Zenescope’s reimagining of the classic story has arrived. Is it a solid take like Robyn Hood? It’s off to a pretty fun start for sure.

Here’s the official description from Zenescope:

AT LONG LAST, THE FINAL REALM OF POWER IN THE GRIMM FAIRY TALES UNIVERSE IS R EVEALEDÖ AND THERE’S NEVER BEEN AN OZ QUITE LIKE THIS! This modern take on the story re-imagines the classic tale in the signature Zenescope style. The Witches of OZ are searching for a lost weapon of power known as the Veridian Scepter. Their quest leads them to the most unlikely of placesÖthe farmlands of Kansas and the home of the unlikeliest of heroes, Dorothy Gale. Incredible cover art by superstars J. Scott Campbell, Artgerm, Eric Basaldua, and Ale Garza! The epic Oz adventure starts here! 

The Wizard of OZ is a timeless movie. Everyone has seen it at least once, if not twenty-five times. With a prequel called OZ: The Great and Powerful recently releasing on DVD, the time was right for this book. It’s basically what you’re expecting, a modern retelling of the story Zenescope style. While Dorothy so far lacks the pizzazz Robyn has, the fantastic portrayal of the Wicked Witches and story makes it all worth it.

Joe Brusha writes, he is one of the most well known in Zenescope’s stable. He writes a Dorothy wanting adventure that seems to be tired of Kansas life. The narration is funny, I laughed when she said, “When you live on a farm in Kansas, one day is pretty much the same as the next.” All of the elements you would expect are here, Toto, the tornado, all done in a new and exciting fashion. Toto for example will be a very interesting character going forward. However, the Wicked Witch stole the show. This one is more beautiful and less cheesy than her 1939 counterpart. Pretty much the perfect female antagonist, even beating Venus from Godstorm.

Rolando Di Sessa’s art is typical Zenescope fair, which isn’t a bad thing. It’s bright, the characters look good, and most of all it can get pretty dynamic when it needs to be. It succeeds in making the Witch look extravagant but evil. The scene when she summoned the tornado was pretty well done. Like with all Zenescope #1s, there’s plenty of covers. Cover A is a wraparound featuring the entire cast. It’s a fun piece and good opening cover if not just a bit too cartoony. Cover B is more in-tone with the story inside, darker and more detailed. Cover C I particularly like mainly cause the Witch is so awesome. On this one we have her enslaving the lion, scarecrow, and Tin Man. Cover D showcases Dorothy and the ‘Pink Princess’ in front of the capital city of OZ. Cover E is my least favorite mainly cause it’s slightly over exaggerated. Besides that, all decent covers.

Overall, OZ is off to a solid start, The story is done in a whole new way while paying respect to the original. With a fantastic antagonist, I’m looking forward to seeing Dorothy’s adventure once again.

4/5

Daniel is UTF’s Chief Comic Editor. He has seen The Wizard of OZ well over twenty-five times and you can follow him on Twitter: @Destroyer_199