OZ: KINGDOM OF THE LOST #1, from Zenescope Entertainment on 8/16/23, brings readers back to the magical world of Oz to find Nicholas the Tin Man stolen from his resting place.
The Details
- Written by: David Wohl
- Art by: Guillermo Fajardo, Eduardo Garcia
- Colors by: Walter Pereyra, Maxflan Araujo, Robby Bevard
- Letters by: Taylor Esposito
- Cover art by: Geebo Vigonte (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $5.99
- Release date: August 16, 2023
Is It Good?
OZ: KINGDOM OF THE LOST #1, from David Wohl, begins a three-part adventure where Dorothy and her friends (plus a pair of new allies) search for their missing friend. Nicholas the Tin Man hasn’t been active in years, so Wohl’s story brings back an old favorite, wrapped in a new mystery with deadly monsters and a new villain. If you like Zenescope’s take on Oz but are a bit tired of the same villains with the same stories, this might be the changeup you’re looking for.
Wohl’s script centers on Nicholas the Tin Man standing in repose as a statue outside the gates of the Emerald City palace. When a mysterious Shaggy Man arrives to reactivate Nicholas for some unknown purpose, the situation gets deadly for anyone who stands in his way.
The highlight of Wohl’s script is the central premise. Dorothy and her friends are an exciting twist on the classic characters, perfect for Zenescope’s brand of alternate fantasy takes, but it’s fair to say you can only have Dorothy confront yet another wicked witch before the stories start to become rote. OZ: KINGDOM OF THE LOST #1 takes Oz in a welcome direction by revisiting long-absent characters, introducing new ones (who aren’t wicked witches), and embarking on a classic adventure.
What’s great about this comic? As noted above, the central premise is the highlight because we’re getting a new adventure with old friends, new friends (and enemies), and clever ways to expand the lore of Oz. Wohl’s writing is clean, clear, well-paced, energetic, and intriguing.
What’s not so great about this comic? Nicholas’s “return” is a welcome one, but it would have helped to give readers a quick flashback or a primer to bring readers up to speed on Nicholas’s backstory within this version of Oz. Otherwise, this comic is solid.
How’s the art? As you can see from the credits above, several artists (pencils, inks, and colors) were tapped to bring the comic to life, but you honestly can’t tell. The figure work is strong, the lines are clean and sharp, and the colors look great.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a bearded man dressed in rags approaching Nicholas the Tin Man as he stands on his pedestal outside the palace gates of Oz. The Shaggy Man presumes Nicholas is still alive and his place of honor is a personal torture, and he “awakens” Nicholas to follow him into the woods. When two guards step forward to investigate, they meet a bloody end.
Later, Dorothy, Toto, and Bartelby answer a summons to meet King Lugg, Dorothy’s father. Along the way, they find Nicholas missing and the dead guards. When Dorothy informs the King of the discovery, including a giant hole nearby, she explains her plan to form a recon team to investigate.
Elsewhere Thorne finds his children, Leon and Daksha practicing their hunting skills on a dangerous forest creature that’s a cross between a deer and a rhino. When the practice gets out of hand, thorne intervenes and brings the children home, where he finds Dorothy waiting with an offer.
We conclude the issue with more missing guards, a deadly descent, and giant critters.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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OZ: KINGDOM OF THE LOST #1 reinvigorates the adventures in Oz when a new villain claims the Tin Man for an evil purpose. The story’s central premise is its highlight, and the art looks great.
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