OZ: FALL OF THE EMERALD CITY #2, by Zenescope on 5/15/24, sends Dorothy Gale and her friends to separate the truth from the legend about Oz’s returning goddess, Polychrome.
Credits:
- Writer: David Wohl
- Artist: Eman Casallos
- Colorist: Robby Bevard
- Letterer: Taylor Esposito
- Cover Artist: Al Barrionuevo (cover A)
- Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
- Release Date: 5/15/2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 25
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of OZ: FALL OF THE EMERALD CITY #2:
Plot Analysis:
Of course, Polychrome isn’t all she’s cracked up to be. It wouldn’t be much of a story if the all-powerful goddess with the power of Life and Death, who just so happens to show up out of the blue, is in Oz for a peaceful getaway.
In Oz: Fall of the Emerald City #1, readers are introduced to the sudden arrival of Polychrome, a powerful goddess with the power to lay waste and resurrect the dead. Her arrival in Emerald City led to much fanfare and worshipping, but Dorothy Gale and her friends sensed something was amiss when Polychrome coincidentally arrived to dispatch a gigantic water dragon attack with the resurrected Wizard by her side.
In Oz: Fall of the Emerald City #2, Glinda, Nicholas, and Adraste only manage to find children’s books that mention Polychrome’s history. Adraste remembered the stories as little more than fairytales about a goddess who fought a cataclysmic battle against witches before returning to her home on Peakenspire Island.
Meanwhile, Dorothy Gale impatiently witnesses her father, King Lugg, and the Royal Council cede control of Emerald City to Polychrome as a protective measure against more monster attacks. Dorothy barely contains her suspicions, but the Wizard reminds Dorothy that there’s nothing she can do.
Later, Glinda and her allies feel growing tremors underneath the Abraxas Academy archives while they research Polychrome’s history. The bodies of ancient wizards and witches suddenly spring to life from the tombs below the academy and attack. Glinda and Adraste barely manage to contain the zombie threat, and one of the wizards warns he was reanimated and controlled by Polychrome.
Afterward, Dorothy arrives to join Glinda and her friends. They set out to Peakenspire Island with the hope that they could find out the truth of Polychrome’s reappearance. The group finds a crack in the sky that leads to an island hidden from view. At its heart is a pyramid surrounding the end of a rainbow at the peak. The group finds several dead guards, and guards that survived Polychrome’s escape lament their failure at keeping Polychrome imprisoned.
Dorothy and her friends investigate the pyramid, only to find a dying wizard who explains that the answer to stopping Polychrome lies on the other side of the rainbow.
Character Development:
As with nearly every Oz comic from Zenescope, Dorothy Gale is strong, determined, and a problem solver. There’s not much character growth or change for Dorothy in this issue, but the quickness with which the King gives up the throne may lead to a wedge in the relationship between Dorothy and her father moving forward.
Artwork and Presentation:
In general, the art from Eman Casallos is very good. Most of the facial acting comes by way of Dorothy’s indignation and anger towards the situation and the Wizard, which is well done. Plus, the figure work is excellent.
That said, Robby Bevard’s coloring is a minor downpoint. Bevard’s color selection is good, but the application lacks feathering, which gives every person and surface a flat, glossy appearance.
Art Samples:
Pacing and Structure:
Wohl could have taken the too-often used trope of having Dorothy argue and fight with her allies over Polychrome’s intentions when her suspicions are raised, but Wohl cuts out the trope by making it clear to everyone, including the King, that Polychrome is no good. That’s a big plus that gets readers right to the business of defeating the villain.
Consequently, the issue’s pace is on-point and engaging as it pulls readers along on the journey.
Thematic Exploration:
The theme of this story, so far, centers on trusting your instincts. Dorothy trusts her gut when she feels something’s off about Polychrome. Rather than second guess herself, Dorothy is strong enough to trust what she feels, which serves as a good lesson about trusting yourself and is a great way to elevate Dorothy’s hero status.
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
To this point, Dorothy and her adventures in Oz have had nothing to do with the Lovecraft-inspired troubles plaguing the rest of the Grimm Universe. That lack of interconnectedness may change in the future, but for now, the realm of Oz is separate.
Historical Context:
Despite the places and names of the characters, Zenescope’s version of Oz has little to do with L. Frank Baum’s classic story. The costumes borrow elements from the 1939 film, but that’s as far as the connection goes.
Final Thoughts:
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OZ: FALL OF THE EMERALD CITY #2 is a fast-paced, action-packed entry in a story about an all-powerful goddess with hidden intentions. Wohl’s character work, pacing, and plot hit the mark, and the art is above average.
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