Comic Review: Oz #1 by Joe Brusha

Oz #1 Cover B (ArtGerm)

Oz #1 by Joe Brusha
Zenescope 

At long last the last realm of power in the Grimm Fairy Tales universe is revealed…and there’s never been an Oz quite like this. This modern take on the story reimagines the classic fairy tale in the classic 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 unlikeliest of places…the farmlands of Kansas and the home of the unlikeliest of heroes…Dorothy Gale. With incredible cover art by superstars J Scott Campbell, Artgerm, EBAS and Ale Garza! The epic Oz adventure starts here.

Set in Zenescope's surprisingly vast Grimm Fairy Tales universe, which includes a bloody, bawdy version of Alice in Wonderland, Oz is a new six-part series. And in this one, Dorothy is all grown up--and out.

A far cry from Judy Garland, this version of Dorothy looks more like the kind of farmer's daughter you'd see in a Playboy spread. As for Toto, the little terrier has been traded in for a giant wolf that shows up wounded one night outside Dorothy's bedroom window.

Oz #1 Cover A (J Scott Campbell)

The first issue does a fair job at incorporating Dorothy and the Kansas backdrop into Zenescope's big picture, starting off with the wolf and its master on the run with a horde of some nasty-lookin', sword-wielding demons. As the master falls, he passes a package to the wolf and sends him on his way from the fantasy world--not sure if it's Oz--into the real world. There's no mistaking Oz when Dorothy and Toto are hurled there though, as the Munchkins appear in a macabre funhouse-mirror version of themselves, with a Victoria's Secret incarnation of the Wicked Witch of the West there to greet Dorothy.

Some of the artwork felt a bit uneven. The opening sequence was great with the tension and mysterious nature of the chase, then Dorothy's introduction came and she looks just really awkward with so many lines used in drawing her that she looked a little haggard.

Like the other Zenescope titles I've checked out, the artwork goes for a titillating approach, the dialogue plays it straight. You might expect it to come off as tinny, but it's done well. Over the top, sure, but it's a fantastical story, so you need some melodrama to get it across. Overall, a good start to this series, and has me very curious to see how one of my all-time favorite stories from childhood will be re-imagined in the other five issues.

3 1/2 sheep

Guest Reviewer: Gef Fox

Wag The Fox: Den for Dark Fiction

Zenescope Comics: Grimm Fairy Tales Alice #6

Zenescope Comics was kind enough to hook up the Aheep during our visit to PhoenixComicon 2012. These guys and gals have some amazing and fun tales hitting the shelfs right now. Here's a little more info about this fantastic comic group.

Joe Brusha and Ralph Tedesco started out writing screenplays together about fifteen years ago but the two eventually came up with the idea that evolved into Zenescope Entertainment. The company was founded in 2005 and has become one of the most recognized independent comic book and graphic novel publishers in the world. Known for their unique re-imaginings of classic tales, Ralph and Joe are unapologetic about their work. Their edgy and non-traditional brand of story-telling sets them apart from the pack.

Next year will be marked by the release of Grimm Fairy Tales #75, which was the inaugural title published by Zenescope Entertainment. It is one of the longest running independent comic book series on the market today. But the company has not rested on its laurels, having launched a wide range of other successful titles, including: Wonderland (Tales from, Return, Beyond, Escape, House of Liddle) Myths and Legends, Neverland, Inferno, Salem’s Daughter, Sinbad, The Piper and a number of other titles. Joe and Ralph also added the very talented Raven Gregory to the writing team. His creative mind has been used most notably on the Wonderland and Grimm Fairy Tales series while also adding some excellent creative works of his own to the Zenescope catalog. Those stories include The Waking, Fly and The Theater.

In 2011, Zenescope Entertainment announced news that their illustrated novel, Monster Hunter’s Survival Guide, will be made into a live action movie, being produced by Simon Kinberg and starring the one and only Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. They also released 17 trade paperbacks and successfully launched their first ever crossover story entitled The Dream Eater Saga. Zenescope is looking to expand the merchandise available for their more popular series, and launch more edgy

Our very own guest blogger Bunni Darling also reviewed one of their comics!

Grimm Fairy Tales- Alice #6

Written by: Raven Gregory Pencils and Colors by: Robert Gill, Jason Embury

The end of the beginning is here as Alice finally confronts the ruler of Wonderland and faces off against her greatest fear. With the fate of both Wonderland and earth at stake, will Alice find a way to defeat madness in its purest form or will she fall to victim to the Jabberwocky's sinister machinations. This is also an oversized issue!

In this edition of Alice we are given a showdown between Alice and other key players in Wonderland that result in a delightful bloody mess. Alice's world is literally turned upside down and she has to figure out how to beat the madness that is going while staying true to herself and trying to defeat Jabberwocky and his ever so sinister plan.

The illustrations are bold and beautifully done, the characters are delightfully twisted, and this is not the Alice you grew up reading as a child- which made it all the more delightful to read! I would recommend checking out this series from Zenescope, I give it 4 queen sheep heads.

Make sure to check out Zenescope HERE.