OZ: RETURN OF THE WICKED WITCH #2, from Zenescope entertainment on December 21st, 2022, recounts the rise and fall of the original Wicked Witch of the North, Mambi, when her return brings death and destruction to Oz.
The Details
- Written by: David Wohl
- Art by: Guillermo Fajardo
- Colors by: Walter Pereyra
- Letters by: Joshua Reed
- Cover art by: Riveiro (cover A)
- Cover price: $5.99
- Release date: December 21, 2022
Is It Good?
Okay, OZ: RETURN OF THE WICKED WITCH #2 is one of the best comics to come out of Zenescope this year, and we don’t make that claim lightly. You get a tragic character backstory, clear character motivations, stakes, consequences, good pacing, organic dialog, plenty of fantasy action, and killer art. On the Comical Opinions scale of success, this issue checks all the boxes.
David Wohl’s story about a long-lost Good Witch of the North who eventually turned evil is exactly the type of character introduction that comic readers love to see. Mambi, the titular Wicked Witch, starts her reign with all the right and good intentions, but when tragedy strikes, she has a choice to make, and she chooses poorly. Mambi’s backstory is imminently relatable because she embodies the people we see every day. She’s a leader, a friend, and a mother, so when a tragic event occurs, you may not agree with her reaction, but you can understand it.
Where does this issue go wrong? Honestly, nowhere. There’s practically nothing to criticize about the story or its execution aside from a few, minor nitpicks. Which leaves the art…
Fajardo’s art, along with Pereyra’s colors, is immaculate. The panels are detailed and lush, the dramatic acting from the characters is cinematic, and the colors from Pereyra are mesmerizing. This issue is one of the rare comics on the market where the quality of the internal pages matches the quality of the cover art.
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]
Check out our OZ: RETURN OF THE WICKED WITCH #1 review to find out how Dorothy and her friends discovered a new threat has arrived in Oz.
We begin with an extended flashback introducing Mambi, the previous Good Witch of the North and ruler of Oz. Mambi treated the people with kindness and generosity, asking nothing in return except loyalty from her subjects.
One day, Mambi’s son, Maras, carelessly ran off into the woods for a bit of fun, losing his protective amulet in the process. When tragedy struck, Mambi became convinced secret enemies and traitors within her people conspired to destroy her. She lashed out and sought out the use of dark magic to root out all enemies, even when there were none to be found.
Eventually, it took the combined might of the other Good Witches to capture Mambi and banish her from Oz. We conclude the issue with the rise of Jack, a return, and the price of courage.
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: RETURN OF THE WICKED WITCH #2 is practically perfect in every way. The backstory and re-introduction of the Wicked Witch work on multiple levels, including her motivations. The plot has stakes, oodles of drama, and consequences. And the art is exquisite.
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