This edition is a mixed bag, but none of it is bad. They stick with what seems to be an ongoing canon related by these little issues. This one calls back to the time where the Nome King took over Oz and was saved by the Cowardly Lion. They are still worried he might come back and try again. This issue is all about raising security in the Emerald City in case that happens.
One funny thing is that they use the Gump's Head as an alarm system. It's not a very good one. All he says is "Awooga!" if he sees something wrong. But if my knowledge of the canon is accurate, this is more than he was allowed to say before. As I remember it, Princess Ozma told him to be quiet, which always made me sad. I also did not understand why she would do that.
Also this issue makes interesting references to the excellent Disney movie "Return to Oz." In several places, you can see the faces of some of the Nome goblins talking to each other like they did in the movie. Remember how their faces would appear in the rocks? That's how it works here, although they seems to be materializing directly into the pages of this newspaper. And at the same time, Bungle the glass cat is also in the newspaper watching them do this.
Think this doesn't make any sense? Well, it actually does! Remember that Oz is a magical country where crazy stuff like this happens all the time. If you were living in Oz, you might actually see stuff like this in the local newspaper. This addition is incredibly clever, and I really loved it.
The issue also recommends a few books. One of them was a new interpretation of the original "Wizard of Oz." Actually doesn't look that bad. I might take them up on that someday. There was also a recommendation to read Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen." That's actually not a bad one! Much of his stuff is really depressing. This one is too, but it's really better than most of his stuff.
All in all, this was a solid 4-page read. I'd recommend it, but these require a membership to the International Wizard of Oz Club. Gotta get one of those to see these. Worth it though, especially if you are a die hard Oz fan!
This blog was written on December 25, 2024. Merry Christmas!
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Cool. The imagination and creativity of one man started a chain reaction of imagination and creativity that is still ongoing. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
ReplyDeleteYeah, these are great!
DeleteWhen it comes to Oz, craziness is to be expected. They use the Gump's head as an alarm. So, faces in the newspaper talking to each other is not so strange.
ReplyDeleteHe deserves to say something once in a while.
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