The Marvelous Land of Oz by Eric Shanower, L. Frank Baum and Skottie Young

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The Marvelous Land of Oz
by Eric Shanower, L. Frank Baum and Skottie Young

I read the first graphic novel in this "series" during another Do Nothing But Read Day, so it was only fitting to read this during another one (1/29/12).

These books are such a thrill to read! And The Marvelous Land of Oz is actually my favorite book in all of Oz (I spent hours in my youth making my version of the gump in my basement). I always saw myself as Tip (or maybe Jack Pumpkinhead when he worries all the time... LOL). I love that these books are so incredibly faithful to the original, with the exact same dialogue and actions. And though a lot of the characters didn't quite look like the images I had in my head during childhood, I LOVE the art in this series and the illustrations amaze me. They're so creative and vivid--such characters!

There were so many moments from the book that I got to see brought to life in this story--stuffing the scarecrow with money, making Jack, Tip swallowing the wishing pill, assembling the gump, the translation scene, the tin woodsman & scarecrow reuniting, and finding out what really happened to Ozma.

The thing I liked most about it was something I found out only after reading the introduction after finishing the book. Apparently, some of the dialogue I didn't recognize wasn't in the book, but was in the original play that Baum wrote before the book. Amazing! Such attention to detail. I'm astounded by this book. I'm SO glad I bought it (also at one of the Borders going out of business sales). I can't wait to track down the next book (and the next!). I hope they are able to do all of Baum's books!