Oz novel, yet I quickly fell into Marvel’s The Marvelous Land of Oz. I think the last one I read was something like Grandpa in Oz a good, oh, 17 or so years ago. It is the story of a little Gillikin boy named Tip, Jack Pumpkinhead, and the Sawhorse as they go on a journey across much of Oz, meeting faces both familiar and new and having quite an adventure. It took me no time at all to adapt to the wonky way logic and magic work in Oz, and the way the Scarecrow’s brains (he’s the wisest!) and the Tin Man’s heart (he has the best heart!) play such exaggerated yet…not exaggerated roles in the story. Broadly, Scarecrow’s wisdom sometimes makes sense in our world, and when it doesn’t, it somehow fits into the Land of Oz.
Perhaps one of my favorite scenes happens early on, when Jack Pumpkinhead from the country of the Gillikins visits the Scarecrow in the Emerald City. They “realize” they need a translator since Pumpkinhead is a foreigner in the Emerald City, and as such he clearly must speak a different language than the Scarecrow. I loved the absurdness of it, and how it shakes out from there. (Yes, you’ll just have to read it to find out for yourself!) The story is full of this, and I’m pretty sure that Mr. Shanower pulled lines directly from L. Frank Baum’s text. Despite the years it has been since I really read a Baum Land of Oz novel, I was sent right back to the world he created in this adaptation. And you know, now I rather want to pick up the couple random Oz novels I know we have in the house to read them. It’s a distinctly almost-Alice-in-Wonderland kind of absurdness, yet Oz doesn’t go quite as far into absurdity as Wonderland. But it’s pretty close.
As for the art, I definitely must spare a few words to address it directly. Mr. Young’s style quickly grew on me so thoroughly that it felt like the perfect art style to portray such a wacky world which somehow manages to make sense in its own kooky way. He had me a few scant pages into the story, his style quickly becoming The Style for at least this Oz book, and quite possibly a solid style for many Oz books. All in all it makes for a very fun read, and an enjoyable way to (re)visit the land and stories of Oz. Now, how easily accessible are the Oz books we own…?
Favorite quotes:
I can’t claim great experience, but it often occurs to me that I know more than those around me. [said the Sawhorse]
Perhaps you do, for experience doesn’t always mean wisdom. [replied the Tin Man] - page 78
Laws were never meant to be understood, and it’s foolish to make the attempt. [said the Tin Man] - page 107
I’m convinced that the only people worthy of consideration are the unusual ones. Common folks are like the leaves of a tree, and live and die unnoticed. [said the Scarecrow] - page 117
Perhaps one of my favorite scenes happens early on, when Jack Pumpkinhead from the country of the Gillikins visits the Scarecrow in the Emerald City. They “realize” they need a translator since Pumpkinhead is a foreigner in the Emerald City, and as such he clearly must speak a different language than the Scarecrow. I loved the absurdness of it, and how it shakes out from there. (Yes, you’ll just have to read it to find out for yourself!) The story is full of this, and I’m pretty sure that Mr. Shanower pulled lines directly from L. Frank Baum’s text. Despite the years it has been since I really read a Baum Land of Oz novel, I was sent right back to the world he created in this adaptation. And you know, now I rather want to pick up the couple random Oz novels I know we have in the house to read them. It’s a distinctly almost-Alice-in-Wonderland kind of absurdness, yet Oz doesn’t go quite as far into absurdity as Wonderland. But it’s pretty close.
As for the art, I definitely must spare a few words to address it directly. Mr. Young’s style quickly grew on me so thoroughly that it felt like the perfect art style to portray such a wacky world which somehow manages to make sense in its own kooky way. He had me a few scant pages into the story, his style quickly becoming The Style for at least this Oz book, and quite possibly a solid style for many Oz books. All in all it makes for a very fun read, and an enjoyable way to (re)visit the land and stories of Oz. Now, how easily accessible are the Oz books we own…?
Favorite quotes:
I can’t claim great experience, but it often occurs to me that I know more than those around me. [said the Sawhorse]
Perhaps you do, for experience doesn’t always mean wisdom. [replied the Tin Man] - page 78
Laws were never meant to be understood, and it’s foolish to make the attempt. [said the Tin Man] - page 107
I’m convinced that the only people worthy of consideration are the unusual ones. Common folks are like the leaves of a tree, and live and die unnoticed. [said the Scarecrow] - page 117
July 27, 2017
Book 3 of 7 finished for the booktubethon! This was such a delightful read and the gorgeous artwork deserves a whole star of its own (so far, Skottie Young has never failed to impress me with his stunning works). I like this second instalment better, the plot and events were much more enjoyable. Also, can I just say, I'm very fond of these marvel adaptations now, especially of how the team seems to take great care with how they work with the original books (granted, I appreciate the inclusion of a passage from the original works at the start of the issues because it encourages me to go ahead and try them out). I'm probably going to continue with this Oz comic series; I'm looking forward to it.
April 17, 2017
This was my first graphic novel. The book started out slow, but picked up by the middle. It turned out to be a cute story, but so much different then I had imaged. Being that I am a big fan of the Wizard of Oz I now would like to read more of the Oz graphic novel.
July 5, 2022
The second in the Oz stories by Frank L. Baum excellently adapted into graphic novel form. It is unique as it is the only Oz book not to have Dorothy Gale as its protagonist, but it's impact is just as profound as the original book.
January 31, 2019
Oz introduces far too much content that fails to add relevant to an already captivating story resulting in a drawn narrative.
November 10, 2011
Reason for Reading: Next in the series.
Another absolutely fabulous rendition of an OZ book by Shanower and Young. This is actually only as far as I've read of the original novels and I am inspired to start reading them now so that I can have read the book before continuing on with the next graphic novel. I own a gorgeous collection of the Baum books. This story only brings back a few old friends from our first encounter with Oz namely Scarecrow and Tinman and briefly for the last chapter Glinda. Otherwise the story centers around a young boy, Tip, an old witch whom he runs away from, Mombi, and Tip's two companions, Pumpinkhead and Sawhorse. They set off on their own adventure to Emerald City and meet many strange people or dangerous circumstances along the way. A jolly, rollicking fun story.
I really enjoyed Shanower's detailed essay introducing us to the circumstances under which the original book was written. Baum's motives, his state of mind and the times in which he was living add a certain look at the story through fresh eyes with this understanding. I really enjoyed this adaptation and will say I even enjoyed it more than the book for one particular reason, The Woggle-Bug. The highly magnified bug who has been thoroughly educated is a conceited know-it-all who talks on and on, full of puns and word play, facetious and self-centered. He drove me absolutely bonkers in the book! Sometimes his dialogue would go on for more than a page and I just wanted to throttle him, not finding him the least humorous at all. However, Shanower's adaptation, has taken him into small doses which are easy to take and I find it hard to say, but I actually enjoyed his part in the story this time. Of course, the illustrations are pure joy. I sincerely hope this team manages to stay together and find the time to at least adapt Baum's original 14 books if not the entire Famous Forty!
Another absolutely fabulous rendition of an OZ book by Shanower and Young. This is actually only as far as I've read of the original novels and I am inspired to start reading them now so that I can have read the book before continuing on with the next graphic novel. I own a gorgeous collection of the Baum books. This story only brings back a few old friends from our first encounter with Oz namely Scarecrow and Tinman and briefly for the last chapter Glinda. Otherwise the story centers around a young boy, Tip, an old witch whom he runs away from, Mombi, and Tip's two companions, Pumpinkhead and Sawhorse. They set off on their own adventure to Emerald City and meet many strange people or dangerous circumstances along the way. A jolly, rollicking fun story.
I really enjoyed Shanower's detailed essay introducing us to the circumstances under which the original book was written. Baum's motives, his state of mind and the times in which he was living add a certain look at the story through fresh eyes with this understanding. I really enjoyed this adaptation and will say I even enjoyed it more than the book for one particular reason, The Woggle-Bug. The highly magnified bug who has been thoroughly educated is a conceited know-it-all who talks on and on, full of puns and word play, facetious and self-centered. He drove me absolutely bonkers in the book! Sometimes his dialogue would go on for more than a page and I just wanted to throttle him, not finding him the least humorous at all. However, Shanower's adaptation, has taken him into small doses which are easy to take and I find it hard to say, but I actually enjoyed his part in the story this time. Of course, the illustrations are pure joy. I sincerely hope this team manages to stay together and find the time to at least adapt Baum's original 14 books if not the entire Famous Forty!
July 22, 2016
Hm... Okay, so I think I liked the first book better than this one. The art felt a bit rushed at times and I don't think I'll continue with this, especially since there are no libraries in Stockholm with this series and it is quite expensive. I'll just read the actual books and be happy with that.
I must say that two things that I though about when I read the book got extremely apparant in the graphic novel and can no longer be ignored:
1) Tip is so rude and angry. It is not as magical a story when every whimsical thing the characters say and do is met with a frown and yelling.
2) They were so MEAN to the Woggle-Bug! I loved him and his "thoroughly educated-ness" and his puns. Yet he was forbidden to make puns and everytime he did everyone became so angry. He was so happy at the beginning but as the story went on, the life kinda got sucked out of him. Not cool. Made me sad.
Also, the saw-horse was the cutest thing ever. Everytime he was present in a drawing, I started to smile!
I must say that two things that I though about when I read the book got extremely apparant in the graphic novel and can no longer be ignored:
1) Tip is so rude and angry. It is not as magical a story when every whimsical thing the characters say and do is met with a frown and yelling.
2) They were so MEAN to the Woggle-Bug! I loved him and his "thoroughly educated-ness" and his puns. Yet he was forbidden to make puns and everytime he did everyone became so angry. He was so happy at the beginning but as the story went on, the life kinda got sucked out of him. Not cool. Made me sad.
Also, the saw-horse was the cutest thing ever. Everytime he was present in a drawing, I started to smile!
February 25, 2013
the main draw of the marvel oz series is skottie young. he's why you pick up individual issues. why you buy the bound hardback volumes. he's why this oz series is selling and winning awards. which is why i can give this 4 stars here. while the writing in volume 1 felt new and concise, the similar tone in this second volume, instead of feeling quick and to-the-point, feels less like it's geared to a younger audience and more like a reader's digest. the wit feels like it's leaving in favor of simply providing captions to young's character-filled artwork.
July 7, 2015
A graphic version of the Frank Baum Wonderful Wizard of Oz series books. I think it will be a creative way to introduce kids to the dynamic book. Not being a graphic arts fan, I found it creative, but I wasn't taken away with it as some of the reviewers were. On that note, I will say that I enjoyed this one more than the first in series.
July 8, 2016
Rating: 4
Oh what fun I had reading this retelling of the story. The art was fantastic and the forwarding letter was again and good part on letting you know why the author loves Oz so much.
Oh what fun I had reading this retelling of the story. The art was fantastic and the forwarding letter was again and good part on letting you know why the author loves Oz so much.
May 5, 2013
Gorgeous! The art in this series is phenomenal, and the Oz books have been my favorites since childhood. It's the perfect blend of whimsy and color.
Book #18 for 2013
Book #18 for 2013
August 15, 2016
Art super cute. Story remains true to original book, but it means it has the same mixed messages about gender and gender identity.
August 28, 2020
The second of five comics based on the original Wizard of Oz books! The first one was hard to review because EVERYONE knows the story of the first Wizard of Oz because EVERYONE'S seen that old movie. Even if it was based more on the book than the movie you still knew 90% of the plot beats and knew what to expect (The art by Skottie Young was gorgeous though!)
This is the second, and where most people drop off of knowing anything. Centered around a boy named Tip who is living with a very evil old woman by the name of Mombi, who is also kind of a witch. But not really, because there were only allowed to be 4 witches in Oz at a time so she was kind of practicing magic illegally. Or something. It's not important. What matters is she's essentially a new evil witch and Tip is essentially her child slave who she intends to turn into a statue one day so he can live for all eternity as a decoration.
Naturally, Tip doesn't like that idea, so he runs away with a jar full of magic powder that brings things to life, and a wooden man with a pumpkin for a head he built himself that is brought to life thanks to the powder. The two run away and have more amusing silly adventures in the bizarre world of Oz.
While I did enjoy this more on a story front as I wasn't at all familiar with it compared to the first, I did also think that it had a lot of weaknesses that haven't aged particularly well. While on the one hand I do feel it should be commended that they stuck so faithfully to the source material, having an army of women take over the Emerald city using sewing needles as their lone weapons is uh, not a good look, to put it nicely. Nor is it so good when a small handful of mice are enough to send them all squealing as they run away in terror and abandon their post later in the story. And considering the women rose up and took over the city because they were tired of doing all the housework and... none of that seems to get resolved when they're eventually overthrown it's-
It's just not a story that's aged well. And that's the biggest portion of the story, with the Mombi plot mostly taking a backseat until the end when all of that gets resolved. The Mombi sections are pretty fine and I've no complaints there, and the art is still wonderful and makes this worth reading all its own.
Will not say more for spoilers but it's got the same warm, friendly tone that the first series had that's just very nice to go through. It's not aged well in many regards that make it kind of hard to read without cringing, but the overall package is still attractive enough that I'd rank it perfectly average.
This is the second, and where most people drop off of knowing anything. Centered around a boy named Tip who is living with a very evil old woman by the name of Mombi, who is also kind of a witch. But not really, because there were only allowed to be 4 witches in Oz at a time so she was kind of practicing magic illegally. Or something. It's not important. What matters is she's essentially a new evil witch and Tip is essentially her child slave who she intends to turn into a statue one day so he can live for all eternity as a decoration.
Naturally, Tip doesn't like that idea, so he runs away with a jar full of magic powder that brings things to life, and a wooden man with a pumpkin for a head he built himself that is brought to life thanks to the powder. The two run away and have more amusing silly adventures in the bizarre world of Oz.
While I did enjoy this more on a story front as I wasn't at all familiar with it compared to the first, I did also think that it had a lot of weaknesses that haven't aged particularly well. While on the one hand I do feel it should be commended that they stuck so faithfully to the source material, having an army of women take over the Emerald city using sewing needles as their lone weapons is uh, not a good look, to put it nicely. Nor is it so good when a small handful of mice are enough to send them all squealing as they run away in terror and abandon their post later in the story. And considering the women rose up and took over the city because they were tired of doing all the housework and... none of that seems to get resolved when they're eventually overthrown it's-
It's just not a story that's aged well. And that's the biggest portion of the story, with the Mombi plot mostly taking a backseat until the end when all of that gets resolved. The Mombi sections are pretty fine and I've no complaints there, and the art is still wonderful and makes this worth reading all its own.
Will not say more for spoilers but it's got the same warm, friendly tone that the first series had that's just very nice to go through. It's not aged well in many regards that make it kind of hard to read without cringing, but the overall package is still attractive enough that I'd rank it perfectly average.
February 17, 2021
I own this series solely because of Skottie Young's artwork. It does not disappoint in this, though I missed the lion. The story is fun and silly. I have never read past the first book of Baum's novels so I don't know how close the rest of these will be. This book is a silly kind of fun.
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