A round a year and a half ago, I came across a preview for The Legend Of OZ: The Wicked West mini-series. I asked my comic book store guy to pick me up a copy of the first issue because I was intrigued.
After the first issue, I was hooked on this series. Here is a comic book that takes a familiar story and spins it on its head with the Wild West flare in a fascinating manner. The art and coloring were sensational.
That mini-series has come and gone. BDI (Big Dog Ink) launched it into a regular series without Dorothy a focal character (at this time). Can this series continue to thrill me and make me ask for more or has it run its course?
Credits:
The Legend of OZ: The Wicked West -Issue # 4
Big Dog Ink (BDI)
Writer: Tom Hutchison
Artist: Alisson Bores
Colorist: Kate Finnegan
Letters: HDE
Plot: (Plot Spoilers)
This series is a major re-imaging of the OZ series. It is set in the Wild West style. In the mini-series, Gale (Dorothy) has ruby spurs and six guns. Toto is her horse. Each character is a unique take on the standard OZ characters.
Gale is now missing. General Jinjur had captured her friends and locked them in jail. The Field Mice assisted them in escaping. They were tracked by Wheelers, bounty hunters hired by Jinjur but the Field Mice stopped them (for now).
The Scarecrow (Indian Girl), the Tinman (Sheriff), and the Cowardly Lion are on the run in the forest from General Jinjur. They are heading South in hopes the Witch of the South can help them find Gale. They have picked up a couple of new friends: a boy and a live sawhorse.
The group is confronted by three female swordswomen. They look like musketeers. These female musketeers appear to be elite guard for the Witch of the South. They are all surprised by a masked man who demands they all see the Witch of the South.
Meanwhile, General Jinjur has taken control over the Emerald City. She is in charge of the army. She has the secrets of the Wizard. She is a bit of an unpredictable and unstable character.
Review:
Art:
I cannot say enough good things about the art of this issue and every issue in this series. It is always top notch. Everything from the beautiful covers to the fantastic interior art to the perfect coloring, light, and shading.
There are panels that jump off of the page. There is a scene where the yellow brick road appears to grow in front of Jinjur. At one point, the road is hovering above the ground and extends above and across the canyon.
I continue to be impressed with Alisson Bores’ art with each issue. Her art brings out great details in the characters and the backgrounds. It sets the mood for the story and enhances my pure enjoyment. I am continually in awe of her art. I believe Alisson will soon be known as one of the best comic book artists in the business.
Kate Finnegan is a phenomenal colorist. I have enjoyed her style and choices of colors and shade both in this book and in the comic: Blueseph J. Headmetal. She beautifully adds to mood of the scene with her coloring whether is it up or an intense fight scene or depressive setting. She has great contrasting colors that makes the panels pop. In my opinion, like Bores, Finnegan is one of the best in the comic book business.
Story/Plot:
Tom Hutchison has created an exhilarating ride. He is a master at taking the extended OZ universe from all of the books and uses it to tell his tale with a western emphasis. His creativity merges the two perfectly. Jinjur is a major character in the second OZ book but she is much more crazy and kick butt in this story.
I have enjoyed the story in each issue. It is always moving forward to tell the greater story while appropriately developing characters.
This the only comic I am reading from Hutchison but I am quite impressed. I will be checking out more of his genius.
My REVIEW:
I love this book. It is always the first comic I read when a new issue comes out. I cannot sing its praise loud enough.
It is unfortunate that this book is not getting more press. At the comic shop I frequent, I am the only person picking up this series. They do not keep it stocked on the shelf. I hope it is different in other stores.
This book is not appropriate for all ages. I would suggest Teen and UP for intensity of the story. Some of the images show some cleavage.
Grade:A
