Never give up hope … especially when Dorothy is leading the way.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Terry Kavanagh
Artwork: Marcelo Mueller
Colors: Leonardo Paciarotti
Letters: Maurizio Clausi
What They Say:
Dorothy and friends free Glinda and Adraste, but something – make that a lot of somethings – would see them all dead. Is it too late for the world of Oz anyway? Back in Emerald City, the Heart of Oz is finally unearthed – and nobody was expecting what they found. And the truth about the Wizard is revealed, as his power grows ever more dangerous!
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
After finally making their way past a robotic menace named Talos which guarded the Impossible Pass-Pass via a valiant sacrifice by Fytor, the group finally thought they might make some progress, until a pair of reptilian troublemakers reveal themselves from an exposed crevice. Without warning the larger of the two sprayed the area with a horrendous torrent of its breath, engulfing the entire area in a fearsome barrage of searing heat and scorching flames. While this might have incinerated a normal group thanks to Dorothy she was able to create a magical shield from the Green, but with its source in short supply within this barren land the protection will not last long, as clearly seen by the former queen’s considerable struggle to keep her friends protected. It is only as her stamina begins to wane does the Nome King and daughter confess they know this haughty pair and call them by name of Rak and Quox, offering an appetizing appeal if they are not destroyed within their next conflagration. The temptation of rare and unique gemstones beyond the southern lands for safe passage makes them take pause and they consider the deal, in the meantime the offer allows them a chuckle in bemused fascination of tastes which they never have partaken.
But as his compatriots found themselves within ever-growing danger, Bartleby himself was also in an ever precarious position as the truth behind Emerald City’s renovation project finally came to light, with the demolition of the drillnaughts fully coming to bear. Even under her counselor’s numerous protests as to this mindless destruction, Queen Dorothy callously ignored his pleas and it is only now as the truth is finally revealed does she too show her monstrous secret and ruthless identity. It is only a cold iron barrier which keeps the Scarecrow from wringing the Wizard with visible hatred exposed in his actions, but the next secret stings him ever more deeply as he learns his beloved Tessa is the manipulative Lady Soforth, the one helping all this time. And yet as he attempts to accept all of these devious ploys meant to keep him distracted from this treacherous mage’s endeavors, the malignant woman cannot but taunt him even more … reminding the highly gullible and now emotionally crushed advisor no one can bring back the dead.
In Summary:
As we approach the end of the title writer Terry Kavanagh has begun to close the story’s main premise, although even as we learn of the depths of the Wizard’s ambition, there is still a major question remaining: why was he and Lady Soforth isolated from the rest of Oz? While we can deduce it may have something to do with the recent discovery beneath the outskirts of Emerald City, it still does not explain the depths by which they would go to exact a modicum of revenge and the twisted lengths of his scheme. Though this may gnaw readers for definition as to his true intentions, Kavanagh creates wondrous distractions within this issue to skirt the question and allow us to enjoy both Bartleby’s and Dorothy’s struggles as to his machinations on two fronts, even if they may converge on the same source. To witness someone who serves as counselor to the queen, it seems strange to watch his big-hearted man fall for the same kind of scheme with each new title and this series is no exception, made all the more difficult when Tessa is brought back; however with his intelligence you would think he would understand once someone is gone, they cannot return – or is his heart overriding logic? Then we have Dorothy suffering from a need to find the only ones who may be able to stand against the Wizard, Glinda, and Adraste, and yet she still does not know he was the one who trapped them in the first place. Against impossible odds which block her and friends at each opportunity, The Gale still perseveres, all while her strength with the Green wanes as they draw closer to their goal. However even within all of this misery spread upon Oz, one cannot but hope the heroes will succeed, however, at the same time as tragedy closes in from all sides, it also appears the finale will not end with all they wish but what the land needs.
This issue does not lack an opening spectacle of wonder as we are greeted by a fantastic splash from Marcelo Mueller, made all the more amazing with Leonardo Paciarotti’s vibrant colors which enhance the ominous menace of the reptilian marauders with a delicate dance of light and shadows. It is this amazing artwork which allows the story to prosper, reining in the excitement of the story and giving the despair of the characters a visible medium to materialize what words alone cannot communicate. You cannot but become mesmerized with the survival of Dorothy and her friends, the heat of flames made tangible due to a clash with magic due an amazing application of colorful splendor and yet it is this same visual grandeur which links the two conflicts – one of survival and the other of dire straits over debilitating truth. It is scintillating how these skilled artists are able to reflect contrasting sides of the same narrative and while both are equally depressing, one shows the crushing side of desperation and the other of emotional distress. To have this duality of conflicts within the same issue is sublime, allowing the reader to partake of the nuances of illustration and tone depicting the same horror and yet enveloped within dissimilar packages due to the gravitas of the moment. This is how to create an investment within the reader and leave them wanting for more.
Oz: Heart of Magic may be slow to develop a captivating story, but once it grabs you it does not let you go due to a narrative which is restrictive on giving up too much so as to keep the reader interested. But with artwork which is captivating and keeps you engaged, it is this visual appeasement that allows the audience to not wander far all to see what happens with great interest. However with only one issue left to wrap up all those loose ends and allow for a satisfying conclusion, one has to question if there is enough time to appease everyone within Oz.
Grade: B+
Age Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: July 24, 2019
MSRP: $3.99
