Zenescope Entertainment 2015
Written by Jeff Massey & Kristin Massey
Illustrated by Antonio Bifulco
Coloured by Hedwin Zaldivar
the Story So Far...
Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, died bringing Dorothy Gale back from Kansas to face Warlord, a warrior bent on subjugating Oz. Warlord resurrected the greatest evil to ever cast shadow over the Realm of Hope: Zamora. Fortunately, the “lost” Emerald Sage, Smynth, helped Dorothy refine her magical power. After a great battle, both sides now regroup and prepare for their final conflict.
But following the betrayals and revelations at Zamoran, will Dorothy Gale once again defend the Land of Hope, or succumb to the forces that buffet her at every turn?
There really is something whimsical about this series the mix of creatures and characters that make up the Land of Oz. There was also something incredibly special about Rho’Kat starts off this issue and the artwork that depicts him just add a touch of menace and mystery to his rant that really makes you wonder.
As he continues the narration of what’s occurred up till now we see the entire story unfold before us and I had forgotten how fearsome some characters look and how bad Dorothy’s Playboy faux cowboy outfit was. Thankfully the story here is so good I can overlook Dorothy’s look.
As the group breaks ranks for now to tend to their personal business, Thorne going to bury his wife and the Munchkins well they are weird and creepy and thankfully the leave and Glinda’s apprentice must find her body for proper burial Dorothy and the Scarecrow must take Smynth and Tin to King Samuel for judgment you get a sense that this separation is going to be important since they are stronger as a group than on their own.
Thora and Warlord haven’t been vanquished even if they have been temporarily defeated so Thora enacts a plan of her own to replenish her powers. This of course centers on Abraxas where she’ll consolidate what power she needs and this act will inevitably lead to the final confrontation between mother and daughter. I have to admit that the writing here is exceptional with it’s underhanded simplicity and downright evil machinations that are well thought out so that it makes for great reading.
Back at the Emerald City Dorothy is going to talk to King Samuel and honestly their conversation and the events that happen here are rather surprising and unexpected. Jeff and Kristin really weave some incredible intrigue and characterization into what we see here. With Dorothy still reeling about the revelation of her who her mother is and the acceptance of that and her growing fame and rise to power that could be abruptly stunted for now all conspire to make this so much more than you would expect to find.
Plus when Dorothy Rho’Kat this is a moment that really defines the quality of the writing and interior artwork. Antonio and Hedwin really are such great talents the look and feel of what they bring to the page is amazing, Dorothy’s slutty look aside. Their work is so vibrant and their imagination in bringing the denizens of Oz alive regardless of what species they are is brilliantly done.
I love Zenescope and the ability they have to find talent to bring classic stories to life in new ways that thrill the reader and open up endless new possibilities of what can happen. There is such a depth and complexity to the writing that gets the reader involved and invested in the story. Zenescope keeps reaching new heights with books like this.