The Secret Island of Oz

Rating:
Summary: An Enchanting Oz Adventure
Review: Being a great Oz enthusiast, (just to get qualifications out of the way, I've read all the L. Frank Baum books (some multiple times), most of Ruth Plumly Thompson's books, one of John R. Neill's, one of Jack Snow's, etc.) I saw this comic version of an Oz tale, and I was highly interested.

I had read The Forgotten Forest of Oz quite a few years ago and enjoyed it greatly. I purchased The Secret Island of Oz, and when I received it, I read with great enthusiasm. The comic, while short and easily read within a half-hour (or less), Eric Shanower hits well at the traditional feel of an Oz story. The dialogue sounds like the characters from the original Baum. Those looking for Thompson's humor and wordplay won't find it here, but still, this is Oz.

New characters are introduced, bringing in a moral aspect to the story. It works all right, but might be found cheesy by some.

The overall artwork for the pages is stunning; the final page will make you nearly breathless. Eric Shanower captures the spirit of John R. Neill's drawings in the richness of the landscape and the strange companions of Dorothy and Ozma. Shanower tends toward the Ozma of Oz look for Dorothy, and does quite well depicting the humans and fairies of Oz.

All in all, this is a wonderful piece of Oz, and in my mind, should be considered cannonical, despite being a graphic novel.

Rating:
Summary: Graphic novel written and illustrated by Eric Shanower
Review: Join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and Eureka the talking cat as they set off for adventure in search of the rare Quipperug. Meet Knotboy, the magical living toy, made entirely out of wood. Journey to the fabulous Secret Island floating inside a mysterious mountain that could only exist in the wondrous world of OZ! An illustrated expedition to Oz. On glossy paper (colored illustrations)

Rating:
Summary: A Classic Oz Adventure - Don't Miss It!
Review: This is an outstanding book in the classic Oz style with Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow going on an adventure. Along the way they meet Knot Boy, a living doll made of wood, and Princess Trinkarinkarina, who feels she has outgrown her childhood friend/toy. Of course there is excitement and danger as they explore under, over and through the Secret Island of Oz. Eric Shanower is at his best in the delightful and outstanding drawings, beautifully colored, that bring this graphic novel to life. A lasting treasure that never gets boring.