Amber Love 28-MAR-2012 A new chapter in the wonderful world of Oz is coming to fans. Here’s a look at DOROTHY OF OZ by IDW Publishing.

In “Dorothy of Oz,” Dorothy returns to Kansas to find it devastated by the tornado that had whisked her away to Oz. The home she has been so desperate to return to is severely damaged, and the townspeople are packing up and moving out. But shortly after arriving in Kansas, Dorothy is magically transported back to Oz.

This story tells what happened in Dorothy’s absence and made her return necessary.

Writer: Denton J. Tipton
Artist: Blair Shedd
Colors: Joana Lafuente
Letters: Neil Uyetake
Editor: Denton J. Tipton

The first issue is “The Jester and the Magic Scepter” where the Jester is the brother to the Wicked Witch of the West who was the primary villain in the original Oz tale. The anthropomorphic characters of literature are at their next stage of existence. The Lion has his bravery; the Tin Man has emotions, etc. although, they have gotten some modern tech upgrades. The Tin Man shows some incredible new features that give him cyborg like software programming.

The flying monkeys now answer to the Jester. They have been sent on a mission to steal the Wicked Witch’s broomstick which was kept in Emerald City. Creating a powerful scepter, the Jester sets his sights on Munchkin Land and sets out to destroy it.

Some people have a fear of clowns. My childhood fears were the dark and flying monkey as well other monsters. After my grandparents died, I even sold the highly collectible MGM plates on e(vil)bay because I didn’t want them in the house. It was the Marvel Comics series that turned me on to the Oz stories and helped me get over my flying monkey phobia. I was comfortable by the IDW comic and feel that young fans will be able to fully embrace this brand new chapter.

Large limited numbers of panels keep the pictures big, bright and visually appealing for new eyes. The color palette is like jewels of bright purples, blues, greens and spotted with gold. Writer and editor Denton Tipton puts good use to rhyming with the Jester’s evil spells. He also gives the Jester enough silly dialog that children will be able to grasp him a dopey villain.

DOROTHY OF OZ #1 has a retailer incentive (RI) cover available also.

INTERVIEW WITH DENTON TIPTON

AU: How many issues are there?

DT: Four

AU: Why does the title say “prequel” when it’s after Dorothy has killed the witch?

DT: This is a prequel to the upcoming animated film Dorothy Of Oz, based on the book by Roger S. Baum, Frank L. Baum’s great-grandson.

AU: We don’t see Dorothy in issue #1. When will she appear?

DT: She’ll appear in the last issue in some fashion. This story is about the Trio and how they try to bring Dorothy back to Oz.

AU: What’s your favorite version of the Oz stories and why?

DT: I would have to say the orginal movie is the sentimental favorite from having seen it so many times as a youngster.

AU: Do you have any suggestions for comic shops to bring in new young readers?

DT: Make it look like a place safe for parents to bring in their kids and be able to let them look around on their own without ending up trapped under a pile of old comics or dusty toys.

AU: Will a softcover or hardcover be available when it’s completed?

DT: The story will be collected in a 6×9 softcover a few months after completion.

AU: Do you expect to have another chapter of Oz after this run?

DT: Depends on the response to the prequel and the film itself, but I sure hope so!

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of AmberUnmasked.com and Vodka O'Clock Podcast. Author of The Farrah Wethers Mysteries, comic book short stories, prose, and non-fiction. Cosplayer and figure model.