The Wizard of Oz meets The Hurt Locker in the exciting The O.Z., which is now launching its final chapter. Created by writer David Pepose, The O.Z. provides a fresh and unique perspective on the classic tale, addressing themes of trauma and life during wartime. The first two issues were successful on Kickstarter, and Pepose is now bringing it to a thrilling conclusion.
David Pepose made a significant impact on the American comics scene with works like Savage Avengers. This series was initially designed to feature Conan the Barbarian, whose rights Marvel had just regained. After the license expired and Conan left the Marvel Universe again, the series struggled but Pepose helped it regain its momentum. Although Savage Avengers has concluded, Pepose has continued working on various projects at Marvel, including Moon Knight: City of the Dead.
Pepose has also made a name for himself in several media tie-in comics. He currently writes the monthly series for Space Ghost and Captain Planet for Dynamite Entertainment, as well as Speed Racer for Mad Cave Studios. The O.Z. is a creator-owned project with two issues released so far. The third chapter is available for pre-order today on Kickstarter, and ScreenRant is excited to provide fans with an exclusive first look.
The O.Z. Is the Darkest Riff on the Classic Wizard of Oz Story Yet
David Pepose Has Some Awesome Rewards for The O.Z.’s Kickstarter Campaign
The O.Z. #3 Kickstarter launched today, bringing Pepose’s dark interpretation of The Wizard of Oz to an unforgettable conclusion. The story follows Dorothy Gale’s granddaughter, also named Dorothy, who is an Iraq War veteran. As she copes with her trauma from military service, she is transported to the Land of Oz, now ruled by the Scarecrow King. The inhabitants refer to their homeland as “the Occupied Zone,” or “The O.Z.”
Pepose has shared preview pages from The O.Z. #3 with ScreenRant. In these pages, Dorothy, the Tin Man, and the Pumpkin King are imprisoned by the Scarecrow and his minions. Pepose and Rojas vividly portray the horrors and trauma inflicted by the Scarecrow on his captives. The Scarecrow is a formidable foe, and Dorothy and her allies must race against time to thwart him. Furthermore, Pepose has provided ScreenRant with an exclusive look at Serg Acuña’s cover.
The Kickstarter campaign for The O.Z. #3 offers fantastic rewards for those who pre-order. These include behind-the-scenes material such as Pepose’s scripts and Rojas’ breakdowns. There are also tiers that compile Pepose’s other works and an opportunity to arrange an in-store signing by Pepose at a local comic shop.
The O.Z. Infuses Frank Baum’s Story With Real World Grittiness
The Wizard of Oz is one of the most cherished stories in American culture. Written by L. Frank Baum and part of a larger series of books, it has captivated audiences for nearly a century. Over time, various adaptations and reinterpretations have emerged. Television adaptations like Tin Man and comics such as Fables have explored different aspects of Oz.
Television adaptations like Tin Man and comics such as Fables have explored different aspects of Oz.
However, The O.Z., which combines elements from both <em>The Wizard of Oz</em> and <em>The Hurt Locker</em>, stands out as one of the most original interpretations of the tale yet. Dorothy battles on two fronts: in Oz itself and within her mind as she confronts her past. The preview pages evoke the infamous Guantánamo Bay while connecting Oz’s struggle against the Scarecrow King in contemporary times. David Pepose has crafted an extraordinary concept in The O.Z., which is now approaching a brutal and bloody conclusion.
The O.Z.#3 is now available for pre-order on Kickstarter!
